iPad Is it normal for the Pencil 2 to skip when writing notes on ipad?

[DeepSix]

I don’t doubt it was some software change but it doesn’t seem to be affecting a wide group of users which is truly bad for your case. Like I said, it sucks but I have no advice. You’ve already done everything I would do in your situation. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

I may be onto something here. I was thinking long and hard about what I did to the iPad or pencil when I had the pencil start to skip. There was two: I updated the iOS version and I took the pencil tip off and put it back on. Even though I’ve already tried tightening the tip, I thought maybe it’s not tight enough and it has to be cranked to hell and back. So I really cranked it yesterday as hard as I could with all my strength using a a tool with a towel wrapped around it so it doesn’t damage the tip. I just need to give it more time but so far it hasn’t skipped.

These pencils are poorly made. The tips come off way too easy and who in the engineering team thought it was a great idea to have a gap between the tip and pencil so dirt can get inside? Surface pen is how it should be made so that the tip can’t be removed and no gap or evem loosening of the tip. Apple just designed it this way so they could make extra money from us having to replace the tips every month?

 

[sparksd]

Consider yourself lucky that your iPad didn’t get nuked from the iOS update.

Apparently, I'm very far from being alone so I don't consider it luck.

 

[wilberforce]

There needs to be a gap between the tip and the pencil case so that the sensor can flex and thus better detect the pen pressure (for pressure-sensitive pen styles). One of the reasons the Apple Pencil is so good. Be careful torquing it too much, because you are torquing the sensor, not the pencil case, and may damage it.

Apple Pencil Teardown

Since the dawn of the iPad, Apple has remained resolute that the iPad is meant to be enjoyed sans-stylus. So when the iPad Pro debuted with a $99...

www.ifixit.com

 

[Mackilroy]

These pencils are poorly made. The tips come off way too easy and who in the engineering team thought it was a great idea to have a gap between the tip and pencil so dirt can get inside? Surface pen is how it should be made so that the tip can’t be removed and no gap or evem loosening of the tip. Apple just designed it this way so they could make extra money from us having to replace the tips every month?

I’ve got two Apple Pencils, one from both generations. I’ve used the first one for over three years, and I have yet to replace the tip. I also use it daily.

 

[DeepSix]

There needs to be a gap between the tip and the pencil case so that the sensor can flex and thus better detect the pen pressure (for pressure-sensitive pen styles). One of the reasons the Apple Pencil is so good. Be careful torquing it too much, because you are torquing the sensor, not the pencil case, and may damage it.

Apple Pencil Teardown

Since the dawn of the iPad, Apple has remained resolute that the iPad is meant to be enjoyed sans-stylus. So when the iPad Pro debuted with a $99...

www.ifixit.com

It didn't fix the issue anyways, it just skipped again. I was this close to snapping the pencil in half. The only hope I have is hoping the ipad from Costco comes with 15.2 or older. 14.x would be the most ideal. Otherwise I give up because this is just ridiculous, 10 days and 20 hours to resolve this issue? I just hope someone will buy this garbage device.

I did more research on it last night and some people are saying it could be do to static electricity and to remove the case and try grounding myself to the ipad by putting a finger on the metal when writing on it on a table. If you have to do this to avoid the skipping then this is beyond comical.

 

[DeepSix]

I’ve got two Apple Pencils, one from both generations. I’ve used the first one for over three years, and I have yet to replace the tip. I also use it daily.

Long term I don't see how these pencils will last. They feel just that, a real pencil, one that can easily snap in half at any given time.

Pressure sensitivity on these pencils aren't anywhere as good as the Surface Pen. Sounds like these pencils are meant to be used by holding it like a paint brush so that you can lift your wrist 90 degrees into the air. If I had disposable income, I would have run this thing over with my truck by now.

 

[sparksd]

Long term I don't see how these pencils will last. They feel just that, a real pencil, one that can easily snap in half at any given time.

