Just bought an Apple Pencil? Congrats — it’s a great little gadget that lets you write and draw straight onto your iPad’s screen. But with so many iPad models out there, as well as two generations of Apple Pencil, the pairing process can be a bit confusing. That’s why we're here to lend a helping hand with step-by-step instructions on how to connect an Apple Pencil to your iPad.
How to pair and charge a 1st gen Apple Pencil
If you’ve got the Apple Pencil (1st generation), then you'll need to check if it's compatible with your iPad first. Here are the Apple tablets it'll work with:
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd gen)
iPad Pro 10.5-inch
iPad Pro 9.7-inch
iPad Air (3rd gen)
iPad mini (5th gen)
iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th gen)
To get your 1st gen Apple Pencil connected to your iPad, just follow these steps:
Take the cap off your Apple Pencil to reveal its Lightning connector.
Plug your Apple Pencil into the Lightning port on your iPad.
Tap on the Pair button when it appears on your iPad's screen.
Now, your Apple Pencil will stay paired to your iPad until you restart it or turn on Airplane Mode.
While the Apple Pencil 1 can work with the latest 10th generation iPad, you'll need to get a USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter in order to partner them up.
Tech tip: We'd recommend inserting the Apple Pencil into your iPad's Lightning port on a flat surface like a desk or table. That's because the Lightning connector on the Apple Pencil is quite fragile and could snap if you accidentally knock it when connected to your iPad.
How to pair and charge a 2nd gen Apple Pencil
The Apple Pencil (2nd generation) is even simpler to pair with your iPad. Just make sure you've got one of these models to get it connected:
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gen)
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th gen)
iPad Air (4th and 5th gen)
iPad mini (6th gen)
Once you've checked if it’s compatible, here’s how to pair Apple Pencil 2 with your iPad:
Head to the Settings app on your iPad and make sure that Bluetooth is turned on. You can also do this by swiping down from the top-right corner of your iPad’s home screen and tapping the Bluetooth button.
Attach your Apple Pencil to the magnetic strip connector on the side of your iPad.
Your iPad will detect your Apple Pencil, finish pairing it, and even give you a little tutorial on how to use it.
And that's it. It'll charge itself automatically when attached, and you'll never lose your Apple Pencil 2 either as you can just leave it clipped onto your iPad.
How to pair and charge Apple Pencil USB-C
That's right, there's another Apple Pencil. The new USB-C version is the most affordable Apple stylus you can get, which is perfect for jotting down quick notes or drawing simple sketches with. Here are the iPad models the USB-C Apple Pencil will connect to:
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gen)
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th gen)
iPad Air (4th and 5th gen)
iPad mini (6th gen)
iPad (10th gen)
And here’s how to set up Apple Pencil USB-C with your compatible iPad:
Make sure to update your iPad to iPad 17.1 or later first.
Slide open the end of your Apple Pencil to reveal the USB-C connector.
Plug a USB-C cable (sold separately) into the slot and attach the other end to your iPad.
FAQs
Why is my iPad not connecting to my Apple Pencil?
If you're having trouble connecting your Apple Pencil to your iPad, make sure to try these solutions:
Double check that your Apple Pencil and iPad are compatible with each other.
Make sure that you have Bluetooth activated on your iPad.
Update your iPad to the latest software.
Make sure your Apple Pencil is charged up.
Which iPads models are compatible with Apple Pencil?
Any standard 6th to 9th gen iPad is compatible with the Apple Pencil generation 1. If you've got a 1st gen Apple Pencil that you want to connect to a 10th generation iPad, you’ll need to make sure you have the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter and a USB-C charging cable.
Regarding iPad Pro, Air and mini models — their compatibility varies with different types of Apple Pencil. Have a look at our separate lists of which Apple Pencil works with which iPad models earlier in our article. Or see a side-by-side comparison on the Apple website.
How long does Apple Pencil take to charge?
When inspiration strikes, the last thing you’ll want is for your Apple Pencil to be out of juice. Fortunately, you can get your Apple Pencil fully charged in about 20 to 25 minutes. And if you really can’t wait, even just a few seconds of charging can give you up to 30 minutes of use.
What’s the difference between Apple Pencil 1/2 and USB-C?
The Apple Pencil USB-C is the cheapest Apple stylus you can buy, but its functions are a little more limited when compared to the 1st and 2nd gen Apple Pencil. It doesn't offer pressure sensitivity like they do, and the handy double-tap tool swapping feature that you get on the gen 2 Apple Pencil isn't available either.
But the USB-C version does support the hover function on the iPad Pro — just like the Apple Pencil gen 2. This lets you preview your mark before you make it, which can be pretty handy when using certain apps.
It's also worth saying that you don't have to keep the Apple Pencil USB-C plugged in to use it. Once it's charged up, you can use it wirelessly just like the Apple Pencil gen 1 and 2. And another cool thing about it is that it's magnetised and can be attached to your iPad like the Apple Pencil 2. It just won't charge wirelessly like the gen 2 can.
Any more questions?
See? Pairing an Apple Pencil to your iPad is a doddle. And you can get even more out of your Apple tablet by learning how to print from your iPad and how to scan documents on iPhone and iPad.
