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Use Apple Pencil 2 in OneNote on iPad: Fix Hover Cursor Issues
Question details
The user wants to use an Apple Pencil 2 for handwriting in the OneNote app on an iPad Pro but needs to know why the hover pointer cursor does not show on the screen.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Writing and drawing with an Apple Pencil 2 inside the Microsoft OneNote application on an M-series iPad Pro.
- Observed behavior
- Handwriting registers and functions properly, but the Apple Pencil hover cursor effect is entirely missing while interacting with the canvas.
Verify that your Apple Pencil 2 is sufficiently charged and securely connected to your iPad Pro via Bluetooth.
Use Apple Pencil in OneNote and Understand App Limitations
How to initiate handwriting in OneNote and why the hover cursor feature is currently unavailable.
Your Apple Pencil 2 is fully capable of handwriting, drawing, and annotating within OneNote on your iPad Pro. However, the hover cursor feature is highly dependent on specific app integration.
Currently, Microsoft has not implemented the hover-pointer functionality into the OneNote drawing canvas. This means the absence of the cursor is a software limitation of the app itself, not a hardware defect with your iPad or Apple Pencil.
Attach the flat side of the Apple Pencil 2 to the magnetic edge of your iPad Pro and check 'Settings' > 'Bluetooth' to ensure it says 'Connected'.
Open the Microsoft OneNote app, open a notebook, navigate to the 'Draw' tab on the top ribbon, select a pen tool, and begin writing directly on the screen.
If you rely heavily on the hover cursor, tap your profile picture in OneNote, select 'Help & Feedback', and submit a request to Microsoft to add this capability in future updates.
Experience Smooth Document Annotation with WPS Office
If app limitations are interrupting your workflow, consider trying WPS Office for your iPad. It offers a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for viewing, editing, and annotating documents seamlessly, completely free of heavy subscription costs.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and launch WPS Office from the App Store on your iPad.
- 2. Open your document: Import or open any PDF, Word, or presentation file directly from your local storage or cloud drive.
- 3. Start annotating: Select the annotation or pen tools from the top menu and use your Apple Pencil to write, highlight, or draw smoothly on the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Apple Pencil hover work on the iPad home screen but not in OneNote?
The hover functionality relies on specific software APIs integrated by the app's developer. Microsoft has not yet updated the iPadOS version of OneNote to support this feature, causing the cursor to disappear when using the app.
Can I still use pressure sensitivity and tilt with Apple Pencil 2 in OneNote?
Yes, while the hover cursor is missing, core Apple Pencil capabilities like pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, and tilt recognition are fully supported within the OneNote drawing tools.
Is the missing hover cursor an issue with my Apple Pencil hardware?
No. If your Apple Pencil writes normally in OneNote and the hover pointer works correctly in native Apple apps like Notes or Safari, your hardware is perfectly fine. The limitation is strictly within the third-party app.
How can I turn off Apple Pencil hover effects globally on my iPad?
If you want to disable the hover feature entirely across the system, navigate to your iPad 'Settings', select 'Apple Pencil', and toggle off the 'Show Effects when using Pencil' switch.
