The basic steps to pair your Apple Pencil
To connect an Apple Pencil to your iPad, turn on Bluetooth in your iPad's settings, remove the cap from the pencil's charging end, and hold it near the top of the iPad. A pairing prompt will appear on your screen within a few seconds — tap Pair and you're done. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.
The pencil will stay connected to that iPad from then on. You don't need to pair it again unless you reset the iPad, forget the device in Bluetooth settings, or pair it with a different iPad. If the pencil doesn't appear, make sure Bluetooth is actually on (not just in range) and that the pencil's battery isn't completely dead.
Apple makes two versions of the Apple Pencil — the standard model and the Pro model — and both pair the same way. The pairing process is identical whether you're using an iPad Air, iPad Pro, or regular iPad.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on Bluetooth in Settings, remove the pencil's cap, and hold it near the iPad until a pairing prompt appears.
- Once paired, the pencil stays connected to that iPad automatically and won't need to be paired again unless you reset the iPad or pair it with a different device.
- If pairing fails, check that Bluetooth is on and the pencil has battery charge — a completely dead pencil won't show up in pairing mode.
- The standard Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil Pro use the same pairing method and work with most modern iPad models.
Where to find Bluetooth settings on your iPad
Open the Settings app (the gray icon with gears) and tap Bluetooth in the left menu. You'll see a toggle at the top — make sure it's switched on (it will be green or blue, not gray). If Bluetooth is already on, you don't need to do anything else in settings.
Some iPads show Bluetooth in the Control Center instead. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen, find the Bluetooth icon, and tap it to turn it on. Either method works — the pencil will pair once Bluetooth is active on your iPad.
What to do if your Apple Pencil won't pair
If the pairing prompt doesn't appear after 10 seconds, the pencil's battery is likely too low. Plug the pencil into power — the standard Apple Pencil charges by plugging into the iPad's charging port, while the Pro model uses a magnetic charger that comes in the box. Let it charge for at least 15 minutes, then try pairing again.
If the pencil still won't pair after charging, restart your iPad. Hold the power button until "Slide to Power Off" appears, swipe to shut down, wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again until the Apple logo shows. Once the iPad restarts, turn Bluetooth back on and try pairing the pencil again.
If you've paired this pencil to a different iPad before, you may need to unpair it first. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, find the pencil's name in the list of connected devices, tap the i icon next to it, and select Forget This Device. Then try pairing it to your current iPad.
Checking your Apple Pencil's battery level
Once your pencil is paired, you can see its battery percentage on your iPad. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, and the pencil's battery will appear in the top-right area of the screen. If it shows 0% or very low, charge the pencil before using it.
You can also check battery in the iPad's main settings. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your Apple Pencil in the list of connected devices, and the battery percentage will show next to its name. This method works even if you're not actively using the pencil.
Pairing a second Apple Pencil to the same iPad
Your iPad can connect to only one Apple Pencil at a time. If you try to pair a second pencil while one is already connected, the new pencil will replace the old one. The first pencil will stay paired to your iPad in Bluetooth settings, but it won't respond to input until you pair it again by holding it near the screen.
If you own multiple pencils and want to switch between them, just hold the new pencil near the top of your iPad and tap Pair when the prompt appears. The previous pencil will disconnect automatically. This is useful if one pencil's battery is low and you want to use a charged one instead.
Which iPad models work with Apple Pencil
The standard Apple Pencil works with iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (6th generation and later), iPad mini (5th generation and later), and all iPad Pro models. The Apple Pencil Pro only works with iPad Pro models from 2024 onward and iPad Air models from 2024 onward.
If you're not sure which iPad you have, go to Settings > General > About and look for the model name. The pairing process is the same regardless of which compatible model you own. Older iPad models do not support Apple Pencil at all, so pairing will not be possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my Apple Pencil every time I use it?
No. Once paired, your Apple Pencil stays connected to your iPad. You only need to pair it once, unless you reset your iPad, pair it with a different device, or remove it from Bluetooth settings manually.
Can I use my Apple Pencil with multiple iPads?
Yes, but only one at a time. You can pair the same pencil to different iPads by unpairing it from the first iPad and then pairing it to the second. The pencil will remember both devices, but only one can be active at a time.
Why does my Apple Pencil keep disconnecting?
A disconnecting pencil usually means the battery is low or Bluetooth is unstable. Charge the pencil fully, then restart your iPad's Bluetooth by turning it off and back on in Settings. If it keeps disconnecting, try unpairing and re-pairing the pencil.
How long does an Apple Pencil battery last?
The standard Apple Pencil lasts about 12 hours of use on a full charge. The Pro model lasts about 18 hours. Both charge quickly — the standard pencil reaches full charge in about 15 minutes when plugged into an iPad.