Office Settings & Configuration

Fix OneNote Apple Pencil Controls Not Working on iPad

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The Apple Pencil double-tap gesture to switch between ink and eraser stops functioning correctly in OneNote's Draw mode after users switch from Text or Scribble mode.

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: iPadOS (M4 iPad Pro, iPad mini 6)
Scenario: Using the Apple Pencil to draw, take notes, and erase content within the OneNote app.
Observed behavior: Instead of switching to the eraser upon double-tapping, the Apple Pencil reverts to the previous mode. Selecting the ink or eraser tool manually also fails to resolve the issue.

Before you start

Ensure your iPadOS and the OneNote app are updated to the latest versions, and verify that the Apple Pencil double-tap settings are correctly configured in your iPad's main Settings app.

Solution 1Recommended

Investigate Microsoft Intune and Device Policies

If your iPad is managed by an organization, Intune management policies may be interfering with OneNote's functionality.

Many users report this issue appearing after corporate management profiles are added to the device. Even if Intune is temporarily removed, lingering policy artifacts might continue to affect Apple Pencil behavior.

Contact your IT Department

Reach out to your organization's IT administrator or Intune support team.

Request a policy review

Ask them to investigate whether specific device management or data protection policies are conflicting with OneNote's drawing features.

Solution 2

Consult the Microsoft Q&A Intune Forum

Seek advanced troubleshooting from specialized Intune engineers if local IT support cannot resolve the policy conflict.

Solution 3

Submit a Detailed Bug Report to Microsoft Support

If standard troubleshooting like reinstalling the app and removing accounts fails, escalating the issue directly to Microsoft Support is necessary.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Seamless Apple Pencil Experience

If OneNote's Apple Pencil glitches are interrupting your note-taking and document workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with excellent stylus support for annotating PDFs and editing documents directly on your iPad.

1. Download WPS Office: Get the WPS Office app for free from the Apple App Store on your iPad.
2. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and create a new document or open an existing PDF to start taking notes.
3. Start annotating: Navigate to the Draw or Annotation tab and smoothly use your Apple Pencil to write and erase without mode-switching glitches.

Seamless Apple Pencil integration for effortless drawing, writing, and annotatingFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including Word, Excel, and PowerPointLightweight application optimized for smooth iPadOS performanceFree and intuitive interface without the complexity of corporate policy conflicts

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Apple Pencil double-tap not working in OneNote?

This is often caused by a software glitch between OneNote's Draw mode and iPadOS Scribble features, or it can be triggered by conflicts with corporate device management (Intune) policies overriding app behaviors.

Does disabling Scribble fix the Apple Pencil issue in OneNote?

While disabling Scribble in your iPad's main settings resolves some Apple Pencil glitches, users have reported that it does not permanently fix the specific mode-switching bug between the ink and eraser in OneNote.

How do I customize the Apple Pencil double-tap action on my iPad?

Go to your iPad Settings, tap on 'Apple Pencil', and choose your preferred double-tap action under the settings menu, such as switching between the current tool and the eraser.

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