How to Know If Apple Pencil is Charging?

The Apple Pencil is a great accessory that can be used on iPads. It is suitable for many kinds of professional workers, like artists, sketchers, and students. It connects with iPads using Bluetooth. However, many users get confused regarding its charging process. They are confused about how to know if Apple Pencil is charging.

Not knowing how to charge your Apple Pencil can be frustrating. Apple Pencils come in different generation models, and the process to charge them differs based on their model. If you are also facing issues regarding charging your Apple Pencil, you are in the right place.

In this article, we’ll tell you how to know if Apple Pencil is charging.

What is an apple pencil?

The Apple Pencil is a stylus pen designed and produced by Apple, Inc. It is primarily used as an input device for various iPad models, offering precision and sensitivity for tasks such as drawing, note-taking, and navigating the device’s interface.

It was introduced as an accessory for the iPad Pro in 2015. Since then, its precision, features, and accuracy have increased a lot. With new models coming every year with new iPads, new features are added. However, the process of charging each Apple Pencil has changed a lot. Even after connecting your Apple Pencil to charge, it becomes difficult to know if it is charging. So, let’s discuss more about it.

How to know if an Apple pencil is charging?

There are different ways to know if your Apple Pencil is charging or not. Refer to the guide below.

1. Check Apple pencil charging via the widget

The first way to know if your Apple Pencil is charging or not is to see it on the widget. You can add the battery widget on the widget page of your iPad. Here’s how it’s done:

• Press and hold on an empty area of the iPad Home Screen page where you wish to add a widget and continue holding until it enters “jiggle mode.”
• Then, at the top-left corner of the screen, tap on the “Plus” sign.
• In the search option, type “Battery,” and the battery widget will show up.
• Tap on “Add Widget.”
• When the widget is added to your page, it will show the battery status of your iPad as well as any Bluetooth accessory connected to it.
• You can identify that your Apple Pencil is charging when a small lightning bolt icon appears at the top of the charging indicator.

2. Check Apple Pencil Charging in “Today View.”

Another way to know if your Apple Pencil is charging is to visit the Today View. Here’s how it’s done:

• Swipe all the way right until you reach the “Today View” page.
• There, you’ll see the battery widget showing you the charging sign on the Apple Pencil icon.
• If your “Today View” page doesn’t have a battery widget, you have to add it. Scroll down and tap on “Edit.”.
• Then, again at the top-left corner, tap on the “Plus” sign. Type the battery widget, and app it to your screen. Then you’ll be able to see the charging sign.

3. Check Apple pencil charging in the settings

The third way to know if your Apple Pencil is charging or not is to see the settings. Here’s how:

• Open the Settings app on your iPad.
• Scroll down and tap on “Apple Pencil.”
• On the next page, you’ll see the battery status of your Apple Pencil. If it is charging, you’ll see a lightening icon above it.

How to charge an Apple pencil?

Over time, Apple has introduced three generations of the Apple Pencil: the first generation, the second generation, and the USB-C variant. Each version possesses distinctive features and is designed to be compatible with various models of iPads. Every Apple Pencil has a different charging process.

If you are still not able to know if your Apple Pencil is charging or not, then maybe you are charging your Apple Pencil wrong. The process of charging the Apple Pencil depends on its generation. Let’s talk about each of them one by one.

1. First-generation Apple pencil

The first-generation Apple Pencil comes with a lightning connector. You can charge the pencil by just inserting it into any lightning connector. Here’s how to charge the first-generation Apple Pencil:

• Take off the cap from the back of the Apple Pencil. You will see its lightning connector.
• You can insert that lightning connector into your iPad (if you have an iPad with a lightning port), USB Power Adapter, or iPhone.
• Once connected, your Apple Pencil will start charging.

2. 2nd Generation Apple Pencil

Charging the second-generation Apple Pencil is easier and more seamless as it involves no cables. You can wirelessly charge the Apple Pencil, second generation. Here’s how it’s done:

• Ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your iPad.
• Place the Apple Pencil on top of your iPad in a landscape position, just below the volume buttons. This action will wirelessly pair your Apple Pencil with your iPad.
• Shortly after, a brief pop-up notification will appear, confirming that the pencil has started charging and displaying the current charge level.

3. Apple Pencil with USB-C

The new Apple Pencil has a USB connection that can be charged easily. Here’s how it’s done:

• Just like the first-generation, open the cap of the Apple Pencil.
• It will have a type-C connector. Insert any type-C cable into it and switch it on.
• The Apple Pencil will start charging.

Apple Pencil compatibility

The Apple Pencil is not compatible with all iPads. They have particular compatible iPads that support those Apple Pencils. Here’s a list of all the Apple Pencils and their supported iPads.

1. Apple Pencil (USB-C)

The newest Apple Pencil supports the following iPads:

• iPad (10th generation)

• iPad mini (6th generation)

• iPad Air (4th generation and later)

• iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations)

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)

2. Apple Pencil (2nd generation)

You can use the 2nd generation Apple Pencil with the following iPads:

• iPad mini (6th generation)

• iPad Air (4th generation and later)

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)

• iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations)

3. Apple Pencil (1st generation)

These are the iPads on which you can use the first-generation Apple Pencil:

• iPad mini (5th generation)

• iPad (6th, 7th, 8th and 9th generation)

• iPad (10th generation)

• iPad Air (3rd generation)

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation)

• iPad Pro 10.5-inch

• iPad Pro 9.7-inch

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to charge an Apple Pencil?

You can charge an Apple Pencil to 100% in 20 minutes charge. However, the time can vary depending on your Apple Pencil model.

2. Can you charge an Apple pencil with an iPhone?

If you have a first-generation Apple Pencil, you can connect the lightning connector to your iPhone’s lightning port. On the rest of the model, you can’t charge it using iPhones.

3. Is it safe to charge Apple Pencil overnight?

It is safe to leave the Apple Pencil charging overnight. It ensures full battery backup for the next day.

Conclusion

That’s how you can know if your Apple Pencil is charging. Apple Pencil is a great tool for many professions. Though it has a long battery life, it should be charged regularly. Refer to the above article to know how to charge the Apple Pencil. In case of any doubt, do let us know in the comment section below.