How to Connect a Stylus Pen to an iPad? Different Pens
A stylus pen is a device that allows you to draw, write, or interact with your iPad in a more natural and precise way. It can enhance your creativity, productivity, and enjoyment of using your iPad. However, before using a stylus pen with your iPad, you must connect it properly. In this article, we will show you How to Connect a Stylus Pen to an iPad and introduce you to some of the best stylus pens available for different purposes.
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Different Types Of Stylus Pen
There are different types of stylus pens that you can use with your iPad, depending on your needs and preferences. Some of the most common types are:
- Capacitive stylus: This is the simplest and cheapest type of stylus pen. It works by mimicking the touch of your finger on the screen. It does not require pairing or charging, but it also does not offer any pressure sensitivity or palm rejection features. It is suitable for basic tasks like tapping, scrolling, or sketching.
- Active stylus: This is a more advanced type of stylus pen that uses a battery or a Bluetooth connection to communicate with your iPad. It offers more features like pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, tilt detection, and shortcut buttons. It can also work with specific apps that support its functions. However, it also requires pairing and charging, and it may not be compatible with all iPads or apps.
- Apple Pencil: This is the official stylus pen made by Apple for its iPads. It is designed to work seamlessly with the iPadOS and offer the best performance and features. It has two generations: the first one works with the Lightning port, and the second one works with the magnetic connector on the side of the iPad. It offers pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, tilt detection, double-tap gesture, and low latency. It also works with many apps that support its functions. However, it is also the most expensive type of stylus pen, and it only works with specific models of iPads.
How to Connect a Stylus Pen to Your iPad?
Connecting a stylus pen to your iPad may vary depending on the type and model of the stylus pen you have. However, there are some general steps that you can follow:
Step 1: Ensure Compatibility
Before you try to connect your stylus pen to your iPad, make sure that they are compatible with each other. Check the specifications of your stylus pen and see which models of iPads it supports. For example, if you have an Apple Pencil 2nd generation, it only works with iPads that have a USB-C port and a magnetic connector on the side.
Step 2: Turn on Bluetooth
Most stylus pens require Bluetooth to communicate with your iPad. Therefore, you must turn Bluetooth on your iPad before connecting your stylus pen. To do this, go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle it on.
Step 3: Connect Your iPad and Stylus Pen
Depending on the type and model of your stylus pen, there are different ways to connect it to your iPad. Here are some examples:
- Apple Pencil 1st generation: Remove the cap from the end of your Apple Pencil and plug it into the Lightning port of your iPad. Tap on Pair when prompted.
- Apple Pencil 2nd generation: Attach your Apple Pencil to the magnetic connector on the side of your iPad.
- Adonit Jot Pro: Press and hold the power button on your Adonit Jot Pro until you see a blue light flashing. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPad and tap on Adonit Jot Pro under Other Devices.
- Wacom Bamboo Sketch: Press the power button on your Wacom Bamboo Sketch until you see a blue light flashing. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPad and tap on Wacom Stylus under Other Devices.
- Logitech Crayon: Press the power button on your Logitech Crayon until you see a green light flashing. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPad and tap on Logitech Crayon under Other Devices.
- Microsoft Surface Pen: Press and hold the top button on your Microsoft Surface Pen until you see a white light flashing. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPad and tap Surface Pen under Other Devices.
Step 4: Test the Stylus Pen
Once you have connected your stylus pen to your iPad, you can test it by opening an app that supports its functions. For example, you can use the Notes app or any drawing app that works with your stylus pen. Try using different features like pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, tilt detection, or shortcut buttons and see how they work.
How to Connect a Stylus Pen to an iPad? Different Pens
If you want to learn more about how to connect different stylus pens to your iPad, continue reading:
How to Connect Apple Pencil to iPad?
To connect your Apple Pencil to your iPad, you need to follow different steps depending on the model of your Apple Pencil and iPad. Here are the steps for each case:
- If you have an Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and an iPad Air (4th generation) or later, an iPad Mini (6th generation), or an iPad Pro (11-inch or 12.9-inch, 3rd generation or later), you can simply attach your Apple Pencil to the magnetic connector on the side of your iPad. You will see a message on the screen asking you to tap “Connect” to pair the devices.
- If you have an Apple Pencil (1st generation) and an iPad (6th generation) or later, an iPad Air (3rd generation), an iPad Mini (5th generation), or an iPad Pro (9.7-inch, 10.5-inch, or 12.9-inch, 1st or 2nd generation), you need to remove the cap from your Apple Pencil and plug it into the Lightning connector (charging port) on your iPad. You will see a message on the screen asking you to tap “Pair” to pair the devices.
- If you have an Apple Pencil (1st generation) and an iPad (10th generation), you must remove the cap from your Apple Pencil and plug it into a USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter. Then, plug a USB-C cable into the adapter and connect it to your iPad. You will see a message on the screen asking you to tap “Pair” to pair the devices.
If your Apple Pencil becomes disconnected from your iPad, you can reconnect it by following the steps above. Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on in your iPad settings and that your Apple Pencil is charged. If you still have trouble connecting, try forgetting the device in your Bluetooth settings and pairing it again, or contact Apple Support for further assistance.
How to Connect Adonit Jot Pro to iPad?