Pressure sensitivity on these pencils aren't anywhere as good as the Surface Pen. Sounds like these pencils are meant to be used by holding it like a paint brush so that you can lift your wrist 90 degrees into the air. If I had disposable income, I would have run this thing over with my truck by now.

I have a Surface pencil for my SP7 and a Pencil 2 and had a 1st gen pencil for years without any durability problems. Nor do I need to use them like a paint brush.

 

[Mackilroy]

Long term I don't see how these pencils will last. They feel just that, a real pencil, one that can easily snap in half at any given time.

Pressure sensitivity on these pencils aren't anywhere as good as the Surface Pen. Sounds like these pencils are meant to be used by holding it like a paint brush so that you can lift your wrist 90 degrees into the air. If I had disposable income, I would have run this thing over with my truck by now.

Anything can snap if enough force is applied. Mine have always felt solid, and I don’t worry about snapping them in half.

I hold mine like a regular pencil, not a paint brush. Given that Apple doesn’t advertise the pressure sensitivity, how can you be confident it’s less than the Surface Pen?

All of your recent comments read as though all you want to do is complain. You have a legitimate complaint, but there comes a point where additional complaining does nothing but assuage the ego.

 

[DeepSix]

I have a Surface pencil for my SP7 and a Pencil 2 and had a 1st gen pencil for years without any durability problems. Nor do I need to use them like a paint brush.

If this one from Costco doesn't address the issue then I will get a Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ when it comes out on the 25th of this month. Wanna bet the S-pen actually works and will work like it should for longer than 2 weeks?

I've been dissapointed by android tablets in the past but that was 8 years ago and I generally prefer Android OS to iOS and they've vastly improved and it actually works when used as a digital notepad. Heck even if this ipad from Costco does address the issue, I still may return it for the Samsung. It just may allow me to sell my SP7 with a non working touchscreen that I solely use as an ultra portable laptop.

 

[Neil.gtis]

Hi
I have tried my none Apple Pencil with notes on my mini 6 and no problems with it skipping
Neil

 

[DeepSix]

Hi
I have tried my none Apple Pencil with notes on my mini 6 and no problems with it skipping
Neil

Thanks for the feedback Neil. What iOS version is your ipad mini 6?

 

[Neil.gtis]

Hi
Just checked it’s 15.0.1 probably not seeing it because it’s not been updated
Neil

 

[DeepSix]

Hi
Just checked it’s 15.0.1 probably not seeing it because it’s not been updated
Neil

Good to know this thanks. When did you buy your mini 6? Is this the version it came with?

 

[Neil.gtis]

I got it off eBay in October and the other owner got it in September
As far as I can remember I don’t think I updated it when I set it up as the new owner
Neil

 

[DeepSix]

I got it off eBay in October and the other owner got it in September
As far as I can remember I don’t think I updated it when I set it up as the new owner
Neil

I see. Well good to know this, hope mine is the same version, as long as it's 15.2 or older.

I still believe my problem is caused by my account. It's almost like my Apple ID has a virus. Even if it was iOS 15.3 and 15.3.1 causing the issue, what are the odds of it happening on two brand new minis and in a row?

 

[sparksd]

I see. Well good to know this, hope mine is the same version, as long as it's 15.2 or older.

I still believe my problem is caused by my account. It's almost like my Apple ID has a virus. Even if it was iOS 15.3 and 15.3.1 causing the issue, what are the odds of it happening on two brand new minis and in a row?

That's the odd thing about this - you clearly have an on-going issue but others of us under the same configuration don't see it at all. It would be interesting to see what happens if you used a clean iPad & pencil, no personal setup at all.

 

[jdb8167]

That's the odd thing about this - you clearly have an on-going issue but others of us under the same configuration don't see it at all. It would be interesting to see what happens if you used a clean iPad & pencil, no personal setup at all.

See post 49 in this thread. He has tried that. It didn’t help.

 

[DeepSix]

That's the odd thing about this - you clearly have an on-going issue but others of us under the same configuration don't see it at all. It would be interesting to see what happens if you used a clean iPad & pencil, no personal setup at all.

