An Apple pencil is an artist’s or creative’s best friend due to the precision and proper navigation it offers.
Owning an apple pencil is a gateway to amazing drawings, notes, and other creative processes.
An odd feeling of satisfaction stems from designing creative pieces, school notes, animated pictures, or sketches using an apple pencil.
However, aside from excellent precision and flexibility, you may wonder if Apple pencils also have a palm rejection feature.
Yes, Apple pencils have palm rejection. While using your apple pencil to draw or write on your iPad, the palm rejection feature ensures that palm contact doesn’t leave stray marks. Even though the apple pencil offers the palm rejection feature, it is only effective when all your apps support it.
In this article, I will explain in detail how the palm rejection feature of Apple pencils functions.
You’ll learn how to turn the palm rejection feature on, turn it off, and fix it when there’s a problem.
This article will also teach you the best ways to adjust the sensitivity levels of the palm rejection feature on an apple pencil.
Do Apple Pencils have Palm Rejection?
Apple pencils have a palm rejection feature. You can lay your palm on your device’s screen while using an apple pencil without worrying about stray lines or scribbles.
The palm rejection feature on an Apple pencil ensures that your Apple iPad rightly differentiates between stylus and finger/palm contact while in use.
Below are the benefits of the palm rejection feature on Apple pencils;
#1. It Ensures Better Comfort While Writing/Sketching
The primary benefit of the palm rejection feature on Apple pencils is its ability to provide maximum comfort for its users.
Without the palm rejection feature, iPad users would need to write or sketch uncomfortably to avoid ruining their work with fingertip or palm contact.
IPad users would end up straining their wrists or elbows while they work to prevent mistakes.
The palm rejection feature eliminates this problem and allows Apple pencil users to write or sketch naturally.
#2. It Facilitates a more Focused Creative Process
The palm rejection feature also doubles as a focus tool by eliminating unnecessary distractions while you write or create with your Apple pencil.
You can solely focus on the work at hand because you no longer have to worry about complications when there’s body contact.
All the time you would’ve spent correcting mistakes when your palm touches your screen can be spent making progress on your task.
The palm rejection feature on an Apple pencil is excellent for increasing uninterrupted workflow since it prevents unwanted marks and saves time.
The user experience obtained from using the palm rejection feature on an Apple pencil is top-notch and stress-free.
#3. It Increases the Device’s Lifespan
Most touchscreen tablets, like the iPad, have a limited lifespan that too much exposure to finger strokes or palm contact can shorten.
You are expected to make constant palm or finger contact with your iPad since it is a touchscreen device.
However, reducing the effect of palm contact by using the palm detection feature often increases its lifespan considerably.
If you have an Apple pencil, activate the palm rejection feature and use it with your iPad as much as possible.
How Do You Turn off Apple Pencil Palm Rejection?
To turn off the Apple pencil palm rejection feature, you need to turn off palm rejection in the settings of the app in use.
Once you find the right setting for the app, you can either adjust or deactivate the palm rejection feature.
The palm rejection feature on Apple pencils only works if your used apps support it.
This implies that all those apps have settings that allow you to turn palm rejection on and off while using the Apple pencil.
Most apps that support the palm rejection feature make it a default setting, so some users might need help turning it off.
It is important to note that the settings needed to turn off palm rejection differ from one app to another.
The example below shows how to turn off the palm rejection feature on your iPad while using the “Procreate” app;
- Begin by opening the Procreate app.
- Locate the settings and click on “actions.”
- Under “actions,” click on “gesture control.”
- Turn off the “disable touch actions” option, and the palm rejection feature will no longer work.
Why Is My Apple Pencil Palm Rejection Not Working?
Your Apple pencil’s palm rejection might not work for a couple of reasons, such as being incompatible with your iPad.
Other causes include; an active zoom feature, old iPad IOS, damaged pencil, loose pencil tip, or dirty pencil tip.
The palm rejection on the Apple Pencil also stops working when it is used with an app that doesn’t support the feature.
Below are the reasons why palm rejection doesn’t work on Apple pencils;
#1. The Apple Pencil Is Incompatible with the iPad model
All iPad models have Apple pencils that are compatible with them; however, only some are aware of this.