The Adonit Jot Pro is a stylus that does not require a Bluetooth connection or pairing with your iPad. You can use it as a regular pen on your iPad screen. However, you may need to adjust some settings on your iPad and the compatible apps to optimize the performance of your stylus. Here are some steps you can follow:
- Make sure that your iPad has the latest software update and that your stylus has a fresh battery.
- Turn off the multitasking gestures on your iPad by going to Settings > General > Multitasking & Dock > Gestures and toggle it off.
- Open the app you want to use with your stylus and check if it has any settings for stylus input or palm rejection. For example, in the Concepts app, you can go to Settings > Stylus > Adonit Jot Pro and enable the palm rejection feature.
- Hold your stylus at a natural angle and avoid rotating it while writing or drawing. Adjust the tip sensitivity by using the dial on the end of the stylus.
- If you experience any issues with your stylus, such as skipping, lagging, or inaccurate input, you can try cleaning the tip with a damp cloth, replacing the battery, or contacting Adonit Support for further assistance.
How to Connect Wacom Bamboo Sketch to iPad
To connect your Wacom Bamboo Sketch to your iPad, you need to follow these steps:
- Step 1: Prepare your stylus. Plug the USB charger into the USB port of a computer or USB charging device. Snap Bamboo Sketch onto the magnetic connector of the USB charger. The LED will turn off when the battery is fully charged. This can take up to two hours. Press the lower side button to turn on your Bamboo Sketch. The LED will blink blue for 2 seconds.
- Step 2: Prepare your iPad or iPhone. Check device compatibility here. Open your Settings. Activate Bluetooth wireless to turn on the connection to your stylus. Go to General Settings, select Multitasking, and disable Gestures. Skip this step if you use an iPhone.
- Step 3: Install or open a supporting app. Download or open a Wacom stylus-compatible app to pair it with your Bamboo Sketch. Here’s a list of compatible apps:
App | Palm-Rejection | Pressure-Sensitivity | Shortcut-Functionality | Available on iPad | Available on iPhone |
Adobe Draw* | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Adobe Sketch* | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ArtRage | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Autodesk® SketchBook® | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Bamboo Paper | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Concepts | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
IbisPaint | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Medibang Paint Pro 5.0+** | No | No | No | No | No |
Procreate®* | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Sketch Club | No | No | No | No | No |
Tayasui Sketches Pro** | No | No | No | No | No |
Zen Brush 2** | No | No | No | No | No |
Zoom Notes** | No | No | No | No | No |
*Adobe Draw, Adobe Sketch, and Procreate are incompatible on iPad Pros with Bamboo Sketch. **These apps are not officially supported by Wacom but may work with Bamboo Sketch.
- Step 4: Pair the app with your Bamboo Sketch. Open the settings menu inside the app. Enable stylus support by selecting Bamboo Sketch, Bamboo Stylus, or Wacom Stylus. You may need to open a new note or notebook to pair your stylus. Pairing and the name of the stylus may vary by app. See here for more detailed pairing videos. Press the lower side button to pair your stylus. Pairing is completed when the LED stays on.
To replace the nib of your stylus, you can use the small hole built into the side of the case. Tilt the stylus and remove the nib. Take the other nib press up gently to install. Make sure the nib is resting correctly.
How to Connect Logitech Crayon to iPad
To connect your Logitech Crayon to your iPad, you do not need to pair it with Bluetooth or download any software. You just need to ensure that your iPad is compatible with the stylus and has the latest iOS version. Here are the steps to follow:
- Check if your iPad is one of the following models: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later), iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad Air (3rd generation or later), iPad mini (5th generation or later), or iPad (6th generation or later). These are the only devices that work with Logitech Crayon.
- Update your iPad to iOS 12.2 or above by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Disconnect any previously connected digital pencils, such as Apple Pencil, by going to Settings > Bluetooth and selecting “Forget This Device.”
- Press the power button on your Logitech Crayon for 1 second until the LED light turns green. If the light turns red, you must charge your stylus by plugging it into a USB port or adapter with a Lightning cable.
- Open any app that supports Apple Pencil input and start writing or drawing with your Logitech Crayon. You can tilt the stylus for thicker or thinner lines, but it does not have pressure sensitivity.
How to Connect Microsoft Surface Pen to iPad
You cannot connect a Microsoft Surface Pen to an iPad. The Surface Pen uses a different technology than the iPad and is only compatible with specific Windows devices that support Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP) or Wacom AES. The iPad only works with styluses that use Apple Pencil technology or capacitive touch. Therefore, the Surface Pen will not be recognized by the iPad and will not function properly.
If you want to use a stylus with your iPad, you have a few options. You can use an Apple Pencil, explicitly designed for the iPad, and offers features like pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, and palm rejection. However, the Apple Pencil is only compatible with specific iPad models and has different versions for different generations of iPads. You can check the compatibility of your iPad and Apple Pencil.
Alternatively, you can use a third-party stylus compatible with the iPad, such as the Logitech Crayon, the Adonit Jot Pro, or the Wacom Bamboo Sketch. These styluses may have different features and performance than the Apple Pencil, but they are generally cheaper and more widely compatible. You can check the reviews and specifications of these styluses online before buying them.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions that you may have about how to connect a stylus pen to an iPad:
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to connect a stylus pen to an iPad and introduce you to some of the best stylus pens available for different purposes. We hope this article has helped you solve this problem and enjoy using your stylus pen with your iPad. If you have any other questions or feedback, please comment below. Thank you for reading, and happy drawing! ????