How do you know when your Apple Pencil is charged? Or even yet, how do you know what the battery level of your Apple Pencil is? Show
Even though the Apple Pencil 1st generation and 2nd generation lack a battery status indicator to tell you how much charge you have left, there are ways to learn how much battery life is still there in the device. This quick tutorial shows you how to check your Apple Pencil’s battery status. We will detail methods for both Apple Pencil 1 and Apple Pencil 2. How to check Apple Pencil battery lifeHere are a few ways to know the battery percentage of your Apple Pencil on your iPad. Use the Battery widgetThe best way to easily check the battery level of your Apple Pencil is to enable the Batteries widget on your iPad. This method works for the 1st and 2nd-generation Apple Pencils. On iPadOS 15
When the widget appears on your Home Screen, you can drag it wherever you’d like. For more:
On iPadOS 13
From now on, you can easily see how much battery your Apple Pencil has right within the Today View. Simply swipe and see at a glance how much juice both your iPad Pro and Apple Pencil have left. Connect your Apple Pencil to your iPadWhile this method only works for the second-generation Apple Pencil, it is one of the fastest ways to see the battery status of your stylus. Attach your Apple Pencil to your iPad using Smart Connector, the magnetic connector on the side of your iPad. You should immediately see the battery life displayed at the top of the screen. Use the Settings appWhile not as practical and convenient as the two methods described above, there is one more way to know how much battery is left in your Apple Pencil. Open the Settings app on your iPad, and scroll down to the Apple Pencil section. The battery level will be displayed on the right. How to fix iPad not showing Apple Pencil batteryIf you do not see the battery indicator:
Depending on whether you have the Apple Pencil 1 or 2, there are different ways to gauge the battery percentage of the device. Hopefully, at least one of the methods described above will work for you. As of March 2019, all current iPad models support Apple Pencil with either the first or second-generation, and you can get more out of your favorite device with an Apple Pencil. Whether you're starting with an entry-level iPad, going to the next level with the iPad Air, running professional programs on an iPad Pro, or taking your ultra-portable iPad mini with you everywhere, you can use one of the two generations of Apple Pencil. It has full pressure sensitivity for dynamic line thickness, tilt control for shading, palm rejection for full sketching, and works as a simple stylus if you don't want to touch your screen. To take full advantage of everything you can do with the Apple Pencil, you'll need to know how to use some of the fun little extras on your best iPad (opens in new tab). Here's our complete guide to Apple Pencil, whether you're an artist, note-taker, or professional graphics editor. Here's how to use Apple Pencil to its fullest abilities! Meet the Apple PencilIf you've previously used a stylus on the iPad or other graphics tablets, you'll find some aspects of the Apple Pencil familiar — and others very different. Here's a crash course in all things Apple Pencil for you! Apple Pencil (1st Generation) works with:
Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) works with:
How to tell the difference(Image credit: iMore)As mentioned in our Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) review, you can typically notice the difference between the two generations of Apple Pencil pretty quickly. If you're concerned about whether you're selecting the correct generation Apple Pencil, the most distinguishing difference is that the 1st-generation Apple Pencil has a silver band around the top. Apple Pencil (2nd-Generation) does not. Before you get started, make sure you know which generation Apple Pencil you have. Where there are differences in the two (like pairing and charging), we've included sections for each generation separately. How to pair your Apple Pencil with your iPadBefore you can start using your Apple Pencil, you'll need to pair it to your iPad or iPad Pro. The first and second-generation iPad Pro pair differently, so be sure you know your generation before starting. How to pair the first-generation Apple Pencil
How to pair the second-generation Apple Pencil
You can now use your Apple Pencil with your iPad or iPad Pro! If you want to move your Pencil to a different iPad, follow the same steps above with the new one. How to check the Apple Pencil battery levelThe 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 to check your Apple Pencil (first generation) battery level
How to check the Apple Pencil (second generation) battery level(Image credit: Joseph Keller / iMore)The second-generation Apple Pencil is even easier to check. You can follow the steps above for the first-generation Apple Pencil, or you can simply place it on the magnetic charging strip on the iPad Pro (or remove and then place it back down again if it's currently connected to the magnetic charging strip). A notification will pop up, telling you your current battery percentage. How to charge Apple PencilWhen your Apple Pencil hits 20%, 10%, and 5%, respectively, it will give you a charge warning (you can also check your current battery status at any time by bringing up Notification Center). How to charge the first-generation Apple Pencil(Image credit: Luke Filipowicz / iMore)
How to charge the first-generation Apple Pencil using the Lightning adapter
How to charge the second-generation Apple Pencil(Image credit: Luke Filipowicz / iMore)For the second-generation Apple Pencil, Apple made it much easier to charge. There's only one way. Just place the Apple Pencil on the side of the iPad that has the magnetic strip, and you'll be charging right away. How to unpair your Apple Pencil from your iPadYour Apple Pencil will automatically unpair from your iPad or iPad Pro if you pair it with a different iPad or you pair a different Apple Pencil with your iPad. You can also manually unpair if the need arises.
