The Apple Pencil is a tiny, lightweight accessory with an in-built rechargeable battery. You can power it using a cord for the first-generation design or insert it on the iPad’s side for the Pencil 2 version. There is a lot more new users should know about the gadget, particularly its battery life.
So, can an Apple Pencil battery die? The Apple Pencil’s battery can drain to 0 and die if you leave it uncharged. The power keeps depleting even when you are not using it since it doesn’t have an on/ off button. The tiny lithium-ion design requires a charge at all times, making it risky to leave it discharged for long. After hitting the 0% mark and failing to power in a few weeks, it may irreversibly damage the pen. Therefore, always power it when the level drops to 10%.
The Apple Pencil is a rechargeable device, baffling users with its functionalities given its tiny size. The lithium-ion battery may seem complex but is relatively straightforward.
The Apple Pencil battery is a small-scale version of the lithium-ion battery in the iPad or iPhone. Since it must also recharge for use, it begs whether the battery will also die like with other rechargeable devices. After thorough testing and investigating, here is how the Pencil works.
If you don’t charge it, the Apple Pencil’s battery can drain to 0% and die unless you plug it into a power source. Given that the battery is a miniature version, unlike the version in other Apple products, the Pencil cannot fully discharge and remain in the same state for a long time.
It takes weeks of no charging for the lithium-ion battery to fail and the Pencil to brick. These effects are irreversible since it is impossible to exchange dead batteries. The only resort is to buy another Apple Pencil.
The most important rule with the pen is that it must always have a minimum charge. Its build is different from the batteries in tablets and phones because it comes in a tiny package. To improve your device’s life, it must maintain no less than a 5% charge, preferably at least 10%. It dies immediately when it reaches the 0% line, after which you must plug it soon.
Staying dead for weeks bricks the device, meaning you will have to replace it with a new one. Out-of-the-box Pencils can also die if they have stayed too long on the shelves. The trickiest part is that the gadget doesn’t come with a switch that you can click to turn off to preserve the battery. Therefore, users should maintain recharging their Pencils even when not previously used.
Otherwise, you will be risking deep discharging, which will damage the gadget if left in the state. It is not a great idea to stop using it for a long time because it still loses charge, potentially damaging the Pencil permanently. It is also essential to learn how to check your Pencil’s battery life based on its generation, know when to charge it, and check that it doesn’t go below 5%.
It is a relatively straightforward process for Pencil 2 owners since they only need to attach it to the side of their iPads and wait for a brief notification displaying the battery capacity at the top of the screen. However, if you own the 1st generation model, you will undertake a lengthy process through the widgets, provided you have an iPad iOS 13 or later.
Not all is lost when your Pencil dies, especially if you are within the year-long warranty. Apple will gladly replace it for you, and there are effective resurrection hacks from users stating that you can gently warm the device with your hairdryer or leave it near a radiant heat at home for about 15 minutes. These methods should resuscitate the Pencil; otherwise, you will be sure that your gadget has died if the damage is too severe.
Does Apple Pencil Lose Charge When Not in Use?
If you are an iPad user who loves drawing or is a professional designer, Apple has covered you with the Pencil. Like other Apple devices, the pen also has a battery that requires recharging to work, hence the need for constant plugging in. One burning question from users is whether they can save the pen’s battery by not using it.
The Apple Pencil drains power, whether you use it or not, because it lacks a sleep mode or an on and off button. The device will always stay on and ready for use, provided that the Bluetooth link is active. The only difference is the discharge rate in that the power will slowly deplete when it is resting but will drain faster when operational. A fully charged Apple Pencil can last approximately twelve hours unless you frequently use it or the in-built battery malfunctions.
The Apple Pencil still loses power even when you unpair it from your iPad. When the pen tethers to your iDevice, the depleted charge may be higher than after turning off Bluetooth. However, the power level that the pen uses at rest, whether connected or not, is usually negligible and not many notice the difference if they are not very keen. If you can track the battery, it will indicate that the battery level will drop from the initial capacity.
Although you can save some power by not frequently using the Apple Pencil, remember that there are adverse effects of leaving it idle for months or even weeks. The lithium-ion cell will keep losing power each day until it gets to 0%.
You cannot let it overstay in the same state; you risk losing your device altogether. The Li-ion battery loses its feasibility over time without power. Sadly, the chances are high that the battery will die alongside the pen or later have charging issues like faster power depletion.
Therefore, it is best always to ensure that it is fully charged immediately the percentage clicks 10. Often charging the pen can help you avoid battery failure from constant low power, making it essential to regularly check the battery’s progress by linking it to your iPad.
For the 1st gen Apple Pencil, remove the cap and insert it into the tablet’s Lightning connector, then tap the battery widget on the screen or click settings and open the Apple Pencil. A battery icon will appear at the top of the same window.
Finally, clicking the battery symbol will display its power levels. The same procedure applies to Apple’s second-generation Pencil, but it links differently using a magnetic connector on the side and Bluetooth.
