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Apple Pencil Won’t Pair With iPad? Try These Fixes

Check that your Apple Pencil works with your iPad, update iPadOS, charge and connect it the right way for its model, check Bluetooth, and forget and re-pair it.

Updated 8 min read

Quick Answer

Make sure your Apple Pencil model works with your iPad and that iPadOS is up to date. Then connect it the way your model pairs: attach Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (2nd generation) to the magnetic connector, or plug in Apple Pencil (USB-C) or Apple Pencil (1st generation), and tap the button that appears. If nothing appears, wait one minute while it charges, check that Bluetooth is on, and restart your iPad with the Pencil still connected before you try again.

Common causes

  • An Apple Pencil model that doesn’t work with your iPad
  • iPadOS older than the Pencil needs, such as iPadOS 17.5 for Apple Pencil Pro
  • An Apple Pencil battery that needs charging
  • A missing USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter for Apple Pencil (1st generation) on iPad (A16) or iPad (10th generation)
  • Bluetooth turned off on your iPad
  • Apple Pencil (USB-C) or Apple Pencil (1st generation) unpaired after an iPad restart or after pairing with another iPad

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start by confirming that your Pencil and iPad work together, then try each step in order and test pairing after each one.

  1. Step 1: Check that your Apple Pencil works with your iPad

    Each Apple Pencil pairs only with the iPad models Apple lists for it.

    Apple’s pairing article asks you to make sure that you have the Apple Pencil model that works with your iPad. Find your Pencil in the list below and look for your iPad model.

    • Apple Pencil Pro: iPad Pro 13-inch and 11-inch (M4 and M5), iPad Air 13-inch and 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4), and iPad mini (A17 Pro), with iPadOS 17.5 or later.
    • Apple Pencil (USB-C): iPad (A16), iPad (10th generation), iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad mini (6th generation), iPad Pro 13-inch and 11-inch (M4 and M5), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th generation), iPad Air 13-inch and 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4) and iPad Air (4th or 5th generation), with iPadOS 17.1.1 or later.
    • Apple Pencil (2nd generation): iPad mini (6th generation), iPad Air (4th or 5th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th generation) and iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation).
    • Apple Pencil (1st generation): iPad mini (5th generation), iPad (6th, 7th, 8th and 9th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation), iPad Pro 10.5-inch and iPad Pro 9.7-inch. It also works with iPad (A16) and iPad (10th generation), but only with the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter.
    Good to know

    If you aren’t sure which iPad you have, Apple’s compatibility page links to a guide for identifying your iPad model.

  2. Step 2: Update iPadOS

    Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) need a minimum iPadOS version, and Apple’s pairing advice starts with updating.

    Back up your iPad using iCloud or your computer. Plug it into power and connect to Wi-Fi.

    Open Settings, tap General, then Software Update. You’ll see the installed version and whether an update is available. If one is, tap Download and Install, then follow the onscreen instructions.

    Good to know

    Apple Pencil Pro needs iPadOS 17.5 or later, and Apple Pencil (USB-C) needs iPadOS 17.1.1 or later. If the update doesn’t appear on your iPad, you can update it with a computer.

  3. Step 3: Charge your Apple Pencil

    A Pencil with no charge may need some time connected before it can pair.

    You might need to charge your Apple Pencil before you can use it. Each model charges the same way it connects: Apple Pencil Pro on the magnetic connector on the long side of your iPad, Apple Pencil (2nd generation) on the magnetic connector on the right side, and Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil (1st generation) while they’re plugged into your iPad.

    If the Pair button doesn’t appear when you connect the Pencil, wait one minute while it charges, then connect it again and wait for the Pair button.

    Good to know

    To see the Pencil’s battery level, check the Batteries widget, or open Settings and tap Apple Pencil.

  4. Step 4: Connect it the way your model pairs

    Each Apple Pencil pairs through a different connection, so use the one that matches yours.

    Connect the Pencil to your iPad, then tap the Pair button when it appears after a few seconds.

