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Apple Pencil Glitching

My pencil keeps glitching on Notability - drawing random lines and dots, like an electronic fountain pen spill. And it breaks up my writing.


I have the 2020 iPad 12.9 inch, and 2nd gen Apple Pencil


I've tried the following things:

  • getting a new Apple Pencil
  • restarting the iPad
  • reconnecting the Pencil
  • turning off other devices nearby (to try stop interference)
  • holding the metal side of the iPad while writing, to see if it was a grounding issue and also removing the case while writing
  • taking the iPad out the charger while writing


I've noticed it glitches mainly on Notability, however I don't use the other apps enough to be able to tell if its a Notability issue or a general one...


Very annoying! Anyone got any ideas? Side note, the iPad gets kind of warm with Notability - anyone else get this?


Thanks for the help!

iPad Pro 12.9-inch, 3rd Gen, Wi-Fi

Posted on Oct 7, 2020 5:10 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 26, 2020 12:12 PM

I may have a suggestion:


If you are using a case and screen protector, try exposing some of the metal on the side of the iPad and keeping a finger on it while you write with the other hand. Perhaps when you are writing you are generating some static electricity that is interfering with the pencil and iPad.


Please post a reply if this works for you. If it does, maybe someone from apple support could chime in on an actual fix?


Hope this helps!

Similar questions

82 replies

Nov 30, 2020 6:05 AM in response to willtyler1

Hey,


yeah they said if it’s a display issue they’ll straight up replace it, as they can’t repair the internal screen part - they replaced it and I’ve had no further issues with the new one (touchwood)


one thing to note is that some cases (non Apple) might mess around with the magnetics and cause it to happen, so if you use a case maybe try without it


I doubt the mousepad under the iPad is generating static to cause the screen on top to bug out, but worth a try! Hope it gets fixed. Apple customer service are really good and quick so defo worth getting in touch

Nov 30, 2020 6:32 AM in response to dd271

Hi


Thanks for the quick response! I'm glad to hear that you've had no issues with the new device. Did you have apple care or was it just replaced under warrenty?


I'm not using any case, and there's nothing under the iPad that's magnetic. I've also used a friends apple pencil and the issue persisted (I've tried new pencil tips too!)


I'll raise it with apple support and see what they say. Thank you for the help!

Nov 30, 2020 7:35 AM in response to dd271

Hi


thank you so much for the info, I was getting pretty annoyed that my device isn't working as expected - so it's good to know apple were good about replacing yours!

Did you open a support ticket online before going in-store, or did you just rock up on the day?

Sorry for the 21Qs, I've never had to interact with apple support before.

Nov 30, 2020 7:40 AM in response to willtyler1

Hi,


no worries at all!


Glad I can help, honestly I was so upset/annoyed too but they’re really good and quick. I did start a chat with them online and they did some software checks and resetting (so they might get you to do the same) although I was pretty sure it was a mechanical display issue not a software one.


after doing all that and it was still bugging, they then booked me in to go into an Apple store and when I got there I explained the situation, they took the iPad in and mailed me a new one by the end of the week


probably easier to start a ticket online otherwise they’ll probably check all these things when you get to the store and it might take a while, easier to get it done before hand I reckon


just out of curiosity, are your diagonal lines really shaky too? And what app are you noticing this on the most?

Nov 30, 2020 7:59 AM in response to dd271

Hi,


That makes sense, I'll also start making some screen recordings/screenshots of it happening. I use my iPad for my uni notes and so it's probably gonna have to wait until Christmas break. I'll make a full backup in preperation for resetting the ipad too.


I'm noticing it in notability as that's where I primarily take notes, but last time it happened I switched to the Apple notes app and it was doing the same there too. I usually notice it when I'm handwriting - the letters go all squigly and the pencil cuts out/goes blotchy and sometimes it'll throw a random horizontal/verticle line out (though that's less common). It's also not completely unusable like someone else mentioned - it probably happens a few times an hour and typically lasts a few seconds.


I've been writing with my hand on the metal edge for the last few hours and I haven't experienced any glitches since doing so (though sometimes they don't occur for a while anyway..)


Nov 30, 2020 8:08 AM in response to willtyler1

Hey,


yeah same I use it for uni and that sounds exactly like what was happening to mine. Definitely take a video of it happening, as it’s harder to prove it through a screenshot


and yeah holding my hand against it worked for a bit too, but definitely worth replacing as it’s a bit ridiculous to have to do that every time!


good luck with the iPad and uni :)

Nov 30, 2020 8:17 AM in response to dd271

Hi


Yeah the hand method definitely isn't a permanent solution!


I think I'll just screen record every time I'm writing so I can catch it happening. I'll maybe even record it with my phone so it's irrefutable.

The "better" is what typically happens, you can see that the letters are completely distorted.


Good luck in your studies too.

Nov 30, 2020 8:21 AM in response to dd271

I don’t know if you will like this idea, but I don’t use an Apple Pencil because I have a different pencil that doesn’t have problems for me. I don’t know the brand because I got it as a gift and no one told me what the bran was, but it doesn’t have any problems besides the fact that the tip is a little too big that you can barely see what is under the tip. If possible, you might try looking through amazon for a different pencil that people use on iPads to write.

Nov 30, 2020 2:58 PM in response to dd271

After years of using various smart stylii, like the Apple Pencil and other third party smart stylii, I have found that none are perfect for palm rejection.

If you want to try and eliminate the. palm rejection issues, altogether, the best way you can fix this is that you need to purchase and use a special third party, lycra®material-based, non-body electrical conducting drawing glove to use.

These can be easily found on amazon.com in various sizes and colors.

This is what I use everyday to ensure/insure no app makes any stay marks using ANY ”smart” Bluetooth stylus, even when using the Apple Pencil.



Best of Luck to You!

Dec 17, 2020 7:33 PM in response to Kavanavak

I have been using a body electrical impulse isolating drawing gloves with all iPad models and all stylii ( including the Apple Pencil ) for many years, now, and have virtually eliminated any and all palm rejection issues by doing so.

Thr other advantage of using a drawing glove is no hand/palm prints, skin oils on the iPad screen and your hand/palm glides across the iPad screen much more easily and fluidly.

Jan 2, 2021 8:48 AM in response to dd271

Finally issue resolved


this can happen due to a number of reasons like

1) dropping apple pencil

2)screen protector/paperlike

3) overly tight ipad case


But all this can build "static charge" on the ipad screen , so I here is what you need to do

Remove ipad case

Remove paper like/screen protector


Now try to use your ipad on a wooden table

You'll not experience that issue again


And if you intend to use it anywhere apart from the wooden table just place your index finger on your ipad sceen on the bezel and your thumb on the side metal


This will make sure that you'll not experience static charge on the ipad screen and there your pencil will work absolutely fine.

Jan 7, 2021 1:18 PM in response to dd271

I’ve noticed (and ****** of with) this issue happening for all note taking applications during streaming (I.e., zoom screen sharing, etc.) First, I thought it to be specific to OneNote, then switched to notability, then to others. All work excellently when the iPad is stand-alone. As soon as you share the screen, the screen-capture software fails to sync to the pen digitizer hardware and starts inserting these crazy error-lines. But then, since I am a teacher, screen sharing is the “only” way I use these apps. Shame! This is certainly an iPad-software-hardware bug to be resolved only by Apple.

Apple Pencil Glitching

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