iPad Apple Pencil destroyed protective coating of my iPad Pro

[O.N.Y.X]

I recently purchased an original Apple Pencil to accompany my 2021 M1 iPad Pro, mainly to avoid smudge and for a better scrolling/browsing experience. The tablet replaced my old MacBook Pro, I use it for many activities including video rendering and drawing. Unfortunately, I also gave the free app Sketchbook a try- it supports the pressure sensitivity of the pencil. The result was a damaged surface coating. The screen still works okay but after cleaning a scratch appears.

Since I haven’t applied much pressure I’m really scared of using the pencil at all.

Could this be a quality issue or am I not supposed to use the pencil that way?

 

[Shirasaki]

I wonder why you get 1st gen Apple Pencil when M1 iPad Pro is supposed to work with 2nd gen Apple Pencil. Also, I don’t know how you manage to pair it with your iPad that has usb-c port. Either way, I feel a bit weird after reading OP.

 

[BhaveshUK]

I wonder why you get 1st gen Apple Pencil when M1 iPad Pro is supposed to work with 2nd gen Apple Pencil. Also, I don’t know how you manage to pair it with your iPad that has usb-c port. Either way, I feel a bit weird after reading OP.

I think OP meant the Apple Pencil is 2nd generation but authentic/ genuine rather than a fake 🤔

When I had the old iPad Pro 10.5 with the 1st generation Apple Pencil, I experienced a scratch from the Pencil. Since then, I have always applied screen protectors to my iPads and recommend doing the same. Especially so if you are drawing or writing for hours like I do.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Regardless of folio, case, etc with as much dust and debris iPads are capable of collecting it wouldn’t surprise me. Although the plastic tip of the Pencil is softer than glass so it shouldn’t scratch we’re also assuming everyone wipes do their iPad before using it.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

I wonder why you get 1st gen Apple Pencil when M1 iPad Pro is supposed to work with 2nd gen Apple Pencil. Also, I don’t know how you manage to pair it with your iPad that has usb-c port. Either way, I feel a bit weird after reading OP.

It’s the 2nd gen. Pencil.

Here’s a picture of the scratch.

 

[laptech]

looks more like a smudge line rather than a scratch. You need to clean that screen much better to determine if it's a genuine scratch or just a smudge line.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

looks more like a smudge line rather than a scratch. You need to clean that screen much better to determine if it's a genuine scratch or just a smudge line.

I tried but this line always remains and I’ll not use any chemicals.

 

[Slartibart]

This a quite strange - i use Apple Pencils as well as third party ones since Apple introduced the 2020 iPP, never any scratch problem… even when it took me some time to recognise that a tip was worn down… anyway - I am not sure what to make from your photo, but if the oleophobic coating is partly missing, you can actually recondition it. It takes several hours.
Or you try one of these nano-liquid "screen protectors"?

 

[xraydoc]

I tried but this line always remains and I’ll not use any chemicals.

Sorry this happened to you, but I've been using iPads and Pencils for several years now, beginning with the first generation 12.9" iPad Pro and original Apple Pencil and moving to a 1st gen 11" iPad Pro, M1 12.9" iPad Pro and a Mini 6, and I've not once seen the Pencil tip scratch the screen.

However, I'm very careful to use my fingers on the Pencil tip to wipe away any grime that might have collected on it since I last used it so a grain of sand or something doesn't damage the screen. And if I drop the Pencil tip-first and see any deformation at all, I'll replace the tip before I use it again.

You could try something like the PaperLike screen protector on your iPad. Gives it a slightly textured surface. Makes writing on the iPad feel less like dragging plastic on glass and does a good job of hiding fingerprints (though it does soften sharp text on screen just a tad).

But do be careful. The Pencil's pressure & angle support doesn't require a lot of muscle to use. Be gentile.

 

[wilberforce]

The plastic tip of the Apple pencil can wear down until the metal inside is exposed, which may then scratch the surface. Get replacement tips before this happens. Also, tiny debris can get embedded in the tip, which can be caused by dropping the pencil tip-first.

Apple Pencil Tips - 4 pack

Have a spare tip handy for your Apple Pencil. Made by Apple.

www.apple.com

Do NOT get "compatible" tips - get the genuine ones directly from Apple

Edit: I see OP recently got the Pencil, in which case it should not be worn yet.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

Thank you all for your recommendations. The pencil is practically new, my mother is using the same model on her ipad Air and there are no scratches whatsoever. I’m puzzled.

