How to Connect Your Apple Pencil Pro to an iPad

The basic connection process takes less than a minute

To connect an Apple Pencil Pro to your iPad, turn on Bluetooth on your iPad, hold the Pencil near the top of the screen, and tap the notification that appears. That's the whole process — no pairing codes, no app downloads. The Pencil will show up in your iPad's Bluetooth settings as "Apple Pencil Pro" once it's connected, and it will stay connected to that iPad unless you manually unpair it or connect it to a different device.

The Pencil charges wirelessly by attaching magnetically to the side of certain iPad models. If your iPad doesn't have a magnetic edge, the Pencil won't charge this way, and you'll need to use a USB-C cable instead. Check your iPad's model before buying to make sure the magnetic charging will work for you.

Key Takeaways

Apple Pencil Pro connects through Bluetooth and requires only that you hold it near your iPad and tap the notification that appears.
The Pencil charges magnetically on iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad (7th generation and later), but requires a USB-C cable for older iPad models.
Once connected, the Pencil will automatically reconnect to the same iPad each time you turn on Bluetooth, without needing to pair again.
If the notification doesn't appear, make sure Bluetooth is on, the Pencil battery isn't completely dead, and you're holding the Pencil within a few inches of the iPad screen.

Check which iPad models work with Apple Pencil Pro

Apple Pencil Pro works with iPad Pro (M1 and later), iPad Air (5th generation and later), and iPad (7th generation and later). If you have an older iPad, including iPad mini or iPad (6th generation), the Pencil Pro won't connect. You can check your iPad model by going to Settings > General > About and looking at the model name.

The magnetic charging feature only works on iPad Pro, iPad Air, and the newest standard iPad models. If you have an iPad that supports the Pencil but not magnetic charging, you'll charge the Pencil using a USB-C to USB-C cable plugged into the Pencil's charging port at the bottom.

Turn on Bluetooth and prepare your iPad

Open Settings on your iPad and tap Bluetooth. Toggle the switch to turn Bluetooth on — it will turn blue when it's active. You don't need to go into the Bluetooth settings menu or look for the Pencil there; just having Bluetooth on is enough.

Make sure your Apple Pencil Pro has some battery. If the battery is completely dead, the Pencil won't broadcast a Bluetooth signal and the pairing notification won't appear. If you're not sure about the battery level, charge the Pencil for a few minutes using the magnetic edge of your iPad or a USB-C cable, then try again.

Hold the Pencil near the top of your iPad screen

Pick up your Apple Pencil Pro and hold it a few inches away from the top of your iPad screen, roughly where the camera is located. Within a few seconds, a notification should appear on your screen that says "Connect" or shows the Apple Pencil Pro name. Tap that notification.

If nothing appears after 10 seconds, move the Pencil closer to the top of the screen and try again. The Bluetooth range is short during the initial pairing, so proximity matters. If you still see nothing, check that Bluetooth is on and that the Pencil has battery by trying to charge it briefly.

Confirm the connection in Bluetooth settings

After you tap the notification, go back to Settings > Bluetooth and look for "Apple Pencil Pro" in the list of connected devices. It should show as "Connected" next to the name. Once it appears there, the pairing is complete and you can start using the Pencil with any app that supports it.

The Pencil will automatically reconnect to your iPad whenever Bluetooth is on, so you won't need to repeat this process. If you turn off Bluetooth or restart your iPad, the Pencil will reconnect on its own the next time you use it.

What to do if the Pencil won't connect

If the notification doesn't appear, first check that Bluetooth is actually on — swipe down from the top right corner of your iPad to open Control Center and look for the Bluetooth icon. If it's greyed out, tap it to turn Bluetooth on. Then hold the Pencil near the top of the screen again and wait 10 seconds.

If that doesn't work, restart your iPad by holding down the power button and sliding to power off, then turning it back on. Once the iPad restarts, turn Bluetooth back on and try holding the Pencil near the screen again. Restarting clears temporary connection problems that prevent the pairing notification from appearing.

If you've already paired the Pencil to a different iPad, you may need to unpair it first. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on the other iPad, tap the information icon next to "Apple Pencil Pro," and tap "Forget This Device." Then try pairing it to your current iPad.

Charge your Apple Pencil Pro after connecting

Once the Pencil is connected, you can charge it by attaching it magnetically to the side of your iPad (if your model supports it) or by plugging a USB-C cable into the charging port at the bottom of the Pencil. Magnetic charging is faster and more convenient, but both methods work.

The Pencil battery lasts about 12 hours of active use. You'll see the battery percentage in your iPad's Control Center once it's connected. Charge the Pencil overnight or whenever the battery drops below 20 percent to avoid running out during work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect Apple Pencil Pro to multiple iPads?

You can pair the Pencil to different iPads, but it only stays actively connected to one at a time. To switch it to a different iPad, hold it near that iPad's screen and tap the notification. The Pencil will unpair from the previous iPad and connect to the new one.

Why does my Pencil keep disconnecting?

Disconnections usually happen when Bluetooth is turned off, the Pencil battery is very low, or the iPad is too far from the Pencil. Check that Bluetooth is on in Settings, charge the Pencil for a few minutes, and keep them close together. If disconnections continue, restart your iPad.

Do I need to read an app to use Apple Pencil Pro?

No. The Pencil works with any app that supports it once it's connected. Apps like Notes, Procreate, Adobe Fresco, and many others will recognize the Pencil automatically. You don't need to install anything or configure settings in individual apps.

What's the difference between Apple Pencil Pro and the regular Apple Pencil?

Apple Pencil Pro has a squeeze gesture, a barrel roll feature, and haptic feedback that the regular Apple Pencil doesn't have. It also charges magnetically on newer iPads. The regular Apple Pencil is cheaper and works with more iPad models, but doesn't have these extra features.

Can I use Apple Pencil Pro with an iPhone?

No. Apple Pencil Pro only works with iPad models. iPhones don't support any Apple Pencil, including the Pro version. If you need stylus input on an iPhone, you'll need to use a third-party stylus designed for that device.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.