Magnetic iPad Pro cover caused Apple Pencil to stop working

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Level 1

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Magnetic iPad Pro cover caused Apple Pencil to stop working

I fixed my non working iPad Pro Pencil!!!

My Pencil would charge and pair but stopped working.

I tried absolutely everything, resetting systems etc.

In the back of my mind I seemed to recall something about magnetic covers. So as a very last resort I took the protective magnetic cover off today. Worked immediately. And is still working tonight!

I did some further research and found info on magnetic covers disrupting the communication between the pencil and the iPad. Sheesh. I had it happen with my first engraved pencil and Apple replaced it with an unengraved pencil. Darn it.

What a simple fix though! You would think Apple support would know this.

The cover I removed is a Dexnor. And it was absolutely perfect for my needs. Could use in portrait or landscape easily. No origami or other contortions to make the adjustment. Angled beautifully. And did I mention that it is lavender? I’d put it back on and use it just for protection but it’s terrible to remove. Broken fingernails, etc.

So I’m back to researching a non magnetic cover that will rotate and hold my pencil.

Sigh.

iPad Pro, iPadOS 26

Posted on Mar 15, 2026 11:04 PM

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Answer 1

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LotusPilot

Level 10

309,417 points

Mar 16, 2026 9:47 AM in response to Susannamac1

Your iPad uses hall-effect sensors to detect proximity of magnets in key areas of the iPad - specifically to detect that a Pencil is docked with the iPad's Pencil charging dock, and to detect closure of the iPad cover to trigger the auto-lock function.

Some poorly designed third-party covers have magnets positioned in the wrong place - and these magnets can interfere with the iPad's hall-effect sensors. Changing the cover for a high quality alternative - such as from OtterBox, Zagg and STM Goods that are explicitly designed for your iPad model - will resolve the problem.

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