Apple Pencil
Steve Jobs famously said, about tablets, “If you need a stylus, you’ve already failed.” But he was talking about using a stylus as the main input device for a tablet. When Apple released the Apple Pencil in 2015, this quote was revived to remind people that a) things have changed, and b) Steve Jobs wasn’t always right.
In 2018, Apple released a second version of the Apple Pencil, with more advanced features designed for the then-new iPad Pro models. Logitech, meanwhile, sells the Crayon: a less expensive version of the pencil that’s compatible with certain iPads.
In this article I’m going to tell you everything you can do with the Apple Pencil, and the Logitech Crayon.
Compatibility
There are two different Apple Pencils, and each one has a different set of iPads it works with. The 2nd generation Apple Pencil works with the follow iPad models:
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation)
- iPad Air (4th and 5th generation)
- iPad mini (6th generation)
The first-generation Apple Pencil works with a wider range of iPad models, some of which date back to 2015:
- iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 10.5-inch
- iPad Pro 9.7-inch
It’s worth noting that the first-generation Apple Pencil requires a USB‑C to Apple Pencil Adapter to work with the iPad (10th generation). This Pencil has a lightning connector to charge, and the iPad (10th generation) has a USB-C jack.
The Logitech Crayon is compatible all iPad models from 2018 or later. Logitech has just released a new model, which has a USB-C connector, replacing the Lightning connector that was on the original model. Both versions of the Crayon are still available, but if you’re buying one now, it’s probably best to go for USB-C, since it’s going to be the standard going forward.
The original Apple Pencil has an odd way of charging: you remove the easy-to-lose cap and stick it into a Lightning port (on an iPad or iPhone). That’s right, the Pencil just sticks straight out from the iPad—risking damage to both devices if you aren’t careful.
The second-generation Apple Pencil connects magnetically to one side of the iPad Pro and powers up using induction charging. This also gives you a practical way to carry the Pencil with your iPad. The magnet is strong, but I’d still be careful if you’re carrying the iPad with its Pencil out in the open (i.e. not placed together in a case).
To charge the Logitech Crayon, pull back the silicone cap at the end and connect a Lightning cable or USB-C cable, depending on the model.
Current for these devices are 99 for the 1st generation Apple Pencil), 129 for the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, and 70 fro the Logitech Crayon.
The main difference between the Apple and Logitech devices is that the latter doesn’t have pressure sensitivity—which is important if you’re creating detailed drawings on your iPad. However, if you tilt the Logitech Crayon, it does make thicker lines. This means that for basic note-taking and other general uses, the Crayon may meet your needs. But if you’re an artist who wants a tool for drawing digital artwork, you’ll almost certainly want the Pencil.
Form factor
The original Apple Pencil was round all around, meaning that it would roll on a desk or table that wasn’t perfectly level. The new model has one flat side, preventing unwanted movement. This change is a no-brainer; the round pencil was perhaps attractive from a purely aesthetic perspective, but it was impractical. The newer Pencil also has a matte finish, which is easier to hold and less slippery than the first model. Meanwhile, the Logitech Pencil has an oval-shaped body; it’s quite wide, which may not feel comfortable to everyone, but it does stay flat on a table.
Setup
Setup for all of these devices is simple. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. With the first-generation Apple Pencil, remove the cap, then plug its lighting connector into your iPad, then tap the Pair button. For the second-generation model, place the Apple Pencil on the magnetic side of the iPad. The iPad will immediately recognize the Pencil and pair with it. When you connect the Apple Pencil, the iPad briefly displays how much charge the device has.
For the Logitech Crayon, press and hold its power button for a second or two, until the tiny LED next to the button lights up, then start writing. It pairs automatically.
Settings
There are a few settings for the Apple Pencil, including one setting specifically for the second-generation model. You can double-tap the bottom third of the screen to effect a change. In Settings Apple Pencil, you can choose whether this “gesture” switches between the current tool and the eraser, between the current tool and the last one you used, or shows the color palette.
