Apple Pencil

You can pair and charge Apple Pencil by plugging it into the USB-C connector on your compatible iPad. It charges while it’s plugged in, and after you pair it, you can disconnect the cable, since it stays paired until you restart iPad. You can check its battery level, too.

Pair and charge Apple Pencil (USB-C)

1. Slide open the end of Apple Pencil and connect it to the USB-C charge cable that came with your iPad.

   

2. Connect the other end of the USB-C charge cable to the USB-C connector on iPad.
3. Do any of the following:
   • Pair Apple Pencil: Tap Tap to Connect.

     After you pair Apple Pencil, you can disconnect it from the USB-C charge cable. Apple Pencil stays paired until you restart your iPad, turn off Bluetooth®, or pair with another iPad. Just pair Apple Pencil again you’re ready to use it.

   • Charge Apple Pencil: Apple Pencil charges while it’s plugged into your iPad.

Quick tip: You can also use the USB-C charge cable and the power adapter that came with your iPad to charge Apple Pencil.

Check the battery level of Apple Pencil

Do any of the following:

• Check the Batteries widget. See Add, edit, and remove widgets on iPad.
• Go to Settings > Apple Pencil.

See also

• Enter text with Scribble on iPad
• Draw with Apple Pencil on iPad
• Take and mark up a screenshot with Apple Pencil on iPad
• Quickly write notes with Apple Pencil on iPad

You can pair and charge Apple Pencil (1st generation) by plugging it into the Lightning or USB-C connector on your compatible iPad. The steps differ for an iPad with a Home button, and once you’ve paired it, Apple Pencil stays paired until you restart your iPad or turn off Bluetooth®.

Pair and charge Apple Pencil (1st generation) on an iPad with a Home button

1. Remove the cap and plug Apple Pencil into the Lightning connector on your iPad.

   

2. Do any of the following:
   • Pair Apple Pencil: When the Pair button appears, tap it.

     After you pair Apple Pencil, unplug it from iPad. Apple Pencil stays paired until you restart your iPad, turn off Bluetooth®, or pair with another iPad. Just pair Apple Pencil again when you’re ready to use it.

   • Charge Apple Pencil: Apple Pencil charges while it’s plugged into your iPad.

     If your pencil came with an Apple Pencil Charging Adapter, you can also charge it using the Lightning Cable and power adapter that came with your iPad.

Pair and charge Apple Pencil with iPad (10th generation) and iPad (A16)

1. Remove the cap and plug Apple Pencil into the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter.
2. Connect the other end of the adapter to your iPad using the USB-C charge cable that came with your iPad.

   

3. Do any of the following:
   • Pair Apple Pencil: When the Pair button appears, tap it.

     After you pair Apple Pencil, unplug it from iPad. Apple Pencil stays paired until you restart your iPad, turn off Bluetooth, or pair with another iPad. Just pair Apple Pencil again when you’re ready to use it.

   • Charge Apple Pencil: Apple Pencil charges while it’s plugged into your iPad.

Quick tip: The USB-C charge cable and the power adapter that came with your iPad can charge Apple Pencil, too.

Check the battery level of Apple Pencil

• Check the Batteries widget. See Add, edit, and remove widgets on iPad.
• Go to Settings > Apple Pencil.

See also

• Enter text with Scribble on iPad
• Draw with Apple Pencil on iPad
• Take and mark up a screenshot with Apple Pencil on iPad
• Quickly write notes with Apple Pencil on iPad

You can attach Apple Pencil (2nd generation) to the magnetic connector on the right side of your compatible iPad to pair and charge it. Bluetooth® needs to be turned on for it to charge, and you can check its battery level with the Batteries widget, too.

Pair Apple Pencil (2nd generation) with iPad

Attach Apple Pencil to the magnetic connector on the right side of your iPad.

Charge Apple Pencil (2nd generation)

1. Make sure that Bluetooth® is turned on in Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Attach Apple Pencil to the magnetic connector on the right side of your iPad.

Check the battery level of Apple Pencil

To check the battery level of Apple Pencil, do any of the following:

• Check the Batteries widget. See Add, edit, and remove widgets on iPad.
• Go to Settings > Apple Pencil.

See also

• Enter text with Scribble on iPad
• Draw with Apple Pencil on iPad
• Take and mark up a screenshot with Apple Pencil on iPad
• Quickly write notes with Apple Pencil on iPad

On supported models, you can use Apple Pencil (sold separately) to draw or sketch, mark up a photo, sign a document, and more. Compared to using your finger, Apple Pencil gives you extra control as you draw.