I tried 2 days ago, wiping the ipad and then login with my old Apple ID account from like 8 years ago. Didn't install a single app or change a setting. Loaded up Apple notes and it skipped right away. Didn't make a single difference. Is there a way to set up the ipad without even logging into an account?

If this new ipad from Costco does the same then seriously I am cursed. 3 brand new minis and 3 in a row with the exact same issue? This is 100% not hardware caused, it has to be software either through iOS or my accounts.

I could try wiping it again and then setting up a completely brand new Apple ID but I'm not getting my hopes up at this point. But what's there to lose at this point?

 

[DeepSix]

Okay I'm almost certain I have found the cause.

Is it normal for ipads to be bent? As in not sitting flush when on a flat surface. I took the ipad out of the case and the freaking thing is bent! If I press with two fingers on the bottom left and top right corners at the same time, it's completely flush to the table. But if I push with on the bottom right or upper left corners one at a time back and fourth with two fingers, there is about 5cm gap from the bottom of the ipad to the table.

When I was reading on this problem last night I came across a thread about static electricity causing it and trying to ground yourself to the ipad by putting one finger on the metal chasis. I tried this and the skipping is completely gone. I take my finger off the metal and it skips again. I put it back on and skipping is gone.

Then using one hand I put one finger and my thumb on both the top left and bottom right corners and pressed down so that the ipad is completely flat. No skipping! But as soon as I let go, the skipping immediately comes back. I press down again on those two corners and the skipping is gone!

I still don't know what's the exact cause - if it's the static electricity causing it or the bent ipad but I have it narrowed down to two right now. WTF Apple? This is quality control?

 

[Mackilroy]

Okay I'm almost certain I have found the cause.

Is it normal for ipads to be bent? As in not sitting flush when on a flat surface. I took the ipad out of the case and the freaking thing is bent! If I press with two fingers on the bottom left and top right corners at the same time, it's completely flush to the table. But if I push with on the bottom right or upper left corners one at a time back and fourth with two fingers, there is about 5cm gap from the bottom of the ipad to the table

No, iPads don’t come bent. However, remember the camera bump.

 

[DeepSix]

No, iPads don’t come bent. However, remember the camera bump.

Oh right the camera. Why would Apple not have the camera so it's flush?

It looks like I will have to stuff a piece of tape inside my case so that the ipad sits flush when in it. How does this pass quality control?

Oh look it works perfect now (even with it on a table and rocking back and fourth due to the camera bump), looks like I have to let the ipad and pencil 2 sit for 4+ hours for it to cool down.

 

[Mackilroy]

Oh right the camera. Why would Apple not have the camera so it's flush?

Whatever Apple’s motivations, they seem to be widespread among tech companies, given the number selling devices with camera bumps.

It looks like I will have to stuff a piece of tape inside my case so that the ipad sits flush when in it. How does this pass quality control?

How does it pass quality control? Easily. Foxconn manufactures tens of millions of units and occasionally screws up. That’s what exchanges are for. Your experiences aren’t the norm. No manufacturer goes without the occasional lemon device. None.

 

[DeepSix]

Almost certain it's still bent. Anyone else's mini do this? Note the difference in sounds when I tap. Bottom right corner and top left corner are not flat to the table like the bottom left is.

Make sure your sound is on, listen carefully.

 

[DeepSix]

Okay whether my ipad is bent is another story but I don't think this is the cause because if it was the pencil skipping would be happening all the time. The fact my problem is on and off is what makes this so hard to figure out.

My costco ipad arrives tomorrow, that will tell for sure.

 

[DeepSix]

I'm 99% certain I got it figured out. It's a grounding/static electricity issue. Whenever (without the case) I touch the ipad metal chasis on the side with one finger while writing, it NEVER skips with my palm on the screen (even with the lightest touch of writing). But when I take my finger off it skips. Put my finger back on, it stops skipping. This is absolutely pathetic for a $600 device. So I pretty much have to use this thing without a case and to touch the side with my finger to prevent any skipping.