Other settings let you tell your iPad to only use your Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon to draw. There’s a setting to activate Scribble, which we’ll discuss in the next section.
Scribble
With the introduction of iPadOS 14 came Scribble, an innovative feature that takes advantage of the Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon. Scribble lets you write on your iPad in any text area. While at first this might remind long-time aficionados of the Apple Newton’s handwriting recognition of the mid-1990s (famously lampooned on The Simpsons) it’s actually much more advanced than that.
With Scribble, you can use your Pencil or Crayon to write directly in Safari’s address bar, compose emails, and use Smart selection to select, cut, and paste text converted from your handwriting. iPadOS uses data detectors to recognize phone numbers, dates, and addresses, so you could, for example, write a phone number, then tap it and call it.
Scribble isn’t just for writing words and number, though. It also recognizes shapes, so if you want to, for example, create a flow chart, your squares, circles, and triangles will be converted into clean shapes.
To use Scribble, just write—anywhere. If you write in Notes, you can tap the pencil icon with the A at the bottom of the window, then write; this tells Scribble to convert whatever you write with your Pencil or Crayon into text.
The best way to see how Scribble works is to go to Settings Apple Pencil, make sure Scribble is enabled, then tap Try Scribble. The tutorial shows what you can do with Scribble. It even works with my very messy handwriting, as you can see.
Getting started with Notes
Apple’s Notes app is the perfect way to start using the Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon. Create a new note, then tap the Markup icon at the top right of the screen.
Notes displays a set of tools at the bottom of the screen. You can now begin to draw or even write text. The iPad Pro offers excellent palm rejection so it doesn’t think you’re writing with your entire hand.
There are four drawing options: from left to write they are a pencil for handwriting recognition, a pen, a felt-tip pen and a pencil. To the right of that is an eraser, then a selection tool. Tap one of these to activate them. Tap again and you can choose the thickness of the lines and the saturation of the color.
If you want to use Scribble for handwriting recognition, tap the pencil with the A. Start writing, and Scribble will convert your handwriting to text. Use the gestures presented in the video above to erase, select, and edit text.
To add drawings in your notes, switch to one of the other tools. You have a choice of colors, with black and the primary colors immediately available; tap the color wheel to choose a different color.
If you want to draw perfect shapes, such as circles and squares, draw the shape you want, and, at the end, don’t lift the pencil right away; you’ll see the shape snap into a perfect circle or square.
You can use the eraser tool to erase anything you’ve drawn. To use it, just tap the eraser it in the tools palette. (Or, if you have the second-generation Apple Pencil and you’ve set that option, double-tap in the lower third of the display to switch to the eraser tool.)
Don’t buy the Apple Pencil 2!
Use the selection tool to select an element, then tap and drag it to a new location. The selection tool doesn’t give you a fine selection; it selects entire objects that you’ve drawn. Note that the undo and redo buttons at the bottom left of the screen allow you to step backward and forward in your actions.
Here’s a great tip if you use Apple Notes. If your iPad is locked, tap the screen to wake it up; you’ll jump directly to your choice: a new note, the last note you viewed, or the last note you created. You can select your preference in Settings Notes Access Notes from Lock Screen.
You can also use it as a stylus
While the Apple Pencil and Logitech Crayon aren’t primarily intended to be used as styluses to control the iPad, you can use them as such. For some apps, this can be very practical. You can tap buttons, drag sliders and select objects. This is great for editing photos, for example, because it is a lot easier to tap some of the small icons in complex editing apps with the Pencil than with a finger.
You can navigate the iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon performing just about every action with the stylus. I find it particularly useful for doing the New York Times crossword. The only things you cannot do are return to your home screen or switch apps (you need to swipe up from the bottom of the device with your finger), or display Control Center (swipe down from the top right) or notifications (swipe down from the top left).
Annotate PDFs
You can annotate PDFs using the Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon. This can be done either using the iOS Markup tools or with one of many such apps available for iOS. Open a PDF, tap the Markup icon and draw. You can also sign PDFs using these devices.
