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Finding a case for a 9.7-inch iPad 4th generation in 2012 models is a hunt, because the shelves moved on years ago. What you actually need is a folio built for the exact model numbers printed on the back of your tablet — A1458, A1459, or A1460 — and both picks below are confirmed to fit those three. The deciding factor is not the color. It is rear-shell stiffness: one pick is a hard polycarbonate back with a soft interior lining, the other trades that back for an ultra-slim structure that stays thin on the tablet’s back.
I’m Mo Maruf — the founder and writer behind The Tools Trunk. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Neither of these is a universal tablet sleeve: both fit the 4th gen alongside the 2nd and 3rd generation, so check the model code on your own device before you commit to a case for iPad 4th Generation.
Quick Picks
- UUcovers Folio Case for iPad 2/3/4 — Best Overall
- ProCase Smart Case for iPad 2nd/3rd/4th — Best Value
How To Choose The Best Case For iPad 4th Generation
The single most important step happens before you look at a single photo: flip your iPad over and read the small model code etched near the bottom. The 4th generation carries A1458, A1459, or A1460. If your code is not one of those three, no case below is the right shape for you, no matter how good it looks.
Model numbers beat release years
The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation iPads share the same 9.7-inch body, which is exactly why one case can cover all three. A case that names all three generations and lists all nine model codes is the safest bet. A case that only says “iPad 9.7” is a gamble.
Hard back or slim back?
A hard polycarbonate back (a stiff plastic shell that resists bending) adds real drop protection and shock absorption at the cost of a little thickness. A slim back keeps the tablet close to its original shape, which matters if you read one-handed for long stretches. Neither one is automatically better — pick according to how the tablet leaves the house.
The stand and the auto wake magnet
A folio flips open into a stand using anti-slip ridges on the inner cover. That is the feature you will use every day for video, typing, or propping the tablet on a kitchen counter. The magnet in the front cover wakes the screen when you open it and sleeps it when you close it, stretching the time between charges.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Rear Shell | Auto Wake/Sleep | Compatible Models | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UUcovers Folio for iPad 2/3/4 — Blue Marble | Drop protection and a hard back | Hard soft hybrid (PC + faux leather) | Yes | A1395 / A1396 / A1397 / A1416 / A1430 / A1403 / A1458 / A1459 / A1460 | Amazon |
| ProCase Smart Case for iPad 2nd/3rd/4th Gen — Purple | Slim daily carry and color choice | Plastic, translucent frosted back | Yes | A1395 / A1396 / A1397 / A1416 / A1430 / A1403 / A1458 / A1459 / A1460 | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. UUcovers Folio Case for iPad 2/3/4 (Old Model) — Blue Marble
A drop-proof shell that snaps shut like a book and wakes your screen on the way open
The UUcovers case is the pick that treats an old tablet like it still matters. Its hard polycarbonate rear shell (a stiff plastic back plate that absorbs impact) sits behind a soft microfiber lining that keeps the aluminum back from scratching. Wrap that in a durable PU leather — polyurethane, a synthetic leather-look exterior — and you get a folio that shrugs off bumps instead of passing them straight to the glass. If your 4th generation iPad travels in a bag or gets handed around the house, this is the one built for that.
What buyers keep coming back to is the fit: the case is cut for nine specific model codes — A1395, A1396, A1397 for the 2nd generation, A1416, A1430, A1403 for the 3rd, and A1458, A1459, A1460 for the 4th. Owners describe the shell grabbing the tablet snugly with no rattle, with the charging port and buttons left clear. The front cover closes onto the screen with a magnet and shuts it down the moment it lands, then wakes it when you flip it back. On a 2012 iPad, that auto wake and sleep behavior is a genuine energy saver.
Standing it up is where this case earns its keep. Multiple anti-slip slots run across the inside of the front cover, so you can pick a steep angle for typing or a shallow one for propped-up video. The folio folds into a triangular shape that stays put on a tabletop instead of sliding down. It ships with a bonus stylus pen and a soft cleaning cloth — handy extras on a tablet this old, where accessories have dried up.
What earns it first place
- Hard polycarbonate back plus shock-absorbing shell for real drop protection
- Soft microfiber lining guards the iPad’s finish against scratches
- Adjustable anti-slip stand slots for several viewing angles
- Magnetic auto wake and sleep to preserve battery life
- Covers all nine model codes for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations
What to know before you buy
- Front cover has no travel strap, so it can flap open in a bag
- Durability leans mixed in owner feedback — the hinge area is where problems start
- Verify your iPad’s model code carefully; the 4th gen shares its shell with the 2nd and 3rd
Reach for this if: you want a hard-backed folio that protects the tablet on counters, in cars, and inside backpacks, and you like the marble print over a plain black shell.
Look elsewhere if: you want the absolute thinnest case you can find — the polycarbonate back trades a sliver of thickness for that extra protection.
