How to avoid losing your Apple Pencil

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The Apple Pencil is a glorious thing. A true designer's tool that feels right to hold, it's weighted perfectly, and it pairs with the iPad Pro and various apps to create a peerless digital drawing experience. If you own an original Apple Pencil, and why wouldn't you, it's still compatible with the iPad 10.2-inch (2019), iPad mini (2019) and iPad Air (2019) from the current line-up and a host of older models. Then this collection of tips is definitely for you. See our cheap Apple Pencil deals if you are in need of a new stylus.

There is one problem with the first-gen Apple Pencil though, which has been since fixed in the second-gen model (see our Apple Pencil 1 vs Apple Pencil 2 post), and that's the fact that the Apple Pencil is completely cylindrical. And this leads to a major issue – it can roll off anything but the most level surface, and that can lead to it being lost or damaged.

So how can you keep hold of your precious Pencil? We took a look at some of the available accessories plus some devilishly clever hacks to ensure your stylus stays put.

For more on what you can do with the Apple Pencil, see our iPad apps for designers post.

01. Mildly magnetic iPad Smart Keyboard

The Pencil just about hangs on when held upright…

If you are using a Smart Keyboard with your iPad Pro, you'll find that it is mildly magnetic along the left-hand edge, and the Apple Pencil will just about cling on. Okay, this is not a long-term solution, but it will stop the Pencil from rolling away on its own if you leave your desk.

02. Moxiware Magnet sleeve

Moxiware has produced a very Apple OE-esque set of sleeves for the Pencil, that give it a truly magnetic connection to your iPad Pro. It works with an iPad 9.7" and iPad Pro 12.9" and 10.5".

03. Pencil clip hack

This is an old one but still a good one. Reddit user texasdoesitbest discovered that the Pentel Sharp Automatic Pencil's removable metal clip fits the Apple Pencil exactly. And as it is chrome, it even matches the Pencil's shiny metal band. Discover how it's done here – great gadget hack!

04. Leuchtturm1917 Pen Loop

Leuchtturm1917's pen loop is designed for the company's sumptuous notebooks

Premium notebook-maker Leuchtturm1917, which is the notebook preference of some of the CB office, sells a handy pen loop to attach to its stationery. It is a quality item, as befits the Leuchtturm1917 brand, and Tumblr blogger #MykeWasRight spotted that this would make an excellent Apple Pencil holder.

He's right – it looks neat and you can select a colour to suit your iPad Pro or Smart Cover's dominant hue – but what you really need to do it pair it with the pencil clip hack (03, above) just to ensure that there is something stopping the Pencil from escaping. Belt and braces, and all that…

05. Belkin Stand for Apple Pencil

Belkin's stand keeps the tip protected and looks great on your desk

Belkin's Stand for Apple Pencil gives you an elegant storage solution to keep your stylus protected between uses. It holds the Apple Pencil upright and protects the tip while also allowing easy access to the device. The compact accessory is made of anodized aluminum and comes with a bead-blasted finish that mirrors the minimal design of the Apple Pencil and iPad Pro, and looks great on your desktop.

06. Make a stand out of Lego

Take a leaf out of foul-mouthed Glaswegian illustrator @davidgalletly book and put your Lego to good use. And as David says, it looks f*****g cool.

07. Stylus Sling

The Stylus Sling straps your Pencil to your iPad

The Stylus Sling is a way to strap your Apple Pencil to your iPad to ensure it's with you at all times. A little utilitarian in design, it maxes on effectiveness – and it cleverly has a little pocket to slot the lightning connector cover into so you don't mislay that, either.

Read more:

• 4 reasons you need an Apple Pencil
• 23 best iPad Pro apps for use with Apple Pencil
• The 100 greatest Apple creations

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