iPad Pro M5 - Pencil Pro won’t connect

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Level 1

7 points

I just got the new M5 on Wednesday (22 oct) and my iPad won’t connect my pencil pro.

Things I’ve tried:

cycling bluetooth

restart/forced restart

tested pencils on other iPads (deleted pencil from other iPads after testing to make sure it wasn’t stuck or something)

Bluetooth works for other apple devices (AirPods…)

tried multiple pencils and the M5 won’t take any of them

not sure what to do at this point other than factory resetting it.

thank you for any help.

Posted on Oct 24, 2025 4:31 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Level 5

4,574 points

ere are the most common ways to resolve pairing issues:

1. Check the Physical Connection

Remove the Case: If your iPad Pro has a case, especially a thick one or one that wraps around the magnetic charging edge, remove it. The case might prevent the Pencil Pro from making proper magnetic contact for pairing and charging.
Re-center and Re-attach: Make sure the Apple Pencil Pro is properly centered on the magnetic connector on the long edge of your iPad Pro M5. Attach it firmly and wait a moment for the pairing prompt to appear.

2. Check and Reset Software

Check Bluetooth: Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPad Pro and ensure Bluetooth is turned on.
Toggle Bluetooth: Turn Bluetooth off, wait about 10 seconds, and turn it back on.
Forget and Re-pair: If the Apple Pencil Pro appears under My Devices in the Bluetooth settings, tap the information icon next to it, and select Forget This Device. Then, re-attach the Pencil Pro to the magnetic connector on your iPad to initiate the pairing process again and tap Pair when prompted.
Restart the iPad: Restart your iPad Pro M5. Some users find it helpful to restart the iPad with the Pencil Pro still attached to the magnetic side. After the restart, detach and re-attach the Pencil.
Check iPadOS: Make sure your iPad Pro M5 is updated to the latest version of iPadOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

3. Advanced Steps

Charge the Pencil: A fully drained Pencil Pro battery might prevent pairing. Leave the Pencil Pro attached to the magnetic connector on your iPad Pro for at least 15 minutes to ensure it has enough charge before attempting to pair.
Reset Network Settings: As a last resort, this can clear up any persistent Bluetooth bugs. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN settings, so you'll need to re-enter them.

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