For the palm rejection feature on your Apple Pencil to work perfectly on your iPad, they need to be compatible.
The table below shows the different iPad models and the Apple pencils that they are compatible with;
| iPad Models | Compatible Apple Pencils |
|---|---|
| iPad Pro 2015 | 1st generation Apple pencils |
| iPad Pro 2016 | 1st generation Apple pencils |
| iPad Pro 2017 | 1st generation Apple pencils |
| iPad 2018 | 1st generation Apple pencils |
| iPad Air 3 2019 | 1st generation Apple pencils |
| iPad mini 5 2019 | 1st generation Apple pencils |
| iPad 2019 | 1st generation Apple pencils |
| iPad 2020 | 1st generation Apple pencils |
| iPad 2021 | 1st generation Apple pencils |
| iPad Pro 2018 | 2nd generation Apple Pencils |
| iPad Pro 2020 | 2nd generation Apple Pencils |
| iPad Air 4 2020 | 2nd generation Apple Pencils |
| iPad Pro 2021 | 2nd generation Apple Pencils |
| iPad Air 5 2022 | 2nd generation Apple Pencils |
It is important to note that no iPad model supports both generations of Apple Pencils.
You need to know which Apple Pencil suits your iPad model to avoid complications while using features such as palm rejection.
#2. Zoom Being Enabled in your iPad Settings
People who use their iPad as drawing and writing devices usually have the zoom option turned on in settings to navigate apps.
However, the zoom option can cause the palm rejection feature to malfunction because it requires palm contact to work.
While your zoom option is turned on, palm rejection on your apple pencil will cause words or sketches to disappear as contact is detected.
To avoid this, follow the simple steps below to turn off the zoom option on your iPad;
- Go to your iPad’s general settings.
- Scroll down and click on “accessibility.”
- Find the “zoom” option and turn it off.
#3. Your iPad’s Software or Apps Needs an Update
Your apple pencil might not be working because the iPad software still needs to be updated.
This might seem minor, but it needs to be fixed once it affects the palm rejection feature.
On some occasions, the problem might come from the app you’re using; if a new update is available, ensure that you update it.
Below are some simple steps to follow to update your iPad’s IOS;
- Locate the settings on your iPad.
- Search for “general” and click on it.
- Next, click on software update and install the latest update.
#4. The Apple Pencil is Damaged
There are instances where the palm rejection feature needs to be fixed on your apple pencil because it is damaged.
Your apple pencil can get damaged if you mistakenly drop it too hard, step on it, or press it too hard.
Your apple pencil could also have a loose or dirty tip that would cause it to malfunction while in use.
If your apple pencil’s tip is dirty, carefully clean it and try again. However, if it is damaged, visit an apple store for repairs or contact apple support.
Should Apple Pencil Palm Rejection Sensitivity be High or Low?
Apple Pencil’s palm rejection sensitivity should be high to avoid palm contact causing distractions.
All apps that support palm rejection with Apple pencils also have settings that allow you to reduce or increase the palm rejection feature.
Before choosing the best sensitivity level for palm rejection, you must consider the task.
Choose low sensitivity if you’re working on a sketch or write-up and would need your fingers to zoom, undo or erase.
However, choose high sensitivity if you’re working on a sketch or write-up with your apple pencil and would like to eliminate all distractions.
In the same way, you need to access the application’s settings to disable palm rejection; you need to do the same for sensitivity.
Below is an example of how to set your palm rejection sensitivity on your iPad using the Good notes app;
- Click on the settings icon at the top of the app page.
- Scroll down and select “stylus and palm rejection.”
- Finally, choose between low, medium, and high sensitivity levels. You can also select a writing posture that suits you.
Summary
In conclusion, Apple pencils have the palm rejection feature, which works as long as;
- The iPad model supports it.
- Your applications support it.
- The sensitivity levels are appropriately set.
- The iPad settings zoom feature is disabled.
The Apple pencil’s palm rejection is easy to navigate as long as your app and iPad settings are correctly done.