Turning "off" the Apple Pencil?

[coachbb94]

Waiting for the Apple Pencil 2 much needed improvements

#1. Smart Pressure sensors on the fingers like a magic mouse (aka Magic Pencil)
#2. Multi colored insternal LED's create multi colors
#3. new higher resolution and sensitivity sensors
#4. Replaceable tips for different texture and hardness
#5. Inductive Charging Apple deliberately made Pairing and Charging the Apple pencil look ridiculous in order to Wow everyone with the Apple Pencil 2 and wireless charging and Wireless pairing no need to inert ever again.

(FYI also going to document maybe patent these ideas in case Apple has not already)

[doublepost=1462148145][/doublepost]With the current pencil if you do not keep it attached or too near the iPad the battery drain will be less. I own an iPad Pro 9.7 and the battery will last for days if not attached or too near the iPad.

 

[PanAm-L1011]

For me this has been a huge issue, the pencil is the key factor because of which I bought the iPad Pro and after a day and a half in which I didn't use the pencil the battery went down from 100% to 84%, that is almost a deal breaker for me, that means that after 1 week or less if I don't use the pen it will be fully discharged. For now I just turn the bluetooth off but that is not a great solution for me as now I have to phisically connect the pencil every time and I can no longer use continuity on my iPad.

I really don't understand how Apple couldn't think this through any better.

Are you serious? The pencil charges so quickly it's not even an issue. Just leave Bluetooth on. Seriously? It takes like 5 minutes of charging to go from 60% to 100%.
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No way is this how it works. I am on my 2nd pencil from Apple because the pencil drains even when sleeping. No way yours is at 100 percent after 14 hours. I'm calling BS. The second pencil does the same exact thing. Drains while idle. So does my wife's. So does my brothers. Every one I know who has the Apple pencil are all telling me the same thing. Drains while idle. Reports all over the web say the same thing, yet you have the rare pencil that holds a complete charge after 14 hours.

This is yet another blunder by Apple who I believe have lost their attention to detail in many of their recent releases. I love my Apple products but feel Apple has sadly lost their way. We are conditioned to accept the flaws because the next Gen will fix it. My 1 year old ip6+ is laggy as hell, even though the specs on the device are more than capable. Yet no fixes....until the next Gen.

I am not one of those people who threatens to leave for Android. I love my Apple products. I am just frustrated with the direction of Apple under Tim Cook. Too many bugs for a premium price.

Seriously? Some people always have to find something to complain about. The pencil charges so quick. It's not even an issue.
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Typical response. Works for you so the issue does not exist 😉

I am on my third apple pencil, and now I can say that my current pencil goes into standby when idle. That means I have had 2 defective pencils and I would imagine so do many others. There is probably a bad batch of pencils out there which brings me back to my previous comment. That Apple has lost their attention to detail in many of their recent releases and that we are conditioned to accept the flaws because it is Apple and the next Gen will fix it. Guaranteed the next gen comes with an on/off switch.

It doesn't necessarily mean you've had two defective pencils. It means you need to chill out.

 

[Lightsaber]

Are you serious? The pencil charges so quickly it's not even an issue. Just leave Bluetooth on. Seriously? It takes like 5 minutes of charging to go from 60% to 100%.
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Seriously? Some people always have to find something to complain about. The pencil charges so quick. It's not even an issue.
[doublepost=1462149040][/doublepost]

It doesn't necessarily mean you've had two defective pencils. It means you need to chill out.

The battery in the pencil has a limited number of recharge cycles after which it will no longer charge or will only last for short amounts of time before requiring a recharge. Due to its construction there is no way to change the battery. In a relatively short period of time the pencil will be useless. Obviously you are good with that. Other people are not.

 

[997941]

Seriously? Some people always have to find something to complain about. The pencil charges so quick. It's not even an issue.

Actually are you serious? I am a customer. I use the pencil extensively. If I were a beta tester I would have complaints on making the product better. You seem like the 'person' who accepts anything apple makes simply because its apple. Please allow others to share a different opinion of the apple products they use and test daily. And since any device has a limited amount of charge cycles, the battery in the pencil will wear down much more quickly due to all these 'quick' charges. For you this is a non issues. Not so for others.

It doesn't necessarily mean you've had two defective pencils. It means you need to chill out.

So, 2 pencils that would not hold a charge VS the 3rd pencil that does hold a charge. And your conclusion is that I need to chill out. How old are you 5? Let the adults talk and you go back to playing with your toys.

