Well, I have had issues pairing Apple Pencil with my iPad Air. Have you tried to power cycle your iPad Air 2 and your Apple Pencil? Try to reset the Bluetooth connection between two of them by following this guide. It could help you with the problem.
We know that Apple Pencil can unlock a new level of creativity. But what happens when the stylus refuses to function or connecting to your iPad? In this article, we’ll walk you through some quick fixes that will help you resolve the issue.
Hey there, Apple Pencil user. Good news: If your iPad Pro isn’t drawing as nicely as you’d like, the fix might be simple — and easier to handle than you’d expect. To resolve these issues, here are a few tips for fixing Apple Pencil when it doesn’t work properly or isn’t connecting at all.
If you’re experiencing trouble pairing or connecting your Apple Pencil to your iPad Pro (1st-gen), iPad Air 2, or iPad Mini 4, try the quick fix below.
Not only is it an excellent tool for drawing, sketching and design, but it also has additional features that make it a must-have accessory for iPad Pro users. However, there are instances where the stylus doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to. The good news is most of the issues with Apple Pencil can be easily resolved.
1: Tighten the Pencil Tip
It might not always be obvious, but the Apple Pencil’s tip or nib—the silver part you see at the end of the stylus—is a replaceable item.
The Apple Pencil’s nib or tip is attached by a tiny magnet. It will wear down over time, and you’ll need to swap it out for a new one. That also means it can come loose, so make sure you tighten it before you start using it again. It’s easy to do, and shouldn’t take much effort—just make sure you don’t apply too much pressure.
Once you remove it from the Lightning port, you can pop it off and replace it with a new one in seconds. If the connection doesn’t feel secure, check to make sure the tip is properly seated on your iPad Pro’s Lightning port. Please confirm that your Apple Pencil is securely attached to your iPad. If Apple Pencil is still not pairing or charging properly then follow the below step.
2: Check iPad Bluetooth Is Turned On
Go to Settings –> Bluetooth. Tap your Apple Pencil to see it on the list. If it doesn’t show up, tap the Off button at the top of Bluetooth panel. Then tap again to turn its Bluetooth connection back on. If bluetooth is not turning on or the bluetooth icon is continuously spinning/loading, then restart your iPad and try again.
Still the pencil is not pairing or connecting to your iPad, keep following the below steps to fix this connection issue.
3: Reboot or Hard reset iPad
➡ If your Pencil doesn’t seem to work at all (no response in pairing mode), we recommend you reset iPad Pro. To do so, press and hold the side button of the iPad, and also press and hold either of the volume buttons on the left side. Keep holding the buttons until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider from left to right to turn off the iPad.
Just press and hold the right side button on your iPad to turn it in.
Check if the iPad is pairing and connecting normally with your iPad. if not, follow the below steps to fix the apple pencil not pairing or not connecting with iPad problem.
4: Apple Pencil Compatibility With iPad
What iPad models work with Apple Pencil? I’m going to try and make this as clear-cut as possible, so here’s a breakdown of which iPads are compatible with which Apple Pencil generations:
Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
Apple Pencil (2nd generation) is compatible with these iPad’s:
- iPad Air (4th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and later
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) and later
Apple Pencil (1st generation)
Apple Pencil (1st generation) is compatible with these iPad models:
- iPad (6th, 7th, and 8th generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st or 2nd generation)
- iPad Pro (10.5-inch & 9.7-inch)
5: Repair Apple Pencil
First, ensure your Pencil is paired with your iPad. If you don’t see it listed in the Bluetooth menu, go to Settings > Bluetooth and select the Pencil from the list of nearby devices. Click on the i icon and then tap on forgot Apple pencil. Then, Check the below guide to repair Apple pencil.
