Level 1

29 points

Apple Pencil Not Connecting After iPadOS 13.5 Update

I am having an issue with my Apple Pencil 1st Generation not connecting with my iPad Air after the iPadOS 13.5 update. I have reset the iPad numerous times and turned bluetooth on and off. When I tried to pair it with another 6th Generation iPad also running iPadOS 13.5 it worked just fine. I also have not had any issues with the Apple Pencil not pairing prior to the update. I am curious to see if anyone else is having the same issue or has a possible fix. Thank you for your time!!

iPad Air 3 Wi-Fi

Posted on May 22, 2020 5:15 PM

Top-ranking reply

Sandeepsinglaca

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Jun 13, 2020 11:23 PM

This appears to be a bug affecting some users. Another contributor, ApplesAreUs, reports having found a workaround solution.

“... can confirm the issue is iOS 13.5. The only way to pair your 1st Gen Apple Pencil to your iPad Air 3 is to quickly connect and then disconnect power to your iPad then plug the Pencil into the Lighting port. This will fix the issue and will pair successfully”

It’s like the quick jab of power to the iPad ‘wakes’ some part of the software into action. I can confirm I’ve tried this on 2 different iPad Airs with same result.

This discussion details the workaround:

this solution worked for me

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Similar questions

80 replies

Bg_68

Level 1

8 points

Jun 26, 2020 4:42 PM in response to MichelPM

How do u know when pencil is completely charged.?

Bg_68

Level 1

8 points

Jun 26, 2020 4:44 PM in response to MichelPM

What/where is the lighting port?

OmzieeQ

Level 1

11 points

Jun 27, 2020 4:11 AM in response to MichelPM

Tried it several times, didn’t work :(

Jun 27, 2020 7:11 AM in response to OmzieeQ

As have I.

Referring back to original comment, we pay out good money for Apple products because they are supposed to be idiot proof, only for Apple themselves to screw it up.

OmzieeQ

Level 1

11 points

Jul 21, 2020 5:44 AM in response to ralph_1962

is it Apple Pencil 1st gen?

OmzieeQ

Level 1

11 points

Jul 21, 2020 5:47 AM in response to OmzieeQ

I feel the same, it’s definitely a strategic move by apple for bulk migration

Jul 23, 2020 7:55 PM in response to ApplesAreUs

This worked for me, thank you!

niels167

Level 1

4 points

Jul 28, 2020 11:18 AM in response to ralph_1962

I’m on 13.6 with aan IPad 2019 and Pencil 1.

Doesn’t work... :(

Jamesd49

Level 7

23,263 points

Jul 28, 2020 11:19 AM in response to niels167

Which iPad do you have?

niels167

Level 1

4 points

Jul 28, 2020 11:21 AM in response to Jamesd49

‘ normal’ Ipad (7th Generation) juist bought it 3 weeks ago

Sep 13, 2020 9:52 AM in response to andreaguiher

Has anyone tried this method on the iPad Pro first generation and find it to actually work?

Sep 13, 2020 10:20 AM in response to rosaundra

Yes. It worked for me.

Sep 13, 2020 10:27 AM in response to emilylee19

Ok, so what exactly am I supposed to do to fix it? Plug in the power cord after charging the iPad then unplug and plug the pencil really fast? Or just plug in the cord without charging first?

Sep 13, 2020 12:43 PM in response to rosaundra

I actually got the newer pencil yesterday and it won’t pair.

Sep 13, 2020 12:49 PM in response to rosaundra

It’s weird to me also that I have been using the Bluetooth generic pencil with no problem but the actual Apple Pencil won’t work. There’s definitely a problem somewhere.

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Apple Pencil Not Connecting After iPadOS 13.5 Update