Misplacing an Apple Pencil is a common and stressful experience. Because it is small, cylindrical, and prone to rolling off desks or slipping into sofa cushions, it is incredibly easy to lose.
Unlike an iPhone or an Apple Watch, most Apple Pencil models do not feature a built-in speaker, meaning you cannot play a sound to locate them. Furthermore, older Apple Pencil models do not have full integration with Apple’s “Find My” network.
However, if you have lost your Apple Pencil nearby, you can use your iPad’s Bluetooth settings to track it down before the battery dies.
Can You Use the Find My App?
Whether you can use the Find My app depends entirely on which Apple Pencil model you own.
If you own the Apple Pencil Pro, you can use the Find My app exactly as you would for an AirTag or an iPhone. Open the Find My app on your iPad, navigate to the Devices tab, select your Apple Pencil Pro, and use the on-screen directions to locate it.
If you own an Apple Pencil (1st Generation), Apple Pencil (2nd Generation), or Apple Pencil (USB-C), they do not include a U1 tracking chip and cannot be tracked using the Find My app. For these models, you must rely on Bluetooth proximity.
How to Check if Your Apple Pencil is Still Connected
If you have lost a 1st, 2nd, or USB-C generation Apple Pencil, your first step is to determine if it is still awake and connected to your iPad via Bluetooth. An Apple Pencil will stay connected for a short period while it is stationary, but will eventually go to sleep to save battery.
- Wake up your iPad and open the Settings app.
- Tap on Bluetooth.
- Look under the My Devices list for your Apple Pencil.
If it says Connected, the Apple Pencil is awake, the battery is not dead, and it is within approximately 10 to 15 metres of your iPad. This confirms the pencil is in the same room or a nearby room.
If it says Not Connected, the pencil may be out of range, the battery may be completely dead, or it may have gone to sleep because it has not moved.
How to Use Bluetooth Proximity to Find the Pencil
If your Bluetooth settings confirm the Apple Pencil is “Connected”, you can use Bluetooth signal strength to play a game of hot and cold.
Because Apple does not provide a native Bluetooth signal strength meter on the iPad, you will need to use a third-party Bluetooth scanner app. One of the most reliable free options on the App Store is Wunderfind.
- Open the App Store on your iPad and download a Bluetooth tracking app such as Wunderfind.
- Open the app and grant it permission to use Bluetooth.
- The app will display a list of all nearby Bluetooth devices. Look for your Apple Pencil in the list.
- Tap on the Apple Pencil. The app will display a signal strength percentage or a distance score.
- Walk slowly around your room holding the iPad. Watch the percentage on the screen. As the percentage increases (getting closer to 100%), you are moving closer to the Apple Pencil. If the percentage drops, you are moving away.
Move around furniture, scan near your sofa, and check inside bags until the signal strength indicates you are right next to it.
What to Do if the Apple Pencil is Asleep
If your Apple Pencil has been lost for several hours, it has likely entered sleep mode to preserve its battery. When asleep, it stops broadcasting a Bluetooth signal, meaning apps like Wunderfind cannot see it.
To wake the Apple Pencil up, it requires physical movement. You will need to gently disturb the areas where you suspect it is hiding.
Keep your iPad’s Bluetooth settings open on the screen. Start moving sofa cushions, shaking your laptop bag, or gently tapping your jacket pockets. If you move the Apple Pencil even slightly, its internal accelerometer will wake it up, and it will immediately attempt to reconnect to your iPad. The status on your screen will instantly change from “Not Connected” to “Connected,” narrowing down your search area.
Preventing Future Loss
Once you have located your Apple Pencil, the best way to prevent losing it again is to manage its storage. If you use an Apple Pencil 2nd Generation or Apple Pencil Pro, always snap it to the magnetic connector on the side of your iPad when you finish drawing or writing.
For 1st Generation or USB-C models, consider purchasing an iPad case that includes a dedicated Apple Pencil slot. Keeping the pencil attached to the iPad physically is the only guaranteed way to ensure it is there the next time you need it.