Apple Pencil stop working after 18.0.1 update.

I've been experiencing same issue. I just bough a Second gen Apple pencil and its not working. It pairs to my ipad pro when I connect it magnetically to the side, but the very moment I remove it, it disconnects. Tried all troubleshooting steps and nothing is working.

Same issue yesterday after ios 18 update.

The ipad recognizes the pencil when docked, 100% battery, write for 1 min, then stops writing.

Several forums on reedit with the same problem.

That's a shame.

In 2018, after update ipad pro 10.5, he died. Apple didn't assume any responsability. I'm done with apple products. I'v to work several months to buy my ipad and pencil... Apple didn't care about anyone. Just profit

I really do think Apple should be open to a class action against them for this oversight. As far as I can see they are offering no solution to this issue and users are suffering loss of business and being deprived of use of equipment. In the first instance this can be a loss of earnings and in the latter could be interpreted as a simple removal of legitimate right of use. I wonder what the steps for an initiation of a class action are? Anybody know?

If your iPad and Pencil are not operating as expected, try a forced-restart of your iPad - as this will often clear an isolated or post update software issue:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

If the problem persists after performing the restart, it may be necessary to reset your iPad settings. While this reset will not cause any loss of data, as a precaution, it is always wise to ensure that you have a current iCloud or iTunes backup before performing the reset:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

When you are happy to proceed, you can perform the reset from iPad settings:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings

If the problem still doesn’t clear, the next step is to reset the iPad to factory settings:

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

Otherwise, you would be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively and perhaps easier, you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your iPad, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to assist with troubleshooting:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Me too. It’s working but adhoc. Also when it does it’s skipping parts of the writing. Wish I’d not updated now.

iPad gen 8 and 1st gen pencil

I've done all of the suggestions (with the exception of vising an Apple Store) and nothing works. Surfing around various communities, this is not a localized situation as there are a ton of people with the same problem. It's only coincidence if it's a few like instances. I stop believing in coincidences when the numbers easily hit double digits and above.

It's a shame that we pay top dollar for something and they don't take these situations more seriously. The pencil is a very important tool for most that use the ipad, especially those of us who use it for work. Lots of people have been having this issue since the iOS 18 update and we were hoping the 18.1 would fix it.

Seniora wrote:

Please can you look into this it is an update issue. Can i roll back to an earlier update if so how do i do that please. I have tried all the advice below and its not working on two pencils dont tell me the batteries have gone simultaneously on both, mine and my partners. Both pencils working before the update.

1) First, please understand the Apple Support Community is a user-to-user technical forum. Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. Other than the site Moderators, Apple neither monitor nor participate here. As such, if you hope to reach Apple through these forums, you will be disappointed.

2) Rolling back to an earlier version of iPadOS is not supported. All System Updates are digitally signed by Apple - and can only be installed whilst the digital signatures remain valid. After release of a new iOS/iPadOS version, the immediately preceding version continues to be digitally signed by Apple - however, usually within a few days, Apple will revoke the digital certificate with which the earlier version is signed.

3) You might be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page.

Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to offer assistance:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

arjunaakko wrote:

I've been experiencing same issue. I just bough a Second gen Apple pencil and its not working. It pairs to my ipad pro when I connect it magnetically to the side, but the very moment I remove it, it disconnects. Tried all troubleshooting steps and nothing is working.

The behaviour that you describe indicates that the Pencil will successfully pair when docked with the iPad. Loss of connection when the Pencil is un-docked would suggest failure of the Pencil's battery.

Be aware that if your Pencil has been set-aside for an extended period, unused and uncharged, the Pencil battery may have been damaged through deep discharge. In common with all Li-ion batteries, they must always have some level of charge.

The tiny internal Li-ion battery is susceptible to permanent/irreversible damage through being left discharged for long periods. Even some “new” pencils can exhibit signs of failure out-of-the-box if they are “old stock”. 

It is essential that if you have an Apple Pencil that you charge it regularly - whether used or not - so as to protect the battery from deep-discharge. Do not allow a pencil to remain in low-charge state for any period of time - as the internal battery will fail, rendering the Pencil useless. Setting aside an unused Pencil, for extended periods, is a recipe for premature death of the Pencil battery.

If the Pencil Battery has failed, the only remedy is to replace the Pencil. If the battery has failed and your pencil is within its one-year warranty, you should look to having it replaced by your retailer or at an Apple Store.

Gentle warming of the Pencil (such as placing on a hot water radiator), prior to attempting charging of the Pencil, can sometimes resurrect a dead Pencil battery.

Please can you look into this it is an update issue. Can i roll back to an earlier update if so how do i do that please. I have tried all the advice below and its not working on two pencils dont tell me the batteries have gone simultaneously on both, mine and my partners. Both pencils working before the update.

I have tried all those steps. Still not working. Please fast help dan respond from Apple. I have problems in working

Similar issues happen to me after the last iPadOS upgrade to 18.0.1

iPad Pro and the pencil has been living in the case where it stays docked to the charger slot on my iPad. Never found it to have a drained battery until the last update. Now I routinely find it at red 0-10% charge. Pull it out and reseat it in the case and it suddenly starts charging.

Went from 0% a few minutes ago to 92% in under 20 minutes. Haven’t changed anything except the iPadOS update. Same case. Same iPad. Same pencil. Stopped holding charge while being stored in case.

So, Ipados 17.7 is still signed by apple. Using Itunes I have made a Backup of my ipad. Downloaded 17.7 version and restored it to this older version. And......diden´t worked!

I suspect that apple pencil firmware was updated with ipados 18.01, and he killed it...

That´s not a coincidence, with lots of users complaining.

Its a shame apple´s silence. I love apple products. They say they "care about customers experience", but as time passes, I'm more and more certain that, what they want to say, is they care about customers money.

Why isn't this info given with the pencil when first bought?? So, now I have a useless $125 stick.

Hear Hear.

Anyone received word from Apple on this?