Non-Apple pencil not showing up in devices in Bluetooth

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Level 1

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Non-Apple pencil not showing up in devices in Bluetooth

I have a non-Apple pencil that is connected to my 8th gen ipad and I have just bought an Apple 1st gen pencil. However, I can't seem to disconnect the original non-Apple pencil. It is not showing under devices in the Bluetooth section - there is a continual daisy wheel. Bluetooth lists other devices when I connect them, just not this one. I presume that my Apple pencil isn't working on the ipad because the other pencil is still connected. I have reset the network settings and done a hard reset but Bluetooth is still not showing the original pencil which is still working on the ipad. What should I do? I want to use the Apple pencil as it has pressure sensitivity and the other one doesn't.

iPad, iPadOS 18

Posted on Jul 25, 2025 7:34 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Tesserax

Level 10

158,532 points

Jul 25, 2025 2:58 PM in response to daisyfrankie

A lot of third-party "Apple Pencil alternatives" don’t actually connect via Bluetooth in the same way that an Apple Pencil does — they often use a basic capacitive or active signal that pairs directly with the screen rather than showing up as a recognized Bluetooth device in Settings. That’s likely why you're not seeing it listed under Bluetooth devices, even though it's still working.

Since your 8th-gen iPad only supports the 1st-gen Apple Pencil via the Lightning port and not Bluetooth pairing per se, the third-party stylus might be "hijacking" screen input or still powered on and interfering. The Apple Pencil 1st gen doesn’t show up in Bluetooth devices either — instead, it connects automatically via the Lightning port when plugged in, and you get a pairing dialog. If you’re not seeing that, then the issue is probably something preventing the iPad from recognizing the Apple Pencil at all.

Here are some things you can try::

Turn off or fully power down the third-party pencil – Check if it has a power switch or needs to be charged to activate; if so, let the battery die or switch it off.
Forget any conflicting Bluetooth devices – Even if the stylus doesn’t show up, try forgetting any apps or paired accessories that might be interfering (some styluses have companion apps).
Plug in your Apple Pencil directly into the Lightning port of the iPad. You should see a pairing prompt after a few seconds.
Once paired, remove the Pencil and test it in Notes or another app. If pressure sensitivity is working, you’re good to go.

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Answer 2

daisyfrankie Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 26, 2025 12:24 AM in response to Tesserax

Thank you so much for your response. I think that the problem is also that the Apple Pencil that I bought (from Amazon...) is faulty. The pairing dialogue pops up several times, it shows the pencil as being on 3% charge even though I have fully charged it. I am sending it back and buying one from Apple itself. I will then do everything you suggest and, hopefully with an Apple pen that isn't faulty, I am sure it will work. I will also need to run down the battery on the third party pencil as it doesn't have an on/off switch.

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

158,532 points

Jul 26, 2025 8:42 AM in response to daisyfrankie

Sounds like a good plan.

One thing I learned over the years, is that when buying Apple products from a third-party (even if they are an Apple Authorized Reseller ... like Amazon), you may find that it "sat on a shelf" for awhile before they sell it to you.

Normally, not a big deal. However, products with built-in lithium rechargeable batteries can be problematic. That's because, if left partially or fully discharged over a significant amount of time (think months), those batteries may not be able to take a charge again ... rendering them basically useless. This could be the case with the Apple Pencil you got from Amazon.

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