Troubleshooting

Apple Pencil Pairing and Charging

Check your Apple Pencil model, pairing connection, and battery when it will not pair or charge.

Start by identifying the exact iPad and Apple Pencil models. A Pencil that attaches physically is not necessarily compatible. Check Apple's compatibility list; Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) work with different iPad models.

Protect unsaved work first

If Scribble is showing a saving or connection error, keep the app open and restore connectivity before restarting the iPad. Saved server records are different from unsaved drawing buffers or pending writes, which may be lost when the app closes. Scribble has no offline learning or saving mode.

Use the connection for your Pencil model

Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (2nd generation)

Turn on Settings → Bluetooth, then center the Pencil on the magnetic connector along the long side of its compatible iPad. These models pair and charge magnetically.

If pairing fails, check compatibility again. Apple recommends removing an iPad case or cover and trying again if it prevents pairing. Do not rely on a particular tip direction or a brief battery banner as the only charging check; look at the Batteries widget or Settings → Apple Pencil for the battery level.

Apple Pencil (1st generation) with a compatible Lightning iPad

Remove the Pencil cap and plug the Pencil directly into the iPad's Lightning connector. Tap Pair if prompted. This connection also charges the Pencil.

Apple Pencil (1st generation) with iPad (10th generation) or iPad (A16)

You need both a USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter and a USB-C cable:

  1. Remove the Pencil cap and plug its Lightning connector into the adapter.
  2. Plug one end of the USB-C cable into the other side of the adapter.
  3. Plug the cable's other end into the iPad's USB-C port.
  4. Tap Pair if prompted, and leave it connected to charge.

The adapter does not plug directly into the iPad without the cable. This method is for the compatible first-generation Pencil/iPad combinations above, not every USB-C iPad.

Apple Pencil (USB-C)

Slide open the Pencil's end, connect a USB-C cable to it, and connect the other end to the compatible iPad. Tap Tap to Connect if prompted. It charges through the cable; magnetic attachment is for storage, not wireless charging or pairing.

Apple Pencil (USB-C) has no pressure sensitivity. That is a model limitation, not evidence that it is broken. See iPad & Pencil setup for Scribble's hardware requirements.

If it still will not pair

Check Settings → Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on. Let the Pencil charge before trying the model-specific connection again. For a missing Pair prompt, Apple recommends waiting one minute while it charges, then reconnecting.

After protecting any unsaved Scribble work, follow Apple's pairing troubleshooting, including restarting the iPad and, if the Pencil is listed under My Devices, using its information button to Forget this Device before pairing again. That Bluetooth control forgets the Pencil; it does not sign out of Scribble.

If pairing still fails after Apple's checks, contact Apple Support for service assessment. A failed pairing attempt alone does not establish which component is at fault.

If pairing and charging work but Scribble does not record strokes, see iPad not recognizing writing.

RelatediPad & Pencil setupHardware requirements and setup steps.Read more

Last reviewed September 16, 2026