Use Find My to locate your Apple Pencil
If your Apple Pencil has a U1 or later chip — meaning it's a second-generation model or newer — you can find it through the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The pencil sends out a Bluetooth signal that the app picks up, showing you its last known location on a map. This works the same way Find My locates your phone or AirPods.
Open the Find My app and tap the Devices tab at the bottom. Look for your Apple Pencil in the list. If it appears with a green dot, it's currently connected to one of your devices. If it shows a grey dot, it was last seen at that location but is no longer in range. Tap the pencil's name to see the address where it was last detected.
The accuracy depends on how recently your pencil was in range of a device. If you lost it at home, the location should be quite precise. If you lost it at a store or on the street, the last known location might be several hours old, especially if the pencil has been off or out of Bluetooth range since then.
Key Takeaways
- Only second-generation Apple Pencils and newer can be found through Find My, because older models lack the required U1 chip.
- The Find My app shows your pencil's last known location on a map, but only if it was connected to one of your devices recently.
- A green dot means your pencil is currently in range; a grey dot means it's offline but was last seen at that address.
- If Find My shows no location at all, your pencil either has an older chip or its battery is completely drained.
- Retracing your steps to the last place you used it is often faster than waiting for Find My to update if the pencil is offline.
Check which Apple Pencil model you own
Not all Apple Pencils work with Find My. The first-generation Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil for iPad (7th generation) do not have the U1 chip needed to send location data. Only the second-generation Apple Pencil, the Apple Pencil Pro, and the Apple Pencil (11th generation and later) can be tracked.
To find out which model you have, look at the physical pencil itself. The second-generation model has a flat edge on one side. The Apple Pencil Pro is slightly shorter and has a squeeze gesture area. The original first-generation pencil is round all the way around. You can also check in Settings: go to Bluetooth on your iPad or iPhone, find your Apple Pencil in the list, and tap the information icon next to it to see the model name.
If you own a first-generation pencil, Find My will not help you locate it. Your best option is to retrace your steps to the last place you remember using it, or contact that location directly if you were at a store, office, or school.
Make sure Bluetooth and Location Services are turned on
Find My requires both Bluetooth and Location Services to work. If either one is off, your device cannot detect your Apple Pencil or send its location to the Find My app. Check your device's Control Center or Settings to confirm both are active.
On an iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. Look for the Bluetooth icon — it should be blue and highlighted. Look for the Location Services icon, which looks like an arrow in a circle. If either icon is greyed out, tap it to turn it on. On a Mac, click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then Bluetooth, and make sure Bluetooth is on. For Location Services on Mac, go to System Settings, Privacy & Security, then Location Services, and toggle it on.
Your Apple Pencil must also be paired with your device for Find My to work. If you haven't used the pencil in a while, it may have unpaired itself. Pair it again by turning it on and holding it near your iPad or iPhone until the pairing prompt appears.
Play a sound to help you locate the pencil nearby
If Find My shows your Apple Pencil is in your home or office but you cannot see it, use the sound feature to narrow down where it is. In the Find My app, tap your Apple Pencil, then tap Play Sound. The pencil will emit a beeping noise that gets louder as you move closer to it.
This feature only works if the pencil is powered on and within Bluetooth range — usually within 30 feet. If the pencil is in a different building or more than a few rooms away, you will not hear the sound. Start in the room where Find My says it was last seen and listen carefully. Check under furniture, in bags, and between cushions, as the pencil is small and straightforward to miss even when you hear it beeping.
Check the location where you last used your pencil
If Find My does not show a location, or if the location it shows is hours old, your best approach is to go back to the last place you remember using the pencil. Think through your day: Were you taking notes at home? Drawing in a coffee shop? Working at a desk at school or work? Start there and search thoroughly.
Check the obvious places first: your desk, your bag, the table where you were working, and the floor nearby. Then check less obvious spots: between couch cushions, inside a notebook or folder, in a jacket pocket, or on a shelf where you may have set it down without thinking. If you were at a public place, call that location's lost and found. Many coffee shops, libraries, and schools keep lost items for 30 days or longer.
If you still cannot find it after retracing your steps, and Find My shows no location, the pencil's battery may be completely drained. Plug in the device it pairs with and wait a few hours — if the pencil is nearby and turns back on, Find My may detect it again.
Replace your Apple Pencil if you cannot find it
If you have searched thoroughly and Find My shows no location, you may need to replace the pencil. The second-generation Apple Pencil costs around $120, the Apple Pencil Pro costs around $130, and the standard Apple Pencil for newer iPads costs around $100. Prices vary by retailer and region.
Before you buy a replacement, check whether your iPad's warranty or your homeowner's or renter's insurance covers lost accessories. Some insurance policies do, though there may be a deductible. You can also check with Apple directly — if the pencil is very new and you have proof of purchase, they may offer a discount on a replacement.
When you get a new pencil, set it up in Find My right away so you can track it if it goes missing again. Go to the Find My app, tap the plus icon, and follow the prompts to add your new Apple Pencil to your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find my Apple Pencil if it's turned off?
No. Your Apple Pencil must be powered on to send a Bluetooth signal. If the battery is completely drained, Find My cannot detect it. If you think the pencil is nearby but offline, plug in the device it pairs with and wait a few hours — if the pencil is close enough, it may turn back on and reconnect.
Why does Find My show my Apple Pencil in a location I haven't been to?
Find My shows the last location where your pencil was in range of one of your devices. If someone else used your iPad or if you left the pencil at a friend's house, the location may be somewhere you did not expect. Check with anyone who may have borrowed your iPad or been near your pencil recently.
Does Find My work if my Apple Pencil is in another country?
Yes, as long as the pencil is in range of a device connected to the internet. Find My uses Bluetooth to detect nearby devices and internet to send that location data to your account. If your pencil is far away and offline, Find My will show its last known location, which may be days or weeks old.
What if I share my iPad with someone else — can they see my Apple Pencil in Find My?
Only if you share your Apple ID with them. Find My shows devices linked to your account. If you share an iPad but use separate Apple IDs, each person sees only their own devices. If you share an Apple ID, anyone signed in can see all devices on that account, including your Apple Pencil.
Can I find my Apple Pencil if it's inside a bag or case?
Yes. Bluetooth signals pass through most materials, including leather, fabric, and plastic. The signal may be slightly weaker, but Find My should still detect the pencil as long as it is within range and powered on. The accuracy might be a few feet less precise than if the pencil were in the open.