The basic steps to pair your Apple Pencil
To connect an Apple Pencil to your iPad, turn on Bluetooth in your iPad's settings, then hold the Apple Pencil next to the iPad. A pairing prompt will appear on your screen within a few seconds — tap "Pair" and you're done. The whole process takes less than a minute and only needs to happen once.
The exact location where you hold the Apple Pencil matters slightly depending on which model you have. For the original Apple Pencil and Pencil (2nd generation), hold it near the top of the iPad. For Apple Pencil Pro, hold it near the iPad's edge where it magnetically attaches. If no prompt appears after 30 seconds, make sure Bluetooth is actually on by going to Settings > Bluetooth and checking that the toggle is green.
After pairing, your Apple Pencil will stay connected to that iPad automatically. You don't need to pair it again unless you reset the iPad, unpair it manually, or try to connect it to a different iPad. The battery will drain slowly over time even when not in use, so charge it regularly — most Apple Pencils charge fully in about 15 minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on Bluetooth in your iPad's Settings app, then hold your Apple Pencil near the iPad until a pairing prompt appears on screen.
- Pairing only happens once per iPad — after that, your Apple Pencil connects automatically when you turn it on.
- Different Apple Pencil models pair slightly differently: hold the original and 2nd generation near the top of the iPad, and the Pro model near the edge where it magnetically attaches.
- If no pairing prompt appears after 30 seconds, check that Bluetooth is actually enabled by opening Settings > Bluetooth and looking for a green toggle.
- Charge your Apple Pencil regularly even when not in use, since the battery drains slowly over time.
What to do if your Apple Pencil won't pair
If the pairing prompt never appears, the most common cause is that Bluetooth is off or the Apple Pencil battery is dead. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and make sure the toggle is green. Then charge your Apple Pencil for at least 15 minutes — you'll see a charging indicator on the screen when you hold it near the iPad. Try pairing again after charging.
If Bluetooth is on and your Apple Pencil has charge but still won't pair, restart your iPad. Hold the top and bottom buttons (or the top button and volume down, depending on your model) until you see the power-off slider, then slide to turn it off. Wait 10 seconds, then press the top button again to turn it back on. After the restart, try pairing your Apple Pencil again.
If you've already paired this Apple Pencil to a different iPad, you may need to unpair it first. Go to that other iPad's Settings > Bluetooth, find your Apple Pencil in the list, tap the info icon next to it, and select "Forget This Device." Then try pairing it to your current iPad.
Checking your Apple Pencil battery and charging
Once paired, you can see your Apple Pencil's battery level in the Batteries widget on your iPad's home screen. Swipe right from the top of the screen to open Notification Center, scroll down, and tap "Edit" at the bottom. Look for "Batteries" in the list and tap the plus sign to add it. Now you'll see your Apple Pencil's battery percentage whenever you check the widget.
Charging method depends on which model you own. The original Apple Pencil charges through a Lightning connector at the bottom — plug it into your iPad or a USB power adapter. The 2nd generation model charges by attaching magnetically to the side of your iPad. The Apple Pencil Pro also charges magnetically to the iPad. All models reach full charge in about 15 minutes, though you only need a few minutes of charging to get an hour of use.
Using your Apple Pencil after pairing
Once paired, your Apple Pencil works in any app that supports it — Notes, Procreate, Adobe Fresco, and hundreds of others. You don't need to do anything special to set up it; just pick it up and start writing or drawing on your iPad's screen. The iPad recognizes the pencil automatically and disables touch input from your hand so you can rest your palm on the screen while you work.
Pressure sensitivity and tilt detection work automatically in supported apps. If you're using an app that doesn't seem to respond to pressure or tilt, that app may not support those features — check the app's documentation or settings. Some apps let you customize how the Apple Pencil behaves, like adjusting brush size or opacity based on pressure.
Pairing the same Apple Pencil to multiple iPads
You can pair one Apple Pencil to multiple iPads, but only one at a time. To switch your Apple Pencil to a different iPad, hold it near that iPad and wait for the pairing prompt. You don't need to unpair it from the first iPad first — pairing it to the second iPad automatically disconnects it from the first.
When you go back to your original iPad and turn on the Apple Pencil, it will reconnect automatically. This works smoothly if you own multiple iPads and want to use the same pencil with all of them. Just remember that only one iPad can use the pencil at any given moment.
Troubleshooting when your Apple Pencil keeps disconnecting
If your Apple Pencil pairs successfully but then disconnects during use, the battery may be too low. Charge it for at least 15 minutes and try again. Low battery causes the pencil to disconnect even if it still has enough power to turn on.
Interference from other Bluetooth devices can also cause disconnections. If you have multiple Bluetooth devices connected to your iPad (headphones, keyboard, mouse), try turning off the others temporarily to see if that solves the problem. If disconnections stop, one of those devices was interfering.
If disconnections continue after charging and removing other Bluetooth devices, unpair your Apple Pencil completely and pair it again from scratch. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your Apple Pencil, tap the info icon, and select "Forget This Device." Then hold the Apple Pencil near your iPad and pair it again as if it were new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my Apple Pencil every time I use it?
No. Once you pair your Apple Pencil to an iPad, it stays paired permanently. You just turn it on and it connects automatically. Pairing only happens once, the first time you set it up.
Can I use an Apple Pencil with any iPad?
Not all iPads support Apple Pencil. iPad Pro (all sizes), iPad Air (3rd generation and newer), iPad (6th generation and newer), and iPad mini (5th generation and newer) all work with Apple Pencil. Check your iPad model in Settings > General > About to see which pencil models your device supports.
What's the difference between the Apple Pencil models?
The original Apple Pencil charges through a Lightning port at the bottom. The 2nd generation charges magnetically to the side of the iPad and adds pressure sensitivity. The Apple Pencil Pro adds a squeeze gesture, a find-my feature, and improved tracking. Check which model your iPad supports before buying.
Why does my Apple Pencil battery drain so fast?
Apple Pencil batteries drain slowly even when not in use, especially if Bluetooth is on. Charge your pencil at least once a week, or more often if you use it daily. If the battery drains in hours rather than days, the battery may be failing and you may need a replacement.
Can I use my Apple Pencil with my iPhone?
No. Apple Pencil only works with iPad models. iPhones and iPod Touch devices do not support Apple Pencil, though you can use your finger or a third-party stylus designed for iPhone.