As an Apple Pencil user, I know how frustrating it can be when your device isn’t working as expected. Recently, I was experiencing issues with my Apple Pencil tip and had to decide whether I should replace it or not. I decided to do some research and testing to see if I could find the answer. In this blog post, I’m going to share what I learned and provide other solutions that I discovered. Hopefully, this will help other Apple Pencil users make the right decision when it comes to replacing the tip.
You do need to replace the Apple Pencil tip. You will need to replace it when it is visibly worn out or when it is not working properly. To maximize the lifespan of the Apple Pencil tip, it would help to use a glass screen protector instead of a plastic one due to less friction.
While it is necessary to replace the Apple Pencil tip occasionally, there are a number of things you can do to ensure that it is not something you have to do often.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Replace the Apple Pencil tip when visibly worn or not working |
| To make the tip last longer: use a glass screen protector, don’t press down too hard, and clean the screen before use |
| Reasons for a non-working tip: broken tip, not tightened properly, incompatible apps, not charged, or not connected to iPad |
| Expect the tip to last 6 months to a year with normal use |
Table of Contents
Do you have to replace the Apple Pencil tip?
When you use the Apple Pencil tip, friction gets created. Over time, this friction will wear down the Apple Pencil tip and it will result in the Apple Pencil tip needing to be replaced.
With regular use, you can expect to have to replace the Apple Pencil tip every 6 months to a year.
Read more: How do I protect my Apple Pencil tip?
How to get the Apple Pencil tip to last longer?
The main reason why the Apple Pencil tip wears down and needs to be replaced is friction. The more friction there is the faster the Apple Pencil tip will wear down.
In order to get the Apple Pencil tip to last longer, it would help to limit how much friction is produced.
If you use a plastic screen protector, that is designed to give you a more paper-like experience when you draw on the iPad, your Apple Pencil tip will wear down faster.
This is because plastic screen protectors result in more friction. However, they can give you a better drawing experience if you need to do precise drawings.
Read more: Why can’t I see the last location of my AirPods?
If you use a glass screen protector or draw directly on the iPad’s screen, the Apple Pencil will last longer because there is much less friction. This gives you a smooth drawing experience, but it can be bad if you need to do precise drawings.
Furthermore, how hard you press down will impact how much friction gets created. If you press down too hard, it will cause your Apple Pencil tip to wear out faster.
Also, if there is debris on the iPad or on the Apple Pencil tip, it could also cause the Apple Pencil tip to wear out faster.
This will also risk the iPad’s screen getting damaged. So, it is best to wipe the screen down before use or to just make sure that the screen is clean before using it.
Why is my Apple Pencil tip not working?
If your Apple Pencil tip does not work, it could be because it is broken. This would be more likely if it has stopped working after being dropped or crushed.
However, it might also be the case that it is not tightened properly, the apps you are using do not work with the Apple Pencil, it is not charged, or the Apple Pencil is not connected to the iPad.
How do I protect my Apple Pencil tip?
To protect your Apple Pencil tip, it would help to do things to avoid damaging it.
Easy things you can do can include leaving the Apple Pencil attached to the iPad when not in use, leaving it on the desk when you are using it but need to put it down or you can use a cover for the Apple Pencil.
How long does the Apple Pencil nib last?
With normal use, you can expect the Apple Pencil tip to last 6 months to a year. However, it may last longer than that if you do not use it frequently.
If you use a plastic screen protector and use the Apple Pencil a lot, you might need to replace it every 3 months or so.
