Apple Pencil Pro not appearing in Bluetooth points to iPad or iPadOS incompatibility, Bluetooth off, or pairing/charge not initiated via the magnetic edge.
If the stylus won’t appear, don’t panic. The Pencil Pro pairs through the magnetic connector first, not the manual scan list. A quick check of device compatibility, iPadOS version, charge state, and Bluetooth status usually clears it. This guide walks through fast checks, reliable fixes, and edge cases that hide the stylus from the list.
Quick Checks Before You Start
Run through these short checks in order. Each step raises the chance the stylus will pop up and pair.
- Confirm compatibility. Pencil Pro works with specific iPad models only and needs recent iPadOS (details below).
- Turn Bluetooth on. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and leave the screen open.
- Attach to the magnetic edge. Place the stylus on the right side of the iPad (portrait) until you feel the snap. This starts pairing and charging.
- Charge for one minute. A low battery can keep it invisible.
- Remove cases or covers that block the magnetic rail.
Device Compatibility At A Glance
This chart lists iPad models that pair with Pencil Pro and the minimum iPadOS version needed.
| iPad Model | Works With Pencil Pro | Minimum iPadOS |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) | Yes | 17.5+ |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) | Yes | 17.5+ |
| iPad Air 13-inch (M2/M3) | Yes | 17.5+ |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M2/M3) | Yes | 17.5+ |
| iPad mini (A17 Pro) | Yes | 17.5+ |
| Older iPad Pro/Air/mini/base iPad | No | — |
You can double-check the full, official list on Apple’s compatibility page. If your tablet isn’t listed, the stylus won’t pair over Bluetooth on that device.
Apple Pencil Pro Not Visible In Bluetooth — Fast Fixes
Start here if the stylus refuses to appear in the list or won’t connect after a brief charge.
Step 1: Use The Magnetic Pairing Method
The stylus pairs when it clicks onto the iPad’s magnetic rail. Keep Settings > Bluetooth open, then attach it to the right edge. Wait for a banner or a prompt. If nothing shows, leave it attached for 60 seconds to build a charge, then detach and reattach.
Need a quick refresher? See Apple’s pairing guide for Pencil Pro.
Step 2: Toggle Radios And Restart
- Switch Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, then on again.
- Restart the iPad: hold the top button, slide to power off, wait 20 seconds, power on, then attach the stylus again.
Step 3: Forget Old Entries
If the iPad shows an old stylus entry under My Devices, tap the “i” icon and choose Forget This Device. Then attach the stylus to the rail to create a fresh pairing. Apple’s troubleshooting page explains this flow in detail.
Step 4: Update iPadOS
Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Install pending updates, then try pairing again. The minimum build in the chart matters; newer builds add fixes that can restore pairing prompts.
Step 5: Charge Past The Low-Battery Cliff
Leave the stylus attached for at least 10–15 minutes. An empty cell may not wake the radio right away. If the stylus sat unused for months, let it sit longer to recover.
Step 6: Remove Obstructions
Some cases, skins, or screen protectors misalign the rail. Remove them, clean the tablet’s edge, and attach again. You should feel a firm magnetic snap.
Step 7: Reduce Interference
Move away from crowded desks loaded with wireless gear. Turn off nearby Bluetooth items for a minute, then try pairing again.
Why The Stylus Doesn’t Show In The List
Unlike many accessories, this stylus rarely appears during a manual scan. The normal path is rail-based pairing, which hands the iPad enough info to finish the connection. That’s why tapping Scan without attaching often shows nothing.
Wrong Pencil Model For The Tablet
The lineup now includes Pencil Pro, Pencil (USB-C), and earlier generations. Mixing a newer stylus with an older tablet (or the other way around) leads to silent failures. Always confirm model pairs in the chart above and in Apple’s page linked earlier.
Outdated iPadOS Build
Feature support lands in specific builds. An older version may charge the stylus but never present a pair prompt. Updating solves that in one shot.
Flat Battery Or Sleepy Cell
Deep discharge can leave the stylus unresponsive for a short window. A longer charge on the rail often revives it. If the cell won’t take charge at all, service may be needed.
Pairing Method That Works Consistently
- Open Settings > Bluetooth and keep the screen visible.
- Attach the stylus to the iPad’s magnetic edge until it snaps in place.
- Wait for the on-screen prompt; tap Pair if asked.
- Leave it attached for a minute to add charge and stabilize the link.
If you ever need to start fresh, forget the old entry under My Devices, then repeat the steps above.
Deep Fixes When Pairing Still Fails
Check Managed Settings
Work or school profiles can limit Bluetooth pairing. In Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, look for a profile that could restrict accessories. If this is a managed device, ask the admin to allow pairing.
Reset Network Settings
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This clears saved networks and Bluetooth info. Rejoin Wi-Fi after the reset, then attach the stylus to pair. Use this only after the quicker steps above.
Inspect The Rail And The Tip
Debris on the magnetic edge or a tip that’s loose can lead to odd behavior. Wipe the rail with a lint-free cloth. Gently snug the tip. Then reattach the stylus.
Try A Different iPad (If Available)
If you have a second compatible iPad, attach the stylus there. A clean pairing on another tablet helps you pinpoint where the fault lies.
Common Symptoms And Likely Causes
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fast Try |
|---|---|---|
| No banner on attach | Incompatible iPad or outdated iPadOS | Check model list; update iPadOS; reattach |
| Shows briefly, then drops | Low charge or case misalignment | Charge 15 minutes; remove case; reattach |
| Paired before, now missing | Stale entry or radio glitch | Forget device; toggle Bluetooth; restart |
| Charges but won’t pair | Managed profile or OS bug | Check profiles; update iPadOS |
| No charge indicator at all | Flat or failing cell | Attach longer; if still dead, seek service |
Mistakes That Keep People Stuck
- Scanning only. Skipping the magnetic step leaves the stylus invisible.
- Wrong model match. A Pencil meant for older tablets won’t fill in for this one.
- Using a thick case. Even premium cases can shift the rail just enough to block pairing.
- Ignoring low charge. A near-empty cell can stall the first handshake.
- Leaving stale entries. Old Bluetooth entries confuse the new link.
Feature Notes That Confuse Bluetooth Pairing
Pencil Pro adds squeeze, barrel roll, haptics, and Find My. Those perks arrive only after a clean pair. If the stylus pairs but acts odd inside apps, update those apps, reseat the stylus for a minute, then try again in a stock app like Notes.
When Service Makes Sense
If the stylus never charges, never triggers a banner, and fails on another compatible iPad, the hardware may need attention. Book a visit through Apple’s repair portal or a trusted provider. Bring the iPad and stylus together so the tech can test both sides of the link.
Field-Tested Checklist You Can Save
- Confirm your iPad appears on Apple’s Pencil Pro compatibility page.
- Update to the required iPadOS build or later.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth.
- Attach the stylus to the magnetic edge and wait for the prompt.
- Charge for one minute on the rail.
- If no prompt, forget old entries and try again.
- Remove cases, restart, and retest.
- Reset network settings only if the earlier steps fail.
Why This Process Works
The magnetic rail hands off identity, power, and a clean path to complete pairing. Keeping the Bluetooth screen open, clearing stale entries, and running the latest iPadOS remove the roadblocks that keep the stylus from showing up. Match models correctly, keep a small charge on the stylus, and you’ll restore the link without guesswork.