The Apple Pencil allows you to write, draw, mark up, and take notes on an iPad. The Apple Pencil Pro carries on that tradition but kicks in a slew of other cool features. With a supported iPad, you can squeeze, roll, and touch the pencil to activate palettes and tools. When the pencil is squeezed, you'll feel confirmation through haptic feedback. The Pro version even works with the Find My app, so you can track it down if it goes missing.

To use an Apple Pencil Pro, you'll need a 2024 iPad Air (M2) or 2024 iPad Pro (M4). You'll also need to be running iPadOS 17.5 or later. To check your OS version, go to Settings > General > Software Update and allow the latest update to download and install. Then, simply attach the Apple Pencil Pro to the magnetic connector on the long side of your iPad to pair it.

Also keep in mind that the Pencil Pro fully works only with certain apps, such as Notes and Freeform. With many apps, you can write and draw, but your handwriting may not be converted into text, nor can you take advantage of the touch capabilities to view the palette. You'll have to experiment to see which apps are Pencil-Pro friendly.

1. Check Your Pencil Pro's Battery Level

To charge an Apple Pencil, make sure Bluetooth is turned on and attach it to the magnetic connector on the long side of your iPad. View its current battery level from the iPad under Settings > Apple Pencil Pro. At the top of this screen, a battery icon displays the device's current charge. If it's running low, leave the pencil attached to your iPad to give it more juice.

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2. Change Pencil Actions

Under Settings > Apple Pencil Pro, there are options to change the actions that occur when you squeeze or double-tap the barrel of the pencil. By default, squeezing displays the tool palette while double-tapping switches between the current tool and eraser.

Tap Squeeze and change the action to switch tools, show the color palette, show ink attributes, activate a Siri shortcut, or turn it off. Tap Double Tap to change the action to something else, such as showing the color palette or showing ink attributes.

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3. Change Pencil Gestures

If you diagonally swipe with the pencil from the bottom-left corner or bottom-right corner of the screen, a set action is triggered. You can change these gestures from the Settings > Apple Pencil Pro setting menu under Pencil Gestures, allowing you to change what action opens a quick note or takes a screenshot. The feature can also be disabled.

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4. Practice With the Apple Pencil Pro

New to the Apple Pencil? Take it for a spin from the Settings > Apple Pencil Pro menu.

• Tap Try Scribble to practice different ways of using the pencil.
• Try Handwrite to write words that are then converted into text.
• Delete lets you erase text by scratching it with the pencil.
• Select has you draw a line through text to select it.
• Insert shows you how to tap and hold your pencil to insert text.
• Join prompts you to join two selections together by drawing a vertical line between them.

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5. Convert Handwriting Into Text

Want to turn your handwriting into editable text? Open the palette and tap the pencil with the letter A on it. Write some words, and your handwriting is turned into text.

(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)

6. Draw Lines or Shapes

To draw lines or shapes, tap one of the pen tools on the bottom palette and choose between a thick or thin pen or a marker. You can then change the color from the palette.

(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)

7. Erase an Object

Objects are easy to erase from the toolbar. Just tap the Eraser tool and draw over any line or shape that you want to remove.

(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)

8. Select an Object

Tap the lasso tool to the right of the eraser. You can draw over and around any objects on the screen to select them. You're then able to change the color or move the selected area.

(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)

9. Draw a Straight Line

Looking to draw a straight line? Tap the Ruler tool and position the straight edge on the screen with your fingers. You can then create a straight line by drawing it against one of the edges of the ruler. Tap the Ruler tool again to remove it from the screen.

(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)

10. Access More Tools and Settings

If you want to add a sticker, text box, signature, or shape, tap the plus (+) icon on the toolbar. To quickly access certain settings for the pencil, tap the ellipsis icon. From here, you can minimize the palette, control the ability to draw with your finger, and access the Settings screen for the pencil.

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11. Undo or Redo

To undo your last move, tap the Undo icon on the palette. Keep tapping the icon to continue undoing each of your last moves. Tap the Redo icon to repeat your last move.

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12. Access the Pencil Pro Palette

To more quickly access the palette and specific tools, squeeze the barrel of your Pencil Pro. A smaller version of the palette appears; tap the tool you wish to use, then tap it again to display a set of icons for changing the shading of the color and the thickness of the stroke.

Tap the color icon to set or change the color. From here, tap Undo or Redo when necessary. Tap the ellipsis icon to access more commands, including ones to add a sticker, add a text box, add your signature, add a shape, and access Pencil settings.

(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)

13. Change Thickness

You can change the thickness of your lines by changing the pressure applied to the screen. Draw lightly to create a thin line or shape, or draw more heavily to create a thicker line or shape.

(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)

14. Switch Between 2 Tools

Double-tap the barrel of the pen with your forefinger to switch between the current pen tool and the eraser. A thumbnail image in the lower right shows you which tool is currently selected.

(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)

15. Hover Over the Screen

Choose a pen tool or the eraser tool. When the tip of the pencil is moved toward the screen, you should see a small circular shadow showing where the tool will land. This allows you to more precisely start drawing in a specific area.

(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)

16. Find Your Apple Pencil Pro

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If your Pencil Pro is ever lost or stolen, you can track it down with the Find My app. To add it, open the Find My app on your iPad. Tap Devices and attach the Apple Pencil Pro to your iPad. Tap the plus button, tap Apple Pencil, and follow the on-screen instructions. Then, when you misplace the Pencil, open the Find My app on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or the iCloud website. Select the Devices icon and select Apple Pencil Pro. You can then follow the directions to locate the pencil or mark it as lost if you can't find it.