Your Apple Pencil doesn’t need daily recharging unless you use it a LOT.
How you charge your Apple Pencil depends on the model you have. It will either magnetically attach to the side of your compatible iPad or plug in to charge. A full charge typically takes about 15 to 30 minutes, providing up to 12 hours of use.
1st Generation Apple Pencil
The 1st Gen Apple Pencil has a round body and a removable cap.
- Plug into iPad: Remove the cap and plug the Lightning connector directly into your iPad’s Lightning port.
- Use an Adapter: If your iPad uses USB-C, you can connect the pencil to a USB-C cable using the Lightning Adapter that came in your Apple Pencil box.
- Wall Outlet: You can also plug the pencil directly into a USB wall charger using the adapter and a standard charging cable.
2nd Generation, Pro, and USB-C Apple Pencils
These models feature a flat edge designed for magnetic attachment or an internal sliding USB-C port. [1, 2, 3]
- Magnetic Attachment (2nd Gen, Pro, and some USB-C models): Attach the flat side of your pencil to the magnetic connector on the right side of your compatible iPad (near the volume buttons).
- USB-C Pencil Charging: If you have the USB-C model, slide the end cap down to reveal the port. Connect a USB-C to USB-C cable to the pencil, and plug the other end into your iPad, a computer, or a USB wall adapter.
Checking Battery Status
To check your pencil’s current charge, you can view the Batteries widget on your iPad’s home screen or go to Settings > Apple Pencil.