Edit text
One of my favorite uses for the Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon is editing text. Text editing on an iOS device is clumsy at best; it’s hard to select items and it’s even harder to drag the little lollipops at the beginning and end of a selection. With the Apple Pencil, I can easily edit texts I write, select and move text, or delete text. I sometimes use the pencil to tap letters on the keyboard when I’m fixing typos or adding short words.
If you have an iPad, the Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon is a worthwhile addition to the device. Even if you don’t draw, you may find lots of uses for your pencil device. It may help you streamline your work with the tablet.
How can I learn more?
Each week on the Intego Mac Podcast, Intego’s Mac security experts discuss the latest Apple news, security and privacy stories, and offer practical advice on getting the most out of your Apple devices. Be sure to follow the podcast to make sure you don’t miss any episodes.
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How to Draw in Emails on iPhone iPad
You can quickly draw, sketch, scribble, and write by hand in an email using iPhone, iPad, or an iPad Pro with Apple Pencil.
This capability is thanks to the handy Markup tools that exist in the Mail app for iOS and iPadOS, and you can use them to insert any drawing or sketch directly into an email. This works the same with any new email, an email reply, or an email forward, too.
How to Draw in Emails on iPhone iPad with Markup
Here’s how to quickly draw in an email on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS and iPadOS:
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Thank you!
7 Комментарии и мнения владельцев
You can add basically a separate image, but you cant encircle a word or underline with the pen, so its useless feature in mail
All iPhone and iPad models have the ability to use markup if they’re running new enough versions of iOS or ipadOS. Here are instructions for how to access markup in Email for iPad and iPhone https://osxdaily.com/2019/12/13/draw-in-emails-iPhone-iPad-markup/ You can also access markup in other apps on iPhone and iPad, like photos: https://osxdaily.com/2020/02/27/how-add-text-picture-iPhone-iPad-markup/ If you don’t have the feature it’s possible you need to update iOS to the latest version, though it has been around for a while now. Settings General Software Update
Which iOS? On which iOS it starts to show that feature? I have a 5th gen with the highest possible iOS. I sit dependable on the iOS and iPad or pencil availability or all? Cool tip! I may need to upgrade. new iPad on my horizon!
Hi I have an iPhone 8 and could not find what you were talking about. Does the Phone 8 have this feature? Thanks
SonarPen – Most affordable pressure sensitive stylus for iOS Android
The SonarPen is a battery-less and pressure sensitive Smart pen that turns all iPad, iPhone Android into a professional digital drawing pad. Supports palm rejection (for iPad, iPhone Nintendo Switch) and customize-able shortcut button. SonarPen enable art creation and note-taking on your device as simple as writing on paper.
Having backed SonarPen on Kickstarter back in 2018. When I received the offer of the above product I jumped at the chance. I would highly recommend it for anyone
Se demoró como 1 mes y medio en llevar a chile, es muy bueno el lápiz, tiene buena sensibilidad, lo único que molesta un poco es el cable pero vale la pena
The pen nibs arrived super quickly. A very happy household again.
Its working great and i absolutely love it! ive improved a lot lately and been motivated to draw more ^^ its not as painful as drawing with fingers!
Product Description
─═≡ Pressure sensitive ✋ Palm rejection ( finger rejection on Android) Shortcut button ❌ Battery-less operation
Compatibility:
- iPad, iPad Pro, iPad mini, iPhone and iPod touch (iPhone 4s or newer, iPad 2 or newer)
- Android phone and tablets running OS 4.4 or newer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, Nokia, Huawei, Asus, Lenovo)
- Touchscreen Chromebook with Google Play store support (Acer, Asus, HP, Google)
- incompatible devices listed in ADDITIONAL INFO
- SonarPen
- Pen loop (pen holder for all device)
- iOS nib x 1, Android nib x 1
- Instruction sheet
Chromebook doesn’t support Shortcut button.
