Confirming if your Apple pencil is charging is quite simple. However, it can be pretty challenging, especially if you’re a first-timer.
As a user, you will want to learn more about your Apple pencil to familiarize yourself with the way the Apple pencil works.
As a result, the curiosity to learn more can also cause you to wonder if there are any ways to know if your Apple pencil is charging.
The three ways to check the charging status of your Apple Pencil include: by checking the “today view” on your iPad, visiting your iPad’s “settings” till you navigate to the “Apple pencil” section, and also, by checking the notification that pops up on your iPad’s screen if the pencil you connect to the iPad is the second generation Apple pencil.
In this article, you will discover the ways to confirm if your Apple pencil is charging.
You will also find out why your Apple pencil isn’t charging, and by the end, you will be able to troubleshoot such an issue by yourself.
How to know if Your Apple Pencil Is Charging?
The only way to know if your Apple pencil is charging is to check the pencil’s current battery level on the iPad or iPad Pro that you’re using to charge it.
It’s not possible to know if your Apple pencil is charging by checking the Apple pencil itself.
That aside, there are three ways to check the charging status of your Apple Pencil on your iPad, and the ways include:
- Check the “Today view” on your iPad.
- Visit the “Settings” app on your iPad.
- Check the notification on your iPad.
#1. Check the Today View on your iPad
The first way to confirm if your Apple Pencil is charging is to check the “Today view” on your iPad.
Therefore, follow the instructions below to use the “today view” method to know the charging status of your Apple pencil:
- Swipe from left to right on either your home screen or lock screen.
- Scroll down till you see the “Batteries” section.
- If your Apple Pencil charges, you will see a battery icon with a lightning bolt symbol. However, if you do not see the “Batteries” section, follow the next step.
- Once you’ve scrolled to the bottom, you will see the “Edit” button; click on the button.
- You will see the “Batteries” widget. This widget displays the charging status of your Apple pencil and the pen’s battery level.
- Once you’ve confirmed the charging status, you can add the “batteries” widget to your iPad’s home screen.
- Click on the “add” button to add the “batteries” widget to your home screen.
- It’s essential to ensure that you turn on your iPad’s Bluetooth.
#2. Visit the Setting App on Your iPad
Another way to know the charging status of your Apple pencil is by visiting the “settings” app on your iPad.
Hence, check the instructions below on how to go about it:
- Click on the “settings” menu on your iPad.
- Once you click on it, the iPad’s screen will display some options. Therefore, navigate to the “Apple pencil” section and click on it.
- Immediately you click on the “Apple pencil” section, you will see the battery icon.
- If your Apple Pencil is charging, the battery icon will be green with a lightning bolt inside, displaying the Apple pencil’s battery level.
#3. Check the Notification on Your iPad
This method is the easiest way to know your Apple pencil’s charging status.
However, it’s important to note that this method only applies to the second-generation Apple pencil.
Once you place your Apple pencil on the magnetic side of its compatible iPad or iPad pro, a notification will pop up. It displays the current battery level of your Apple pencil.
What Prevents an Apple Pencil from Charging?
It can be disturbing if your Apple pencil refuses to charge. If you’re experiencing such an issue, worry no more.
Below are the things that prevent your Apple pencil from charging, and fortunately, they’re something you can troubleshoot by yourself.
- Incompatible iPad or Adapter
- The iPad needs more charge.
- The Apple pencil’s battery is completely drained
- Dirty iPad’s charging port
- Outdated iPad software
- The iPad or Apple pencil’s hardware has an issue.
#1. Incompatible iPad or Adapter
Compatibility is essential when it comes to charging your Apple pencil. Each Apple pencil generation has its specific compatible devices.
Hence, you won’t be able to charge your Apple pencil with an incompatible iPad or Adapter.
So, the only way to troubleshoot this is to check and ensure that the iPad or Adapter you’re using to charge your Apple Pencil is compatible.
