User profile for user: Avianographer
Avianographer Author
User level: Level 1
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Pencil highlighting in Books also selects since iPadOS 16.1 update

I have a sixth-generation iPad and a first-generation Pencil.


When I used the Pencil in the Books app on iPadOS 15.7, it would highlight whatever I dragged the pencil over.


When I use the Pencil in the Books app on iPadOS 16.1, it both highlights the passage and selects it (blue bars around it like I'm going to copy it). This causes me to have to make an extra tap of the pencil away from the passage to remove the selection.


It doesn't always do this, though. If I restart my iPad, I can usually highlight text correctly on the first page of the book I am reading. As soon as I turn the page, it goes back to the combination highlight/select behavior that I want to get rid of.


How can I turn this off? Am I doing something wrong? Is this a bug in the Books app or the way iPadOS 16.1 uses the first-generation Pencil?

iPad, iPadOS 16

Posted on Nov 4, 2022 9:07 AM

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User profile for user: Avianographer
Avianographer Author
User level: Level 1
15 points

Posted on Nov 6, 2022 1:12 PM

To my knowledge, I don't have any other apps that have highlighting functionality similar to the Books app.


I have removed my case. The only accessory connected (whether physically or via Bluetooth) is the first-generation Apple Pencil. I previously removed my Bluetooth keyboard and mouse as part of my earlier testing.


I now have a full replication case. I can replicate the problem every single time using these steps.


  1. Force quit the Books app
  2. Open the Books app after waiting a few seconds
  3. If a book isn't already opened, open one
  4. Highlight a passage -- it will work as expected
  5. Tap any single word on the page with the Pencil
  6. Highlight a passage -- it now highlights and selects


Again, this is on a sixth-generation iPad (A1893) with a first-generation Pencil running iPadOS 16.1.


If you would like, I can either create a screen recording or use my iPhone to film the replication case.

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User profile for user: Avianographer
Avianographer Author
User level: Level 1
15 points

Nov 6, 2022 1:12 PM in response to karina184

To my knowledge, I don't have any other apps that have highlighting functionality similar to the Books app.


I have removed my case. The only accessory connected (whether physically or via Bluetooth) is the first-generation Apple Pencil. I previously removed my Bluetooth keyboard and mouse as part of my earlier testing.


I now have a full replication case. I can replicate the problem every single time using these steps.


  1. Force quit the Books app
  2. Open the Books app after waiting a few seconds
  3. If a book isn't already opened, open one
  4. Highlight a passage -- it will work as expected
  5. Tap any single word on the page with the Pencil
  6. Highlight a passage -- it now highlights and selects


Again, this is on a sixth-generation iPad (A1893) with a first-generation Pencil running iPadOS 16.1.


If you would like, I can either create a screen recording or use my iPhone to film the replication case.

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User profile for user: karina184
karina184
User level: Community Specialist

Nov 6, 2022 12:00 PM in response to Avianographer

Hey Avianographer,


We'll be happy to help out with this. Just to confirm, is this only happening with the Books app? What about with other apps or performing other actions with the Apple Pencil? Also, does it happen without a screen protector or case attached? Also try disconnecting any accessories that you may have connected to the iPad to see if the issue persists, as it could be related to the display not registering correctly to the Apple Pencil touches.


Keep us updated!

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Pencil highlighting in Books also selects since iPadOS 16.1 update

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