How to Connect Your Apple Pencil to an iPad or iPhone

The basic connection process depends on which Apple Pencil model you have

Apple Pencil comes in three versions, and each one connects differently. The Apple Pencil (1st generation) pairs by plugging into the iPad's charging port. The Apple Pencil (2nd generation) magnetically attaches to the side of newer iPads and pairs automatically. The Apple Pencil Pro, released in 2024, also uses magnetic attachment and works with iPad Pro and iPad Air models from 2024 onward. You need to know which model you own before you start, because the steps are not the same.

The connection is not permanent — you are pairing the pencil to a specific device, and that pairing stays even after the battery dies. Once paired, the pencil will reconnect automatically when you turn it on near that device. If you want to use the same pencil with a different iPad, you can unpair it and pair it again with the new device.

Key Takeaways

Apple Pencil 1st generation plugs into the iPad's Lightning port to pair; newer models attach magnetically and pair automatically.
You can check which model you own by looking at the physical pencil or by going to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPad.
Pairing happens once and stays saved even when the battery is empty, so the pencil reconnects automatically each time you use it.
If pairing fails, force-restart your iPad and try again, or unpair the pencil and start over from Bluetooth settings.

Connecting Apple Pencil 1st generation

The 1st generation model has a removable cap and a charging port at the bottom. To pair it, remove the cap and plug the pencil directly into the iPad's Lightning port (the charging port at the bottom of the device). You will see a pairing dialog appear on the screen within a few seconds.

Tap "Pair" on the dialog. The pencil will now be paired to that iPad. You can unplug it when ready — it does not need to stay plugged in. The pairing is complete, and the pencil will work the next time you pick it up and touch the screen with it. If no dialog appears after 10 seconds, unplug the pencil, restart your iPad, and try again.

Connecting Apple Pencil 2nd generation

The 2nd generation pencil is flat on one side and has no removable cap. It pairs by magnetically attaching to the side of the iPad. On iPad Pro (2015 and later) and iPad Air (3rd generation and later), there is a magnetic strip along the right edge. Align the flat side of the pencil with that edge and let it snap into place magnetically.

The pairing dialog will appear automatically on your screen. Tap "Pair" to complete the connection. The pencil will stay attached to the side of the iPad and charge wirelessly while it is there. If the dialog does not appear, make sure the pencil is fully seated against the magnetic strip — you should hear or feel a click. If it still does not work, go to Settings > Bluetooth, forget the pencil if it appears in the list, and try attaching it again.

Connecting Apple Pencil Pro

The Apple Pencil Pro works only with iPad Pro (7th generation, 2024) and iPad Air (6th generation, 2024) and newer. Like the 2nd generation, it attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad. Hold the pencil at a slight angle and slide it toward the magnetic strip on the right edge of the iPad until it snaps into place.

A pairing dialog will appear on the screen. Tap "Pair" to finish. The pencil will charge while attached and will reconnect automatically whenever you use it with that iPad. If you want to use the pencil with a different iPad, detach it, go to the new iPad's Settings > Bluetooth, forget the pencil from the list, and attach it to the new device to pair again.

What to do if pairing fails

If the pairing dialog does not appear after you plug in or attach the pencil, the first step is to force-restart your iPad. For iPad Pro with Face ID, press and release the volume up button, press and release the volume down button, then press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears. Drag it to turn off the iPad, wait 10 seconds, then press the top button again to turn it back on.

For iPad Air or iPad with a home button, press and hold both the top button and the home button at the same time until you see the power-off slider. Turn off the iPad, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Once the iPad has restarted, plug in or attach the pencil again and try pairing. If it still does not work, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find the pencil in the list if it appears, tap the information icon next to it, and select "Forget This Device." Then try pairing from the beginning.

Checking which Apple Pencil model you have

If you are not sure which model you own, look at the physical pencil first. The 1st generation has a removable cap and a thin charging port at the bottom. The 2nd generation is flat on one side with no cap. The Pro is similar to the 2nd generation but slightly thicker and has a textured grip.

You can also check in your iPad's settings. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and look for "Apple Pencil" in the list of connected devices. Tap the information icon next to it, and the model name will appear. If you have not paired the pencil yet, this method will not work — you will need to look at the pencil itself or check the original box or receipt.

Using the same pencil with multiple iPads

One Apple Pencil can only be paired to one iPad at a time, but you can unpair it and pair it to a different device whenever you want. To switch the pencil to a new iPad, first go to the original iPad's Settings > Bluetooth, find the pencil in the list, tap the information icon, and select "Forget This Device."

Then take the pencil to the new iPad and pair it using the same steps as the first time — plug it in (1st generation) or attach it magnetically (2nd generation or Pro). The pairing will complete, and the pencil will now work with the new device. You can switch it back to the original iPad later by repeating the same unpair-and-pair process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an Apple Pencil with an iPhone?

No. Apple Pencil only works with iPad models. iPhones do not support stylus input. If you need a stylus for an iPhone, you would need to look at third-party options, though Apple does not officially support them and compatibility varies.

Why is my Apple Pencil not showing up in Bluetooth settings?

If the pencil does not appear in Bluetooth at all, it may not be paired yet or the battery may be completely empty. For 1st generation, plug it in to charge and try pairing again. For 2nd generation or Pro, attach it magnetically to charge for at least 15 minutes, then try pairing. If it still does not appear, the pencil may have a hardware issue.

Does my Apple Pencil need to be charged before I pair it?

No. You can pair the pencil even if the battery is empty. However, you will not be able to use it until it has some charge. Pairing and charging happen at the same time when you plug in or attach the pencil, so you can pair and charge in one step.

What happens if I pair my Apple Pencil to the wrong iPad by mistake?

You can unpair it and pair it to the correct iPad instead. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on the wrong iPad, find the pencil, tap the information icon, and select "Forget This Device." Then attach or plug the pencil into the correct iPad and pair it there. The process takes less than a minute.

Can I use a 1st generation Apple Pencil with a newer iPad?

Only if the newer iPad still has a Lightning port. iPad models with USB-C ports (iPad Pro 2018 and later, iPad Air 2022 and later) do not support 1st generation Apple Pencil. You would need to upgrade to a 2nd generation or Pro model that works with your iPad.

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.