To fix an Apple Pencil not showing up on Bluetooth, turn on Bluetooth in Settings and connect the Pencil to a compatible iPad using its magnetic connector, USB-C cable, or Lightning connection. That physical connection starts pairing. If the pairing prompt stays missing, leave the Pencil charging for one minute, reconnect it, and restart the iPad with the Pencil connected if needed.
The short version
- Check compatibility: Your exact Pencil and iPad models must work together.
- Connect correctly: Pro and second-generation models pair magnetically, while USB-C and first-generation models need a wired connection.
- Give it power: Leave the Pencil connected and charging for one minute before reconnecting it.
- Retry pairing: Restart with the Pencil connected, then remove an existing Bluetooth pairing only if one is listed.
| Check or fix | When and how to use it |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Match your exact Pencil and iPad models before troubleshooting |
| Bluetooth setting | Open Settings > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth |
| Update on iPad | Install the update offered under Software Update |
| Update through Finder | Use a Mac running macOS Catalina or later |
| Update through Apple Devices | Use the supported Windows app to update the connected iPad |
| Apple Pencil Pro pairing | Attach to the magnetic connector on the iPad’s long side |
| Second-generation pairing | Attach to the magnetic connector on the iPad’s right side |
| USB-C pairing | Connect a USB-C charge cable and tap Tap to Connect |
| First-generation Lightning pairing | Insert into a compatible iPad’s Lightning port and tap Pair |
| First-generation adapter pairing | Use the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter with iPad (10th generation) or iPad (A16) |
| Charging retry | Charge for one minute if the pairing prompt is missing |
| Magnetic attachment check | Remove an obstructing case or cover for Pro or second-generation Pencil |
| Restart with hardware buttons | Keep the Pencil connected and use the sequence for your iPad |
| Restart through Control Center | Use the Power button on iPadOS 18 or later |
| Restart through Settings | Choose Shut Down, then turn the iPad back on |
| Restart through AssistiveTouch | Assign the restart action to the floating menu |
| Force restart | Use only when the iPad is frozen or unresponsive |
| Remove an existing pairing | If the Pencil is listed, tap Forget this Device and pair again |
| Wired accessory check | Unlock the iPad and reconnect an unrecognized wired connection |
| Managed Bluetooth restriction | Ask your administrator to review Modify Bluetooth settings |
| Managed accessory restriction | Ask your administrator to review wired accessory access |
| Apple service | Request service if the pairing prompt remains absent after troubleshooting |
Check that your Pencil matches your iPad
Start by matching both models, especially if you have just replaced either device. An incompatible combination cannot be fixed by changing Bluetooth settings. Match the generation or chip name as well as the screen size.
Apple Pencil Pro works with iPad Pro 11-inch and 13-inch models with M4 or M5, iPad Air 11-inch and 13-inch models with M2 through M4, and iPad mini with A17 Pro or A20 Pro. It requires iPadOS 17.5 or later.
Apple Pencil (2nd generation) works with iPad mini (6th generation) and iPad Air (4th or 5th generation). It also works with iPad Pro 11-inch (1st through 4th generation) and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd through 6th generation).
Apple Pencil (USB-C) works with all the iPads listed above for Pro and second-generation Pencil, plus iPad (10th generation) and iPad (A16). It requires iPadOS 17.1.1 or later.
Apple Pencil (1st generation) works with iPad mini (5th generation), iPad (6th through 10th generation), iPad (A16), and iPad Air (3rd generation). It also supports iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st or 2nd generation). The iPad (10th generation) and iPad (A16) require the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter.
Turn on Bluetooth and update your iPad
Open Settings > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth. Then reconnect the Pencil using the physical connection for your model, described below.
Apple recommends updating the iPad before troubleshooting Pencil pairing. Back up your iPad, connect it to power and Wi-Fi, then open Settings > General > Software Update. If offered, tap Download and Install and complete the displayed installation instructions.
For an alternative update route on a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, back up the iPad and connect it to the Mac. Open Finder, select the iPad in the sidebar, then click General > Check for Update. Click Download and Update and enter the iPad passcode if requested.
On a supported Windows computer, open Apple’s download page, follow its Apple Devices link to the Microsoft Store, and install the app. Connect the iPad, open Apple Devices, select the iPad in the sidebar, and select General. Select Check for Update if necessary, then select Update when available. Apple Devices manages the iPad; pairing the Pencil still uses the iPad connection.
Use the pairing connection for your Pencil model
For Apple Pencil Pro, attach it to the magnetic connector on the iPad’s long side. For Apple Pencil (2nd generation), attach it to the magnetic connector on the iPad’s right side. Keep Bluetooth enabled for charging.
With Apple Pencil (USB-C), slide open the Pencil’s end and connect a USB-C charge cable between the Pencil and iPad. Tap Tap to Connect when prompted. Disconnect the cable after pairing finishes.