Apple Pencil can apply shading or vary the line thickness as you draw, and on most models, it can darken the line. Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil Pro can also switch back to the tool you used last. And with Apple Pencil Pro, you can quickly perform an action like undo, or preview the angle of drawing tools with barrel roll.

Apply shading and darker lines

If you tilt your Apple Pencil while you draw or sketch, you can apply shading or vary the line thickness (depending on the drawing tool).

With Apple Pencil (1st and 2nd generations) and Apple Pencil Pro, you can also press more firmly to darken the line.

Double-tap to switch tools

With Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil Pro, you can double-tap the barrel of the pencil to quickly switch back to the tool you used last. For example, you can switch from the marker back to the eraser. (The double-tap option is available in supported apps, such as Notes.)

To choose another action for the double-tap setting, go to Settings > Apple Pencil > Double Tap.

Squeeze Apple Pencil Pro to perform an action

Squeezing the barrel of Apple Pencil Pro quickly performs an action, like undo or show the tool palette.

To choose an action for the squeeze setting, go to Settings > Apple Pencil > Squeeze.

Use barrel roll on Apple Pencil Pro

You can rotate the barrel of Apple Pencil Pro to preview the angle of drawing tools like the fountain pen and highlighter.

In Apple apps like Freeform, Notes, and when you are using Markup, barrel roll works with the fountain pen and highlighter tools. Tools in select third-party apps may support it, too, so check with the app developer if you’d like more information.

Turn haptic feedback for Apple Pencil Pro off or on

When you squeeze or double-tap Apple Pencil Pro, you feel a light pulse, which is haptic feedback.

1. Pair Apple Pencil Pro with your compatible iPad.
2. Open Settings, tap Apple Pencil, and turn Haptics on or off.

Hover to preview tools and controls

In supported apps, Apple Pencil hover lets you quickly preview and switch between different tools and controls. You’ll see a drawing tool’s preview before it makes a mark on the canvas, and you can sketch, write, and make adjustments with greater precision.

Apple Pencil hover is available on the following models:

• iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation) with Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4), iPad Air 13-inch (M2, M3, and M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4 and M5), and iPad Pro 13-inch (M4 and M5) with Apple Pencil Pro

Hold Apple Pencil up to 12 mm above the iPad display, and you can do things like these:

• Explore the tool palette: Hold Apple Pencil over the tool palette, then move over the tools such as the pencil, brush, eraser, and colors. Touch the tool, color, and options you want to use.
• Preview before you make a mark: Hold Apple Pencil over the drawing area. With some drawing tools, you can even tilt Apple Pencil and change the azimuth (lateral angle) for different effects. For example, in the Notes app, you can preview the color, line thickness, and opacity of the highlighter.

  With Apple Pencil Pro, you can rotate the barrel and preview the angle of drawing tools such as the highlighter and fountain pen.

• Erase with precision: Select the eraser tool, then select options such as the pixel eraser size or the object eraser. Hold Apple Pencil over the drawing area to preview the effects of the eraser.

To turn off Apple Pencil hover, go to Settings > Apple Pencil, then turn off Hover.

See also

• Draw and handwrite with Markup on iPad
• Add drawings and handwriting in Notes on iPad
• Add your signature with Markup
• Take and mark up a screenshot with Apple Pencil on iPad

You can pair and charge Apple Pencil Pro by attaching it to the magnetic connector on the long side of your compatible iPad. To charge it, make sure that Bluetooth® is turned on. You can check the battery level of Apple Pencil in the Batteries widget, too.

Pair Apple Pencil Pro with iPad

Attach Apple Pencil Pro to the magnetic connector on the long side of your iPad.

Charge Apple Pencil Pro

1. Make sure that Bluetooth® is turned on in Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Attach Apple Pencil Pro to the magnetic connector on the long side of your iPad.

Check the battery level of Apple Pencil

• Check the Batteries widget. See Add, edit, and remove widgets on iPad.
• Go to Settings > Apple Pencil.

See also

• Enter text with Scribble on iPad
• Draw with Apple Pencil on iPad
• Take and mark up a screenshot with Apple Pencil on iPad
• Quickly write notes with Apple Pencil on iPad

You can use Apple Pencil to quickly take a picture of the iPad screen, then mark it up to share with others or use in documents. You can draw on the screenshot with Apple Pencil and change drawing tools with the tool palette, then send it in a message or save it in a note.

1. To capture the screen, swipe up with Apple Pencil from either corner at the bottom of your iPad.
2. To mark up the screenshot, draw with Apple Pencil.

