Losing your Apple Pencil is likely inevitable at some point, even if just for a few seconds. So, what can you do when you can’t find your Apple Pencil?
The good news is that Apple has recognized that the Apple Pencil can be easily lost, so here’s what to do if if don’t want it to go missing.
Use the Find My App
If you’ve lost your Apple Pencil then the first thing you should do is check the Find My app that comes preinstalled on all iPads.
As long as your Apple Pencil was last connected to your iPad via Bluetooth, the Find My app can locate its position (approximately, at least).
- Open the Find My app on your iPad.
- Tap the Devices tab.
- Select your Apple Pencil from the list of devices.
- The map will show you the last known location of your Apple Pencil when it was connected to your iPad.
While this won’t provide an exact location, it gives you a general area to begin your search before the Apple Pencil disconnects from Bluetooth range. This means that if you left it at the gym or in the car, it should be able to let you know.
Make Your Apple Pencil Play a Sound
If you think that your Apple Pencil is a little closer to home, one of the most useful features for finding a lost Apple Pencil is the ability to force it to play a loud pinging sound, even when it’s nowhere to be seen.
To do this, you can:
- In the Find My app with your Apple Pencil selected, tap the Play Sound button.
- Your Apple Pencil will begin chirping loudly to alert you to its location.
- Follow the sound and scan nearby areas thoroughly until you locate your lost stylus.
This sound can be pretty loud, so you’ll definitely be able to hear it when it’s played out. It’s sound is made to carry through walls to lead you directly to your Apple Pencil’s location, so brace yourself before you push it
Activate Lost Mode
If your attempts to locate your Apple Pencil are unsuccessful, you should put it into Lost Mode via the Find My app.
Doing this both locks the device to prevent others from accessing it, and allows you to display a message with your contact information in case someone else comes across it (or if it’s been stolen).
- Select your Apple Pencil in the Find My app.
- Scroll down and tap Activate under the Mark As Lost section.
- Enter a phone number or message to display.
- Tap Activate again to confirm.
Your Apple Pencil will now be locked, preventing anyone else from using or erasing it until you recover the device and disable Lost Mode.