 

[PanAm-L1011]

Actually are you serious? I am a customer. I use the pencil extensively. If I were a beta tester I would have complaints on making the product better. You seem like the 'person' who accepts anything apple makes simply because its apple. Please allow others to share a different opinion of the apple products they use and test daily. And since any device has a limited amount of charge cycles, the battery in the pencil will wear down much more quickly due to all these 'quick' charges. For you this is a non issues. Not so for others.




So, 2 pencils that would not hold a charge VS the 3rd pencil that does hold a charge. And your conclusion is that I need to chill out. How old are you 5? Let the adults talk and you go back to playing with your toys.

I know a good product when I see it. The Pencil is great. I love that I can plug it into my iPhone or iPad for a quick charge and how it immediately connects when I pick it up. Apple thought this one out very well.

I'm not 5, but thanks for asking.

 

[applefan69]

I was wondering about this myself. Without a power button there's no way to turn it off.

An alternative solution could be for it to turn itself off after some period of time not interacting with the iPP, then re-enable when it makes contact again. It would be important for this period to be long enough (as in not just a couple minutes) because obviously it'll take a moment to start working when you first go to use it, which would be very irritating if it happened every time you set the Pencil down for a bit.

Gee sounds like something where a simple setting selection would be ideal. 😛 , How does apple make things so difficult while trying to make it simple?
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I know a good product when I see it. The Pencil is great. I love that I can plug it into my iPhone or iPad for a quick charge and how it immediately connects when I pick it up. Apple thought this one out very well.

I'm not 5, but thanks for asking.

Not getting involved but all your comment did was express your opinion, which is totally fine.

But meanwhile the discussion we are trying to have is about a valid concern regarding battery life that you were previously contesting as though you were an expert on the subject. Everything does not have to become a debate, believe it or not but adults discuss things without any bias or emotion. This topic is about an interesting possible oversight on Apple's part. Nobody really cares if there is a problem here or not, nor whether the Apple pencil is good or not. The discussion is about whether this is a possible problem.

Cannot believe I just wasted my time helping some strangers child grow up a little.

 

[997941]

I know a good product when I see it. The Pencil is great. I love that I can plug it into my iPhone or iPad for a quick charge and how it immediately connects when I pick it up. Apple thought this one out very well.

So all you have to offer is an opinion of how great you think the pencil is in regards to a battery problem apple fans are experiencing with their pencils? I have never said the apple pencil is garbage. Nor is the discussion about weather or not the pencil is a success or failure.

Releasing a product without a power on/off button seems to not be a well thought out idea. However, apple needs a new feature for the apple pencil 2 in order to get us fans to upgrade 😉

 

[NT1440]

The battery in the pencil has a limited number of recharge cycles after which it will no longer charge or will only last for short amounts of time before requiring a recharge. Due to its construction there is no way to change the battery. In a relatively short period of time the pencil will be useless. Obviously you are good with that. Other people are not.

Do you know how long the pencil is rated for in recharges? Almost all of Apple's products are rated to retain 80% capacity at 1000 charges, I'm not sure why it would be any different here. Is there a link you can point me to?

 

[tazdevl]

Bluetooth on iDevices doesn't work like that. Once paired, it's in the device list for the device it's connecting too. Even if you turn off BT, it's still there when you turn it back on. I am sure the pencil goes to "sleep" when it's not used. The only time you need to re-pair it is if you remove it from the iDevice it was connected too.

Wrong. The OP characterized the behavior accurately. I assume you don't own an iPad Pro or Pencil.

Apple messed this one up IMO.

It's ridiculous after pairing the Pencil, disable Bluetooth and need to re-pair the Pencil when turning Bluetooth back on to be able to use it.

I disable Bluetooth when not in use and this situation is the main reason why I'm thinking about selling my Pencil.

 

[TokyoJink]

The battery drain has been a big issue for me. But then it's so terrible than maybe mine is just defect. This morning I've charged it to 100%, used it to take note for about an hour, then left it on my desk for about 2h and when I decided to pick it up it was down to 0.

This means that whenever I get into a meeting the chance that it is completely empty (or will be within 10 minutes) is really high. Only needing to plug it for 30 seconds to recharge it isn't relevant. This is OK when you're at home and want to start drawing, but having to plug the thing for 30 seconds or one minute during a meeting - therefore stopping to take notes - really makes you look stupid. It's an amazing device, but the battery problem really hurts.