   Use the tool palette at the bottom of the screen to change drawing tools. See Draw and handwrite with Markup on iPad.

3. To send the marked up screenshot to others (such as in a message), or to save it in a document (such as in a note), tap the Share button. Choose an option.
4. When you’re finished, tap Done, then choose an option.

See also

• Enter text with Scribble on iPad
• Draw with Apple Pencil on iPad
• Quickly write notes with Apple Pencil on iPad

You can use Apple Pencil to quickly write a note from anywhere on iPad, even while iPad is locked (supported models). You can create a Quick Note, and even wake iPad by drawing or writing a note on the Lock Screen. Whatever you create is saved in the Notes app.

Create a Quick Note

For the steps, see our article, Use Quick Notes on iPad.

Wake iPad by drawing or writing a note

Tap Apple Pencil on the Lock Screen, then begin drawing or taking notes.

Whatever you create is saved in Notes.

See also

• Enter text with Scribble on iPad
• Draw with Apple Pencil on iPad
• Take and mark up a screenshot with Apple Pencil on iPad

On supported models, you can use Apple Pencil (sold separately) and Scribble to enter text. Without opening the onscreen keyboard, you can quickly reply to a message, write yourself a reminder, and more.

Scribble converts your handwriting to text directly on your iPad, so your writing stays private. Your handwriting can even go past the edges of the text field, and the actions you see depend on the app.

Here’s how to enter text with Scribble on iPad.

Note: Scribble is available in several languages.

Use Apple Pencil to enter text in any text field

1. Write with Apple Pencil in any text field, and Scribble automatically converts your handwriting into typed text.

   Scribble even works when your handwriting extends beyond the edges of the text field.

2. To use an action shortcut, tap the Scribble toolbar.

   Available actions depend on the app you’re using, and may include the Undo button, the Show Keyboard button, and more.

   To automatically minimize the toolbar when you’re entering text, tap the Ellipsis button, then turn on Auto-minimize. To show the full toolbar, tap the minimized version.

Use Apple Pencil to enter text in Notes and Freeform

1. In Notes or Freeform, tap the Markup Switch button off to show the tool palette.
2. In the tool palette, tap the Handwriting tool (to the left of the pen).
3. Write with Apple Pencil, and Scribble automatically converts your handwriting into typed text.

Select and revise text with Apple Pencil

While you enter text with Apple Pencil and Scribble, you can do the following:

• Delete a word: Scratch it out.
• Insert text: Touch and hold in a text area, then write in the space that opens.
• Join or separate characters: Draw a vertical line between them.
• Select text: Draw a circle around the text or underline it to select it and see editing options. To change the selection, drag from the beginning or end of the selected text.
• Select a word: Double-tap the word.
• Select a paragraph: Triple-tap a word within the paragraph, or drag Apple Pencil over the paragraph.

Stop converting your handwriting to text

Go to Settings > Apple Pencil, then turn off Scribble.

See also

• Draw with Apple Pencil on iPad
• Take and mark up a screenshot with Apple Pencil on iPad
• Quickly write notes with Apple Pencil on iPad

Find out which Apple Pencil (sold separately) works with your iPad. Each Apple Pencil is compatible with the following models listed under its name, from Apple Pencil (1st generation) and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) to Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro.

Apple Pencil (1st generation)

Apple Pencil (1st generation) is compatible with the following models:

• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th generations)
• iPad (A16)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation)

For pairing and charging steps, read our guide, Pair and charge Apple Pencil (1st generation) with iPad.

Apple Pencil (2nd generation)

Apple Pencil (2nd generation) is compatible with the following models:

• iPad mini (6th generation)
• iPad Air (4th and 5th generations)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generations)

To pair and charge this model, see our article, Pair and charge Apple Pencil (2nd generation) with iPad.

Apple Pencil (USB-C)

Apple Pencil (USB-C) is compatible with the following models:

• iPad mini (6th generation)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro)
• iPad (10th generation)
• iPad (A16)
• iPad Air (4th and 5th generations)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generations)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (M4 and M5)
• iPad Pro 13-inch (M4 and M5)

If you need to pair and charge Apple Pencil (USB-C), check out our guide, Pair and charge Apple Pencil (USB-C) with iPad.

Apple Pencil Pro

Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the following models:

• iPad mini (A17 Pro)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (M4 and M5)
• iPad Pro 13-inch (M4 and M5)

For setup and charging, read our article, Pair and charge Apple Pencil Pro with iPad.