5 cool Apple Pencil Pro features you probably don’t know

For years, the Apple Pencil 2 was the go-to stylus for digital illustrators, offering easy pairing, precise input, pressure sensitivity, shading support, and much more. Then things changed. The iPad maker outdid itself with the $129 Apple Pencil Pro, which builds upon the 2nd-gen model’s solid base and takes the experience to the next level.

Despite its name, the Apple Pencil Pro’s compatibility actually extends to some non-Pro iPad models, including the latest Air and mini variants. (It doesn’t work with the entry-level iPad, however.) But its feature set is absolutely Pro standard.

If you’re using your Apple Pencil Pro for basic doodling and not much else, it’s time to discover how much more it can achieve. In this article we reveal the five main features you need to familiarize yourself with.

Time-saving gestures

The Apple Pencil Pro doesn’t merely mimic your finger, like all those dumb styli out there. Its input varies depending on the way you’re holding it, and it supports a couple of advanced gestures that can accelerate power users’ workflows.

First, the Pencil Pro is pressure-sensitive. In compatible apps, pressing harder will result in a thicker line or a denser application of digital ink.

Similarly, the Pencil Pro can detect variations in hand position. Tilt the stylus and it will switch to a shading action. Roll it, and the selected brush will change angle–a valuable function when using shaped brushes. In other words, it behaves just like a real artistic or writing tool, making it an appealing and reliable option for digital illustrators. In fact, supported iPads will even imitate the selected tool’s shadow as the Pencil hovers over the display, revealing exactly where the tip will hit.

Input aside, the Apple Pencil Pro supports two main gestures that you can personalize in the Settings app on iPadOS. The double-tap gesture, first of all, lets you quickly switch between tools, show the color palette, or various other useful actions. You just have to tap the side of the stylus twice in quick succession.

Likewise, the squeezing gesture can be assigned to a task of your choice; you can also choose how firmly you need to press to trigger it. The best part about squeezing is that you can link it to a series of actions via the built-in Shortcuts app, letting you execute complex tasks with a single action. This gesture also (optionally) provides haptic feedback when triggered, giving the experience a premium feel.

Turn handwriting into digital text

Notetakers, this one’s for you. The Apple Pencil Pro supports iPadOS’s Scribble feature, which replicates and refines traditional note-taking by converting your handwriting into typed words you can insert in any textbox.

It also borrows logical gestures to minimize the need for a keyboard. You can scratch out words to delete them, or circle words to select them. Similarly, you can make room to write words by tapping and holding on the desired spot, and join or separate words by drawing a vertical line before or after the target. These turn Scribble into an intuitive way to input text using just your Apple Pencil.

Instant notes

If you’re late to class, don’t worry! With the Apple Pencil Pro, you can start taking notes right away. Assuming you’ve allowed this in your preferences (open Settings and go to Apps > Notes > Access Notes from Lock Screen), you won’t need to unlock your iPad or launch any apps manually. All you’ll need to do is use the Pencil to tap the display, even if it’s asleep. By default this will start a new entry in the Notes app, although in the same section of Settings you can instead tell it to resume the last one.

Similarly, you can quickly start a note anywhere in iPadOS by swiping diagonally with your Pencil from the assigned bottom corner. The other bottom corner can be configured to take a screenshot. Open the Settings app and go to the Apple Pencil section to assign your corners.

AirTag in disguise

How many Apple Pencils have gotten lost over the years? We’d guess the answer is a lot. The Apple Pencil Pro addresses this matter by tapping into the extensive Find My network. If you ever lose it, you can simply launch the Find My app on your iPad to precisely locate it. The last known location will also appear on that app in iOS and macOS, albeit without the precision finding perk.

The Apple Pencil Pro doesn’t beep, so the process of tracking it down may be a bit more challenging than finding an AirTag. Nevertheless, the Find My integration works reliably and is welcome, especially since it prevents thieves from pairing it to their own accounts and helps anyone who finds it to get in touch with you.

Mahmoud Itani / Foundry

Make the battery go further

The Apple Pencil Pro, like the 2nd-gen model, pairs and recharges by attaching magnetically to the edge of your iPad. Most users leave it there for storage when not in use, as this keeps it conveniently within reach and ensures it’s fully charged when needed. But this may not be the best policy if you don’t use the Apple Pencil Pro every day.

The Apple Pencil Pro packs a lithium-ion battery, which wears down the more you use it. To prevent damage, iPadOS will allow your Apple Pencil’s battery to drain a bit and refill it when attached for prolonged periods. This process can both drain your iPad’s battery and unnecessarily strain the one in the Apple Pencil.

In other words, if you use the Pencil only sporadically, you may want to store it somewhere other than the edge of your iPad. Contrary to popular belief, the Apple Pencil Pro’s battery doesn’t drain rapidly when it’s left idle. Based on personal tests, my Pencil lost only 1% of its charge after being detached for over 24 hours. If you store it in a drawer or on your desk, the chances are that it will be ready to go the next time you need it… assuming you don’t leave it there for months on end. And you’ll save yourself those unnecessary battery cycles.