This is how you connect the new Apple Pencil to your iPad Pro

Have you bought a new iPad Pro with Apple Pencil? Then of course you want to get started as soon as possible. We show you how to pair the pen with your iPad Pro.

Connecting the Apple Pencil: this is how you do it

With the Apple Pencil, you can make drawings, designs and illustrations on your iPad Pro. You can of course also operate the tablet with the handy stylus. Before it gets that far, you must first connect the digital pencil. In this tip, we’ll show you how to do this for both the first and second generation Apple Pencil.

Pair Apple Pencil 2 with iPad Pro 2018

At the same time as the iPad Pro 2018, Apple also unveiled a new Apple Pencil. You can click this on the side of the tablet and charge it immediately. This is how you connect the pencil:

1. Place the Apple Pencil 2 on the magnetic side of your iPad Pro as shown in the picture below;
2. Tap ‘Connect’ when the notification appears on the screen;
3. The Pencil is now paired and charges automatically.

Note that the Apple Pencil 2 only works with the iPad Pro from 2018. Do you have an older model iPad Pro? Then you can only use the first generation Apple Pencil and the pairing works slightly differently.

Also read: Apple Pencil 2: these 6 improvements put the finishing touches

Pair Apple Pencil with iPad Pro

The first-generation Apple Pencil doesn’t have a magnetic strip that you can use to clip it to your iPad. This is how you connect the digital pencil:

1. Remove the cap from the Apple Pencil so that the Lightning connector becomes visible;
2. Plug the Pencil into the Lightning port;
3. When the message appears on the screen, tap on ‘Link’.

Your Apple Pencil will automatically charge when it is in your iPad and it will remain paired until you restart the tablet. The Apple Pencil 1 can also handle the iPad (2018).

Check out our Tips overview for more helpful tricks and advice!

Read more about the Apple Pencil

• Foldable iPhone with Apple Pencil support will appear in 2023 (16-2)
• Replace the tip of your Apple Pencil: this is how you do it (17-1)
• Apple Pencil beginner’s guide: 5 practical tips and apps (30-11-2020)
• ‘New Apple Pencil gets sensor to recognize colors from the real world’ (7/20/2020)
• The 6 Key Features of iPadOS 14, the Biggest iPad Update in Years (26-6-2020)