apple pencil bluetooth

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Level 1

4 points

apple pencil bluetooth

I have a first gen iPad pro 12.9. When I bought it, I also purchased an Apple Pencil which worked great. For whatever reason, I stopped using the pencil and hadn’t touched it in maybe 2 years. Recently, I charged it up, re-paired it via bluetooth, but it only maintains that connection intermittently. I went through all the troubleshooting steps I could find (forgot device, re-paired, powered off iPad, reset iPad, ensured full charge on pencil by charging with adapter & cable). The pencil is long out of warranty, even if it was barely used.

I purchased a new pencil that works great. But, I am still wondering if there is any way of reviving the old one? My problem seems slightly different from the majority of issues I’ve read, which seem to involve failed lithium batteries. Although I have not been able to maintain the Bluetooth connection in order to use it, I do get a flickering connection when it is plugged in via the lightening connector. From this, I’ve been able to ascertain that the battery charge is 100% and also that the firmware is version 02.40.00, unlike my new pencil which has firmware 02.48.00.

My iPad is running iOS 12.1.4. I am wondering if there is a compatibility problem caused by not keeping the pencil up to date with the current operating system? I can’t recall what version iOS the iPad was running when the pencil was last used, but it was likely in the fall of 2016. If that’s the issue, is there a way of resolving it?

As I say, I do have a new pencil, but it would be nice to have a spare. It’s so odd, because as it is plugged into the lightening connector it connects/disconnects. In order to catch the firmware version I had to take a photo, as it disappears too quickly for me to see otherwise (then reappears, then disappears, etc.).

I know there have been several posts about pencils, but my issue seems slightly different and I’m hoping there is a solution!

Many thanks,

Jennifer

iPad Pro, 12

Posted on Feb 13, 2019 11:33 AM

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Answer 1

MichelPM

Level 10

81,547 points

Feb 13, 2019 3:30 PM in response to J.L.T.

No.

Your issue isn’t any different.

The battery in your original Apple Pencil has failed after not being charged up to ANY percentage for 2 years!

If your Apple Pencil sat around unused and not kept charged up for more than a few weeks, or so, OR EVEN LONGER, then the battery in your Apple Pencil has failed and is dead.

Sorry.

FYI and something Apple never divulges to it potential iPad Pro/Apple Pencil customers/users unless the potential customer/user is smart enough to ask about AND, apparently, still an issue with the second generation Apple Pencil,

Due to the “always on and active/standby” nature of the Apple Pencil and, also, due to its very tiny rechargeable Li-ion battery (smaller than the eraser head on a REAL wooden pencil), the Apple Pencil needs to be constantly charged up to some significant charge level ALL THE TIME, even when not using the Pencil for prolonged periods of time.

The Apple Pencil needs to be kept charged to a minimum of 5-10% all the time.

If the Apple Pencil battery is allowed to drain down to 0% and allowed to stay in that flat, zero charge condition for more than a few weeks, or so, OR EVEN LONGER, that very tiny little Li-ion battery is too small to keep at a 0% state for a long period of time and it will fail and the Apple Pencil will be dead and you may have to “pop” for another $99 or $129 U.S.D. Apple Pencil, once again!

You need to keep your Apple Pencil constantly charged up to some significant percentage all the time!

Best of Luck to You!

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Answer 2

MichelPM

Level 10

81,547 points

Feb 13, 2019 5:04 PM in response to J.L.T.

Does the battery deplete quickly after charging?

If you think your Apple Pencil maybe still functioning and the battery has been revived.

Forget your current Pencil in the Bluetooth Settings ( make sure the new Pencil is well out of range of your iPad, once disconnected from Bluetooth, like 20-30 feet away ), then try all of the procedures below to try and get your original Pencil to pair and work with your iPad.

Use Apple Pencil with your iPad or iPad Pro - Apple Support

Let us know if your original Pencil is working, again.

Best of Luck to You!

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Answer 3

MichelPM

Level 10

81,547 points

Feb 13, 2019 5:10 PM in response to J.L.T.

If you plug the Pencil into the iPad's Lightning connector, without connecting it to Bluetooth, does it offer any Pencil updates through the iPad via Wifi?

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Answer 4

J.L.T. Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 13, 2019 3:40 PM in response to MichelPM

Thank you for your reply. Given the number of posts regarding the failure to charge after sitting dormant, I had assumed this was the issue, which is why I purchased a replacement. But, as I said in my initial question. This one is charging. I can see it’s charge in the battery widget. Currently, it is at 100%. Yesterday, it was at less than 100% and I could watch the charge rise gradually up to 100% when it was plugged into the lightning port.

This is seems like a different issue, unless you are suggesting that it states a false battery charge if a pencil’s battery is dead?

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Answer 5

J.L.T. Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 13, 2019 5:05 PM in response to MichelPM

Thank you for replying again. No, the battery stays fairly charged. As mentioned in my initial post, I have tried all of the trouble shooting steps. I have not seen anyone post with this exact problem, which is why I’m interested in hearing whether someone has seen this before, and whether they were able to resolve it. Specifically, I’m wondering whether it is because the firmware is outdated, as it was not kept up todate with the iOS updates.

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Answer 6

J.L.T. Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 13, 2019 5:26 PM in response to MichelPM

Wow. It must have, because the firmware is now up to date. Sadly, I’m still having the flickering connection/taking too long to pair issue. I think I’ll just give up, because I just don’t seem to be able to coax it back to life, and I have already bought a replacement. It just feels like it should be possible given the very fragile connection it does make. Thank you for your help!

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apple pencil bluetooth

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