Each Day ... Is there a way to pair Apple Pen USB-C to M4 iPad Pro Air that has case on it ..... Without having to use the USB-C cable?

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Each Day ... Is there a way to pair Apple Pen USB-C to M4 iPad Pro Air that has case on it ..... Without having to use the USB-C cable?

I just purchased a new 13" M4 iPad Air, and put it into a Zugu case. The case even has an Apple Pen pocket that allows the pen to touch the back metal surface of the iPad for charging. But as far as I have figured out from reading .... the Pen would pair automatically when the Pad is turned on IF it is sitting directly on top of be iPad magnetically with NO case on it, or to connect the USB-C cable to the Pen and to the iPad briefly.

The Pen can't sit on top magnetically with the Zugu case. Is there any way in the iPad settings and "doing something" with the USB-C Pen to have them pair without going the cable route? This new iPad is a gift for my wife and I am wanting to simplify things as much as possible.

Thanks!

iPad Pro, iPadOS 17

Posted on Aug 21, 2024 12:22 PM

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Answer 1

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KaeBFly

Level 6

8,659 points

Aug 21, 2024 2:07 PM in response to ronfab1

If you have the Apple Pencil USB-C it does not charge or pair magnetically. It charges via USB but it magnetically attaches to the side of the iPad for storage. The Pencil Pro charges magnetically on the iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air M2

Also, if you get the appropriate pencil that charges and pairs with your new iPad magnetically any case you purchase that was designed for that specific model should allow it to charge as it’s supposed to. It’s possible that even though the case you purchased fits the iPad you have it wasn’t designed for the new model and doesn’t allow for access to the charging side of the iPad. So if you decide to get the correct pencil to use the magnetic charging option you will want to make sure you get a case that supports it.

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Answer 2

ronfab1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 23, 2024 11:03 AM in response to KaeBFly

@KaeBFly .... Yes you are correct on this. I was right and made a wrong assumption. On Amazon the simple brief answer was yes the Zugu case would allow for charging the Pencil Pro. No one had asked about pairing in that same question. And whoever answered didn't say "where" on the case. Since it had the tight mesh pocket on the back with the metal exposed underneath I assumed "there".

But here is the answer from the company yesterday when I clarified I was talking about the mesh pocket on the back, and I just confirmed the strong magnet attraction from the iPad itself in that "top" open slot with the Apple Pen USB-C. Grabs it really solidly through the robust fabric. Though YES as explained it does NOT charge or pair that way. This case is "Awesome" by the way and less than the Otter Box. When opened up to choose a "lean" angle there are grooves for the flip out support to sit in and it's all strongly magnetized so it really holds solidly in the groove for the angle you pick.

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Answer 3

LotusPilot

Level 10

304,808 points

Aug 21, 2024 4:05 PM in response to ronfab1

Some cases are explicitly designed to allow an Apple Pencil Pro to pair and charge with the host iPad while the case remains fitted. Arguably one of the best available is an OtterBox - and is directly marketed by Apple:

OtterBox Statement Series Studio Case for iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) - Grey

https://store.apple.com/xc/product/HRHC2ZM/A

OtterBox Statement Series Studio Case for iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) - Blue

https://store.apple.com/xc/product/HRHD2ZM/A

The low cost USB-C Pencil can only be paired and charged by connecting the Pencil with a USB-C cable to the host iPad's USB-C port. While the USB-C Pencil can magnetically attach to a compatible iPad's magnetic dock, it cannot be paired or charged using this method.

Pair and charge Apple Pencil (USB-C) with iPad - Apple Support

Pair and charge Apple Pencil Pro with iPad - Apple Support

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Answer 4

ronfab1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 21, 2024 3:44 PM in response to KaeBFly

OK I was wrong about the USB-C model with the magnetic charging. But I do have an Apple Pencil Pro ordered and arriving soon. The info on the case is the pocket, and you can see the metal behind it, allows for mag charging. Would that also allow the Pro Pencil to pair up automatically when the M4 iPad is turned on? The diagrams show it sitting on the top edge of the landscape orientation, which it can’t do with the case on.

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Answer 5

KaeBFly

Level 6

8,659 points

Aug 21, 2024 4:46 PM in response to ronfab1

The Pencil Pro will pair and charge via the same magnetic charging spot. There isn’t a separate spot to place the pencil for it to pair. The storage spot on the case you mentioned is not where charging occurs. The pencil does not charge on the back of the iPad. Typically if the pencil needs to re-pair it will do it fairly quickly after you place it on the magnetic strip area. As for the case you are looking at…I can’t speak on it but if it does not have the magnetic strip area which is on the landscape side exposed/accessible in order for charging to occur then it does not sound like it is a case that was made for your model iPad and may have been for a previous model. Looking at the case on their website seems to imply that it allows for charging (and that would mean pairing) but it has that storage space for you to store the pencil when not in use because it does not provide a way to secure the pencil on the actual charging area if you are traveling with it or putting it in a bag (no flap to secure or a built-in tray like some cases). Ultimately you will have to see if it works as advertised when you receive it. But otherwise there are other cases that do as it should with no issue.

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Answer 6

ronfab1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 21, 2024 6:27 PM in response to KaeBFly

It was a question asked and answered affirmatively on Amazon reviews that the pocket on this case with the whole length of a Pencil Pro exposed to the naked back metal of the pad would allow the magnetic charging to happen. No one said it didn’t so so far so good I hope. That’s great news to me though …. “perfect” if it will automatically pair with bluetooth …. since it can charge (allegedly) …. every time she turns it on. I’ll let you know here in a few days. :))

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Each Day ... Is there a way to pair Apple Pen USB-C to M4 iPad Pro Air that has case on it ..... Without having to use the USB-C cable?

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