How to Charge a Second Generation Apple Pencil
Okay, here’s the thing — charging the second-gen Apple Pencil isn’t quite as straightforward as just plugging it into your iPad, which was the case with the first version. Once you get how it works, it’s pretty easy, but man, I spent some time figuring this out, so maybe this helps someone else avoid the same confusion. The key difference is that the second-gen Pencil charges wirelessly via a magnetic connection on the side of compatible iPads. It’s a sleek design, no cables, no tiny lightning connectors — really clean, but it trips people up if they don’t realize how it’s supposed to work.
Attaching the Apple Pencil to the iPad
If you’ve used the original Apple Pencil, you might expect to remove a cap and slot it in somewhere — that’s not the case here. Instead, you’ll see this little ridge along one side of the Pencil. Think of it as the magnetic strip, because that’s what it is. The side of the Pencil has a sort of “magnetic zone” (depending on your iPad model, it might be labeled differently in your settings, like “magnetic connector” or “charging zone”). Once you line that up with the right edge of your iPad, it should snap into place — and that’s it.
It’s surprisingly satisfying when it works because the Pencil just *magnetically* attaches and starts charging — no fiddling with cables or adapters, thank goodness. Honestly, I hate dealing with tiny lightning connectors, especially on the go, so this magnetic method is a lifesaver once you get the hang of it. If it doesn’t seem to attach, double-check if it’s aligned correctly and that the magnet is making proper contact. Sometimes a little dust or debris on the magnetic strip can mess with the connection.
How to Check If It’s Charging
This is where I got stuck a couple times — I wasn’t sure if it was actually charging or not. The simplest way I found is through the Settings app on the iPad. You go to Settings, then look for “Apple Pencil” on the sidebar. Tap that.
Once inside, at the top, there should be an icon with a lightning bolt or maybe a little charging symbol. If it’s there, then yay, the Pencil is charging. Below that icon, you’ll also see the current battery percentage for the Pencil — which is super handy, especially if you’re trying to keep it topped off. Keep in mind, it might take a few seconds after attaching for that charging indicator to pop up and update.
Why Checking the Settings Matters
Sometimes, especially if the Pencil was attached earlier and then not charging, the indicator might not refresh immediately. If it looks like it’s not charging after a few minutes — try reattaching it, making sure the magnet is snug. Also, ensure your iPad is running the latest software version. I’ve run into weird glitches where the battery info wouldn’t show properly until I rebooted the device. To do that, long-press the side button + volume up button (for Face ID iPads), then slide to power off. After that, turn it back on. It’s just a quick fix that often clears up charging status problems.
Oh, and Bluetooth should be turned on because some of the Pencil’s capabilities rely on Bluetooth proximity, though the actual wireless charging is separate and just relies on magnet contact. Still, I’ve noticed it helps with overall connectivity and stability if Bluetooth’s enabled.
Some Practical Tips
- Make sure you’re not using a thick or magnetic case that could block the magnetic field. I tried this with my older ASUS case, and it basically blocked the charge from starting because the magnetic contact couldn’t establish a good connection — end of story. If the Pencil isn’t attaching or charging, try removing the case temporarily.
- If it’s not charging, take it off and then reattach. Sometimes the magnetic contact just needs a gentle nudge. Also, check for dust or debris on the magnetic strip — that can really interfere with the connection.
- Keep your iPad’s software updated — Settings > General > Software Update. Apple keeps pushing updates that improve compatibility with accessories like the Pencil. I’ve had weird issues early on that went away after updating.
- And yes, this only works with compatible iPads that have the magnetic strip built-in, like newer models (iPad Pro 3rd gen and above, iPad Air 4th gen+, or certain iPad Mini versions). If it’s not attaching magnetically, double-check your model or try manually aligning it more carefully.
TL;DR and Wrap-Up
Honestly, once it clicks, charging the second-gen Apple Pencil is just about proper attachment. No cables, no caps, no fuss — just align that magnetic strip on the side and let the magnet do its thing. Checking the battery and charging status through the Settings app is the best way to confirm it’s working, because that info is pulled directly from the device. If the indicator doesn’t update immediately, try a quick restart or reattach the Pencil. Most of the time, it’s just a loose connection or outdated software causing issues. And remember, not all iPads are compatible with this magnetic charging method, so double-check your device before getting frustrated.
Hope this helped — it took me way too long to figure it out, and I don’t want anyone else wasting hours. Anyway, good luck, and I hope your Pencil stays charged and ready whenever you need it. Cheers!