If you mainly watch, read and browse, use clear tempered glass. If you write or draw with Apple Pencil most days, use paper-feel film, or a removable magnetic sheet. If your iPad Pro has nano-texture glass, skip the protector.
The 2026 iPad range
| Model | Display | Note |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro (M5) | 11 / 13-inch OLED | Optional nano-texture; same design as M4 |
| iPad Air (M4) | 11 / 13-inch | Refreshed March 2026 |
| iPad mini (A17 Pro) | 8.3-inch | Small enough for one-handed Pencil notes |
| iPad (A16) | 11-inch | The family iPad; cheap glass and a case |
Glass, paper-feel, or nothing?
| Protector | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Clear tempered glass | Video, photos, reading | Keeps full sharpness; Pencil glides |
| Paper-feel / matte film | Handwriting, sketching | Adds grip; grainier image; faster tip wear |
| Magnetic removable sheet | Occasional drawing | On for sessions, off for films |
| Nothing | Nano-texture iPad Pro | Keeps the etched anti-glare finish |
If you're unsure, start with glass. Paper-feel film is hard to reuse once removed, while glass is easy to swap out if you decide you want the texture after all. Our Apple Pencil guide goes deeper, and Paperlike vs alternatives covers the best-known paper-feel brand.
Fitting a tablet-sized protector
Tablet glass is several times the area of phone glass, so dust is a much bigger problem. Use a kit with an alignment frame, fit it in a steamy bathroom, and have a spare. For children's iPads, see kids' tablet protectors.
Picks
Questions people ask
Does Apple Pencil work through a screen protector?
Yes. Apple Pencil works through glass and paper-feel film. Film changes the feel and wears tips faster; glass feels like the bare screen.
Should I use a protector on a nano-texture iPad Pro?
We'd avoid it. A glossy protector covers the nano-texture anti-glare finish.