Steve Jobs famously mocked the idea of a stylus during the unveiling of the original iPhone, but that was before Apple introduced the iPad to the world. In 2015, Apple announced the launch of the Apple Pencil alongside the iPad Pro. The Pro model is marketed as the top-of-the-line tablet built for creatives and professionals and therefore, a stylus is far more necessary than it is an accessory.
To date, there are two generations of the Apple Pencil. The original Apple Pencil is circular in design while the Apple Pencil 2 features a flat edge. The Apple Pencil is perfect for artists, designers, and note-takers as it provides a level of precision that is not possible with a finger alone. Apple continually advances the Pencil’s latency, pressure, and tilt sensitivity to further mimic an actual pencil.
The Apple Pencil charges via the Lightning connector, which is covered by a removable cap. Apple found a simpler alternative for the Apple Pencil 2 by utilizing its flat edge to magnetically attach to an iPad Pro and charge wirelessly. The Apple Pencil is compatible with the first and second-generation iPad Pro while the Apple Pencil 2 is exclusive to the third and fourth generation, a result of Apple’s decision to switch to a USB-C port in 2018. The original Apple Pencil will also work with the fifth-generation iPad Mini, third-generation iPad Air, and sixth-generation and newer iPad.
Connecting Pencil & iPad Is Quick & Easy
Pairing the Apple Pencil to an iPad is the same as charging the accessory. Inserting the Lightning connector of the Apple Pencil to the iPad’s charging port will automatically pair the devices. The Apple Pencil 2 will attach to the iPad Pro once the flat edge makes contact with the magnetic connector, located below the volume buttons of the iPad Pro.
When restarting the iPad, if the two devices do not automatically pair, then head to the Bluetooth settings and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. If the Apple Pencil shows up under My Devices, tap the Information icon and tap Forget this Device. Reconnect the Apple Pencil to the iPad and tap the Pair button after it appears within a few seconds. The Apple Pencil may have a low battery if it is not pairing, so give it a few minutes to charge before repeating the steps. If none of these steps work, it might be time to contact Apple support.
The Apple Pencil is a useful tool for iPad enthusiasts. Right now, using fingers to navigate on an iPad is the preferred choice, but with every software update and iPad release, Apple continues to improve the mechanics of the Apple Pencil. In spite of the company’s earlier dismissal of a stylus, Apple appears to now be deeply invested in perfecting its pencil.
