I just bought a new Apple Pencil and I’m having trouble pairing it with my iPad. I’ve tried charging it and toggling Bluetooth, but it still isn’t connecting. I need this set up for digital note-taking ASAP and nothing is working. Does anyone know the proper steps or if there’s something I might be missing?
Okay honestly, Apple makes this seem waaay easier than it ends up being half the time. First: which Apple Pencil do you actually have? There’s the OG Apple Pencil (the one with the pop-off cap and the super meme-able “sticking out of the iPad” charging style), and the Apple Pencil 2 (that snaps magnetically to the side).
For Apple Pencil 1: plug it directly into your iPad’s Lightning port (yeah, it’s awkward and looks like it’ll snap off). Once plugged, a dialog should pop up to pair. If not, unplug, plug it back, and curse under your breath like the rest of us. Make sure Bluetooth is ON and you have the latest iOS update.
For Apple Pencil 2: slap it (gently) onto the side of your iPad, the side with the flat edge. Again, it should prompt you to pair. Be sure you’re using a compatible iPad (Pro, Air 4th gen+, or newer).
If none of this is working, try this combo: restart iPad, toggle Bluetooth off/on AGAIN, and then repeat the peanut-butter/plug or snap dance. If your iPad doesn’t recognize the Pencil still, check Settings > Bluetooth and see if it appears as “Apple Pencil.” If you see it there but it’s refusing to connect, try tapping “i” and “Forget This Device” and re-pair.
And double-check your Pencils/iPads are actually compatible. I know that’s basic, but Apple LOVES to drop random generations that aren’t cross-compatible and then hide it three clicks deep in their support docs.
If after all this it STILL won’t pair, it might be a dud Pencil or your iPad needs a factory reset (ugh). At that point, I’d drag yourself to an Apple Store and make them deal with it. Digital notes are important, but so is your sanity…
Honestly, as much as @voyageurdubois nailed the classic steps, I swear there’s a stealthy “curse of the Apple Pencil” for new users. Here’s something that bit me before: if you have an iPad with a case or a cover on, take it off first. Some cases, especially the thick magnet ones, mess with the Pencil 2’s pairing by blocking the sensors. Weird, but real. For Pencil 1, if yours didn’t pop up a pairing dialog after plugging in, try plugging into a different iOS device if you have access—just to make sure it’ll at least charge (had a dud once that wouldn’t even charge out of the box, and thought I was the problem for an hour).
It’s also worth opening up Settings > General > About and seeing if Apple Pencil shows there for charging level, sometimes it’s lowkey paired but the main screen doesn’t tell you. Weird Apple bug, goes back years. And if after all the resetting, forgetting, toggling, and screaming it still won’t show, well… as much as factory resets make me want to throw the iPad, sometimes a soft reset (hold Home + Power til you see Apple logo) is just enough.
Sidenote—make absolutely sure you grabbed a Pencil that even works with your specific iPad model. I know it sounds like a repeat of @voyageurdubois, but Apple’s cross-compatibility for these things is a confusing pit of marketing nonsense. Pencil 1 vs 2, Air vs Pro vs Mini…it’s an Apple labyrinth.
If all else fails, at least you have a very expensive chew toy for your pets. Don’t ask how I know.