2. ProCase Smart Case for iPad 2nd/3rd/4th Generation (Old Model) — Purple
The featherweight option that keeps your old iPad looking like an Apple product
ProCase’s slim build is the draw here. The rear shell is a hard plastic back with a translucent frosted finish, so the brushed metal Apple icon on your 4th generation tablet shows through instead of disappearing under a solid panel. That frosted surface also resists fingerprints and scratches, which keeps the tablet’s finish intact over years of daily pickup and put-down. It is a different philosophy from the UUcovers piece above: thinner coverage, lighter in the hand, less bulk on the back of a 9.7-inch frame.
Protection here is aimed at bag life rather than kitchen-floor drops. The folio front cover shields the screen on the way in and out of a carry bag, which is the sort of protection most owners actually use. Support for auto sleep and wake comes built in, and the magnet snaps the cover closed so the iPad shuts down as soon as the folio lands. Full access to the cameras, speaker, ports, and buttons stays clear — nothing is blocked or buried under plastic.
Buyers overwhelmingly point to the fit, and it holds up under scrutiny. The case is cut for the same nine model codes — A1395, A1396, A1397 / A1416, A1430, A1403 / A1458, A1459, A1460 — so it works on the 2nd through 4th generation equally well. The Purple finish has real fans: owners describe the cover color as iridescent, and it makes a years-old iPad look new again. Stand the folio up and it holds its own on a counter or tray table thanks to the wider base. A note on some listings that claim a diagonal corner-to-corner measurement of 11-3/4″: that measurement belongs to the case, not your iPad, so don’t mistake it for a fit spec.
Protection, honestly weighed: this case is built for scratches, fingerprints, and bag life — it is not billed as drop protection. If your iPad spends its life flat on a desk or tucked into a padded pocket, that is all the coverage you need. If it rides loose in a backpack without a sleeve, the UUcovers hard back is the safer call.
What to watch: durability and grip both come across as mixed in owner feedback. The shell is slim, and over years of hinge flexing some folios develop play at the fold. Treat the cover gently and it holds up fine.
Choose this one if: you want a lightweight folio in a bold color, with the Apple icon still visible through the back, and the tablet mostly sits on a desk or rides in a bag with padding.
Understanding the Specs
Compatible model numbers
This is the single most important spec line on any iPad 4th generation case listing. The 4th gen body fits iPad 2nd and 3rd gen shells because all three share the same 9.7-inch footprint and camera position. If the product page lists A1458, A1459, and A1460 alongside the 2nd and 3rd gen codes, you have the right fit. If it lists only “iPad 9.7-inch,” walk away. Both picks in this article carry the full code list.
Rear shell type
The back of a folio does two jobs: it holds the tablet in place, and it takes the impact when the tablet lands wrong. A hard polycarbonate back (a stiff plastic shell) flexes and absorbs force better than a thin decorative cover. A soft microfiber lining on the inside protects the iPad’s finish from the shell itself. A slim translucent back trades that stiffness for a lighter, thinner feel and keeps the Apple logo visible.
Auto wake and sleep
A small magnet sits inside the front cover of both cases. When the cover sits flat over the screen, the magnet tells the iPad to sleep. When you fold the cover back, the same magnet wakes the display. On an original 2012 battery, fewer accidental screen-hours spent lit inside a closed case means fewer charges per week.
Stand angles and closure
Folio stands come in two flavors. Both picks here use anti-slip ridges on the inner front cover, so you can pick your angle by slotting the edge of the tablet into a groove. The steeper settings suit typing and video calls; the shallow settings suit hands-free reading. A magnetic closure keeps the cover shut when you set it down, which is what triggers sleep mode. Strap closures exist on other cases but are absent from both picks here.
FAQ
Will these cases fit my iPad 4th generation or only newer iPads?
How do I find my iPad model number to check compatibility?
Does auto wake and sleep actually work with a 4th generation iPad?
Which of these two cases protects better against drops?
Will the case still let me use the charging port and camera on the 4th generation iPad?
Does the folio stand hold the iPad up on its own?
Is one of these cases lighter and slimmer than the other?
Will the front cover stay closed when I carry the iPad in a bag?
Why are cases for the iPad 4th generation harder to find than newer models?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most owners of an older 9.7-inch tablet, the case for ipad 4th generation winner is the UUcovers Folio Case because its hard polycarbonate back and soft microfiber lining give the tablet genuine drop protection, and the adjustable anti-slip stand plus magnetic auto wake and sleep cover the two things a daily driver actually needs. If you want a lighter folio that keeps the Apple icon visible through the back and comes in bolder colors, grab the ProCase Smart Case. And for a years-old tablet that mostly sits flat on a desk for reading and video, the slim ProCase profile is the one to reach for.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, The Tools Trunk earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.