There’s nothing more frustrating than when the technology you’re using starts to lose power, right? Apple Pencil users know what we’re talking about. They sometimes experience this situation when their favorite gadget doesn’t show the Apple Pencil Battery Life.
But luckily, if you own a second-generation Apple Pencil, the technique to identify the remaining battery life is relatively easy, similar to the method of charging it. However, the first generation pencil requires another approach, which is a bit more complex.
If you’re eager to know the abilities of your pencil, keep reading. This guide will unveil how to detect your Apple Pencil’s battery based on the generation you have.
Let’s dive in!
Apple Pencil Battery Life
Apple Pencil battery lasts for 12 hours on a full charge. However, the battery duration depends on the tasks you’re doing. To extend the Apple Pencil battery life, it’s essential to charge your battery. The Apple Pencil will last longer this way.
Apple Pencil Battery Life: All the details
A very tiny battery powers the easy-to-hold, lightweight Apple Pencil, and you can charge it by attaching it to a dedicated spot on the side of the iPad or with a Lightning Cord.
Charging is generally fast and results in hours of usage. When you attach it to the iPad, the second generation will be visible as a notification. From there, it’s possible to check the status during charging.
But what about when the Apple Pencil is in use? What should be done if the Pencil unexpectedly only lasts for 3 to 4 hours on a full charge? Although this case is rare, it’s not impossible.
Most users never see the Apple Pencil go below 90% even after using it for hours, which means that the battery is strong. This leads to the question of the factors that cause drainage in the Apple Pencil. In a typical scenario, you can expect only 5% to 10% drainage in the battery daily when the pencil sits idle.
So, how quickly does the gadget lose charging during usage? What factors can cause quick drainage, and is there a way to troubleshoot it? First, let’s take a closer look at the gadget and its charging capabilities.
Average battery life when used
According to Apple, your Apple Pencil will allow 12 hours of usage if you fully charge it. However, this varies case-by-case depending on the tasks being performed.
For example, writing with a pen or drawing consumes more juice than surfing the web. If the battery life reaches 0%, just charge it for 15 seconds to enjoy 30 minutes of usage.
How long to fully charge
Charging time differs based on battery drainage. If the battery has reached zero percent, one full hour is needed to fully charge your Apple Pencil.
The gadget comes with a lightning connector that you can plug into an iPad for charging. A full charge will require only 10 to 15 minutes if the device has remaining juice.
How much usage will a quick charge provide
As we’ve already said, if you do not have enough time and your Apple Pencil has some power, charging for 15 minutes will offer half an hour or more usage time.
How much battery is lost per day when idle
If your Apple Pencil is sitting idle, 5-10% of battery loss is normal each day.
When should you charge the Apple Pencil
When the low battery indicator pops up, that’s your cue to charge the Apple Pencil. There are different methods of checking the battery level, which will be explained later in this guide.
How to pair the iPad with the Apple Pencil
First, connect the Apple Pencil to the iPad via the magnetic connector (for the second generation) or Lightning connector (for the first generation).
There should be a Pair button that pops up. Click on it.
If this method isn’t successful, go to the Settings menu, choose Bluetooth, and ensure that Bluetooth is enabled.
Next, click on the Pencil > Info > Forget. Connect them both again, and press the Pair button. If you need a more detailed explanation of this topic, please read our article: Apple Pencil Not Connecting to iPad.
Batteries installed in Apple Pencil
The built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery is a smaller variant of the battery that comes in an iPad or iPhone. This battery is different from rivals, such as the Microsoft Surface Pen, which employs disposable, replaceable batteries, like a watch battery or AAA batteries.
Although the disposable batteries have a longer life than the one in the Apple Pencil, it’s inconvenient to replace them repeatedly.
However, it’s not possible to replace the battery in the Apple Pencil if it’s completely dead. You’ll have to buy a new Pencil.
iPads compatible with Apple Pencil
The second generation Apple Pencil is compatible with the following iPads:
- 11-inch iPad Pro (all three generations)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3 to 5 generations)
- iPad Air (4th generation)
The owners of the first-generation Apple Pencil have greater accessibility to the following iPads:
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad (6 to 8 generations)
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (first and second generations).
Apple Pencil 1st Generation Battery Life
The original Apple Pencil doesn’t come with an indicator that reflects the battery level. This can confuse users. However, this section will make everything clear to you.
Average battery life
So, as we mentioned earlier, the Apple Pencil battery lasts for 12 hours on a full charge. This duration is enough to accomplish many tasks on your tablet. But make sure that you charge it during breaks.
How to charge Apple Pencil 1st generation
To charge your first-generation Apple Pencil, plug the gadget into the Lightning connector on the iPad. Another alternative method of charging is to employ a USB Power Adapter with the help of the Apple Pencil Charging Adapter that comes with the purchase of the Apple Pencil. You can achieve quick charging with both of these techniques.