 

[Diane B]

Thank you. I only see my watch on my phone. Are you able to see your watch on your iPads Notification Center?

You need to add the widget for the Pencil in notifications page
[doublepost=1464225692][/doublepost]You may have a defective one. I can use it for a good period of time and then not use it until the next day and it has not much less battery than when I stopped using it the day before. I use mine every day without much issue. I have a loop at top of landscaped Ipad Pro--and use a lightning to lightining (12") cable to connect--and it charges quite quickly. Forgot to mention I use the widget for the Pencil battery in the notification page.

 

[jgelin]

So I have been reading this thread for about a week and I haven't used my pencil in around 2.. all it did was sit on my desk, in range of my iPad Pro and only coming out of range when I would take it out back to read. I left the pencil at 72% battery after my friend used procreate which was 1.5 weeks ago per deadline of when she submitted her art. Finally, I picked up Apple Pencil last night to use in notability: no need to repair and charge was at 68% so it must be "sleeping" somehow.

 

[960design]

This is interesting. Once you've paired a Pencil with the iPad Pro, the battery will simply just drain on the Pencil, even if you're not using the Pencil! The only way to turn the Pencil "off" is to turn off Bluetooth on the iPad Pro. The problem with this is that when you turn off Bluetooth, it effectively removes the Apple Pencil from the iPad which is why the Pencil then goes to "sleep."

That means when you turn on Bluetooth again, you actually have to connect the Pencil to the Lightning port on the iPad Pro to get it to reinitialize the existing pairing, which is a bit of a nuisance.

A bit peculiar, unless I'm missing something.

Is this an issue? I use my pencil daily, charge it every three days or so. Sometimes I have to plug it into my iPad for a minute to get it topped off ( when I get the battery low warning ). So it seems 'half dozen one way or six the other' sort of issue. Just plug the pencil into your iPad everyday. I believe something like 15 seconds gives you an hour.

 

[AttilaTheHun]

I wish the iPad will have a battery status or on the pencil it self.

 

[sjleworthy]

I wish the iPad will have a battery status or on the pencil it self.

would be great, with the irony that in itself would drain even more battery even quicker 😛

i suspect Pencil II and above will all have greatly increased power storage or battery facilities.

 

[tommyler]

I think I've figured out why so many people have differing experiences with the Apple Pencil battery life.

First of all, my Apple Pencil drains quickly and it annoys me. I have the UAG case for the 9.7" iPad Pro (awesome case) and it includes a loop for holding the Pencil. I keep my Apple Pencil in the loop at all times, except when I'm using it, obviously.

So... I'm essentially always "moving the Pencil" whenever I'm using the iPad or even just carrying the iPad.

I suspect that some people don't keep their Pencil attached to their case; some do.

To prove this out, I set my Pencil down on my desk and went about using my iPad. Eventually, the Bluetooth icon on the upper right if the iPad case went faint. (I have no other Bluetooth connections besides the Pencil.) I believe that signifies that the Pencil is asleep. Then, I just rolled the Pencil the smallest amount, and that woke it up and the Bluetooth icon on the iPad flashed for a few seconds and went solid black.

What to make of all this? In Apple's quest for the Pencil to always to be ready to use, the slightest bit of movement wakes it up. I suppose Apple didn't assume people might be carrying the Pencil with them, and thus awakening it a lot and keeping it awake for long periods. The official iPad Pro cases from Apple don't provide the means for attaching the Pencil, and the Pencil itself doesn't have any kind of clip on it. Perhaps Apple assumed we'd all be keeping the Pencil in a pencil cup, grabbing it just when we need it. If so, poor assumptions...

 

[Diane B]

I wish the iPad will have a battery status or on the pencil it self.

There is a widget available on the notification page for the Pencil battery.

 

[Capt T]

I wish the iPad will have a battery status or on the pencil it self.

There is a widget available on the notification page for the Pencil battery.

Make sure you are on the widget tab not the notifications tab. Also you will have to move the pencil for it to register. If you don't move the pencil it will go into sleep mode. Which the poster above who left it on the desk for days, had the pencil show little drain. Carrying it in your bag it will get jostled about and will drain quicker.

 

[MacModMachine]

This is interesting. Once you've paired a Pencil with the iPad Pro, the battery will simply just drain on the Pencil, even if you're not using the Pencil! The only way to turn the Pencil "off" is to turn off Bluetooth on the iPad Pro. The problem with this is that when you turn off Bluetooth, it effectively removes the Apple Pencil from the iPad which is why the Pencil then goes to "sleep."

