Apple Pencil 1st gen charging issue on iPad mini 5th generation

My pencil sat used for a long time. I charge it and it appears to be fully charged but when I try to use it tells me it is only 3% charged. Using 1st gen pencil with 5th generation mini iPad.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]



iPad mini 5, iPadOS 18

Posted on Jan 22, 2025 2:48 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 22, 2025 2:54 PM

Given your description, given that your Pencil has been set-aside for an extended period unused and uncharged, the Pencil battery is very likely to have failed through deep discharge. In common with all Li-ion batteries, they must always have some level of charge.


The tiny internal Li-ion battery is susceptible to permanent/irreversible damage through being left discharged for long periods. Even some “new” pencils can exhibit signs of failure out-of-the-box if they are “old stock”. 


It is essential that if you have an Apple Pencil that you charge it regularly - whether used or not - so as to protect the battery from deep-discharge. Do not allow a pencil to remain in low-charge state for any period of time - as the internal battery will fail, rendering the Pencil useless. Setting aside an unused Pencil, for extended periods, is a recipe for premature death of the Pencil battery.


If the Pencil Battery has failed, the only remedy is to replace the Pencil. If the battery has failed and your pencil is within its one-year warranty, you should look to having it replaced by your retailer or at an Apple Store.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Gentle warming of the Pencil (such as placing on a hot water radiator), prior to attempting charging of the Pencil, can sometimes resurrect a dead Pencil battery.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 22, 2025 2:54 PM in response to relin104

Given your description, given that your Pencil has been set-aside for an extended period unused and uncharged, the Pencil battery is very likely to have failed through deep discharge. In common with all Li-ion batteries, they must always have some level of charge.


The tiny internal Li-ion battery is susceptible to permanent/irreversible damage through being left discharged for long periods. Even some “new” pencils can exhibit signs of failure out-of-the-box if they are “old stock”. 


It is essential that if you have an Apple Pencil that you charge it regularly - whether used or not - so as to protect the battery from deep-discharge. Do not allow a pencil to remain in low-charge state for any period of time - as the internal battery will fail, rendering the Pencil useless. Setting aside an unused Pencil, for extended periods, is a recipe for premature death of the Pencil battery.


If the Pencil Battery has failed, the only remedy is to replace the Pencil. If the battery has failed and your pencil is within its one-year warranty, you should look to having it replaced by your retailer or at an Apple Store.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Gentle warming of the Pencil (such as placing on a hot water radiator), prior to attempting charging of the Pencil, can sometimes resurrect a dead Pencil battery.

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Apple Pencil 1st gen charging issue on iPad mini 5th generation

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