When to change an Apple Pencil tip
A worn tip makes a good pencil feel broken. Here is how to spot it and swap it.
The short version
- Feel for a flat edge with a fingernail.
- A scratchy sound means the metal is close.
- Twist on until snug, not tight.
The fingernail test
Run a fingernail around the tip. A new tip is evenly rounded; a worn one has a flat spot on the side you hold it at.
Drawing on a matte paper-feel protector wears tips faster than bare glass, so artists who use one swap more often.
Listen for the scratch
If the pencil starts to click or scratch on the screen, the plastic is thin and the metal core is near. Stop there: metal on glass leaves marks.
Most people get around six months of daily use from a tip. Some get years.
Swap it in ten seconds
Twist the old tip off counter-clockwise. Twist the new one on until it stops, then a tiny bit more. Overtightening can strip the thread.
If the pencil feels loose or wobbles after a while, give the tip another small turn.