    • Apple Pencil Pro: center it on the magnetic connector on the long side of your iPad.
    • Apple Pencil (2nd generation): center it on the magnetic connector on the right side of your iPad.
    • Apple Pencil (USB-C): slide open the end of the Pencil, connect it to the USB-C charge cable that came with your iPad, and plug the other end into your iPad’s USB-C connector. Then tap “Tap to Connect.”
    • Apple Pencil (1st generation) on an iPad with a Home button: remove the cap and plug the Pencil into the Lightning connector on your iPad. When the Pair button appears, tap it.
    • Apple Pencil (1st generation) on iPad (A16) or iPad (10th generation): remove the cap and plug the Pencil into the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter. Connect the adapter to your iPad with the USB-C charge cable that came with your iPad, then tap the Pair button when it appears.

  5. Step 5: Make sure Bluetooth is on

    Apple’s pairing steps need Bluetooth turned on.

    Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Then connect your Pencil again.

    Good to know

    Turning off Bluetooth ends the pairing for Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil (1st generation), so pair them again after you turn it back on.

  6. Step 6: Pair again after a restart or another iPad

    Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil (1st generation) don’t stay paired through every change.

    Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil (1st generation) stay paired until you restart your iPad, turn off Bluetooth, or pair the Pencil with another iPad. If any of those happened, plug the Pencil back in and pair it again, as described above.

    After pairing, you can unplug the Pencil and keep using it.

  7. Step 7: Restart your iPad with the Pencil connected

    Apple suggests keeping the Pencil connected while you restart, then trying to pair again.

    Keep your Apple Pencil connected to your iPad, then restart the iPad.

    On an iPad without a Home button, press and hold either volume button and the top button until the power off slider appears. On an iPad with a Home button, press and hold the top button until the slider appears. Drag the slider and wait 30 seconds for the iPad to turn off, then press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo.

    When your iPad is back on, try to pair the Pencil again.

  8. Step 8: Forget the Pencil and pair it again

    Apple’s pairing steps include removing the Pencil from your Bluetooth devices and pairing it again.

    Open Settings and tap Bluetooth. Find your Apple Pencil under My Devices. If it’s there, tap the info button, then tap Forget this Device.

    Connect the Pencil to your iPad again and tap the Pair button when it appears after a few seconds. If it doesn’t appear, wait one minute while the Pencil charges, then connect it again.

  9. Step 9: Remove the case or cover

    For Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (2nd generation), Apple suggests trying without a case.

    If your Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (2nd generation) still doesn’t pair, remove any case or cover from your iPad, then attach the Pencil to the magnetic connector and try to pair again.

Apple Pencil still won’t pair?

If the Pair button still doesn’t appear after you’ve charged the Pencil, checked Bluetooth, restarted your iPad and forgotten the Pencil, Apple says you might need service.

Before you get service: Check Apple’s compatibility list once more. Each Apple Pencil works only with the iPad models Apple lists for it, and Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) also need a minimum iPadOS version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Apple Pencil works with my iPad?

It depends on your iPad model. Apple Pencil Pro works with iPad Pro (M4 and M5), iPad Air (M2, M3, and M4) and iPad mini (A17 Pro), while Apple Pencil (USB-C) also works with iPad (A16) and iPad (10th generation), among others. Check Apple’s compatibility list for your exact model.

Why do I have to pair my Apple Pencil (USB-C) again?

Apple Pencil (USB-C) stays paired until you restart your iPad, turn off Bluetooth, or pair it with another iPad. After any of those, plug it in again and tap “Tap to Connect.” Apple Pencil (1st generation) also stays paired only until you restart your iPad, turn off Bluetooth, or pair it with another iPad.

Why doesn’t the Pair button appear?

The Pencil may need charge first. Wait one minute while it charges, then connect it again. If the Pair button still doesn’t appear after the other steps, Apple says you might need service.

Can I use Apple Pencil (1st generation) with iPad (A16) or iPad (10th generation)?

Yes, but you need the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter to pair and charge it. You connect the adapter to your iPad with the USB-C charge cable that came with your iPad.

How do I check my Apple Pencil’s battery level?

Check the Batteries widget, or open Settings and tap Apple Pencil.

Sources & review

This guide was checked against Apple’s official support instructions on October 2, 2026. Device options can change with software updates.

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