If an Apple Pencil won’t show up in Bluetooth, check compatibility, charge it, and re-pair from Settings or the magnetic connector.
Your stylus should appear in the Bluetooth list the moment it enters pairing mode. When it does not, the usual culprits are simple: a mismatch between Pencil and iPad, a drained battery, a grimy connector, a stuck pairing cache, or a case that nudges the magnet out of line. The steps below fix those snags fast, with clear paths for each Apple Pencil model.
What “Not Showing In Bluetooth” Really Means
Apple Pencil pairs in model-specific ways. Second-generation and Pro models use the right-edge magnetic rail to begin pairing without a manual scan. USB-C and first-generation models start pairing through a cable or adapter. If the Pencil isn’t in pairing mode, it won’t appear in the list at all, so the first move is always the correct attach or plug-in.
Quick Reference: Models, Pairing, And What You See
Match your Pencil to the pairing flow here. The third column shows the on-screen cue to expect when things work.
| Apple Pencil | How It Starts Pairing | What You See |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd-Generation | Attach to right-side magnetic connector | Pair banner near top; no manual scan needed |
| Pro | Attach to magnetic connector; keep it centered | Pair banner and haptic tick on supported iPad |
| USB-C | Connect a USB-C cable to iPad | Pair prompt; may show in Bluetooth list during setup |
| 1st-Generation | Plug into Lightning port or use adapter with cable | Pair prompt; may show under “Other Devices” |
Apple Pencil Not Showing In Bluetooth: Fast Checks
Run these short checks in order. Each step clears a common blocker and saves time.
Confirm Pencil And iPad Compatibility
Not every Pencil works with every iPad. Open Settings › General › About and note your iPad model name. Match it to the Pencil on your desk. If the pair doesn’t match, pairing won’t start. Pick the correct Pencil, or use the right adapter and cable where required.
Charge The Pencil For Ten Minutes
A flat battery won’t enter pairing. For 2nd-gen or Pro, snap to the magnetic rail and wait. For USB-C or first-gen, connect a cable and let it sip power. After a short top-up, try again.
Remove The Case Or Cover
Some cases shift the magnet by a few millimeters or crowd the port. Pull the case off, seat the Pencil directly on the rail, or plug straight into the port. Many folio covers leave a lip that breaks the contact just enough to block the banner.
Clean The Contacts And Connector
Dust on the rail or grime on a USB-C tip can break the handshake. Wipe the iPad edge and the Pencil’s metal strip with a dry lint-free cloth. For USB-C, check for pocket lint inside the port and clear it with gentle puffs of air.
Toggle Bluetooth And Restart
Turn Bluetooth off, count to five, and turn it back on. If nothing changes, restart the iPad. Fresh radio plus a cleared cache often brings the banner back on the next attach.
Forget Old Entries
Open Settings › Bluetooth. If an old “Apple Pencil” sits under My Devices, tap the info icon and choose Forget This Device. Attach or plug the Pencil again and accept the new pair prompt.
Exact Pairing Steps That Work
2nd-Gen And Pro
- Open Settings › Bluetooth and leave it on.
- Place the flat side of the Pencil on the right edge magnet. Keep it centered; you should feel a firm snap.
- Wait for the banner and tap Pair. If no banner appears, lift, reseat, and hold for five seconds.
USB-C Model
- Connect the Pencil to the iPad with a USB-C cable.
- Wake the iPad. A pair prompt should appear.
- Accept pairing, then detach the cable.
1st-Gen Model
- Plug the Pencil into the iPad Lightning port, or use the female-to-female adapter with a cable for devices that require it.
- Wake the iPad and accept the pair prompt.
- If no prompt appears, unplug, seat it firmly, and try again.
When The Pair Banner Still Won’t Appear
If the prompt refuses to show up, the issue sits in one of a few buckets. Work through these and you’ll cover each one cleanly.
iPadOS Update And Network Reset
Install the latest iPadOS. Then reset network settings: Settings › General › Transfer or Reset › Reset › Reset Network Settings. This clears stale Bluetooth records and lets the system rebuild fresh. Pair again right after the reboot.
