How to Connect Apple Pencil to iPad
Learn how to connect any Apple Pencil to your iPad. Covers 1st gen, 2nd gen, Apple Pencil Pro, and USB-C models with step-by-step pairing instructions.
We got an Apple Pencil as a gift and spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to figure out how to actually connect it. There was no obvious button, no pairing mode, and the instructions in the box were basically one picture.
The connection process is actually simple once you know which Apple Pencil you have. Apple makes four different models and each one pairs differently. None of them take more than about ten seconds to set up.
This guide covers every Apple Pencil model and walks you through the pairing process from start to finish.
An Apple Pencil (any generation) A compatible iPad A USB-C to Lightning adapter (only if pairing a 1st gen pencil with a USB-C iPad)
Figure out which Apple Pencil you have
There are four Apple Pencil models, and each one connects to the iPad differently. Knowing which one you have saves you from trying the wrong method. The 1st generation Apple Pencil is round, glossy white, and has a removable cap on one end that reveals a Lightning connector. It is the only model with a cap. The 2nd generation Apple Pencil has one flat side, a matte finish, and no cap or visible connector. It is shorter than the 1st gen. The Apple Pencil Pro looks almost identical to the 2nd gen with one flat side and a matte finish. The easiest way to tell them apart is the engraving near the tip. "Apple Pencil Pro" is printed on the Pro model. The Apple Pencil USB-C is round like the 1st gen but has a sliding end cap that reveals a USB-C port instead of a Lightning connector.
Check that your iPad supports your pencil
Not every Apple Pencil works with every iPad. Here is the quick version. The 1st generation works with older iPads that have a Lightning port, like the iPad 6th through 9th generation and iPad Air 3rd generation. The iPad 10th generation also supports it, but you need a USB-C to Lightning adapter since the 10th gen uses USB-C. The 2nd generation works with flat-edge iPads released between 2018 and 2022, including certain iPad Air, iPad mini, and iPad Pro models. The Apple Pencil Pro works with newer flat-edge iPads from 2024 onward, including iPad Air M2, iPad Pro M4, and iPad mini A17 Pro. These newer iPads do not support the 2nd generation. The Apple Pencil USB-C works with any iPad that has a USB-C port. Apple updates the list whenever new iPads ship, so if you are unsure, check Apple's full compatibility chart. You can also confirm your iPad model by going to Settings > General > About.
Good to know: The iPad 10th generation is the odd one out. It has USB-C but supports the 1st gen Apple Pencil. You will need a USB-C to Lightning adapter (sold separately) to pair it.
Connect a 1st generation Apple Pencil
Remove the cap from the back of the pencil to reveal the Lightning connector. Plug it directly into the Lightning port on the bottom of your iPad. A Bluetooth pairing request pops up on screen. Tap Pair. The pencil is connected and starts charging at the same time. If you have an iPad with USB-C (like the 10th gen), plug the pencil's Lightning connector into a USB-C to Lightning adapter, then plug the adapter into the iPad's USB-C port. The same pairing prompt appears. You only need to do this once. After the initial pairing, the pencil reconnects automatically whenever Bluetooth is on and the pencil is nearby.
Connect a 2nd generation Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil Pro
Find the flat magnetic strip on the long edge of your iPad. It is on the side opposite the volume buttons on most models. Place the flat side of the pencil against this magnetic strip. The magnets snap it into place and hold it firmly. A pairing animation appears on screen within a second or two. The pencil connects and starts charging wirelessly through the magnetic connection. No buttons to press, no cables, no prompts to tap. Like the 1st gen, this is a one-time setup. The pencil reconnects automatically after the initial pairing as long as Bluetooth is enabled.
Good to know: The magnetic connection is also how you charge the 2nd gen and Pro models. Get in the habit of snapping the pencil to the side of your iPad when you are done using it. It charges quickly and stays paired.
Connect an Apple Pencil USB-C
Slide open the end cap on the pencil to reveal the USB-C port. Plug a USB-C cable into the pencil, then plug the other end into your iPad's USB-C port. A pairing prompt appears on screen. Tap Pair to confirm the connection. After the initial pairing, the pencil connects wirelessly via Bluetooth going forward. You only need the cable again if you want to charge the pencil or if you need to re-pair after unpairing it.
Confirm the connection and check battery level
Once paired, open any note-taking or drawing app and try writing or drawing on the screen. The pencil should respond immediately with no noticeable delay. To check the battery level, open Settings and look at the Apple Pencil section in the left sidebar. Your pencil's battery percentage appears there alongside options for double-tap or squeeze gestures depending on your model. You can also add the Batteries widget to your Home Screen or Today View by pressing and holding on the Home Screen, tapping the + button, and searching for Batteries.
Once your Apple Pencil is paired, it reconnects automatically every time you bring it near your iPad. You should never need to go through the pairing process again unless you reset your iPad, pair the pencil with a different iPad, or manually unpair it. If the pencil stops responding mid-use, it is almost always a dead battery. Charge it for 15 seconds and you will get about 30 minutes of use. That quick-charge feature is genuinely useful in a pinch.
Questions we get asked about this
Answers from experience, not a textbook.
Start with the basics. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in Settings > Bluetooth. Restart your iPad by holding the power button and sliding to power off, then turning it back on. If you have a 1st gen pencil, plug it in for at least a few minutes to make sure it has charge. For 2nd gen and Pro models, detach the pencil from the magnetic strip, wait a few seconds, and reattach it. If nothing works, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find the pencil in the list, tap the info icon, and tap Forget This Device. Then pair it again from scratch. Apple has a more detailed walkthrough in their troubleshooting guide if the problem persists.
No. Apple Pencil only works with iPad models. No iPhone supports Apple Pencil regardless of which generation you have.
All Apple Pencil models last about 12 hours of continuous use on a full charge. The 1st generation charges via Lightning and goes from dead to full in roughly 30 minutes. The 2nd generation and Pro charge wirelessly when magnetically attached to the iPad, typically reaching full charge in about 30 minutes as well. A quick 15-second charge on any model gives you around 30 minutes of use.
No. iPads only support one Apple Pencil connection at a time. If you pair a different pencil, the previous one is automatically disconnected. You can switch between pencils but not use two simultaneously.
Yes, in most cases. Standard tempered glass and film screen protectors work fine. Matte or paper-feel protectors also work and many artists prefer them because they add a slight texture that makes drawing feel more like pen on paper. Very thick or heavily textured protectors can occasionally reduce sensitivity, but this is rare.
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