Symptoms
- Lines drawn appear delayed from where the Pencil actually is
- Lines look jagged or shaky instead of smooth
- Issue is worse in certain apps or with low battery
Likely causes
- CommonLow Pencil batteryPerformance and responsiveness degrade noticeably as the battery gets low.
- CommonScreen protector interfering with palm rejection and tip sensingThick or textured protectors add distance and friction that the Pencil isn't calibrated for.
- PossibleApp-specific performance issuesA heavy drawing app or too many open layers can cause lag unrelated to the Pencil itself.
- PossibleWorn or dirty Pencil tipA worn tip can reduce precision and cause skipping.
What to do
- Check the Pencil's battery level in the Batteries widget or settings and charge it if low.
- Remove any screen protector temporarily to see if responsiveness improves.
- Test the Pencil in a different app (like the built-in Notes app) to see if the issue is app-specific.
- Replace the Pencil tip if it looks worn or has visible wear at the point.
- Restart the tablet, since a stuck background process can cause general input lag.
- If lag persists in multiple apps with a charged Pencil and no protector, consider re-pairing the Pencil from scratch.
Tools and parts
Replacement Pencil tipSearch: “Apple Pencil tip replacement”
When to call a pro
This is rarely a hardware repair issue; if problems continue after charging, removing the protector, and testing other apps, contact the app developer or Apple support.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.