Do you want to know how to connect an Apple pencil to your iPad? You can use it to write notes by hand, sign a document, draw a picture on your tablet, and more. But first, you need to connect your devices.
Apple Pencil and iPad is possibly one of the best tablet and peripheral combinations in the eleven-year history of the tablet. Whilst the idea is nothing new – using a stylus with a touchscreen for note-taking and even drawing – it is that Apple polish that makes the Apple pencil and iPad experience a cut above the rest.
Multiple companies have tried to emulate its success, from the Microsoft Surface line to the latest Samsung Galaxy tablet lines, but the pinpoint accuracy, sensitivity, and overall feel of the product are second to none.
What can you do with an Apple Pencil?
Depending on your iPad model, here are some uses for an Apple Pencil:
- Write notes
- Convert handwriting to text
- Enter or edit text
- Make a drawing
- Take a screenshot
- Mark up a photo
- Sign a form
However, before buying an Apple Pencil to go with your iPad, you’ll need to see if your iPad is compatible and with which Apple Pencil.
Apple Pencil Compatibility List
Depending on your iPad model, you might need to get either the 1st or 2nd generation Apple Pencil. In order to ensure you don’t make a mistake, check out the list below and get the correct Apple Pencil to connect it to your iPad.
Apple Pencil 1st Generation
The following iPad models are compatible with the 1st Gen Apple Pencil:
- iPad (10th generation)
- iPad (9th & 8th generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad (6th & 7th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st or 2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 10.5-inch
- iPad Pro 9.7-inch
Apple Pencil 2nd Generation
The following iPad models are compatible with the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil:
- iPad Mini (6th generation)
- iPad Air (4th generation) and later
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and later
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) and later
Now that you are clear on that, be sure to purchase the correct Apple Pencil so you can connect and use it with your iPad.
How to Connect the Apple Pencil 1st Generation
We will start by showing you how to connect the 1st gen Apple Pencil to your iPad. Since the 1st gen relies on a lightning connector, that is what we will be using. Follow the steps below to do so:
- Taking your Apple Pencil in hand, remove the back cap to expose the lightning output.
- Plug the Apple Pencil into your iPad’s lightning connector. It’s the same one you use to charge it. To pair your Apple Pencil (1st generation) with your iPad (10th generation), you’ll need a USB-C to Apple Pencil adapter.
- You will see a pop-up box appear like the one you see below. Simply tap Pair and you’re all done!
The Apple Pencil will remain connected to your iPad as long it’s not restarted, put in Airplane mode, or connected to another iPad. If any of that happens, simply follow the steps above again to reconnect it.
How to Connect the Apple Pencil 2nd Generation
The newer and more feature-rich 2nd-generation Apple Pencil is even easier to connect to an iPad, as it relies on the iPad’s magnetic connector for this. Simply follow the steps below:
- Taking the Apple Pencil in hand, attach it to the right side of your iPad. The onboard magnetic connector will ensure it sticks.
- An Apple Pencil overlay will pop up along with a message to connect it to your iPad. Simply press Connect and you’re done!
Connecting the 2nd gen Apple Pencil to the iPad is almost effortless. And if it disconnects, you can simply follow the steps to reconnect.
How to disconnect your Apple Pencil from the iPad
Whether you’re unpairing your Apple Pencil to use it with another device or simply performing some troubleshooting, the process is very easy. Follow the steps below to do so:
- Open the Settings app on the iPad.
- From the sidebar, find and tap Bluetooth and a list will open up.
- Find Apple Pencil on the list and tap the blue i icon you see.
- Tap Forget this Device and then tap it again on the box that appears to confirm.
Your Apple Pencil has now been disconnected from your iPad. You can choose to pair it again if you want.
Can’t Connect the Apple Pencil to the iPad?
If you can’t connect your Apple Pencil to your iPad, don’t fret. There is a high chance you are skipping a few obvious steps. Check out the tips we have written below and make sure you’re doing nothing wrong.
Make sure your Bluetooth is on
The Apple Pencil relies on a Bluetooth connection that must be maintained at all times. If you don’t use BT devices, you might have turned it off by default. Make sure the iPad’s Bluetooth is turned on to connect the Apple Pencil to your iPad.
You can turn on Bluetooth on your iPad by going to Settings > Bluetooth and simply toggling it on. Do this and try again.
Make sure the Apple Pencil is charged
As obvious as this sounds, you might have forgotten to charge your Apple Pencil before you began connecting it to your iPad. Make sure to charge your Apple Pencil to at least 50% before you begin connecting it to the iPad.
Make sure the Connectors are not damaged
While the chances of this happening are very rare, there is a chance the lightning connectors on your Apple Pencil or iPad might be damaged. To check for damage, simply hold the Pencil’s output tip close your eye, and inspect for any metal that may have been chipped. For the iPad, try shining a flashlight in its lightning connector and look for anything that might have been lodged there.