That means when you turn on Bluetooth again, you actually have to connect the Pencil to the Lightning port on the iPad Pro to get it to reinitialize the existing pairing, which is a bit of a nuisance.

A bit peculiar, unless I'm missing something.

i have noticed , the pen will only drain when its move around. leave it lay on the desk and it will never drain any power until its moved / picked up again.

 

[Southern Dad]

i have noticed , the pen will only drain when its move around. leave it lay on the desk and it will never drain any power until its moved / picked up again.

I have noticed this as well. I have left my Apple Pencil on my desk, came back, hours later and it was still 90% charged. Where if I have it in my pocket it seems to discharge more quickly. But the recharge time is so quick.

 

[Diane B]

I have noticed this as well. I have left my Apple Pencil on my desk, came back, hours later and it was still 90% charged. Where if I have it in my pocket it seems to discharge more quickly. But the recharge time is so quick.

Does amaze me the speed--I use a lightning to lightning cable and recharge it in the loop while it and it takes no time just checking in the widget on the notification page.

 

[BorderingOn]

I think I've figured out why so many people have differing experiences with the Apple Pencil battery life.

First of all, my Apple Pencil drains quickly and it annoys me. I have the UAG case for the 9.7" iPad Pro (awesome case) and it includes a loop for holding the Pencil. I keep my Apple Pencil in the loop at all times, except when I'm using it, obviously.

So... I'm essentially always "moving the Pencil" whenever I'm using the iPad or even just carrying the iPad.

I suspect that some people don't keep their Pencil attached to their case; some do.

To prove this out, I set my Pencil down on my desk and went about using my iPad. Eventually, the Bluetooth icon on the upper right if the iPad case went faint. (I have no other Bluetooth connections besides the Pencil.) I believe that signifies that the Pencil is asleep. Then, I just rolled the Pencil the smallest amount, and that woke it up and the Bluetooth icon on the iPad flashed for a few seconds and went solid black.

What to make of all this? In Apple's quest for the Pencil to always to be ready to use, the slightest bit of movement wakes it up. I suppose Apple didn't assume people might be carrying the Pencil with them, and thus awakening it a lot and keeping it awake for long periods. The official iPad Pro cases from Apple don't provide the means for attaching the Pencil, and the Pencil itself doesn't have any kind of clip on it. Perhaps Apple assumed we'd all be keeping the Pencil in a pencil cup, grabbing it just when we need it. If so, poor assumptions...

So many problems would have been solved by including an attachment on or in the iPad. Magnetic like the Surface would have been just groovy and that could trigger the Pencil to sleep.

 

[Dani K]

I understand how Bluetooth works. 🙂

However, if you turn OFF Bluetooth on the iPad and turn it back on, it does NOT automatically connect to the Pencil. It still has the "history" of the pairing in Bluetooth settings - but it does not re-connect automatically. You have to plug the Pencil back in to the iPad, and then it instantly connects (NOT pairs - i.e. it doesn't ask you if you want to pair with the Pencil like it does the first time you set it up).

I used my iPad yesterday afternoon without touching my Pencil for several hours, and the Pencil stayed connected and drained a significant portion of its battery. When I turned Bluetooth OFF on the iPad, the Pencil stopped draining, but then I needed to connect it physically to the iPad again to make it work after turning Bluetooth back on.

Fascinating, thanks for the tip. Can I ask: How do I know my pencil's battery is running low? ... Or do I just wait for it to stop functioning?

 

[spesifikbrush]

Fascinating, thanks for the tip. Can I ask: How do I know my pencil's battery is running low? ... Or do I just wait for it to stop functioning?

When it's connected to your iPad, there's a battery widget on notification tray. You can check it there.

 

[Coolpher]

Some sort of accelerometer in there perhaps?

It's part of the weighted area that makes the Apple pencil logo stay topside when you put the pencil on a desk
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The pencil battery doesn't drain unless you are moving it somewhat near the IPP, I have charged to 100%, sat it on my table and as long as I don't pick it up or move it, it sleeps and no battery drain. I've left it for 6 hours or more and when pick it up, still 100%.

I completely agree it just has to stay still and not be moved
[doublepost=1467475668][/doublepost]

I have noticed this as well. I have left my Apple Pencil on my desk, came back, hours later and it was still 90% charged. Where if I have it in my pocket it seems to discharge more quickly. But the recharge time is so quick.

If you charge it for 15 minutes in the iPad it's at 100%