Additional information
iOS 8.0 Android 4.4 Chrome OS Nintendo Switch
– iPhone 1st gen, iPhone 3G(s), iPhone 4, iPad 1 – Oppo F1 Plus, Oppo Find X, Nokia 8 Sirocco, LG G7 thinQ,, LG V30, Sony XPERIA XZ3, Google Nexus 6P, HTC U11, Asua ZenFone 3, Lenovo Yoga Tab, ZTE K88, Alldocube X Neo (require SonarPen Type C adapter to work) – Acer Chromebook 15 CB515
– 3.5mm audio jack – Connect to iPhone via lightning dongle – Connect to USB type C devices with Type C to 3.5mm dongle
2 reviews for SonarPen – Most affordable pressure sensitive stylus for iOS Android
Se demoró como 1 mes y medio en llevar a chile, es muy bueno el lápiz, tiene buena sensibilidad, lo único que molesta un poco es el cable pero vale la pena
Excellent product. My daughter loves it. Had some issues with shipping in which the owner quickly made right.
Customer service was a pleasure to work with. The pen works alright. But I’m having problems with ibispaint X.
My experience with this has been perfect! It actually responds to touch compared to other styluses I used. It also works great with Ibis Paint and, surprisingly, my PS Touch hack that works for Android 9. It’s also surprisingly cheap compared to other styluses yet is still top-quality. It also arrived at my house super quick, only waiting 5 days to arrive to California.
I think it’s a good product but sometimes it doesn’t go hand in hand with the stroke, I draw the Samsung A52 model on an Android phone, and I love the product and that it comes with a little gift of stiker’s and the Sonarpen carrier.
its good! i like the pressure sensitivity and the unique disk. the pen is pretty bulky so if you dont like holding a giant stick in ur hand, think twice before buying. the wire is annoying and its hard to ignore it while drawing (i use iPad), but i understand why its needed. its cheaper than Apple pencil which seems like a score if your using solely for the pressure sensitivity. if ur not looking for pressure sensitivity, i would buy something else considering the price is pretty pricey if youre not looking for pressure sensitivity, there r cheaper options out there. (a bit of me wants to regret buying because its pricey but the pressure sensitivity is keeping me from doing so ?) some pens wont work for pressure sensitivity, and youll have to make the brush big (20.0px and more) if you want the brush to be normal ID just mess around with brush settings to make the best of it for pressure also be sure to check if you turned off the sonarpen in ibis if you wanna switch to earphones because you’re ears will be deafened with the high volume. (sonarpen is basically a sonar, sending loud sound waves and the sonarpen is outputting onto the surface) first pic i drew showing the pressure sensitivity second pic i drew me normally drawing with sensitivity! (that was actually my first drawing with the sonarpen ^^) this review was written by muffyC1
It’s an okay pen! A little wobbly and the tip feels a little bit fragile, but gets the job done! It is pretty light and it slides on the switch’s protective screen very nicely.
Foi um total de 45 dias pra chegar até o Brasil mas valeu a pena, a caneta é ótima, só tenho que em acostumar com a ponta
I bought a Sonar pen because I don’t want to use my fingertips to draw anymore. Compared to buying a tablet with a pen, buying a Sonar pen is cheaper. Your price is more expensive than some other brands, but what made me decide to buy is because you sell replacement pen tips of other brands, if damaged, you can only buy 1 new pen.
Delivery took a little while. (but as expected given it’s overseas) Works like a charm, and came with a couple of cute stickers and a nifty leather stick-on sleeve for the pen! Definitely worth the purchase, though it does take some getting used to. But I was infinitely impressed by the functionalities, as well as the Smart design put into creating this Smart drawing pen, especially for the price point! I used it with my nintendo switch (for the colours live drawing game), and I was blown away by the quality and pressure sensitivity offered. (have yet to try it on my Xiaomi phone, but I’m sure I won’t be disappointed ??) Would definitely recommend to others looking for a budget, and value for money Smart drawing pen. ?✨ Keep up the good work!
