The basic steps to pair your Apple Pencil

To connect an Apple Pencil to your iPad, you unlock your iPad, hold the Pencil's flat side against the iPad's charging port (for older models) or hold it nearby (for newer models), and tap "Pair" when the pairing prompt appears on your screen. The whole process takes about 30 seconds. After that first pairing, your Pencil reconnects automatically whenever it's near your iPad and the iPad is awake.

The exact method depends on which Apple Pencil model you own and which iPad you have, because Apple has released several versions over the years. The pairing process is different for Apple Pencil (1st generation), Apple Pencil (2nd generation), and Apple Pencil Pro. Knowing which one you have matters because using the wrong pairing method will waste your time.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Pencil (1st generation) pairs by plugging into the iPad's Lightning port, while 2nd generation and Pro models pair wirelessly by holding them near the iPad.
  • Your iPad must have Bluetooth turned on and be unlocked during the initial pairing, though it reconnects automatically after that.
  • If pairing fails, restarting both your iPad and Pencil usually fixes the problem without losing any of your drawings or settings.
  • Once paired, your Pencil battery level appears in the iPad's battery widget, so you can see when it needs charging.

Apple Pencil 1st generation: charging port pairing

The original Apple Pencil connects through your iPad's Lightning charging port. Unlock your iPad, remove the cap from the Pencil's flat end, and insert it into the Lightning port at the bottom of the iPad. You'll see a pairing screen appear within a few seconds. Tap "Pair" and wait for the confirmation message.

This model charges the same way it pairs — by plugging into the Lightning port. You can leave it plugged in to charge, or use the included Lightning adapter to charge it from a wall outlet or computer. The 1st generation Pencil works with iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, and iPad (5th generation) and later, but not with iPad Pro models from 2015 or 2016.

Apple Pencil 2nd generation and Pro: wireless pairing

The 2nd generation Pencil and the newer Pro model pair wirelessly. Unlock your iPad, make sure Bluetooth is on, and hold the Pencil near the iPad's edge. A pairing card will pop up on your screen within a few seconds. Tap "Pair" and you're done. These models charge magnetically — the 2nd generation attaches to the side of iPad Pro models, while the Pro model charges the same way.

Wireless pairing is faster than the 1st generation method and doesn't require you to plug anything in. The 2nd generation works with iPad Pro (all sizes from 2015 onward), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later). The Pro model works with iPad Pro (7th generation and later), iPad Air (6th generation and later), and iPad mini (7th generation and later).

What to do if your Pencil won't pair

If the pairing screen doesn't appear, restart your iPad first. Hold the top and bottom buttons (or the side button on newer models) until the power-off slider appears, slide to turn off, wait 10 seconds, then hold the top button again until you see the Apple logo. After the iPad restarts, try pairing again.

If that doesn't work, restart your Pencil. For 1st generation, remove the cap and plug it in for 15 seconds, then unplug it. For 2nd generation and Pro, hold the button on the flat side for 15 seconds until the LED flashes. Then try pairing again. If you still have trouble, check that Bluetooth is on by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen and tapping the Bluetooth icon.

Checking your Pencil's battery level

Once your Pencil is paired, you can see its battery percentage in the Batteries widget on your iPad's home screen. Swipe right from the home screen to open the widgets panel, scroll down, and tap "Edit." Search for "Batteries" and tap the plus sign to add it. Your Pencil's battery will appear there alongside your iPad's battery.

If your Pencil battery is very low, it may not pair or respond to pressure. Charge it fully before troubleshooting further. The 1st generation takes about 15 minutes to charge enough for 30 minutes of use. The 2nd generation and Pro charge faster — about 15 seconds of magnetic contact gives you 30 minutes of use.

Switching your Pencil to a different iPad

Your Pencil can only be paired to one iPad at a time. If you want to use it with a different iPad, you need to unpair it first. On the iPad it's currently paired to, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your Pencil in the list, tap the info icon next to it, and select "Forget This Device." Then take your Pencil to the new iPad and pair it using the same method you used the first time.

This process takes about a minute and doesn't erase any of your drawings or settings on either iPad. Your notes and sketches stay on whichever iPad you created them on. You can pair and unpair as often as you need to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a non-Apple stylus with my iPad instead?

Yes. Many third-party styluses work with iPad, though they don't offer pressure sensitivity or palm rejection like Apple Pencil does. Some popular options include Logitech Crayon and various capacitive styluses. Check the product description to confirm it works with your specific iPad model.

What if I lost my Apple Pencil cap?

The cap protects the tip from damage but isn't required for the Pencil to work. You can buy a replacement cap from Apple's website or an Apple Store for a few dollars. Without it, the tip is more likely to get scratched or dented if the Pencil is dropped.

Does my Pencil work with other Apple devices?

Apple Pencil only works with iPad. It does not work with iPhone, Mac, or Apple Watch. If you want to use a stylus on iPhone, you'll need a third-party option designed for that device.

Why does my Pencil disconnect when I'm not using it?

This is normal. Your Pencil disconnects to save battery when your iPad goes to sleep or the Pencil hasn't been used for a few minutes. It reconnects automatically the moment you pick it up and start writing or drawing, so there's no action needed on your part.