Users of the Apple iPad have learned that it opens up a whole world of possibilities. You can pretty much do anything, whether you want to play the best iPad games to have a good time or to get your work done. But if you’re more of an artist and have been thinking about getting an Apple Pencil, we think you should.
Maybe you already have an Apple Pencil and want to connect it to your iPad. So, whether you’re a new Apple Pencil user who wants to connect it to your iPad or an old user looking for some tips, you’ll find them here. Read on to find out more.
How to Connect Apple Pencil to iPad
We will talk about how to connect your Apple Pencil to your iPad, but this piece will also have a lot of other information, such as how to charge it, quick diagnostics, and even tricks. If you know what you want, you can use the table below to go straight to it.
Apple Pencil Compatibility List
You’re lucky to have found this piece before you bought an Apple Pencil. Depending on what kind of iPad you have, you may need either the first or second-generation Apple Pencil. Check out the list below to make sure you don’t make a mistake and get the right Apple Pencil to connect to your iPad.
Apple Pencil 1st Generation
The following iPad models are compatible with the 1st Gen Apple Pencil:
- iPad (8th generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad (7th generation)
- iPad (6th 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 Air (4th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and later
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) and later
Now that you have your bearings, make sure to purchase the correct Apple Pencil so you can connect it and starting it with your iPad.
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How to Connect the Apple Pencil 1st Generation
First, we’ll show you how to connect the Apple Pencil 1st generation to your iPad. Since the 1st gen uses a lightning connection, that is what we will use. To do this, follow the steps below:
1. Taking your Apple Pencil in hand, remove the back cap to expose the lightning output.
2. Plug the Apple Pencil in to your iPad’s lightning connector. It’s the same one you use to charge it.
3. You will see a pop-up box appear like the one you see below. Simply tap Pair and you’re all done!
As long as your iPad isn’t turned off, put into Airplane mode, or linked to another iPad, the Apple Pencil will stay connected to it. If any of those things happen, just repeat the steps above to get it back together.
How to Connect the Apple Pencil 2nd Generation
The 2nd generation Apple Pencil, which is newer and has more features, is even easier to connect to an iPad. We will use the magnetic adapter on the iPad to do this. Just do what’s written below:
Taking the Apple Pencil in hand, attach it to the side of your iPad. The onboard magnetic connector will ensure it sticks.
2. An Apple Pencil overlay will pop up along with a message to connect it to your iPad. Simply press Connect and you’re done!
As you can see, it’s almost too easy to connect the Apple Pencil 2 to the iPad. If it gets cut off, remember to do the steps above.
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Can’t Connect the Apple Pencil to the iPad? Try These Tips
Don’t worry if you can’t connect your Apple Pencil of either generation to your iPad. There’s a good chance you’re skipping some clear steps. Check out the tips below to make sure you’re not doing anything wrong.
1. Make Sure Bluetooth Is Turned On
The Apple Pencil depends on a Bluetooth link that must always be on. If you don’t use BT products, it may already be turned off. To connect the Apple Pencil to your iPad, make sure the Bluetooth is on. You can turn Bluetooth on or off on your iPad by going to Settings > Bluetooth and turning the switch on or off. Try again after you do this.
1. Make Sure Bluetooth Is Turned On
2. Make Sure the Apple Pencil Is Charged
You might have forgotten to charge your Apple Pencil before you tried to connect it to your iPad, no matter how clear that sounds. Make sure your Apple Pencil is charged at least halfway before you try to connect it to your iPad. Read on to find out how to charge either version of the Apple Pencil.
3. Make Sure the Connectors Aren’t Damaged
Even though this is not likely to happen, the lightning ports on your Apple Pencil or iPad could be broken. To see if the Pencil is broken, just hold the tip of the output away from your eye and look for any chipped metal. Try putting a flashlight into the iPad’s lightning port and looking for anything that might have gotten stuck there. Don’t try to fix it yourself if there is. Take it to an Apple Repair Center right away.
4. Make Sure Not to Force the Pencil the Wrong Way In
Even though the 1st Gen Apple Pencil is easy to connect to the iPad, people do sometimes have trouble. If you can’t connect your Apple Pencil to your iPad because one side is broken or because it doesn’t fit all the way, don’t try to force it. If you’re having trouble with the Pencil or iPad that doesn’t seem normal, take them both to an Apple Store and ask the execs there for help. Failure to do so may cause expensive damage to your gadgets.
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How to Disconnect Your Apple Pencil from the iPad
It’s easy to unpair your Apple Pencil, whether you want to use it with a different device or just want to fix a problem. To do this, follow the steps below:
1. Open the Settings app on the iPad.
2. From the sidebar, find and tap Bluetooth and a list will open up.
3. Find Apple Pencil on the list and tap the blue I icon you see.
4. 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.
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How to Check Apple Pencil Battery Life
Depending on your Apple Pencil’s generation, you can use a specific method to check its battery life. Follow the relevant section below:
Apple Pencil 1st Generation
1. Open the Settings app on the iPad.
2. Using the sidebar, find and tap Apple Pencil and a menu will open up.
3. You will see the Apple Pencil’s current charge level as the first option.
You can even play around with the other settings you see here if you wish.
