Where to find your Apple Pencil battery percentage
Your Apple Pencil battery level appears in the same place as your iPad or iPhone battery — in the Widgets section of your lock screen or home screen. The easiest way to see it is to swipe left from your home screen to open the Widgets panel, then look for the Batteries widget. Your Apple Pencil will show there alongside your other connected devices.
If you do not see the Batteries widget yet, you can add it. Tap the plus sign at the bottom left of the Widgets panel, search for "Batteries", and tap the green plus to add it to your screen. Once it is there, you will see your pencil's percentage every time you check.
The battery percentage also appears in the top-right corner of your iPad screen when you first connect or wake your Apple Pencil. This quick flash is useful if you are about to start work and want to confirm you have enough charge.
Key Takeaways
- The Batteries widget on your home screen shows your Apple Pencil's current charge percentage alongside your iPad or iPhone battery.
- You can add the Batteries widget by swiping left, tapping the plus sign, searching for "Batteries", and selecting it.
- Your pencil's battery level also appears briefly in the top-right corner of your screen when you connect or wake the device.
- If your Apple Pencil is not showing a battery level, unpair it and pair it again through your iPad's Bluetooth settings.
Adding the Batteries widget if it is not on your screen
The Batteries widget does not always come pre-installed on every iPad or iPhone. To add it, swipe left from your home screen to reach the Widgets panel. At the bottom of that panel, you will see a plus sign in a circle — tap it.
A search box appears at the top of the next screen. Type "Batteries" and the Batteries widget will show up in the results. Tap the green plus sign next to it. You can choose the widget size (small, medium, or large) — any size will show your Apple Pencil's battery, so pick whichever fits your screen layout.
Once you add it, swipe back to your home screen. The Batteries widget is now part of your lock screen or home screen widgets, and you can check your Apple Pencil's charge whenever you need to.
What to do if your Apple Pencil is not showing a battery level
If your Apple Pencil is connected but not showing a battery percentage, the device may not be properly paired. The fastest fix is to unpair it and pair it again. Go to Settings on your iPad, tap Bluetooth, find your Apple Pencil in the list of connected devices, and tap the information icon (a circle with an i) next to its name.
Tap "Forget This Device" and confirm. Then hold your Apple Pencil next to your iPad — it will prompt you to pair it again. Tap "Pair" when the prompt appears. Once it reconnects, the battery percentage should show up in the Batteries widget within a few seconds.
If the battery level still does not appear after re-pairing, restart your iPad. Hold the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, swipe to turn it off, wait a few seconds, then press the top button again to turn it back on. After restart, check the Batteries widget again.
Understanding Apple Pencil battery drain and charging
Apple Pencil batteries drain during use, but the rate depends on which model you own. First-generation Apple Pencils charge via the Lightning connector on the top of the device — you plug it directly into your iPad's Lightning port. Second-generation Apple Pencils charge wirelessly by magnetically attaching to the side of your iPad.
A full charge on either model lasts roughly 12 hours of active use. If you use your pencil for a few hours a day, you will likely charge it once or twice a week. Checking the battery percentage in your Batteries widget helps you know when to charge before it runs out during important work.
If your Apple Pencil battery drops to zero, it will not respond to taps or pressure. Charge it when ready — even five minutes of charging gives you enough power to use it for several more hours.
Checking battery on older iPad models
If you have an older iPad that does not support the Batteries widget, you can still see your Apple Pencil's battery in a different way. Open the iPad's Settings app, tap Bluetooth, and look at your Apple Pencil in the list of connected devices. Some older iPad models show the battery percentage directly next to the device name in that list.
If your iPad model does not show battery there either, the only way to know your pencil's charge is to watch for the battery indicator that appears on screen when you first connect it. This is less convenient than the widget, but it still tells you whether you have enough charge to work.
Troubleshooting when the battery widget shows no devices
Sometimes the Batteries widget appears on your screen but shows no devices at all, even though your Apple Pencil is connected. This usually means the widget needs to refresh. Close the widget panel by swiping right, wait a few seconds, then swipe left again to reopen it.
If the widget still shows nothing, try restarting your iPad. Hold the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, swipe to shut down, wait 10 seconds, then press the top button to turn it back on. Once your iPad restarts and your Apple Pencil reconnects, the Batteries widget should populate with your device information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Apple Pencil battery show 0% but still works?
The battery percentage can lag slightly behind the actual charge. If your pencil still responds to pressure and taps, it has enough power. However, charge it soon — once it truly runs out, it will stop responding entirely and you will need to charge it before using it again.
Can I see my Apple Pencil battery on my Mac?
No. Apple Pencil battery only shows on iPad and iPhone. If you use your pencil with an iPad, check the battery there. The Mac does not communicate with Apple Pencil battery status.
Does the battery percentage update in real time?
The Batteries widget updates every few minutes, not constantly. If you just finished using your pencil and check when ready, the percentage may not have changed yet. Wait a minute or two and check again if you think the number is wrong.
What should I do if my Apple Pencil battery is stuck at one percentage?
If the battery percentage does not change even after hours of use or charging, unpair the device and pair it again through Bluetooth settings. This resets the battery reporting. If it still does not update after re-pairing, the battery sensor may be faulty and you may need to contact Apple Support.