Cannot connect Pencil (2nd Gen) to iPad Air (5th Gen)

Hello, GoofyDhokla.

It sounds like you’ve already gone through a lot of troubleshooting steps, and I can understand how frustrating it must be. Here are a few additional suggestions that might help get your second-generation Apple Pencil connected to your iPad Air 5th Gen:

1. Check iPad Compatibility: The second-generation Apple Pencil only works with certain iPad models that support magnetic charging and pairing, specifically the iPad Pro (11-inch and 12.9-inch, 3rd Gen and later) and iPad Air (4th Gen and later). Unfortunately, the iPad Air 5th Gen does not support the second-gen Apple Pencil. This may be the root cause of the issue. The iPad Air 5th Gen only works with the first-generation Apple Pencil, which connects via a lightning port.
2. Try a Different Apple Pencil: If possible, try using another second-gen Apple Pencil with your iPad. This can help rule out whether the issue is with the pencil itself.
3. Factory Reset the iPad Again: You mentioned doing a factory reset, but it's worth trying again after ensuring that no backup or old settings are restored. When doing the reset, set up the iPad as new (without restoring from backup) to ensure there’s no lingering setting causing the problem.
4. Bluetooth Settings: Make sure your iPad’s Bluetooth is fully turned off and then back on. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, toggle Bluetooth off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. Afterward, try to pair the Pencil again.
5. Contact Apple Support for Further Guidance: Since you've already visited the Apple Store, you might want to try contacting Apple Support online or via the Apple Support app. Sometimes they can offer troubleshooting steps over the phone or through remote diagnostics.
6. Apple Pencil Firmware Update: Ensure that your Apple Pencil’s firmware is up-to-date. Typically, this happens automatically when connected to a compatible device, but sometimes you can force a firmware update by connecting the pencil to a compatible iPad (like an iPad Pro or iPad Air 4th Gen).

If the iPad Air 5th Gen truly isn't compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, then, unfortunately, you won’t be able to use it with that device. I recommend looking into a first-generation Apple Pencil, which will work with your iPad Air 5th Gen.

Let me know if you need more help!