Why is my Apple Pencil not connecting after the iOS 18 update?

Spoke to Genius team at Apple store in December. They said to me that the pencil needed a firmware update. Which was applied and since I have had no issues.

The problem is that firmware update cannot be forced. It’s applied automatically when it’s on the magnetic charger. That’s all they told me.

Since that day I have had no issues and I use it constantly for drawing.

I would suggest to people take in into store. The more people do it the more Apple realise it’s a big issue.

I am currently experiencing the same issue with my iPad Mini 6th Gen and the Apple Pencil 2nd Gen. Trouble shot with forgetting then attempting to reconnect by attaching to its charging place on the side of the iPad with the same indication that a pencil has connected, but not indication of charge state or functionality of the pencil. I used my spare Pencil USB-C, and that has worked, following plugging in. The iPad recognizes the plugged in Pencil, indicates charge state, and functions normally. What is odd is after being plugged in, the pencil continues to work, but the iPad will not allow the Pencil 2nd Gen to function. This is undoubtedly a bug affecting pencil performance from iOS 18.

For now the way to regain functionality is to downgrade. I have downgraded to iOS 17 and it’s back to working again. Had to do it for work. Use the feedback iso app to let Apple know. The more people fill it the more they will take notice

This just happened to me with my iPad Pro M2 11" and my Apple Pencil 2. I bought them a few months ago and everything worked wonderfully, but about around the time of iPadOS 18 installation, the pencil started to act funny. When in notes, in the middle of writing a new note, the pencil would begin to lag, sometimes the Notes app would glitch out and what I just wrote with the Apple Pencil would disappear. Yesterday, I lost all function from the Apple Pencil, prompting me to follow any online directions to remedy the issue. After the last option, forgetting the device, the Apple Pencil will no longer establish a new connection. When I turn off Bluetooth and place the AP in the magnetic charging area, the iPad recognizes the device and tells me to "Tap to Connect" and after choosing to connect, the device fails to connect. No message states that the connection failed, but the Apple Pencil still does not show in the list of connected (or even recognized) Bluetooth devices. Was hoping 18.0.1 would fix the issue, but after installing this morning, it did not. The behaviors noted in 18.0.0 are still exactly the same in 18.0.1.

I don't understand why Apple hasn't addressed this problem yet. The whole reason for the iOS 18 is for the Apple Pencil. Am I wrong? Since iOS 18 was released, iPad Pro (11") has been unable to detect the Apple Pencil PRO. The second-generation Apple Pencil can pair with the iPad, but not the Apple Pencil Pro. Luckily, I recently purchased the Apple Pencil Pro and could return it for a refund. That is when I tested another Apple Pencil Pro to see if the one I had was faulty. Then I asked if they had an open box of the 2nd generation so I could test it out; My iPad was able to pair with the 2nd gen. Whether they need to issue a recall on all Apple Pencil Pro or find the bug within the iOS, I hope it is soon. It's been going on for two months. Very frustrating. Perhaps I should search for a better alternative to the Apple Pencil Pro if it persists.

Same thing happened with me. I have an iPad Air 5th gen and the Apple Pencil 2nd gen stop working shortly after the iOS 18.01 update, it got very glitchy and wouldn't stay connected or charge. Unpaired it with the thought that I could pair it again, won't even recognize it. Ended up purchasing the USB-C version so I can use a USB-C adapter to both charge and pair. Glad I did because it wouldn't have paired without connecting via the USB-C adapter. Please address and issue a fix!

Exactly the same here. After the school provider updated the iPad Air 6 to iOS 18, Pencil Pro is no longer working. Apple Pencil Pro Message appears, but impossible to connect. With BLE Scanner on Android, you can see the device. But on iPad, nothing works, no reboot, no poweroff, nothing.

Yes, same! Once I removed it from BT it will not re-pair with my device. I've been thinking that somehow someone swapped my authentic Apple Pencil 2 with a knockoff without me noticing, but I have confirmed my AP2's authenticity. Nevertheless, I ordered a second Apple Pencil 2 that will be arriving tomorrow and I'm afraid of it doing the same thing and ruining the pencil.

I updated my iPad Pro M4 to iPadOS 18 when it was first available (before it got pulled), and ever since I've not been able to use my Apple Pencil in the Notes app to draw or take handwritten notes; the pencil bar just doesn't show up! It only allows me to type or use the Apple Pencil for Scribble...

The only reason I bought the iPad was to take handwritten notes in the first place 

Is anyone else experiencing this on their iPad? I've looked everywhere in Settings, tried the restarts, etc but just no luck!

Hello everyone,

I'm experiencing the same connection issue with my Apple Pencil 2 on my 2022 11-inch iPad Pro running iOS 18.1. The Pencil connects briefly and then loses the connection, making it unusable. I’ve read that this may be linked to recent firmware or software updates, but it’s unclear when a fix might be released.

This issue significantly affects the value and usability of the product, and I’m wondering if anyone knows when a solution might be expected or if there are any current workarounds. Downgrading to iOS 17.6, where the Apple Pencil 2 still worked, doesn’t seem to be an option anymore.

Are others still experiencing this problem on iOS 18.1, or has anyone found a reliable fix?

Any insights or updates on this would be greatly appreciated!

Hmm, I wonder if there is any point for me, as I was on ios17 when this stopped working. It seems to be around the same time period for everyone though, people on 17 and 18 both had it just stop working. I only upgraded to 18 in hope that it would work again. Something fishy definitely going on in the fact that it's multiple devices and multiple ios suddenly. I may try to downgrade but don't see much point in it as it wasn't working in 17 either. Glad to here yours is back working though for work purposes.

I’m also experiencing the same issues with the apple pen not working/connecting to my iPad and thought 18.0.01 would fix it and it did not. Can’t seem to find any fix for this issue.

I hlave exactly same issue with ipad pro 13 M4 and pencil pro. After deletong pencil from bluetooth, i cannot pair it anymore.

The same in 18.01 update

today was updated to 18.1. Now the pencil connects but doesn´t right... what a shame...

Just updated to 18.1 and still not working. These things cost way too much for them not to get the situation fixed. :(