To re-pair the first-generation Apple Pencil, simply plug it back into the Lightning port on your iPad. To re-pair the second-generation Apple Pencil, simply place it on the magnetic charging strip of your iPad again. You don't have to engage a special menu or complicated per-app pairing process to use Apple Pencil: Once you've paired it to your iPad or iPad Pro, you're ready to draw, write, sketch, or navigate in any app you choose — just put the Pencil's pen nib to the iPad's glass screen and get to it! The Apple Pencil doesn't have an eraserUnlike Wacom's patented styluses, the Apple Pencil doesn't offer an eraser nib: All your primary interactions with the iPad's screen happen through the Pencil's white nib on the first-generation Apple Pencil, and with the white nib or a double-tap on the flat side of the second-generation Apple Pencil. That's not to say the Pencil doesn't have a few tricks up its sleeve, however: It's completely pressure- and tilt-sensitive, which means you can press harder against the screen to get a thicker line or tilt your Pencil against the screen to virtually "shade" in a drawing or draw calligraphic letters. How to change functions on the second-generation Apple PencilThe second-generation Apple Pencil has the added benefit of one additional function, which is accessed by double-tapping the flat side of the Apple Pencil near the nib. In most circumstances, this will trigger the eraser feature of an app. Use the Apple Pencil to navigate your iPad(Image credit: Luke Filipowicz / iMore)Whether you have RSI issues or just like being able to use a stylus on your tablet in between drawing or writing sessions, the Apple Pencil supports basic navigational tapping and swiping within iOS. Because multitouch gestures and the Pencil are recognized separately by the iPad's operating system, it may not be supported for advanced gesture-based navigation (like multi-finger operations) in separate apps. Best Apple Pencil AccessoriesThe Apple Pencil is quickly becoming a necessary companion for iPad users, but an often-lost one. Between its slim cylindrical white body and the removable magnetic cap, it's not hard to lose one or the other to couch cushions or forgetful minds. On the bright side, there are dozens of great Apple Pencil accessories to help keep your Pencil (and cap) safe, secure, and ready to sketch. Additionally, you can add style and protection simultaneously with the best cases for Apple Pencil 2. Apple Pencil (1st Generation) $94.99 (opens in new tab)at Amazon (opens in new tab)$94.99 (opens in new tab)at Walmart (opens in new tab)$99.99 (opens in new tab)at Best Buy (opens in new tab)Still a good buy While it may not be quite as fancy as the newer version, it's still the only version of Apple Pencil you can use with most iPads. If you want to experiment with drawing apps or just have an amazing stylus to use with your iPad, there's no reason not to pick one up. Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) $89 (opens in new tab)at Amazon (opens in new tab)$89 (opens in new tab)at Best Buy (opens in new tab)$129.99 (opens in new tab)at Verizon Wireless (opens in new tab)The absolute best With a much more elegant magnetic charging solution, better pressure sensitivity, and overall better performance, the Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) is the ultimate stylus for the iPad Pro and iPad Air 4. 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 does it take to charge a Apple Pencil?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.
Why is my Apple Pencil not charging?The pencil can stop charging due to an issue on the iPad's software, the hardware of the pencil, or sometimes the iPad. Your Apple Pencil might not charge if you have the wrong generation pencil as well as it needs to be compatible with the iPad.
How do I get my Apple Pencil to charge?Remove the cap and plug your Apple Pencil into the Lightning connector on your iPad. You can also charge with a USB Power Adaptor by using the Apple Pencil Charging Adaptor that came with your Apple Pencil. Apple Pencil will fast charge when plugged into either power source.
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