Apple Pencil is a smart gadget mainly developed for iPad devices. The primary focus of Apple Pencil is to do certain tasks such as note-taking, drawing, navigating, etc. Apple Pencil comes with plastic tips to replace the front tip after a time period. The features like palm rejection, tilt sensitivity, pressure sensitivity allow the user to create or design art comfortably. The weight of the Apple Pencil is just 21 gms which makes the users handle the pencil easily. In addition to this, the second generation of Apple Pencil has touch gestures. At times the user cannot connect the pencil to the iPad for varied reasons. Simple troubleshooting methods can rectify the issue. We’ll look into the troubleshooting steps to fix the Apple Pencil not connecting to the iPad.
The Apple Pencil fails to connect with the iPad for one or many reasons listed below.
- No charge in Apple Pencil
- Defect in Bluetooth connection.
- Apple Pencil incompatibility with the iPad device.
- Debris in iPad port
- Apple Pencil not connected with iPad properly.
Troubleshooting Methods to Fix “Apple Pencil Not Connecting to iPad”
You can try out the below fixes one by one or in no particular order to fix Apple Pencil not connecting to iPad.
Charge Your Pencil
The most basic thing is that most users fail to charge their Apple Pencil. Before following the advanced troubleshooting steps, check the charging status of your pencil. You can check the charge percentage under the Batteries section in the Notification Center of the iPad. Usually, Apple Pencil takes approximately thirty minutes to charge fully.
Unpair and Re-pair Your Apple Pencil
Sometimes the issue may occur due to improper pairing of Apple Pencil with iPad. In other cases, Apple Pencil does not work properly after pairing. So unpair and repair the Apple Pencil to make it work. To pair your pencil with an iPad, follow the steps given below,
Apple Pencil (First Generation)
1) On your Pencil, remove the cap and plug the pencil connector into the iPad’s charging port.
2) Within seconds, the iPad screen displays the pair button.
3) Tap Pair to connect Apple Pencil with iPad.
Apple Pencil (Second Generation)
1) Place and attach your pencil with the magnetic connector on the side of your iPad.
2) Tap the Pair Button displayed on the screen to connect.
Pair Apple Pencil with Compatible iPad Devices
There are two types of Apple Pencil available – Apple Pencil (First generation) and Apple Pencil (Second generation). The compatibility features of both pencils are different. Ensure that you’ve chosen the pencil that is compatible with your iPad device.
iPads that are compatible with Apple Pencil First Generation are iPad Pro – (9.7 inches, 10.5 inches, 12.9 inches), iPad Mini (Fifth Generation), iPad Air ( Third Generation), and lastly Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Generation of iPad devices.
On the other hand, Apple Pencil Second Generation is compatible with iPad Air (4th Generation and newer), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st Generation and newer), and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd Generation and newer).
Reboot iPad
Rebooting is one of the simple troubleshooting techniques that you should try before going into the advanced steps. Rebooting your device helps eliminate the bugs and removes temporary malfunctions on your iPad.
Restart an iPad without a Home Button
1) Long Press the Volume button and Top button until the Power Off option appears on the screen.
2) Swipe the slider to the right to power off your device.
3) To turn back on, press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
Restart an iPad with a Home Button
1) Press the Top button until you see the Power Off slider on the screen.
2) Swipe the slide towards the right to switch off the device.
3) To turn it back on, long-press the Top button until you see an Apple logo.
Power Cycle Bluetooth
Turning Bluetooth On and Off helps us to solve the connectivity issues. To disable and enable Bluetooth on iPad, follow the steps listed below.
1. Launch the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Select Bluetooth.
3. Tap the toggle switch placed next to the Bluetooth to enable or disable.
Unpair Apple Pencil on iPad Settings
The iPad device saves the pairing info when connected for the first time. Sometimes, it will be the reason for the Apple Pencil to not connect with the iPad. To change the settings, follow the steps given below.
1. Navigate to Settings and tap Bluetooth.
2. Tap the “i” icon present next to the name of your Apple pencil
3. Select the option Forget This Device and confirm the process by tapping OK.
4. Now, start pairing your pencil with an iPad.
Reset Network Settings
Doing this resets all network settings on your iPad, including Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular, etc. It is one of the best ways to troubleshoot connectivity issues. To reset network settings on your iPad, you shall refer to the steps listed below.
1) Go to Settings and tap the option, General.
2) Select Reset.
3) Tap the option Reset Network Settings.
4) Confirm it by selecting the option Reset Network Settings.
5) Now, try pairing your Apple pencil with an iPad after the Reset.
Related: How to Reset iPad to Factory Settings [Step-By-Step Guide]
Clean the iPad Port
The connectivity issue occurs due to the dirt and debris present on the charging port of the iPad. Apple Pencil first generation is connected to the iPad via a charging port. The dust in the charging port prevents the pencil from connecting it to the iPad. Use an anti-static brush or toothbrush to clean the port. You can also use the sim ejector pin to clean the port. Do not damage the port while cleaning.
Bonus: Enable Scribble
iPad devices with iOS 14 or later are featured with Scribble. Enabling the Scribble feature allows the users to write in any app and automatically converts the written text into typed text.
1) To enable Scribble, go to iPad Settings.
2) Scroll down and select Apple Pencil.
3) To enable scribble, tap the Toggle switch next to the option Scribble.
That’s it. Follow the above steps and fix the pairing problem of the Apple Pencil with the iPad. If the Apple Pencil doesn’t work in a particular app, exit and open the app after a few minutes. After following the above methods, your Apple Pencil can be paired easily with iPad devices. If the problem persists, contact Apple Support. Hope this blog guides you to fix the Apple Pencil not connecting to the iPad problem. To know more about Apple products and updates, visit our blog.