Apple Pencil Compatibility
| Apple Pencil | Compatible iPads | How It Pairs |
|---|---|---|
| 1st generation (round, Lightning cap) | iPad (6th-10th gen), iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad mini (5th gen), older iPad Pro models | Lightning connector |
| 2nd generation (flat side, no cap) | iPad Pro 11″ (all), iPad Pro 12.9″ (3rd gen+), iPad Air (4th-5th gen), iPad mini (6th gen) | Magnetic attachment |
| USB-C (flat side, sliding cap) | iPad (10th gen), iPad Air (M2+), iPad Pro (M4+) | USB-C cable or magnetic |
| Apple Pencil Pro | iPad Air (M2+), iPad Pro (M4+) | Magnetic attachment |
Check which Apple Pencil works with your iPad before buying. Apple’s website has the full compatibility chart, and it gets updated as new iPads release. The wrong Apple Pencil won’t pair with your iPad at all.
Pair Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPad (Settings, then Bluetooth, toggle on).
- Attach the Apple Pencil to the magnetic strip on the right side of your iPad (the flat edge of the Pencil snaps to the flat edge of the iPad).
- A pairing prompt appears on screen. Tap “Pair.”
- The Apple Pencil is paired, connected, and charging.
That’s it. The magnetic attachment handles pairing, charging, and storage in one gesture. Every time you attach the Pencil to the magnetic strip, it charges wirelessly and reconnects automatically. The Pencil charges quickly – 15 seconds of charging gives about 30 minutes of use.
Pair Apple Pencil Pro
The Apple Pencil Pro pairs exactly like the 2nd generation. Attach it magnetically to the side of a compatible iPad. Tap “Pair” when prompted. The Pro model adds squeeze gestures, barrel roll detection, and haptic feedback, but the pairing process is identical.
Pair Apple Pencil (1st Generation)
- Remove the cap from the back of the Apple Pencil (it pulls off, revealing a Lightning connector).
- Plug the Lightning connector into your iPad’s Lightning port.
- A pairing prompt appears. Tap “Pair.”
- The Apple Pencil pairs and begins charging through the Lightning connection.
- Unplug the Pencil when paired. It stays connected via Bluetooth.
The 1st gen Pencil looks a bit awkward sticking out of the iPad’s Lightning port, but it only needs to be plugged in for a few seconds to pair. Charging takes longer – about 15 minutes for a full charge. Keep the cap safe since losing it is common and there’s no replacement sold separately (though third-party caps exist).
Pair Apple Pencil (USB-C)
- Slide open the cap on the Apple Pencil to reveal the USB-C connector.
- Plug it into the iPad’s USB-C port.
- Tap “Pair” when prompted.
- The Pencil pairs and charges through the USB-C connection.
The USB-C Apple Pencil also supports magnetic pairing on compatible iPads. Attach it to the magnetic strip on the side and it pairs wirelessly, just like the 2nd gen. The USB-C port is a fallback pairing and charging method.
Check Apple Pencil Battery Level
There are several ways to check how much charge your Apple Pencil has.
Widgets: Add the Batteries widget to your iPad’s home screen or Today View. It shows the Apple Pencil’s battery percentage alongside your iPad and other connected devices.
We put together a full guide on 4K monitors for Mac Mini that pairs well with this.
Magnetic attachment (2nd gen and Pro): When you attach the Pencil to the iPad’s magnetic strip, a brief battery status notification appears on screen.
Settings: Go to Settings, then Apple Pencil. The battery level displays at the top.
Apple Pencil Settings
Customize how the Apple Pencil behaves in Settings, then Apple Pencil.
Double-tap action (2nd gen): Set what happens when you double-tap the flat side of the Pencil. Options include switching between the current tool and eraser, switching between the current tool and the last used tool, showing the color palette, or turning double-tap off.
Squeeze action (Pro): The Apple Pencil Pro adds a squeeze gesture. Set it to show a tool picker, switch tools, or trigger app-specific actions.
Scribble: Write in any text field with the Apple Pencil and iPadOS converts your handwriting to typed text. Toggle this on or off in Apple Pencil settings. Scribble works in most apps including Safari’s search bar, Notes, Messages, and third-party apps.
Only draw with Apple Pencil: Enable this to prevent your finger from drawing in supported apps. Your finger scrolls and navigates while the Pencil draws. This is especially useful in drawing and note-taking apps where accidental finger marks are a nuisance.
Our docking stations for MacBook Pro walkthrough covers this from a different angle.
Troubleshooting Apple Pencil
Apple Pencil won’t pair. Make sure Bluetooth is on (Settings, then Bluetooth). Restart your iPad (hold the power button, slide to power off, turn back on). For the 1st gen, make sure the Lightning connector is fully inserted – it should click in. For the 2nd gen and Pro, clean the magnetic connector area on both the iPad and Pencil (dust or a case can interfere with the magnetic connection).
Apple Pencil paired but doesn’t write. Check the battery level – a completely dead Pencil pairs but can’t draw until it charges. Charge it for at least 5 minutes, then try again. Also check if the app you’re using supports Apple Pencil input (most do, but some older apps don’t).
Apple Pencil disconnects frequently. Low battery is the most common cause. Keep the Pencil charged above 10 percent. Bluetooth interference from other devices can also cause disconnections. If the problem persists, forget the Pencil in Bluetooth settings (Settings, then Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to Apple Pencil, then “Forget This Device”) and pair it again.
Palm rejection isn’t working. iPadOS has built-in palm rejection that ignores your hand while using the Apple Pencil. If it’s not working, make sure the “Only Draw with Apple Pencil” option is enabled in Settings, then Apple Pencil. Some third-party apps handle palm rejection independently – check the app’s settings.
Can I use Apple Pencil with iPhone?
No. Apple Pencil only works with iPads. iPhones don’t have the digitizer layer in the screen that detects the Pencil’s precise position and pressure. Third-party styluses (capacitive or Bluetooth) work with iPhones but don’t offer the precision or pressure sensitivity of the Apple Pencil.
How long does Apple Pencil battery last?
About 12 hours of continuous use on a full charge for all models. Standby time is much longer (weeks). The 2nd gen and Pro models charge whenever they’re magnetically attached to the iPad, so they’re usually topped up. The 1st gen needs intentional charging through the Lightning port.
Can I use two Apple Pencils with one iPad?
No. An iPad can only pair with one Apple Pencil at a time. Pairing a second Pencil automatically unpairs the first. This is a hardware limitation of the iPad’s digitizer.
Sources
Apple – Set Up Apple Pencil | Apple – Apple Pencil Compatibility