Will iPhone EVER Support Apple Pencil? No – Here’s Why…
Wondering if Apple Pencil works with iPhone? It’s a very common question people have especially as Apple has continued to add features and design changes to the Apple Pencil ever Ince its introduction.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Apple Pencil.
The Apple Pencil was introduced back in 2015 alongside the first iPad Pro. This is before the iPad Pro had Face ID and was just essentially a much larger iPad. Matter of fact, one of the major selling points of the original iPad Pro was Apple Pencil support.
But back then the Apple Pencil was pretty different than it was today. The original Apple Pencil connected via Bluetooth and had a cylindrical design and a removable cap. Underneath the cap wasn’t an erase, however. It was a Lightning plug, which is how you recharged the Apple Pencil.
The original Apple Pencil was the only one in town until Apple introduced the second-generation Apple Pencil in 2018. However, Apple kept the original Apple Pencil (now known as the first generation Apple Pencil) on sale and still sells it in 2021.
The second-generation Apple Pencil got a complete redesign. Gone was the Lightning plug and instead the second-generation Apple Pencil is charged via magnetic conductive charging. Instead of being completely cylindrical, the second-generation Apple Pencil has a flat edge on one side that allows it to magnetically attach to the side of the iPad Pro, which is also how it charges (it takes its energy from the iPad Pro.
Apple Pencil Price Compatibility
Neither the first-generation nor second-generation Apple Pencil comes with an iPad. It’s an optional accessory. The first-generation Apple Pencil costs 99 and the second-generation Apple Pencil costs 129.
Yes, that’s a bit steep, but Apple Pencil fans say the cost is worth it.
However, which one you can buy depends on which iPad you own. That’s because the first-generation and second-generation Apple Pencils only work with select iPads. Here’s which Apple Pencil works with which iPads, according to Apple…
1st gen Apple Pencil:
- iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 10.5-inch
- iPad Pro 9.7-inch
2nd gen Apple Pencil:
- iPad mini (6th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, and 5th generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation)
- iPad Air (4th generation)
Does Apple Pencil Work With iPhone?
No, the Apple Pencil does NOT work with the iPhone. Neither the first-generation nor second-generation Apple Pencil works with any iPhone, including the iPhone 13 series or any iPhone Pro model.
There were hopes, given the popularity of Samsung’s S-Pen, that Apple would add support for Apple Pencil on its iPhone 14 series of phones, but this, of course, didn’t happen. Apple seems to have made its mind up about the potential applications for its Apple Pencil and these uses, for whatever reason, DO NOT include the iPhone.
This is a bit silly, though, if you ask me – especially on its Pro model iPhones. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 6.8in display, more than enough to get creative on with a stylus, so the idea of actually being able to use Apple Pencil isn’t far-fetched at all – in fact, it makes a lot of sense.
But then again so does having a touchscreen on your MacBook but this too is another thing that Apple is 100% against. In Apple’s logic, if you want a touchscreen MacBook, get an iPad Pro. Weird? Yes. But this is Apple we’re talking about here. It isn’t known for its logical approach to products which is why we don’t have touchscreen MacBooks and Apple Pencil support for iPhone.
The fact that the Apple Pencil does not work with any iPhone is a big bummer to make iPhone users. That’s especially true as iPhones keep getting larger displays year after year. Many think that this reason alone is more than enough reason for Apple to add Apple Pencil support to iPhones.
After all, the iPad mini 6th generation, which works with the Apple Pencil has an 8.3-inch display. But the largest iPhone, the iPhone 13/14 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch display, which isn’t much smaller. It’s easy to see how that iPhone, at least, could work well with the Apple Pencil.
Logitech Crayon Quick Fix
The Samsung Galaxy Note series was very popular. Launched way back when, the Galaxy Note was basically a bigger version of Samsung’s more traditional, Galaxy S flagship model, that included a built-in stylus, known as the S-Pen. The Note range was a popular choice with consumers and when Samsung killed it off it made sure that the S-Pen lived on inside other Galaxy-branded phones.
