Does the Apple Pencil have an eraser?

As an Apple user and owner, I have often wondered if the Apple Pencil has an eraser function. Frustrated by not being able to find an answer, I decided to do some research and testing to find out the answer. In this blog post, I am here to share how I solved this mystery and the other solutions I discovered in my investigation. So, does the Apple Pencil have an eraser? Let’s find out!

The Apple Pencil doesn’t have an eraser. However, with Apple Pencil 2, most apps will allow you to switch to the eraser by double-tapping on the Apple Pencil. Apple Pencil 1 does not have the double-tap feature, but you can swipe from right to left with three fingers to undo what you just did.

While the Apple Pencil does not have an eraser like a regular pencil has, you can still easily switch to the erase mode using the Apple Pencil 2. So, it is not such an issue that the Apple Pencil 2 does not have a dedicated eraser.

While you cannot do this with Apple Pencil 1, you can swipe from right to left with 3 fingers which will undo what you just did.

In addition, the Apple Pencil actually has a number of other features that make it a useful tool to use with the iPad.

Key Takeaways
The Apple Pencil does not have a dedicated eraser.
Apple Pencil 2 can switch to the erase mode by double-tapping on the Apple Pencil.
Apple Pencil 1 does not have the double-tap feature, but you can swipe from right to left with three fingers to undo what you just did.
Apple Pencil has features such as pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, and the ability to draw words in text fields which get converted to typed words.

Table of Contents

Does the Apple Pencil have an eraser?

The Apple Pencil does not have a dedicated eraser like you would find on regular pencils. However, you can double tab on the pencil which will switch the pencil to the “erase” mode in most apps.

Some apps allow you to customize what the double-tap does so it could allow you to switch to a different color or to undo what you just did instead.

However, the double tap feature is only available to Apple Pencil 2. Therefore, if you want to erase with Apple Pencil 1, you can swipe from right to left, using 3 fingers, which will undo what you just did.

How to erase with the Apple Pencil?

In most apps, to switch to the erase mode, you just need to double-tap on the pencil. However, you may need to change the settings in the app in order to do this.

Alternatively, you can undo what you just did by swiping from right to left with 3 fingers.

What features does the Apple Pencil have?

The Apple Pencil is specifically designed to allow you to draw on the iPad. The Apple Pencil 2 allows you to attach it to the side of the iPad where it is charged which also helps you to avoid losing the pencil. This is a feature that alternative options do not possess.

The Apple Pencil also features pressure sensitivity allowing you to draw much better drawings. It also features palm rejection that allows you to draw on the iPad like you would with a regular piece of paper.

In addition, the Apple Pencil comes with functionality that alternative options do not possess. With the Apple Pencil, you can draw words in text fields that get converted to typed words with the use of machine learning.

You can also double tab on the Pencil to do things such as switch between the eraser and pencil modes.

Furthermore, the Apple Pencil has a good weight, feel and design. So, it feels nice to be holding the Apple Pencil in the hand when you are using it.

Also, the Apple Pencil can be charged to full in 15 minutes giving you 12 hours of use. You can also charge it for 15 seconds and get 30 minutes of use out of it.

It is also the case that a lot of the drawing apps available on iPad will only allow you to use the Apple Pencil and do not work with other types of styluses.

Overall, the Apple Pencil allows you to draw on the iPad in a way that does not really feature any drawbacks and is a good addition to the iPad.

Pros and Cons of the Apple Pencil

Pros

Apple Pencil 2 allows you to switch to the erase mode with a double tap.

Apple Pencil 1 allows you to undo what you just did with a swipe from right to left with three fingers.
Pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, and the ability to draw words in text fields which get converted to typed words.
Attaches to the side of the iPad where it is charged.

Good weight, feel, and design.
Can be charged to full in 15 minutes.
15 seconds of charge will get you 30 minutes of use.

A lot of the drawing apps available on iPad will only allow you to use the Apple Pencil.

Cons

Does not have a dedicated eraser like regular pencils.
You may need to change the settings in the app in order to switch to the erase mode.

The double tap feature is only available to Apple Pencil 2.