Checking the charge status
In order to see the remaining juice of the first-generation Apple Pencil during usage, check out the Today View on the iPad. Simply swipe from left to right at the lock screen or Home screen. This method works for the second generation as well.
Apple Pencil 2nd Generation Battery Life
The second-generation Pencil boasts many perks, and one of them is definitely an amazing battery duration.
Average battery life
On a full charge, users can employ Apple Pencils for 12 hours. But if the battery level is zero, 15 seconds more is more than enough to continue using it for the next 30 minutes.
How to charge Apple Pencil 2nd generation
The charging mechanism of this Apple Pencil is different from the charging technique of the first-generation Apple Pencil.
If you own the second generation of Apple Pencil, attach it to the magnetic connector at the long side of the iPad. If you don’t see the charging status for a moment, ensure that the Bluetooth is turned on.
Also, in case you’re interested in the other differences between the first and second generation, check out our article Apple Pencil 1 vs 2, which covers all the details.
Checking the charge status
When the gadget is attached to the iPad, the charge status appears on the screen for a brief moment. So make sure to pay attention to it.
How to Check Apple Pencil Battery
How can a user know whether an Apple Pencil is fully charged? Moreover, how can you gauge the juice of your Apple Pencil?
Even though both generations lack a battery status indicator to show the remaining power, different methods exist to learn how much battery life you have.
We will explain methods for both generations in the following sections, so stay focused.
Apple Pencil Gen 1
For the first (and second) generation, you can use the following method:
Utilize the battery widget
To conveniently check the battery level of your Apple Pencil, simply enable the Batteries widget on the iPad. For iPadOS 15, follow these instructions:
- Click and hold anywhere on the Home screen until the icons get into wiggle mode.
- Press the Plus sign at the top left.
- Choose the Batteries widget.
- Select the size you desire and click Add Widget.
After the widget is visible on the Home screen, you can drag it anywhere.
For iPadOS 13, the following steps will work:
- Go to the Today View on the device by swiping right.
- Scroll down to the bottom and press the Edit button.
- You will now view a list of available widgets. Click on the Plus sign beside the Batteries to allow the widget.
- You can either add the widget to the pinned ones or reorder the widgets on the screen.
- Tap Done.
From this point, it’s possible to check the battery life in Today View. Just swipe and see the remaining power of the Apple Pencil and iPad Pro.
Apple Pencil Gen 2
The below method is only applicable for the second generation Apple Pencil, and it’s actually a very quick technique.
Attach the Apple Pencil to the iPad
Just attach the Apple Pencil to the iPad via Smart Connector, aka the magnetic connector at the side of the iPad. You will instantly see the remaining juice featured at the top.
Utilize the Settings App
While this method is not that simple and easy, it serves as an alternative when the above solutions are not working.
For this method, simply open the Settings App on the iPad. Then, scroll down to the Apple Pencil section. You will be able to see the battery level on the right side.
Also, we have an excellent guide on our blog about checking Apple Pencil Battery Life, so we recommend you to read it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I see Apple Pencil battery life?
To see the remaining charging of the Apple Pencil (of any generation) during usage, just take a look at the Today View on the iPad. Simply swipe from left to right at the lock screen or Home screen. But when you attach the second generation of Apple Pencil to the iPad, charge status can be seen for a moment.
How often do I need to charge my Apple Pencil?
The quick charging innovation of the Apple Pencil offers 30 minutes of usage after charging for only 15 seconds.
However, it is recommended to charge the gadget for a minimum of 5 to 10 minutes, especially if it’s underneath 20%, to prevent constant recharging.
Why does my Apple Pencil keep dying?
In many scenarios, the Apple Pencil stops functioning due to low or zero battery. Therefore, the first solution is to charge your Apple Pencil. The user can note the battery level from the Battery widget at the device’s Notification Center.
How long should Apple Pencil tip last?
If you rarely utilize your Apple Pencil tip, you can expect it to last for years. But if you’re a Procreate enthusiast who draws daily, it can give you a service of six months.
Generally, the average Apple Pencil user should replace the tip after every two years, at least. This is sufficient time to wear down the Apple Pencil tip.
Conclusion
To conclude, the battery life of the Apple Pencil is satisfactory. The long-lasting power enables users to accomplish a lot of work on the iPad without worrying about quick drainage.
To get the most out of your battery, it is crucial to keep it charged. Plus, make sure to regularly use your Apple Pencil as it helps maintain the battery life. Consistent usage is a much better option than using it rarely. Apple Pencils can last for 5 years with consistent use, but it all depends on your care and charging.
If you think your battery is losing power quickly, consider turning off the Bluetooth connection. The battery life of both generations is almost the same because the batteries are almost identical.
Apple batteries don’t last forever, so you will need to replace the whole Apple Pencil when they die. Nevertheless, the lifetime of the gadget is more than satisfactory. Also, if you have any more questions about the Apple Pencil Battery Life, leave us a comment below!
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