If there is, don’t repair it yourself. Immediately take it to an Apple Repair Center.
Do not force the Pencil the wrong way in
While the 1st Gen Apple Pencil is very easy to plug into the iPad, people do encounter problems from time to time. Whether you cannot connect the Apple Pencil to your iPad because of a damaged side or maybe because it’s not fitting all the way in, do not force it. If you’re encountering unusual resistance from the Pencil or the iPad, take both devices to an Apple Store and ask the executives to help you out.
Failure to do so may cause expensive damage to your devices.
Apple Pencil won’t sync with iPad?
Here are the official troubleshooting steps from Apple if this is the case:
- Make sure you center your Apple Pencil (2nd generation) on the magnetic connector on the right-hand edge of the iPad. For an Apple Pencil (1st generation), remove the cap and plug in your Apple Pencil to the Lightning connector on your iPad.
- Restart your iPad, then try to pair again.
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth and make sure that Bluetooth is turned on.
- On the same screen, look under My Devices for your Apple Pencil. If you see it, tap ‘i’. Then tap Forget this Device.
- Connect your Apple Pencil to your iPad and tap the Pair button when it appears after a few seconds.
- If you don’t see the Pair button, wait for one minute while your Apple Pencil charges. Then try connecting your Apple Pencil again and wait until you see the Pair button.
If you are still out of luck after this, contact Apple Support.
How to Add the Apple Pencil Battery Widget to iPad
With the launch of iPadOS 15, widgets have become more intuitive. While before you were restricted to the “Today” view, you can now place dedicated widgets on the iPad’s Home Screen. Similarly, the iPad has a dedicated widget for the device’s batteries.
Follow the steps below to add the battery widget to your iPad:
- Tap and hold an empty area on the iPad’s home screen and it will enter jiggle mode.
- Tap the Plus sign on the top left of the screen and a list will open up.
- Choose the Batteries section from the sidebar or if you can’t see it then use the Search Bar above.
- Choose from the available widget sizes and simply press Add Widget to add it to your home screen. You can also drag and drop it if you wish.
You can now see the Apple Pencil’s charge level at any time you wish. Furthermore, any more devices that you connect will also reflect here so feel free to go all out.
Apple Pencil: Quick Tips and Tricks
Create a Digital Signature
One of the Apple Pencil’s amazing capabilities is the ability to record and place digital signatures that you can add to any document. So instead of etching a signature on paper and then scanning it, try downloading an app like Adobe Acrobat which provides native digital signature placement.
Use your Pencil to markup PDFs
Have you ever wished that you could just draw or take notes on a PDF without having to print it? Fortunately, the Apple Pencil solves this problem and much more with its annotation capabilities.
Using an annotation app like PDF Expert, you can easily import and markup any number of PDF documents without difficulty. You can choose to highlight, mark, take side notes on any PDF, and store it away for future use. Check out this handy app and try your hand at PDF markup.
Use QuickNote
QuickNote debuted as one of the best iPadOS 15 features and brought a seamless experience to note-taking. Swiping up from the bottom right of the iPad with your Apple Pencil brings up a floating QuickNote. You can use this QuickNote to jot down quick details and thoughts all the while using your iPad. You can even create links to apps and conversations.
Using QuickNotes is quite simple and an easy way to take notes on your iPad. And while you might be having fun using QuickNote on your iPad, there’s an even faster way to take a note. And you can do it all while your iPad is locked!
Simply tap anywhere on a locked iPad screen and the Notes app will open up with a blank page. You can use this page to jot down any number of odd things and the note will be stored in your Notes library. Use this handy trick the next time you want to note something in a hurry.
Use your Apple Pencil for drawing and sketching
One of the greatest uses of the Apple Pencil is the immense potential it holds in the artistic area. No matter if you’re a budding artist looking to get into drawing, or a professional looking for apps, there’s something for everyone.
Your Apple Pencil will prove to be the perfect stylus to draw that perfect curve and capture your imagination on virtual paper.
Why is my Apple Pencil not pairing?
If you’re having difficulty pairing your Apple Pencil, your Bluetooth settings may not be turned on or your Pencil, or even iPad, may not be charged.
How do I pair my Apple Pencil 2nd Gen?
Make sure your Bluetooth is turned on in your iPad’s settings, then connect the pencil to the right side of the iPad’s magnetic connector strip. From there, your iPad should recognize your Apple Pencil.
What is the difference between the 1st and 2nd gen Apple Pencil?
Besides compatibility, the differences between the 1st and 2nd-gen Apple Pencils come down to feel and functionality.
The 1st-gen Apple pencil is more rounded and comes with a removable cap for Lightning connectivity. However, the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil feels and writes more like a regular pencil, with flattened edges on the side to enhance the grip while serving as a touchpoint for controls.
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