Tip Not Seated Or Transducer Damage
If the Pencil charges yet never writes or shows up after pairing, the tip may be loose or the internal transducer may be damaged from a drop. Hand-tighten the tip until it stops; don’t over-twist. If the issue started after a fall onto the tip, service is likely.
Mixed Accounts And Find My
On shared iPads, Apple Pencil Pro can bind to a profile with Find My. Sign out and back in, then repeat pairing. That clears a stale link that can block the banner.
Wireless Interference Near The Rail
Strong magnets in a keyboard cover or a stack of metal near the right edge can throw off the connection. Move accessories away, then attach again.
Deeper Fixes For Stubborn Cases
Reset All Settings
Go to Settings › General › Transfer or Reset › Reset › Reset All Settings. Your data stays in place; system toggles go back to defaults. After the reboot, attach or plug the Pencil again.
Pair On A Friend’s iPad
Match the Pencil to a known-compatible iPad of the same generation. If it pairs there, your iPad needs further cleanup. If it fails there too, the Pencil needs service.
Replace The Tip
A worn or cracked tip can confuse pressure sensors and stall pairing cues. Swap in a fresh tip, then try again. Many users see the banner appear right after the swap.
Check Cables And Adapters
For USB-C and first-gen setups, a weak cable causes silent failures. Use a short, data-capable cable and avoid hubs for the first pair. If you use the Lightning adapter, make sure both ends click in fully.
Common Causes Mapped To Fixes
Scan this table to match your symptom to a targeted action.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Try This |
|---|---|---|
| No banner when attached | Misaligned magnet or case lip | Remove case; reseat firmly for five seconds |
| Never appears in list | Pencil not in pairing mode | Attach to rail or plug cable to trigger pairing |
| Pairs, then drops | Low battery or radio cache | Charge ten minutes; toggle Bluetooth; restart |
| Shows in My Devices but fails | Corrupt entry | Forget the device, then pair fresh |
| Only fails on this iPad | Network stack mess | Reset Network Settings; update iPadOS |
| Worked before a fall | Tip or transducer damage | Tighten or replace tip; book service |
Close Match Keyword: Extra Checks That Matter
This section mirrors search phrases like “Apple Pencil won’t show on Bluetooth,” “Apple Pencil not connecting in Bluetooth,” and “Pencil not visible under Other Devices.” If your iPad refuses to show the Pencil anywhere in Settings, the root is nearly always one of these: incompatible iPad, no battery, blocked magnet, dirty rail, or a stale pairing entry. Work through the checks above, then use the model-specific pairing steps. If the banner still won’t appear, jump to the deeper fixes and the service section below.
How To Keep Pairing Smooth Next Time
Seat It Cleanly
Dock the Pencil flat, then slide it a hair until the magnet locks. That tiny nudge helps contacts line up on worn rails.
Watch Battery Habits
Short top-ups beat deep drains. Snap the Pencil on the edge while you read or answer messages. That habit keeps pairing snappy and avoids “dead on arrival” moments.
Keep The Rail And Port Clear
Wipe the rail and check the port weekly. Bags and sleeves add dust faster than you think.
Store Away From Heavy Magnets
Big magnets in stands and cases can nudge the Pencil off center. When you pack up, stash the Pencil separately or attach it after the cover is set.
Official References For Compatibility And Pairing
Apple publishes the exact steps and the iPad list that each Pencil supports. See the pages on pairing when the prompt will not appear and the current Apple Pencil compatibility. Both pages update with new models and iPadOS versions, so they’re handy bookmarks for setup and upgrades.
When To Book Service
Book service when the Pencil never triggers a banner on any known-compatible iPad, when the tip area rattles after a drop, or when the iPad detects charging but the Pencil never writes. Back up your iPad, capture your serials, and list the steps you tried. A quick bench check can confirm a bad tip, a damaged transducer, or a rail issue on the iPad frame.
Quick Start Checklist
Run through this punch list before you reach out to a repair desk:
- Match the Pencil to your iPad model.
- Charge for ten minutes.
- Remove the case and clean the rail or port.
- Toggle Bluetooth and restart.
- Forget old entries and pair fresh.
- Update iPadOS and, if needed, reset network settings.
- Try a fresh tip or a known-good cable.