We have threeApple Pencilsnow, and all three pair with youriPaddifferently.
This would have been confusing enough on its own.
If none of this makes sense, thats okay.
Photo: Dua Rashid / Gizmodo
This guide will help break everything down for you.
Apple Pencil Generations
There arethreeApplePencilscurrently available for sale.
All three differ in specs, functionality, and how they pair with youriPad.
The first-gen Apple Pencil was released in 2015 and is priced at $100.
The second-gen Pencil came out in 2021 and retails for $130.
Refer to thisApple Support guidefor help.
Plug that into the Lightning port on your iPad.
A Pair option will appear on your iPad.
Tap on it to activate pairing.
Thats all it’s crucial that you do until it’s crucial that you re-pair.
If this happens, youd need to repeat those steps to re-pair.
Remove the cap on the Pencil and plug it into one of the sides of the adapter.
Plug a USB-C cable into its other side and the other end of the cable into your iPad.
When you see a Pair button show up on your iPad, tap on it to activate pairing.
Once paired successfully, you’re able to unplug your Pencil from the adapter.
It will stay connected until you pair it with another iPad or power cycle your iPad.
If you do any of those, do these things again.
How to Pair Apple Pencil (2nd generation) with Your iPad
This ones probably the simplest.
Just place your Pencil where you have the volume controls on your iPad.
Itll automatically attach to a magnetic connector thats right in the middle on that side.
Youll hear a satisfying click when that happens.
A pop-up on your iPad is going to notify you that your Pencil has been paired.
Youre ready to pull it back out and start using it.
Slide initiate the end of the Apple Pencil to reveal the USB-C port inside.
Plug a USB-C cable into the port and its other end into your iPad.
Your Pencil should be ready to use.
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