To make the confirmation easy, check the table below for the compatible devices for both generations of the Apple Pencil:
| Devices Compatible with the First Generation Apple Pencil | Devices Compatible with the Second Generation Apple Pencil |
|---|---|
| iPad mini (5th generation). | iPad mini (6th generation). |
| iPad Pro 12.9_inch (1st and 2nd generations). | iPad Pro 12.9_inch (3rd, 4th and 5th generations). |
| iPad Pro 9.7_inch. | |
| iPad Pro 10.5_inch. | iPad Pro 11_inch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations). |
| iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th generations). | |
| iPad Air (3rd generation). | iPad Air (4th and 5th generations). |
#2. The iPad Needs More Charge
Another thing that prevents your Apple pencil from charging is the lack of enough charge on your iPad.
It’s essential to ensure that your iPad is well-charged to use it to charge your Apple pencil.
#3. The Apple Pencil’s Battery Is Completely Drained
If your Apple pencil has run out of charge entirely, or you last used it a long time ago, the Apple pencil will remain off whenever you charge it until it charges enough to power it back up.
And this means it will also take a while for the battery level to reflect on your iPad’s screen. In this situation, you only need to be patient for the Apple Pencil to charge.
#4. Dirty iPad’s Charging Port
Small dirt, dust, lint, etc., can get into your iPad’s lightning charging port; if the dirt is too much, it can cause your iPad to stop charging your Apple pencil.
To troubleshoot this issue, you only need to eliminate the dirt from the iPad’s charging port. There are two ways of cleaning your iPad’s charging port.
They include blowing compressed air into the charging port and gently using a toothpick to draw the dirt inside the charging port.
#5. Outdated iPad Software
If the operating system of your iPad is due for an update, it can cause your iPad to start functioning abnormally, which also involves preventing your Apple pencil from charging.
So, to troubleshoot such an issue, you can either restart your iPad or check your iPad for any available software updates.
To check for available software updates on your iPad, visit the “Settings” app, click on it, then navigate to “general” and tap on it, then click on “software update.”
If any new software is available, your screen will display it. Therefore, click on “download and install.” After that, try charging your iPad again.
#6. The iPad or Apple Pencil’s Hardware Has an Issue.
If you’ve exhausted all the troubleshooting ideas above, and your iPad isn’t still charging, something is wrong with your Apple pencil’s internal or iPad’s battery.
In addition, it might even be another hardware of your iPad or Apple pencil that has an issue.
Meanwhile, this issue is something you need help solving, and the best thing is to visit the nearest Apple store for professional service.
What Is the Correct Way to Charge an Apple Pencil?
The mode of charging depends on the generation of your Apple pencil.
There are two ways of charging your first-generation Apple Pencil: using a compatible iPad or an adapter.
To use your iPad to charge your first-generation Apple pencil, follow the instructions below:
- Remove your Apple Pencil’s cap.
- Then, insert your Apple pencil’s lightning connector into your iPad’s lighting charging port. The Apple Pencil will start charging.
Furthermore, to use an adapter, follow the following instructions:
- Remove your Apple pencil cap.
- Next, insert your Apple pencil’s lightning connector into the lightning adapter.
- Then, connect the lightning adapter to your lightning cable and plug it into a power source.
If it’s the second generation Apple pencil, place the pencil’s flat side on the magnetic side of its compatible iPad. The Apple pencil will start charging.
How Do I Know if My Apple Pencil Is Fully Charged?
There’s no specific way of knowing if your Apple Pencil is fully charged.
The only way is to connect the Apple pencil to its compatible iPad and check the pencil’s charging status.
However, one thing is sure; any signal interference stops once your Apple Pencil fully charges.
Conclusion
When you charge your Apple pencil correctly, it begins to charge immediately.
However, if there’s any issue with your iPad, Adapter, or the Apple pencil itself, your pencil won’t charge.
Also, your Apple pencil won’t show you any sign if it’s charging. Hence, checking your iPad is the only way to know if your Apple pencil is charging.