Apple Inc. designed and developed the Apple Pencil (1st generation), a wireless stylus pen, on November 11, 2015, and released the second generation on November 7, 2018. The Apple Pen has several parts, and one of them is the removable cap covering the charging port. After charging your Apple Pen, you might lose or misplace the cap and ask yourself what to do next.
So, what should you do if you lose your Apple Pencil cap? Losing your Apple Pencil cap would need a replacement as the cap is used to protect the charging tip. The Apple Pencil has a delicate charging tip, and minimal pressure from other items like pens or keys could damage the port. You cannot charge your Apple Pencil if the charging tip is damaged, and it will be used after it runs out of power. After keeping it safe, get a replacement as soon as possible.
If you own an iPad, an Apple Pencil could be an important accessory to own because of its numerous functions. The key to making the Apple Pencil last long is ensuring that all parts, such as the cap, remain intact.
The Apple Pencil is a touch-sensitive accessory designed and developed by Apple Inc and functions as a replacement for tapping the screen of your iPad. The Apple Pencil has a rechargeable battery, and to charge it, you need to remove the cap at the top to plug it into the lightning connector on your iPad or use the lightning adapter and iPhone or iPad charger. The cap is small and is very easy to lose; if you lost your Apple Pencil, you might be wondering what you need to do.
If you have lost your Apple Pencil cap, the first thing you need to do is to keep it safe away from other items. When you remove the cap to charge the Apple Pencil, you expose the charging tip, which is supposed to plug into the iPad or lightning adapter.
This charging tip is very delicate and can easily bend or break when exposed to unnecessary pressure. After keeping the Apple Pencil safe, start looking for a replacement as soon as possible.
You can go online and search for the replacement from the Apple Store or other third-party websites. If you do not find the replacement cap online, you can visit the nearest Apple Store or contact Apple support for help.
The cap’s function on your Apple Pencil is to protect the delicate charging port. If you accidentally break the charging tip, you cannot charge the Apple Pencil, and once it runs out of power, it will be useless.
The Apple Pencil (1st generation) costs about 99 USD or 8.25 USD per month for twelve months. If you do not have AppleCare or AppleCare+ and you broke the charging tip, you will have to pay full price for a replacement.
Therefore, if you lose the cap, the first thing is to keep it safe and start looking for a replacement. Keep it in a place where it cannot roll and fall. Without the cap, you should not keep the Apple Pencil in your pockets or bag.
While you wait for the replacement cap to arrive, you can try looking for the lost cap in your house or belongings. Try to look for it in the last place you could have removed the cap to charge your Apple Pencil.
If you live with roommates or family members, ask them if they have spotted the cap anywhere in the house. Do not cancel the order if you find the cap and have already ordered a replacement cap.
Losing the cap is common, and it might happen again, and you need to have a replacement ready. It does not hurt to buy several replacement caps and keep them around your house or office if you keep losing the cap.
To avoid losing your Apple Pencil’s cap frequently, you can purchase a third-party accessory to keep the cap near your Apple Pencil every time you charge. Cozy Industries developed the PencilCozy, a soft, pliable silicone cap that holds the Apple Pencil cap close when you remove it.
PencilCozy has a top portion that fits over the Apple Pencil cap and a ring connected to the top by a strip of silicone. Slide the ring onto the pencil after fitting the cap into the PencilCozy.
Whenever you need to charge the Apple Pencil, the cap will be held close to the Apple Pencil; hence no more losing it and buying replacements. The PencilCozy only costs 7.99 USD on Amazon, while a replacement cap can cost between 5 and 10 USD, depending on the manufacturer.
How Do I Use Apple Pencil Without Cap?
To charge your Apple Pencil (1st generation), you first need to remove the cap and plug the charging tip into your iPad or the lightning adapter. Most people lose the cap when charging their Apple Pencil. If you have lost the cap or misplaced it, here is how you use the Apple Pencil without the cap.
Using an Apple Pencil without a cap is the same as how you will use it with a cap. The function of the cap is to protect the charging tip; it does not affect the connection between the Apple Pencil and the iPad.
First, you need to pair the Apple Pencil with your iPad if you have not yet done it. Plug the Apple Pencil into the Lightning connector on your iPad and tap on the “Pair” button on your screen. The Apple Pencil will remain connected to your iPad until you restart it.
Once you have paired your Apple Pencil to your iPad, it is ready for use, and you do not need any app to start using it. Place the Apple Pencil nib on the iPad screen, select the app you want, and start using it.
Since you are using the Apple Pencil without the cap, you need to be very careful not to damage the charging tip. The charging tip will remain exposed while using the Apple Pencil without a cap.
