An apple pencil is an indispensable tool, especially for those making drawings or art creations.
Specifically, it comes in handy in navigating through your iPad, allowing for beautiful designs.
However, controversies have recently arisen about apple pencils 1 and 2.
While some users insist on the necessity of a Bluetooth connection before operating, others don’t.
Subsequently, questions abound about whether they require a Bluetooth connection or not.
Generally, all apple pencils must be connected via Bluetooth before usage; Apple pencils 1 and 2 are no exception. The connection aids the peak performance of both pencils. The performance and operation will be restricted and somewhat ineffective if they aren’t connected. Most likely, they won’t be able to perform specific tasks like enabling the tilt function.
This article clears the air of many misconceptions about apple pencils, explaining the ideal occurrences in real time. You’ll understand how everything works.
Does Apple Pencil 1 Gen Have Bluetooth?
The apple pencil 1 has many features that distinguish it from other styluses.
One of these features is its ability to operate with an iPad using Bluetooth connectivity.
The pencil can be paired with an iPad and used as a wireless input device for typing, drawing, and taking notes.
In addition, the stylus tracks pressure, tilt, and position so you can create precise lines or broad strokes and even vary the intensity of your brushstrokes.
To your knowledge, the operation with the apple pencil 1st generation is such that it should connect to the desired iPad through pairing.
To pair yours, uncap the stylus tip and attach it to the Lightning connector on the iPad.
Then, following a couple of moments, the pair button will display to affirm the suggestion.
The good thing is that once you pair the stylus, it remains connected until any action disturbs the connectivity.
Such activities can include restarting the iPad or trying to connect with another device.
Assuming that you’ve tried pairing the stylus, but it doesn’t seem to connect, this is what you should do:
- Ensure that the tip of the apple pencil is uncapped and firmly fixed in the lightning connector.
- Reboot the iPad and try pairing the stylus again.
- Kindly navigate to the submenu in the iPad settings and ensure it’s active.
- Under ‘my devices,’ click on more information or about symbol. Then click on forget this device.
- Attach the apple pencil to the IPad and pair it again. Note that you may have to wait for some time if the pair affirmation doesn’t appear.
Do You Need Bluetooth to Use Apple Pencil 2?
There are a few rumors that Bluetooth needs to be activated on the device before one can use the Apple Pencil 2.
Well, to use the stylus, Bluetooth needs to be activated on your iPad. Unfortunately, this feature is unavailable for other devices like the iPhone or Macbook.
The Bluetooth capability allows wireless usage, so you can utilize it without having to plug in any cables.
Note that when the Bluetooth connection is disconnected, the stylus will still function but will be restricted.
It won’t be able to perform its usual functions when connected and will behave as a typical capacitive stylus.
Some defective functions when the stylus isn’t connected include detecting different pressure levels and enabling the tilt function.
By implication, the apple pencil 2 won’t be able to sense pressure on its tips and angle tilting on the iPad’s screen.
Subsequently, with the absence of the smart feature of the apple pencil 2 when it’s not connected, you can only use it as a screen navigation device.
How Do I Turn off Bluetooth on Apple Pencil?
Pragmatically, apple pencils are always active and ready for use once paired.
Thus, there’s no actual way to turn them off. The best you can do is disconnect the Bluetooth connection.
But note that the Bluetooth disconnection isn’t an assurance that the stylus would be utterly inactive on its own.
Of course, it would still be active and ready to pair. That’s why anytime you pick up an apple pencil after a long period of nonusage, the battery seems low, despite its inactivity.
If you don’t know, allowing your apple to stay idle without charging is terrible. The reason is that it tampers with the battery’s well-being.
If you must power it up, the device has to be connected- it cannot be disconnected and charged.
Unlike some other smart pencils, apple pencils don’t come equipped with power buttons that allow proper deactivation.
Apple probably doesn’t see the need for a power button on these pencils. The reason is that they have a long shelf life if handled and maintained correctly.
Therefore you should also power up the stylus even when it’s not in use. As a guide, the battery percentage shouldn’t be below 15% to avoid battery issues.
If it dies entirely without charge for a long time, high chances are that it’d impair and not function again.
Anytime you try to charge your Apple pencil after a long period of disuse, and it doesn’t, there’s a high chance that it’s already faulty.
Furthermore, turning off your pencil is also needless because its connection with the iPad isn’t harmful.
Instead, the active pairing allows it to charge, especially with the magnetic connector on the iPad.
The best alternative to switching out the stylus is reducing its battery consumption.
This way, the battery won’t run down within a short period and will stay longer. Fortunately, there are things you can do to minimize battery consumption.
One helpful tip is disconnecting the Bluetooth connectivity on the connected iPad.
This disconnection can help with battery consumption but at the cost of functionality.
So if you’re not using the stylus, disconnect its Bluetooth connection.
If possible, forget the apple pencil on the list of connected devices on the iPad.
Another helpful tip would be minimizing the frequency you pair and impair.
If you use the stylus frequently, the battery will drain quicker than expected, and you might need to charge it more often than usual.
When paired, the device sends data back and forth at high rates, draining its power much faster than usual.
What’s the Difference Between Apple Pencil 1 and 2?
The apple pencil one and two are great devices offering a fantastic user experience.
Notwithstanding, they have disparities because they’re two different models.
The Apple Pencil 2 is an upgrade to the Apple Pencil 1. Likewise, it comes with a new charging method for a better user experience.
Subsequently, many other characteristics make these two pencils different. Thus, let’s classify them into design, performance, and charging ability.
#1. Design
The apple pencil 1 and 2 are akin when it comes to design. However, while the Apple Pencil 1 has a glossy texture, the apple pencil 2 is less polished and has a matte look.
In addition, the original apple pencil has a round shape; in contrast, the apple 2 has a leveled edge surface.
This flat edge feature makes it more preferred because it’ll hardly roll off a table and will always maintain its position.
#2. Performance
In terms of performance, they both play their roles effectively. But since the apple pencil 2 is an upgrade from the original pencil, it performs much better in a few scenarios.
An instance of the upgrade is the option of double-tapping the flat edge to navigate through while drawing (switching between different tools)
#3. Charging Ability
There’s a significant difference in speaking about charging features—the original apple pencil charges by uncapping its tip and fixing it to the IPad Pro.
But in the case of the apple pencil 2, there’s no need to attach the stylus tip. Instead, magnetically connect the stylus to the IPad; it’ll charge.
You can see that charging the Apple Pencil 2 will be easier. There’ll be no need for uncapping. Moreso, the texture isn’t too slippery.
Overall, the classification above gives you a clear view of the possible difference between the apple pencil 1 and 2.
Notwithstanding, the table below gives you a more precise understanding, describing the make-ups and characteristics in every case.
| Characteristic | Apple Pencil 1 | Apple Pencil 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ergonomic charging position absent | Absent | Present |
| Extra shortcut button | Absent | Present |
| Length | 6.92 inches | 6.53 inches |
| Weight | 0.73 ounce | 0.74 ounce |
Conclusion
Your apple pencil 1 and 2 should connect via Bluetooth to the desired iPad for effective operation. There’s no need to use them unconnected.
Of course, they’ll function but as a typical pencil that’ll navigate around the screen ( many operations will be restricted).