I just bought an Apple Pencil and I can’t figure out how to actually turn it on or get it to start working with my iPad. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to charge it first, press a button, or change something in Settings. It’s not showing up or writing on the screen at all. Can someone walk me through the exact steps to power it on, connect it, and check if it’s working properly?
There is no power button on Apple Pencil. It wakes up when it connects to the iPad.
First thing, check which Apple Pencil you have.
Apple Pencil 1st gen:
• Has a round body and a cap on the back.
• To “turn it on”, plug it into your iPad.
Steps:
- Pull off the cap on the back of the Pencil.
- Plug the Lightning connector into your iPad’s Lightning port.
- Wait for a pairing popup on the iPad screen. Tap Pair.
- After that it works wirelessly.
Charge it:
• Same way, plugged into the iPad.
• Or use the small Lightning adapter in the box and charge it with a Lightning cable.
Check it:
• Go to Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on.
• Open Notes, start a new note, try drawing.
• If it does nothing, plug it in again and re pair.
Apple Pencil 2nd gen:
• Has a flat side, no cap.
• To “turn it on”, snap it to the magnetic side of the iPad.
Steps:
- Put the flat side of the Pencil on the right edge of the iPad (portrait) or top edge (landscape).
- The iPad should show a little popup with battery and pairing.
- If you see nothing, go to Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on.
Charge it:
• It charges while attached to the magnetic side.
• You see the battery if you tap the popup or add the Batteries widget.
Common problems:
• Wrong iPad model. Some iPads only work with 1st gen, some only with 2nd gen. Check Apple’s support page for the exact model list.
• Low battery. Attach or plug it in for 10 to 15 minutes then retry.
• Bluetooth off. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, switch it on.
Quick check:
• Open Notes.
• Use your finger in the note, see if that works.
• Then try the Pencil. No need for a special app or setting to “enable” it.
Once it is paired and charged, it stays ready. No power toggle, no on off menu.
Couple of extra things to check that @andarilhonoturno didn’t really dig into:
-
Confirm exactly which combo you have
Apple decided to make this way more confusing than it needs to be. Not every Pencil works with every iPad, and if they don’t match, it will never “turn on” no matter what you do.- On your iPad go to:
Settings > General > About > Model Name - Then look up on Apple’s site which Apple Pencil your exact model supports.
If your iPad only supports 1st gen and you bought a 2nd gen (or vice versa), nothing will happen at all when you connect it.
- On your iPad go to:
-
USB‑C weirdness (newer iPads)
If your iPad has USB‑C and you bought a 1st gen Apple Pencil, you need the USB‑C to Apple Pencil adapter.- Without that adapter, plugging it in is impossible, so pairing never starts.
- Apple quietly hid this in the fine print, of course.
-
Check if it’s actually charging
A dead Pencil will look exactly like a “won’t turn on” Pencil.- Swipe down from the top-right corner for Control Center.
- If you see a little battery icon or percentage for Apple Pencil, it’s at least seen by the iPad.
- If you don’t see it, add the Batteries widget:
Long-press the Home Screen > tap the “+” > add “Batteries” and see if Pencil appears there after you connect/attach it.
-
No, there is no Setting to “enable” the Pencil
People waste time in Settings looking for an Apple Pencil toggle. There isn’t one.
If:- Bluetooth is on
- The Pencil is compatible
- It has some charge
…it should just start writing in Notes without you changing anything else.
-
Try these quick isolation tests
- Open Notes and create a new note. That app is the most reliable for testing.
- If your finger works to draw but the Pencil does nothing and it also doesn’t show in Batteries, the iPad is not seeing the Pencil at all.
- If the Pencil shows in Batteries but won’t write, try:
Settings > Bluetooth > tap the “i” next to Apple Pencil > Forget This Device, then re-pair it by plugging/snapping it again.
-
If it’s brand new and still totally invisible
Slightly different take from @andarilhonoturno here: if you’ve verified compatibility and it does not show up in Batteries or as a Bluetooth device after multiple attempts, don’t spend hours troubleshooting. Apple Pencils occasionally ship DOA.
At that point, reset the iPad (simple restart), try one more time, and if nothing happens, take both iPad and Pencil back to the store and have them pair it in front of you.
TL;DR: There is no power button, you don’t “turn it on” in Settings. The real trick is: right Pencil + right iPad + some charge + Bluetooth on. If any one of those is wrong, it’ll feel like it’s just dead.
Couple of angles that haven’t really been covered yet, focusing on “it feels off / not accurate / not writing everywhere” rather than just “won’t turn on”.
1. Test in two kinds of apps
Notes is great, but sometimes it masks issues. Try:
- Apple Notes (new blank note, use the Pencil tool)
- A third‑party app like Procreate or GoodNotes
If it works in Notes but is laggy or skips strokes in drawing apps, that is usually performance or palm rejection, not a “power” issue.
2. Turn off Pencil‑related settings that can confuse things
On some iPads, features make it look like the Pencil is flaky when it is actually doing what it was told.
Check in Settings:
- Apple Pencil > Only Draw with Apple Pencil:
Turn this on while testing so your finger does not draw and confuse you. - Scribble: Temporarily turn it off to make sure the Pencil is just drawing instead of trying to convert handwriting in text fields.
I slightly disagree with relying only on Bluetooth status like others suggested. Apple Pencil 2 in particular can sometimes show as connected in Bluetooth but still behave weirdly until you reattach it to the magnetic side and wait a few seconds.
3. Remove screen protector / case for 2 minutes
Thick glass or misaligned screen protectors can cause:
- Missed strokes near the edges
- Extra pressure needed for the Pencil to register
Pop off the case edge near the Pencil area and, if possible, try for a minute without a screen protector. If it suddenly behaves perfectly, the Pencil is “on” and fine, your accessories are the culprit.
4. Clean the Pencil tip and screen
Oil or dirt on the tip can make it feel like it is not responding:
- Gently wipe the Pencil tip with a soft, slightly damp cloth
- Wipe the iPad screen clean and dry
Also, try tightening the tip a quarter turn. A slightly loose tip can cause intermittent non‑response that looks like a dead Pencil.
5. Replace the tip as a diagnostic
A worn tip can make a brand‑new Apple Pencil feel broken. If you have a spare tip in the box, swap it:
- Unscrew the old tip counterclockwise
- Screw the new one on snugly, but not forced
If it suddenly starts working perfectly, the “power” was never the problem.
6. Quick reset combo that sometimes helps
If everything sort of works but is laggy or glitchy:
- Restart the iPad.
- Forget the Pencil in Bluetooth if it shows up.
- Reattach / reconnect the Pencil and wait for the pairing prompt.
Here I agree with @andarilhonoturno that you should not burn hours on this step. If a clean restart and re‑pair do not change anything, it is time to get Apple to look at the hardware.
About “How To Turn On Apple Pencil” as a topic
The biggest mental shift: there is no power button, and Settings does not have a master switch for it. Think of the Pencil more like an automatic key fob for a car. If it is the right key for the right car, charged, and nearby, it just works. If any of those three are wrong, it feels completely dead.
Pros of focusing on this “How To Turn On Apple Pencil” approach:
- Clears up the myth that there is a hidden on/off switch.
- Helps you narrow down whether the issue is pairing, hardware, or accessories.
- Works the same across most compatible iPads, so the logic is reusable.
Cons:
- Apple’s naming and compatibility matrix is confusing, so you still need to double‑check your exact model.
- It does not solve defective hardware; at some point a store visit is unavoidable.
@andarilhonoturno covered the model matching and DOA angle well. The extra checks above help if your Pencil technically “turns on” but still feels wrong in everyday use.