So, when Apple unveiled the Apple Pencil for iPad, people naturally assumed that it would one day be available for use with iPhone. I mean, why not? Samsung’s S-Pen is pretty popular with users, so it stands to reason that plenty of iPhone users would love to use the Apple Pencil with their iPhones, right? Possibly. And yet, after multiple years of rumors, the advent of Apple Pencil for iPhone is no closer. So what gives?
Will iPhone Ever Support Apple Pencil?
To understand why Apple doesn’t include Apple Pencil support for iPhone, you need to understand how Apple thinks. For instance, you cannot get a touchscreen MacBook. In Apple’s mind, if you want a touchscreen MacBook, get an iPad – this is literally its official stance on the issue. Therefore, it stands to reason that it probably thinks the same thing about its Apple Pencil: if you want one, get an iPad – that was the device it was designed for.
And herein lies the issue with Apple Pencil support for iPhone. Apple is very deliberate and extremely conservative with its products. It never changes them too much. Each product serves a purpose and is designed with certain user types in mind. If your particular idea about how to use the iPhone, using Apple Pencil for notes and doodles, for instance, doesn’t match Apple’s, well… that’s just too bad. What Apple says goes.
Beyond this, there are technical things that Apple would have to do to the iPhone’s screen in order to bring Apple Pencil support. This would require RD and more cost, something Apple is most likely not up for doing unless the case for Apple Support on iPhone is strong – which I don’t think it is. Being about to use Apple Pencil on iPhone would be great, sure, but how many people would actually use it? Apple’s likely done its due diligence in this respect and knows that it is not enough to warrant adding it to iPhone.
Do People Even Want Apple Pencil Support For iPhone?
Anecdotally, I’ve used multiple Galaxy Note devices over the years and I seldom used the S-Pen. I knew it was there, I knew what it could go, but it just didn’t fit into the way I use my phone all that much. I’m not much of a doodler and I’ve become extremely proficient at taking notes on my phone’s keyboard, so an S-Pen, in my usual workflow, felt clunky and a little regressive. I’d basically moved on from taking notes with a pen, and it felt strange going back.
Again, this is just MY OWN personal take on stylus support for phones. I know plenty of people love them. I also know that with modern stylus devices like Apple Pencil and Samsung’s S-Pen, you can – talent-allowing – create truly stunning digital images and artwork on your phones and tablets. But again, these types are users are not would you’d consider the norm – they’re still very much a niche group in the wider pool of iPhone users.
Going back to my previous point, Apple likely believes that if someone is artistically inclined and they want to create digital art with an Apple product, they will be best served by getting an iPad and then purchasing an Apple Pencil. With an iPad, you’ll have access to a larger screen and bespoke applications that are designed with Apple Pencil (and creating digital art) in mind. It also serves as a rather nice USP for Apple’s iPad too.
The Main Reason Apple Pencil Isn’t Coming To iPhone 14
All of the above is speculation, granted, but it is all based on my experience of how Apple has operated as a company for the last 15 years. It doesn’t do niche stuff, it doesn’t cater to small enclaves of users, and it doesn’t change its main products – like iPhone – on a whim. Apple’s vision is always locked squarely on the macro perspective – any new features have to be useful and beneficial to a large number of people.
The inclusion of 5G, OLED displays, 120Hz displays, and MagSafe, four of the iPhone’s biggest recent updates, are each very useful in themselves, adding value for users, regardless of their background, taste, or line of work. They “improve” the iPhone’s core usability across the board for as many people as possible. And while having Apple Pencil support on the iPhone 14 would be nice, it just isn’t the same kind of update as something like LiDAR or 5G. It’d only ever be appreciated by a small number of users.
And this, along with the fact that Apple Pencil is designed to be used with the iPad, is the main reason why we won’t see Apple add in Apple Pencil support for iPhone any time soon.
