You tap the Pencil to your iPad, wait, and nothing shows up. Before you assume it’s broken, work through the steps below in order. They follow Apple’s own pairing guidance.
1. Check the basics first
Apple’s pairing support page starts with three checks: update your iPad to the latest software, make sure your Apple Pencil model works with your iPad, and charge the Pencil if it might be flat. The compatibility part trips people up. Use Apple’s Apple Pencil compatibility list to confirm your pairing before you troubleshoot anything else.
2. Connect it the right way for your model
- Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (2nd generation): center the Pencil on the iPad’s magnetic connector.
- Apple Pencil (1st generation) with iPad (6th through 9th generation): remove the cap and plug the Pencil into the Lightning connector.
- Apple Pencil (1st generation) with iPad (10th generation): use the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter and a compatible USB-C cable. Remove the cap, plug the Pencil into the adapter, then plug the cable’s other end into the iPad.
3. Restart the iPad while the Pencil stays connected
Keep the Pencil attached, restart the iPad, then try to pair again. Also open Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on.
4. Forget the Pencil and pair again
- In Settings > Bluetooth, look for your Apple Pencil under My Devices.
- If it’s there, tap the info button, then Forget this Device.
- Connect the Pencil to the iPad again and tap Pair when it appears after a few seconds.
If the Pair button doesn’t show up, Apple says to wait one minute while the Pencil charges, then connect it again and wait for the button.
5. Take the case off
If a Pencil Pro or 2nd-generation Pencil still won’t pair, remove any case or cover from the iPad and try again.
6. When it still won’t work
If the Pair button never appears after all of that, Apple says you might need service. At that point it’s worth a trip to Apple Support rather than more resets.
Once it’s paired, put it to work with our guide on iPad note-taking and drawing apps.