Generally, Apple Pencil discharges power while resting; therefore, you should charge the device frequently to avoid related issues. The Pencil can serve you longer before becoming ineffective or outdated with excellent handling and care.
How Long Does an Apple Pencil Battery Last?
The Apple Pencil comes in two versions, the 1st and 2nd generation. Since the Pencil is generally an interestingly small device with unconventional recharging abilities, it is essential to look into the battery lifespan. The second version may have improved features, but how does their battery longevity compare?
Both Apple Pencils have almost the same battery life, providing users with around 12 hours of use after a full charge. However, the lifespan entirely depends on how often you use it and what it does for you. For example, if you need it for taking notes or drawing, the battery will drain faster, unlike when using it for tapping on your iPad’s screen. Additionally, the power will keep draining faster if you need the pen daily. Secondly, the ability to hold charge varies depending on how well you have maintained it.
The Pencils are unique designs from Apple, not only from how they work but also from how they charge. While competitors’ similar products feature replaceable AAA batteries, the Pencils are rechargeable and hassle-free, although not as long-lasting. If you buy your first Pencil 1, you will notice that it charges using the iPad’s port. In contrast, the Pencil 2 attaches magnetically to your tablet’s side, eating up its power.
The similarity is that both need the iPad to charge, although you can also use an adapter for powering through the wall. The two gadgets rate at 12 hours of continuous use after a complete charge, after which they will reach 0% and die.
Ultimately, this duration could be lower based on your rate of use, tasks, charging habits, and the pen’s age. If you need it for everyday use, you will have to keep recharging it, and in the process, you may interfere with the battery’s lifespan.
Moreover, the heaviness of your tasks will also determine the battery’s lifespan. If you are a professional or student and always carry it along for sketching, drawing or taking notes, you can expect fewer hours of use from your pen.
Otherwise, it will serve you longer if you use it only for tapping on the screen. The longevity also relies on how well you have maintained your Pencil, and if you frequently charge it, you never let it go below the 10% point.
Besides, a long-serving pen will have a shorter battery life than a new one. Luckily, the device has fast charging taking about 20 minutes to power up fully. Therefore, it is always easy to have your pen juiced up for when you want to use it. Still, the charging time will depend on how drained and well-maintained the battery is. It is best to charge it immediately when you see a low battery signal, but you can track the percentage.
How Do I Know if My Apple Battery Is Bad?
The Apple Pencil has a tiny but powerful battery to run for over ten hours after less than an hour of charging. It is advisable to observe proper care and maintenance; otherwise, it will fail or brick the pen. If you don’t properly look after the gadget, the following will be signs of damage.
Knowing if your Apple battery is bad, firstly, your pen’s battery may lose over 10% charge while at rest, fail to charge, or take a long time to reach maximum capacity. If your device sits for days or weeks without power, it can kill the battery and the pen. Therefore, if you traveled for a month and left the Pencil behind, you will likely find the power depleted, and if it is still charging, it will have issues reaching total capacity. Lastly, sometimes, the status of a non-functional battery will appear momentarily on the iPad screen.
Apple Pencil’s battery cannot fail if you charge it correctly. The most common reason behind powering issues is when users leave their pens uncharged for weeks or months, which risks bricking. The tiny Li-ion in-built battery loses its capabilities when it rests for several days without power, and it will shut down permanently, and since you cannot replace it, you will have to buy a new one.
Moreover, the pen will serve you for a specific timeframe but will soon become outdated and will stop working. One of the indicative signs that something is off is when it powers faster but doesn’t hold a charge.
If it previously stayed for more than ten hours, the timeframe will reduce to eight hours, and the graph decreases with time. On the other hand, the gadget may start charging for longer than usual and lose power drastically when at total capacity.
You can also tell that the Apple Pencil battery is dying by how much charge it loses while at rest. A robust battery should drop about 10% when sitting all day, but it should alarm you if the discrepancy increases to over 15%. Finally, note that ruined Pencil batteries don’t show on the iPad; it will be a very swift pop up even when they do.
In other cases, you may plug the battery but not see the charging icons even after trying all the possible fixes. Unless the battery is outdated, instances that may ruin Apple’s Pencil battery are avoidable.
The trick is to charge it often and not let the power go below the 10% mark. However, if the issues persist even with proper care and handling and the gadget is still within the warranty, you can consult Apple for a replacement.
Summary
The Apple Pencil battery is a handy tool for creative and professional iPad users. You can use it at work, school, or at home for your hobbies, and it helps that it comes in a stylish and lightweight look.
You will charge your Pencil using your tablet or lightning cable for less than 30 minutes, and it will serve you for more than ten hours. However, this will only work if your pen is new or working perfectly.
If old or with battery malfunctions, you will notice rapid or sluggish charging and swift charge depletion issues. It is best to constantly charge it whenever the capacity reaches 10% and never let it get to 0% to maintain its performance. Otherwise, it will die or brick if left flat for a long time. Also, remember that since the Apple Pencil doesn’t have an on/ off button, it will still discharge even when at rest.
