iPad · Devices

Pair, charge, and customize Apple Pencil

Apple Pencil pairs almost instantly with compatible iPads, but the customization options — double-tap gestures, hover preview, and battery status — live in a dedicated Settings pane that only appears once a Pencil has paired at least once.

What you should know

  • Attach Apple Pencil (2nd generation or USB-C) magnetically to the side of a compatible iPad to pair and begin charging; Apple Pencil (1st generation) pairs by plugging it into the iPad's Lightning port.
  • Once paired, open Settings → Apple Pencil to see options.
  • Under "Double-Tap," choose what double-tapping near the tip does — switch between the current tool and eraser, show a color palette, or turn double-tap off (Apple Pencil 2nd generation only).
  • "Hover" lets supported iPad Pro models with an M2 chip or later preview a mark or tool position up to 12mm above the display before the Pencil touches down — this is on by default and doesn't need pairing to any specific app.
  • Check battery percentage via the Batteries widget in Today View, or by opening Control Center on a supported model.

Why it matters

Apple Pencil generation determines which features are even available — pairing the wrong expectations to the wrong model (assuming double-tap or hover on a 1st-generation Pencil, for instance) is the single most common source of "my Pencil doesn't do X" support questions.

Best practices

  • Keep only one Apple Pencil paired to an iPad at a time; pairing a second one doesn't automatically disconnect the first in every app.
  • Store 2nd-generation and USB-C Pencils attached magnetically when not in use — this both charges them and keeps them from getting lost in a bag.
  • If you use Procreate, Notes, or similar apps heavily, check that app's own Pencil settings too — some gestures are configurable both system-wide and per-app.

Common problems and fixes

Apple Pencil won't pair
Remove any case or magnetic accessory that blocks the pairing edge, confirm Bluetooth is on under Settings → Bluetooth, and try unpairing any stale entry there before reattaching the Pencil.
Double-Tap does nothing
Confirm it's a 2nd-generation or USB-C Apple Pencil (1st-generation has no double-tap sensor), and check the specific app supports the gesture — not all drawing apps implement it.

Tips and tricks

  • A quick double-tap on the flat edge near the tip is the fastest way to swap between your last-used tool and the eraser mid-stroke, without touching the toolbar.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a 1st-generation Apple Pencil with a USB-C iPad?

No — Apple Pencil (1st generation) requires a Lightning port and is not compatible with USB-C-only iPad models; you'll need Apple Pencil (USB-C) or (2nd generation) depending on the iPad.