PDF Editing Issues

How to Fix Apple Pencil Not Working for Adobe Acrobat Comments on iPad

Ayan Masood Oct 19, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to handwrite comments using an Apple Pencil in Adobe Acrobat on their iPad, despite the pencil working correctly in other apps.

How to Fix Apple Pencil Not Working for Adobe Acrobat Comments on iPad

Product: Adobe Acrobat
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Attempting to add handwritten notes or drawings to a PDF document on an iPad.
Observed behavior: The Apple Pencil appears unresponsive when trying to write comments in Adobe Acrobat because an incorrect text or comment tool was selected.

Before you start

Ensure your Apple Pencil is adequately charged, properly paired with your iPad via Bluetooth, and functioning in other apps like Apple Notes.

Solution 1Recommended

Select the Correct Handwriting Tool in Adobe Acrobat

Switching to the dedicated freehand drawing or handwriting tool resolves the issue, as standard text comment tools do not register freehand Apple Pencil strokes by default.

In many cases, the Apple Pencil seems unresponsive in Adobe Acrobat simply because the wrong commenting command is active. Adobe Acrobat differentiates between typed text notes and freehand drawing.

Open the Commenting Menu

Launch Adobe Acrobat on your iPad, open your PDF document, and tap the 'Comment' icon at the bottom of the screen to reveal the annotation toolbar.

Choose the Drawing Tool

Locate and select the pencil or freehand drawing icon instead of the standard text box or sticky note tool.

Write Your Comment

Navigate to the area labeled 'Write a note...' and begin writing with your Apple Pencil. Your strokes will now register correctly.

Select the Correct Handwriting Tool in Adobe Acrobat

Scribble Feature Integration: If you have the iPadOS Scribble feature enabled, your Apple Pencil handwriting in text fields may be automatically converted into typed text for easier reading.

Seamless PDF Annotation

Annotate PDFs Effortlessly with Apple Pencil in WPS Office

If you need a reliable and intuitive way to mark up PDFs on your iPad, WPS Office provides excellent native support for the Apple Pencil. It allows you to handwrite comments, sign documents, and highlight text smoothly without confusing tool selections.

1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office from the App Store on your iPad and open your PDF document.
2. Access Annotation Tools: Tap on the 'Tools' menu at the bottom or top navigation bar and select the 'Annotation' tab.
3. Select the Pen Tool: Choose the 'Pen' tool to activate the drawing mode optimized for your stylus.
4. Handwrite Comments: Use your Apple Pencil to write notes, circle text, or draw directly on the PDF pages.

Native Apple Pencil support for zero-lag drawing and writingFully compatible with standard PDF and Microsoft Office formatsLightweight, intuitive interface designed for touchscreen devicesFree advanced annotation tools including highlighters, pens, and shapes

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Apple Pencil work in Apple Notes but not in Adobe Acrobat?

This usually occurs because the active tool in Adobe Acrobat is set to a text-only input (like a sticky note or text box). You must specifically select the freehand drawing or pen tool in the Acrobat comment toolbar to register Apple Pencil strokes.

Can Adobe Acrobat automatically convert my Apple Pencil handwriting to typed text?

Yes, if you use the Apple Pencil to write inside a standard text field in Acrobat and have the 'Scribble' feature enabled in your iPad settings (Settings > Apple Pencil > Scribble), iPadOS will convert your handwriting to typed text.

What should I do if the drawing tool in Acrobat is still not working?

If selecting the correct drawing tool doesn't work, ensure your Acrobat app is updated to the latest version in the App Store, restart your iPad, and re-pair your Apple Pencil via the Bluetooth settings.

PDF Troubleshooting