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How to pair an Apple Pencil with your iPad Pro

There's one small step you'll need to take before the Apple Pencil will work with your iPad Pro.

Jason Cipriani Contributing Writer, ZDNet
Jason Cipriani is based out of beautiful Colorado and has been covering mobile technology news and reviewing the latest gadgets for the last six years. His work can also be found on sister site CNET in the How To section, as well as across several more online publications.
Jason Cipriani
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At the iPad Pro's launch, the Apple Pencil is in short supply. Actually, you likely can't find one in stores right now, and shipping estimates currently forecast their arrival around Christmas.

If you're lucky enough to have an Apple Pencil, or have waited long enough to finally get your hands on one, you'll need to pair the small device with your iPad Pro before you can begin sketching and writing notes with it.

The Pencil uses Bluetooth to work in tandem with the iPad Pro's screen when in use. Sweet! But how do you pair the two? The Apple Pencil lacks any physical buttons to activate a pairing mode, and Apple doesn't have a dedicated app for Pencil as other stylus' makers do to help you complete the pairing process.

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Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

To pair your Apple Pencil with an iPad Pro, take the Pencil's end cap off to reveal its Lighting connector. The Lightning connector plugs directly into the bottom of your iPad Pro when in need of a quick charge, but it also initiates the pairing process the first time you plug it into your iPad Pro.

Once plugged in, a prompt on the iPad Pro's screen will let you know the Apple Pencil is attempting to pair with your giant tablet. Tap on Pair and the process is complete. Simple.

You can now use your Apple Pencil with the iPad Pro without having to take any further action. Launch the Notes app and begin sketching to test it out.