Apple Pencil 2nd Generation
Like connecting, even seeing the battery charge of the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil is easier. Follow the steps below:
1. Once paired to your iPad, simply attach the Apple Pencil to the side of your iPad.
2. A small pop-up will appear for a few moments showing the Pencil’s current charge level.
How to Check Apple Pencil Battery Life
Depending on the generation of your Apple Pencil, there is a unique way to check how much power it has left. Read the part below that applies to you:
How to Add the Apple Pencil Battery Widget to iPad
Since iPadOS 15 came out, apps have become easier to use. Before, you could only see the “Today” view. Now, you can put widgets on the Home Screen of your iPad. In the same way, the iPad has a widget for its batteries. To add the battery widget to your iPad, do the following:
1. Tap and hold an empty area on the iPad’s home screen and it will enter jiggle mode.
2. Tap the Plus sign on the top left of the screen and a list will open up.
3. Choose the Batteries section from the sidebar or if you can’t see it then use the Search Bar above.
4. 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.
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How to Charge the Apple Pencil
Like before, depending on your Apple Pencil’s generation, the ways to charge it are different. Read the relevant section and power up.
Apple Pencil 1st Generation
Method 1 – Plug It in Directly
1. Remove the cap from the Apple Pencil’s back to reveal its lightning connector.
2. Simply plug it into the iPad’s lightning connector the same way you did to connect it.
Your Apple Pencil is now charging and you can remove it after 10 minutes. Repeat the same process whenever you wish to charge it again.
Method 2 – Use the USB Power Adapter
If you don’t wish to connect the Apple Pencil to your iPad, you can choose to attach it to your USB Power Adapter by using the Apple Pencil Charging Adapter. The charging adapter can be found in the same box your Apple Pencil came in.
Apple Pencil 2nd Generation
1. Once paired to your iPad, simply attach the Apple Pencil to the side of your iPad.
2. A small pop-up will appear for a few moments showing the current charge and indicating that it has begun.
Let the Apple Pencil charge for 10 minutes and then remove it for use. Repeat the above steps when you find it low on battery.
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Quick Tips and Tricks for Your New Apple Pencil
You’re ready to take on the iPad world now that your Apple Pencil is set up and working. But before you try to make the next “Starry Night,” slow down and check out these cool tips and tricks for the Apple Pencil.
1. Use QuickNote
One of the most interesting things about iPadOS 15 is the new QuickNote app and how easy it makes taking notes. You can now bring up a moving QuickNote by swiping up from the bottom right of the iPad with your Apple Pencil.
You can use this QuickNote app on your iPad to write down quick thoughts and notes. Even apps and chats can be linked. QuickNotes is a simple way to take notes on your iPad and is easy to use.
2. Use Your Pencil to Markup PDFs
How many times have you wished you could just draw or write on a PDF instead of printing it? With its ability to make notes, the Apple Pencil fixes this problem and a lot more.
With an annotation app like PDF Expert, you can quickly import and make notes on any number of PDF files. You can highlight, mark, and make notes on any PDF, and then save it for later. Check out this useful app and give PDF markup a try.Advice on how to use your new Apple Pencil
You’re ready to take on the iPad world now that your Apple Pencil is set up and working. But before you try to make the next “Starry Night,” slow down and check out these cool tips and tricks for the Apple Pencil.
3. Create a Digital Signature
One of the best things about the Apple Pencil is that you can record and place digital marks that can be added to any document. Since we can’t leave our homes because of the global COVID pandemic, now is not the time to go to offices and sign papers in person.
But that doesn’t stop life from going on. So, instead of writing your signature on paper and then scanning it, you could download an app like Adobe Acrobat that lets you put your digital signature there directly. You can also try the above PDF Expert, which has this option as well. Get them, and then sign out.
4. Create a Quick Note While the iPad Is Locked
Using QuickNote on your iPad might be fun, but there’s a faster way to take notes. All of this can be done even when your iPad is locked.
Tap anywhere on the locked screen of an iPad, and the Notes app will open to a new page. You can write down all kinds of strange things on this page, and the note will be saved in your Notes file. Use this helpful tip the next time you need to quickly write something down.
5. Use Your Apple Pencil for Drawing and Sketching
One of the best things about the Apple Pencil is how much you can do with it in the art world. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner who wants to learn how to draw or a pro who wants to find apps. With these best Apple Pencil apps, you can be as artistic as you want to be.
Check out all of them, from apps that let you draw and sketch to ones that let you take notes. Your Apple Pencil will be the perfect tool for drawing that perfect curve and putting your ideas on virtual paper.
Connect Your Apple Pencil to the iPad and Have Fun
Now you know how to quickly link your Apple Pencil to your iPad. Even though the first-generation Apple Pencil is easy to pair, the new second-generation Apple Pencil makes pairing even easier and totally seamless. So, what kind of Apple Pencil do you have and how have you liked it? Tell us what you think in the comments.
