Finding a lost Apple Pencil
The easiest way to find the Apple Pencil is to see if the Apple Pencil is still around. You can do this by looking to see if your pencil is still paired to your iPad. However, if you have not seen your pencil in more than 3 days, you may be out of luck. The battery will only last for so long.
In my experience, the Apple Pencil has not lasted more than 3 days. Once the battery dies, your chances of finding the Apple Pencil decrease. Your iPad will no longer be able to tell you if your pencil is close.So the sooner that you start looking for it, the better your chances of finding it.
I’m going to share a few ideas on how you can find it and what may help to prevent this from happening in the first place. I will even discuss a method on inexpensively replacing your pencil as well.
How to tell if the pencil is still connected
The first thing to do would be to see if your pencil is still connected. You can do this by looking at the Apple Pencil Tab in the settings menu of your iPad. Once you have have navigated here, this menu will tell you how much battery is left in your pencil if it’s still connected to the iPad.
Settings-> Apple Pencil-> Apple Pencil Menu
If this is a yes, then your pencil is somewhere near by. It may have fallen in between furniture or under it. Your pencil may even be blending in with other similar looking items that you may have over looked. Be sure to look everywhere from top to bottom. Or think about the where you were the last time that you used your pencil. It will more than likely be where you last used it.
Check your pockets of your pants and jackets too. I have left all kinds of the things in my pockets that I only found once I started washing my cloths. So start getting really creative with your search if you still haven’t found it.
Also check your bag or backpack if you do not have a dedicated holder on your iPad. Even though the Apple Pencil is magnetically connected to the iPad (assuming you have the 2nd gen Apple Pencil), it can easily be knocked off with enough force.
Not connected and still can’t find your Apple Pencil
I do feel bad for you if this is the case. Losing 130$ accessory that you rely on and use often is not a great feeling. This may even stifle your creativity, work, or learning. It was like this for me when I couldn’t find my Apple Pencil, but the good thing it’s not the end of the world and it can be replaced.
This is much better than having to replace an entire iPad. Trust me, I have had to do that as well and would never like to do that again. But if it happens it happens. Even though I wouldn’t want to replace a iPad again, if I had to, I would.
Replace it with pre-owned or used Apple Pencil
On the bright side, there area few inexpensive ways to replace your Apple Pencil. That don’t force you to fork over another 130$ bucks at the store. However, if you need to for your pencil to be replaced quickly. Going to the store would be the quickest option. If your you don’t have a immediate need to replace it. There are some other good options.
You can use eBay to find Apple Pencils in great pre-owned condition. Often for way less than you could find it in store. They are anywhere for 10%- 40% off the retail price . You could even try winning one in a auction.
There are also great deals on offer up / letgo too. Be sure to read the listings on these services carefully. Their are a lot of spammy listings that want you to visit to their store. They might try sell you something that only resembles a Apple Pencil. So be sure that your buying from a person and not a business.
Their are a lot of listings where the seller is open to lowering the price. So if you do see a listing that does seem legit. Feel free to send them a reasonable offer. Don’t assume that they are just going to give it away for free.
FaceBook Marketplace is another good place to find reasonably priced apple pencils. Still look at the listings closely and be worry of scammers on the site. But it gives you another option to in expensively replace your Apple Pencil.
Use Apple Care to get a replacement
If you bought Apple Care for your iPad and haven’t used it since you bought it. You could buy a broken one eBay and have Apple replace it for 29$ bucks . Be aware that you can only use this method no more than twice in 12 month period. It’s also better if the seller does include the box with the broken pencil. It makes it easier for apple to replace the pencil even if it is out of warranty.
I have used this method when I saved old Apple Pencils that I unfortunately ended up breaking. When I would get a new iPad, I’d get Apple Care to replace my Apple Pencil without having to go fully out of pocket for a new one.
Apple Pencil Loss prevention
- Case with a dedicated slot for the Apple Pencil
- Laptop or tablet sleeve
Case with dedicated slot for the Apple Pencil
There are few things that you can do to help prevent the loss of your Apple Pencil. One of the best investments you could buy for your iPad would be a case with a dedicated slot or cutout for your Apple Pencil. As long as there is something that can prevent the Apple Pencil from being moved around.
Putting it in a bag or carrying it in your hand with a case that securely holds your Apple Pencil. Is great feature to have because no matter how much you bump or shake it. The Apple Pencil would not budge.
Laptop or tablet sleeve
The second best option I use on regular basis is a tablet sleeve. I keep my iPad in a sleeve to add protection when I’m traveling with it in a bag or when I have no bag at all. It is possible to get a sleeve with a accessory pouch to keep a extra charger, pencil grips, a stand ,and the Apple Pencil it’s self if you are not using it with your iPad.
It I also find it really helpful in keeping things more organized when using different accessories.
Too much to replace or find?
If haven’t been able to find your Apple Pencil or find a inexpensive replacement for your Apple Pencil. Then the next best option would be too look at Apple Pencil alternatives. There are lots of different alternatives at different price points that have similar functionality when compared to the Apple Pencil.
There are a few key features that you would be missing out on, but it would definitely depend on how you were using your Pencil to begin with. Here’s what you would be missing out on if you got one of the alternatives.
- Pressure sensitivity
- Magnetic charging
- Touch controls ( only on 2nd generation Apple Pencil)
- Tilt sensitivity (some alternatives do have this)
These are all the features that you would no longer have. You would only get all these features by having the Apple Pencil. If you enjoy using any of these features, I would suggest sticking to the Apple Pencil.
If you would like to see my guild on buying apple pencil alternatives. You can learn more about them here.
I hope this helps you in looking for or replacing your pencil and never stop creating!