How do i know my apple pencil is charging

There's nothing quite so annoying as getting into a flow state, only to have the technology you're using lose power, bringing everything to a halt. For those who use the Apple Pencil with an iPad, that experience can be all too common since the Pencil itself doesn't display battery life. 

The good news is if you have a second generation Apple Pencil, the method to check your battery is rather simple, as is the method to charge it. A first generation Apple Pencil requires a different approach, which can be a little more complicated. 

Quick tip: The Apple Pencil is designed to last 12 hours of constant use, although if it's old, the battery duration might be shorter. 

Here's how to check your Pencil's battery depending on which version you own: 

How to check your Apple Pencil Battery

Second generation 

  1. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
  2. Place your Apple Pencil to the magnetic connector at the top of your iPad, located on the side with the volume buttons. This will also charge it. 

    GettyImages 1150666939

    Only a second generation Apple Pencil can be charged via the magnetic connector option.Neil Godwin/Future/Getty Images
  3. The battery status will appear for a moment at the top of the screen (if nothing appears, try connecting again, or leave attached for a minute as the battery might be close to zero).


Another way to check is to open the Settings app and click on "Apple Pencil." You should see the battery level at the top.

First generation

  1. Swipe down from the top bezel of your iPad to access the Notification center.
  2. Swipe right to view Widgets.
  3. Tap "Batteries."

    If you don't have the Batteries widget on your iPad, you'll need to enable it. Tap Edit at the bottom of the Widgets section and the Plus icon next to Batteries — it should now be an active widget. You can also check your second generation Pencil this way if you choose. 

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A first generation Apple Pencil is distinguishable by the magnetically attached cap.Joby Sessions/MacFormat Magazine/Future/Getty Images

You can charge a first generation Apple Pencil in two ways. First, remove the cap (magnetically attach it next to the iPad's Home button not to lose it). Plug your Apple Pencil into the Lightning connector or Lightning port on your iPad, or charge with a USB Power Adapter by using the Lightning adaptor your Pencil came with.

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Devon Delfino is a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist specializing in personal finance, culture, politics, and identity. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, Business Insider, and CNBC. Follow her on Twitter at 

The Apple Pencil is a wireless stylus for certain iPad models that lets you can take handwritten notes, sketch, draw, and paint, as well as control the iPad. Because it's wireless, you need to charge it occasionally. 

There's no need for a charger or power hub though — you can conveniently charge an Apple Pencil using the iPad it's paired with. 

There are two versions of the Apple Pencil. They look and work differently, and are designed for different iPad models. For more information on how to differentiate Apple Pencil models, and which iPad models they work with, see our article "'How much is the Apple Pencil?': A breakdown of Apple's advanced iPad styluses, including their prices and which iPads each works with." 

Each Pencil uses a different method to charge.

But no matter which Pencil you have, it charges quickly. You get about 30 minutes of charge in roughly 15 seconds, and the Pencil fully charges in about 15 minutes. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Apple Pencil (1st generation) (From $94.9.9 at Best Buy)

Apple Pencil (2nd generation) (From $124.99 at Best Buy)

iPad (From $329.99 at Best Buy)

How to charge the original Apple Pencil

To charge your first generation Apple Pencil, remove the cap from the end of the Pencil, revealing the Lightning connector. Then insert the Pencil into the Lightning port of your iPad. 

pencil 1

Insert the Pencil in your iPad's Lightning port for a few minutes to charge it up.Dave Johnson/Business Insider

If you've plugged in your Pencil but it isn't charging, your charging port might be obstructed by debris. For help cleaning it, reference our article, "How to properly clean your iPhone's charging port when it won't charge."

Alternately, you can plug an Apple Pencil into an ordinary Lightning cable using the Apple Pencil Charging Adapter that comes with the Pencil. 

pencil 2

You can also charge your Pencil with a Lightning cable using the small adapter that comes with the Pencil.Dave Johnson/Business Insider

How to charge the Apple Pencil (Second Generation)

To charge your second generation Apple Pencil, attach the Pencil's flat side to the right side of your iPad.

Apple Pencil 2nd Generation iPad Pro

The second generation Apple Pencil attaches magnetically to the right side of the iPad.Reuters

If it doesn't begin charging, make sure Bluetooth is turned on by pulling down the Control Center on your iPad, and ensuring the Bluetooth button is blue (or enable Bluetooth in your iPad's settings). 

  • Not all iPads can use the Apple Pencil — here's a breakdown of which iPads are compatible with which version of the Pencil

  • 'Why is my iPad so slow?': How to get your iPad running smoothly again

  • How to clear the cache on your iPad to make it run faster

  • How to restore your iPad from a backup after resetting it

Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

How do I know if my Apple Pencil has charge?

If you have Apple Pencil (2nd generation) To check how much battery your Apple Pencil has left while you're using it, add the battery level widget and then check Today View on your iPad. Just swipe from left to right on the Home Screen or Lock Screen.

Does Apple Pencil light up when charging?

The Apple Pencil doesn't have a physical charge indicator or LED light on its cylindrical body; instead, you can check its current battery life on your currently-paired iPad or iPad Pro.

How long do apple pencils take to charge?

Your Pencil will optimally charge at its fastest rate when connected directly to your iPad. From “flat”, full charge will usually take 10-20 minutes. A few seconds charging from the iPad will provide about 15 minutes of active use.

What do I do if my Apple Pencil wont charge?

The solution that worked for me is:.
Go to Settings -> Bluetooth and remove Apple Pencil from the list of paired devices..
Plug Apple Pencil to iPad..
Wait for the message that asks if you want yo paşr the Pencil and pair two devices..
wait for 10 - 15 minutes for the Apple Pencil to charge..