➡️ How to pair, unpair Apple pencil
5: Recharge Apple pencil
There are a few steps you’ll need to take if your Apple Pencil’s battery is low or dead. First, make sure it’s firmly inserted into the Lightning port of your iPad Pro and that the cap is on. If you still encounter a low battery alert in Notification Center after this, open Control Center and tap on your Apple Pencil. After a few seconds, this should show you how much charge your stylus has. Quickly plug your iPad Pro into its charger with the supplied Lightning cable (and into an electric socket, if possible) and leave it plugged in for at least half an hour.
Check out how you can charge Apple pencil properly.
➡️ How to charge Apple pencil (first & second Generation)
6: Contact Apple Support
The Apple Pencil isn’t a toy. It’s a precision instrument engineered with incredible care and precision. That’s why Apple ensures that before every Apple Pencil leaves their factories, it’s put through the same rigorous tests the iPhone goes through. And it’s also why they give you a full year of worry-free ownership for your Apple Pencil. So if your Pencil ever has an issue, or needs some authentic repair, they’ll fix or replace it for you at no charge, even if it’s completely worn out from being used frequently. You can send a mail-in repair or replacement, or visit Apple’s website.
Reasons Apple Pencil is not Pairing or Connecting
Battery Problems: When you use Apple Pencil with your iPad Pro, you have to pair the two devices before you can start using them. Pairing is a pretty easy thing to do. If your device is connected to Wi-Fi and all settings are properly configured. However, if your accessory’s battery ran out of juice in the middle of the pairing process, or the two devices can’t establish a Bluetooth connection, troubleshooting will be required.
Pairing issues: While Apple Pencil is an important accessory for the iPad Pro, artists and designers sometimes need troubleshooting tips. This could be due to many factors: Bluetooth pairing issues, connection problems, or a device that appears inactive. The good news is your iPad automatically tries to fix the problem along the way. It’s not always easy to follow though, and this guide can help if you seem to have hit a dead spot with no way forward.
Range-Connectivity issues: When you have a first-generation Apple Pencil, the connection can be a bit spotty. If it doesn’t work correctly, change your wireless network to either Wi-Fi or LTE to reconnect it to your iPad or iPhone. Then, try turning off Bluetooth. You should also ensure no other Bluetooth devices are in range, as they may interfere.
If you are facing these types of issues with your Apple Pencil 1 or 2nd generation:
It’s been a few weeks that I’ve been trying to pair my pencil with my iPad air. Can’t find any solutions online, and no one in the Apple Store seems to know how to solve the issue or have any idea about the problem. It’s ridiculous because I cannot use my pencil. As soon as I turn the pencil on, it asks me if I want to pair with the iPad. I press pair, and then it finds the iPad and connects for a few seconds. It says there was an error and asks me to try again later. Not sure what to do. Or,
I can’t seem to get my Apple Pencil to pair up with my iPad Air 2. I’ve tried it three different iOS updates, and two different pairing attempts – with the device on, off, etc. The “Pencil” option isn’t anywhere in the settings.
Conclusion
Many iOS users have reported issues with the Apple Pencil charger, its pairing and sketching capabilities. On behalf of these users, let me ask you: does your Apple Pencil charge like it’s supposed to? Does it work flawlessly on your iPad? If your answers are ‘no’, read on as I’ll walk you through a handful of troubleshooting tips that should get your Apple Pencil back on top of its game.
While the Apple Pencil is an impressive stylus, there are many factors that can prevent its flawless functioning. The good news is most issues are minor and can be fixed in a jiffy. Apple’s first attempt at a stylus, the Apple Pencil for iPad Pro, was supposed to change the game. For artists and creative professionals, the possibilities of designing across Apple devices with the Apple Pencil were seemingly endless. However, not all has been tea and chips for the Apple Pencil team, as there have actually been several complaints from iPad owners about its functionality and performance.
The Apple Pencil is an important accessory if you are an avid iPad Pro user. It can be used for taking notes, marking up documents, sketching, and even drawing. This precision tool is primarily used for the iPad Pro and the 9.7-inch version of the tablet. If you are having power issues with your Apple Pencil, or the accessory does not pair properly with your iPad or iPhone, then you might want to try out some of these fixes.