 

[Beards]

1. Do you keep the screen clean, especially before using the pencil?
2. How much pressure are you applying on the screen? Too much will undoubtedly produce marks you are showing.

 

[Vespi]

must have been debris on screen, Plastic will never scratch your screen on its own, heck even most metals wont

 

[Alex Cai]

must have been debris on screen, Plastic will never scratch your screen on its own, heck even most metals wont

But I believe that the scratch is the anti-reflect coating and the oleophobic coating, which is not as durable as glass

Wet screen wipes can destroy the coating and make them be less durable, so when the pencil tip slides across the screen, the coating peels off

 

[O.N.Y.X]

But I believe that the scratch is the anti-reflect coating and the oleophobic coating, which is not as durable as glass

Wet screen wipes can destroy the coating and make them be less durable, so when the pencil tip slides across the screen, the coating peels off

This is exactly how it looks. Only that I’ve never wet cleaned the surface. The scratch appeared after cleaning with a dry handkerchief. I’ve had several iPads before but never encountered such a problem.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

1. Do you keep the screen clean, especially before using the pencil?
2. How much pressure are you applying on the screen? Too much will undoubtedly produce marks you are showing.

1. yes
2. How much is too much? I must apply some pressure to activate the pressure sensitivity of the pencil. If this destroys the tablet coating it would defeat its purpose…

 

[Reggaenald]

I recently purchased an original Apple Pencil to accompany my 2021 M1 iPad Pro, mainly to avoid smudge and for a better scrolling/browsing experience. The tablet replaced my old MacBook Pro, I use it for many activities including video rendering and drawing. Unfortunately, I also gave the free app Sketchbook a try- it supports the pressure sensitivity of the pencil. The result was a damaged surface coating. The screen still works okay but after cleaning a scratch appears.

Since I haven’t applied much pressure I’m really scared of using the pencil at all.

Could this be a quality issue or am I not supposed to use the pencil that way?

Probably a grain of dirt got between the pencil tip and the screen. Just wipe down both before using them.

 

[wilberforce]

2. How much is too much? I must apply some pressure to activate the pressure sensitivity of the pencil. If this destroys the tablet coating it would defeat its purpose…

I have applied hard pressure on my iPad Pro (when using some pressure sensitive brushes in Adobe Fresco), it has had no effect on the screen surface. You don't need to be especially gentle with the Apple pencil. You should be able to use the same pressure as when using a real pencil or pen on paper.
I suspect you inadvertently got a tiny piece of grit between the pencil and screen.
Inspect and feel the pencil tip carefully. Although unlikely, it might be possible it is defective and has something sharp embedded.
This has reminded me to order more tips. I keep dropping the Pencil on its tip (ouch!), and I can start to see the metal inside coming through the white plastic.

 

[cerberus1846]

good practise is to clean the screen and pencil tip with a soft dry clean cloth before using.. this removes the chance of any dirt or grit being on the screen or pencil tip which could cause damage..

 

[Mackilroy]

How strange, I used an iPad for three years without a screen protector, regularly using my Pencil on the screen, with no damage. I did wipe dust off though.

 

[lostPod]

I wonder if apple would replace it -- seems to be used as it should. I use the matte screen protector for a paper like feel on the apple pencil. It does wear down the tip more thouhg.

 

[Slartibart]

if just the oleophobic coating is affected you can use some to reconstitute - e.g. this. It even deals with small scratches in the glass.
There are various other pure oleophobic liquids available on Amazon which just reconstitute the original layer.

If you have Apple Care+ just exchange the iPad - that’s probably simply faster, reconstitution takes at least 24 - 36 hours before you can use the iPad again.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

If you have Apple Care+ just exchange the iPad - that’s probably simply faster, reconstitution takes at least 24 - 36 hours before you can use the iPad again.

I don’t. The iPad always stays at home and I haven’t dropped any of my Apple devices in years. So I thought it’s not necessary. Except for the scratch it’s in like new condition.

 

[colocolo]

I'm sorry this happened to you. I have never experienced that, though that does not mean it cannot happen.
What I would suggest is cleaning the pencil thoroghly and trying it in a corner (or right beside the current scratch); if it does not damage the ipad screen, you might conclude it was an issue with some debris getting on the pencil unnoticed, and you can at least keep using the pencil.
If it does keep scratching the screen, you could take it to Apple, show them the problem and ask for a solution.