For a first-generation Pencil and a compatible Lightning-equipped iPad, remove the Pencil’s cap and insert its Lightning connector into the iPad. Tap Pair, then disconnect the Pencil after pairing. If the prompt does not arrive, leave it connected for the charging check below.
On iPad (10th generation) or iPad (A16), remove the first-generation Pencil’s cap and insert the Pencil into the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter. Connect that adapter to the iPad using a USB-C charge cable, then tap Pair. Keep this adapter connection in place for the charging and restart steps.
Charge the Pencil and check its attachment
If the pairing prompt is missing, leave the Pencil connected and charging for one minute. Reconnect it using the same model-specific connection, then wait for the pairing prompt. Tap Pair when offered, or Tap to Connect for the USB-C model.
For Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (2nd generation), remove the iPad’s case or cover before retrying. Center the Pencil on its magnetic connector and try pairing again. This addresses a case or cover obstructing the magnetic attachment.
Restart the iPad with the Pencil connected
Keep the Pencil connected to the iPad while you restart it. On an iPad without a Home button, hold the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. On an iPad with a Home button, hold the top button until the slider appears.
Drag the power-off slider and wait 30 seconds. Hold the top button until the Apple logo appears, then retry pairing. Reconnect the USB-C or first-generation Pencil using its pairing connection and respond to its prompt.
On iPadOS 18 or later, you can also swipe down from the upper-right corner to open Control Center. Touch and hold the Power button in its upper-right corner, then release it. Drag the power-off slider, wait 30 seconds, and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. Retry pairing with the Pencil connected.
For another shutdown option on current iPadOS, open Settings > General > Shut Down and drag the power-off slider. Once the iPad is off, hold the top button until the Apple logo appears, then retry pairing.
You can also restart through AssistiveTouch on current iPadOS. Open Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn on AssistiveTouch, or invoke Siri and say Turn on AssistiveTouch. Under Customize Top Level Menu, assign the restart action to an icon, then select that icon from the floating menu. Retry pairing after the restart.
If the iPad is frozen or unresponsive, use a force restart. Without a Home button, press and release the volume button nearest the top button, press and release the other volume button, then hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. With a Home button, hold the Home button and top button together until the Apple logo appears. Retry Pencil pairing afterward.
Remove an existing pairing and reconnect
Open Settings > Bluetooth and look under My Devices for Apple Pencil. If the Pencil is listed, you can remove that existing pairing and start again. Skip removal if no Pencil entry exists.
Forgetting the Pencil removes its existing Bluetooth pairing. Tap the info button beside Apple Pencil, then tap Forget this Device. Reconnect the Pencil using its magnetic or wired connection and tap Pair when offered, or Tap to Connect for Apple Pencil (USB-C).
Check an unrecognized wired connection
For a USB-C or first-generation Pencil using a wired connection, disconnect it, unlock the iPad, and reconnect it. Apple gives this procedure for unrecognized wired accessories generally and does not identify it as a Pencil-specific fix.
If accessory permissions need checking, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Wired Accessories. The default is Automatically Allow When Unlocked. On USB-C devices, you may also see Always Ask, Ask for New Accessories, and Always Allow. Unlock the iPad and reconnect the Pencil before retrying the pairing prompt.
Ask your administrator about restricted settings
If your supervised school or work iPad prevents Bluetooth changes, ask your administrator to review Modify Bluetooth settings. The administrator must permit changes if that restriction prevents you from enabling Bluetooth. The management-console path depends on your organization’s provider.
If your organization controls wired accessory permissions, ask its administrator to review the Accessories setting in Apple Configurator or the corresponding control in its device-management service. After the administrator addresses the restriction, unlock the iPad and reconnect the Pencil.
Get service if the pairing prompt stays missing
If the pairing prompt remains absent after troubleshooting, open Apple’s Pencil support page and select Get service. Apple directs you to service when its pairing troubleshooting steps do not bring back the prompt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does tapping Bluetooth in Control Center reset the Apple Pencil connection?
Control Center’s Bluetooth disconnect control explicitly exempts Apple Pencil. To check whether Bluetooth is actually enabled, open Settings > Bluetooth. Airplane Mode may also affect Bluetooth, so check that setting directly before pairing.
Why does my Pencil need pairing again after switching devices?
Apple Pencil (USB-C) needs its cable pairing connection again after pairing with another device, restarting its host, or switching Bluetooth off. A first-generation Pencil also needs its pairing connection again after pairing with another iPad, restarting the iPad, or switching Bluetooth off.
Can I check whether the Pencil has any charge?
While the Pencil is connected, check Settings > Apple Pencil or the Batteries widget for its charge level.
Can Apple Pencil pair with iPhone Duo?
Apple Pencil (USB-C) supports iPhone Duo with iOS 27.2. Slide open the Pencil’s end, connect it to iPhone Duo with a USB-C charge cable, and tap Tap to Connect. Disconnect the cable after pairing.