If you expose the charging tip to any unnecessary pressure, like placing a book on it or biting it, it might bend or break. You cannot charge the Apple Pencil without the charging tip when it runs out of battery power. Have an empty holder near you when using the Apple Pencil without a cap; place the Apple Pencil in the holder whenever you take a break or do not need it.
If you are traveling and you have to bring your Apple Pencil and cannot find the cap, you must create a designated space in your bag to carry it. Do not place the Apple Pencil in a bag with other items like chargers, stationery, and electronics.
You should also avoid placing the Apple Pencil without a cap in a compartment in your bag that is too tight. If the compartment is too tight, you could break or bend the charging tip when placing the Apple Pencil or taking it out. Take care of the bag you have stored the Apple Pencil in, do not lean on it, place heavy items on it or handle it roughly.
If the work you need to do on your iPad does not require an Apple Pencil, there is no need to use it without a cap. You can store it safely and use it after getting a replacement cap. If you have an extra Apple Pencil, the one without the cap will automatically unpair from your iPad after pairing the other Apple Pencil.
You can also unpair the Apple Pencil from your iPad manually before storing it. To unpair your Apple Pencil,
- go to “Settings” on your iPad and
- tap “Bluetooth”
- Under “My Devices,” locate “Apple Pencil”
- tap on the info icon, and
- tap on “Forget” to unpair.
If you try to use the Apple Pencil without the cap and it does not work, first, you should tighten the nib. The Apple Pencil’s nib can come off; check it and ensure it is tight. If the nib is tight, ensure that your Apple Pencil has enough battery.
Reboot or restart your iPad if the battery charge is not the issue. After rebooting or restarting your iPad, pair your Apple Pencil to the iPad again. If it does not work after re-pairing, contact Apple support for help.
Can You Replace the Top of An Apple Pencil?
Since its release in 2015, the Apple Pencil has been one of the most sorted after accessories for iPad users. However, one use that most users face is losing the cap that protects the charging tip. If you cannot find your Apple Pencil’s cap, you might be wondering if you can replace it.
You can replace the top of your Apple Pencil with a cap from the Apple Store or a third-party manufacturer. If you have AppleCare or AppleCare+, you can visit a nearby Apple Store and get a replacement cap. If it is your first time losing the cap, you will get the replacement cap for free, but if it is your second or third time, you will have to pay 10 USD to get the replacement cap.
It is not mandatory to purchase a replacement cap manufactured by Apple Inc. You can purchase replacement caps from third-party manufacturers. Ensure you purchase several caps because having extra caps is helpful because you might need one if the replacement cap gets lots.
The Apple Pencil (1st generation) is the only one that uses a cap to protect the charging tip. Therefore, finding a replacement is very easy. You do not have to keep looking for the one that fits your Apple Pencil. The replacement caps are the same size and shape, whether manufactured by Apple Inc. or a third party.
You need to find the one you like, pay for it, and slide it back on as soon as you get it. If you like the Apple Pencil to maintain its original look, you can get a replacement cap from the Apple Store. If you want to change the look, you can get one manufactured by a third party.
The replacement cap from Apple costs 10 USD, and if you want to buy three or four, it could be expensive. You can find cheaper third-party cap replacements than an Apple cap and have more features to ensure you do not lose it again.
For example, the Magnetic Replacement Cap by HIETON costs the same as an Apple replacement cap, but it has more features. The cap has a magnetic hold ensuring the cap is secured to the Apple Pencil.
It also has a cap holder, a rubber strip that keeps the cap attached to the Apple Pencil when you remove the cap to charge it. The third-party replacement caps also come in different styles, shapes, and colors; hence you can use them to personalize your Apple Pencil.
When you lose your Apple Pencil’s cap, it is important to find a replacement cap as soon as possible. You can go online and buy from the Apple Store or other online store websites such as Amazon.
Before your replacement cap arrives, you can continue using the Apple Pencil without the cap, but you ought to be careful. You can also keep your Apple Pencil safely until the replacement cap arrives to continue using it. If the delivery takes longer, ensure you check on the Apple Pencil regularly and inform people you share your home with not to use it until you find a replacement cap.
Wrap Up
The Apple Pencil is an amazing accessory from Apple Inc. that has made using the iPad a fantastic experience. Since the device requires charging, Apple installed the charging tip at the top of the pencil and added a cap to protect the tip when it is charging.
If you have removed the cap and cannot find it, you need to store it carefully and get a replacement cap as soon as possible. You can find the replacement cap from Apple or buy one from a third-party manufacturer. If you have enough money, you can buy several replacement caps if you lose another one.
You should note that the cap does not affect the performance of the Apple Pencil. Without it, the pencil will stay connected to your iPad and access apps. The cap’s only function is to protect the charging tip from damage. Therefore, you can continue using the Apple Pencil if you lose the cap, but you need to be careful not to damage the charging tip.
