[MCPE-158895] Apple Pencil no longer recognized by Minecraft app

Since updating the game today, the Apple Pencil is no longer recognized when the game is running. I am typing these words using the Pencil, and I can use it normally until launching Minecraft. Once the game loads the screen no longer responds to the Pencil, only to either fingers or to those rubber tipped styluses. If I close out the game screen, the Pencil works normally again. When I open the game again, it goes back to not responding.

I checked it on another Apple device, an iPad Mini (5th gen) and got the same results. Once the game is running, the screen no longer responds to the Pencil. Close the game and normal function returns.

This has never been an issue before, only since the update this morning. Please help.

Linked issues

is duplicated by 10

BDS-17811 Apple Pro 2018 with pencil 2nd generation Resolved

MCPE-158889 Apple pencil doesnt work Resolved

MCPE-158952 Apple Pencil Not Detected in MCBE after Update Resolved

MCPE-160223 iPad pen doesn’t work in Minecraft environment. Resolved

MCPE-160345 Apple Pencil not working Resolved

5 more links

Attachments

Comments 36

Amanda.lee 2022-07-12T22:37:40Z

I’m experiencing the same thing!

ialicat 2022-07-14T14:23:54Z

I am using Ipad pro, 5th generation and Apple pencil 2. Pencil ONLY doesn’t work in MC after update. I use MC - the original version.

peepingspider 2022-07-14T15:56:53Z

Same

LaughingLioness 2022-07-14T23:31:39Z

I also changed my pencil tip out for a fresh tip and still no response to the apple pencil in Minecraft.

Amanda.lee 2022-07-15T03:49:54Z

I thought the same about the tip of the pencil! I thought too maybe my pencil wasn’t working anymore or that it wasn’t connected to Bluetooth but it was and the pencil works everywhere else too!

Anyone have any updates or know anything more when it’ll be fixed? It’s my only way of playing 😭

26 more comments

loredanatron 2022-07-19T20:11:16Z

I haven’t been able to play in a week without my pencil. My withdrawal is ridiculous. Any updates? I am using a second generation iPad Pro 12.9 with a 1st generation Apple Pencil.

LaughingLioness 2022-07-25T21:36:32Z

I keep checking back on this issue. I hope that this is being treated as an accessibility issue and not a convenience issue. I have poly arthritis and playing can be painful without the pencil.

Jboko124 2022-08-03T18:38:31Z

Yep broke for me as well. Im using an ipad mini 6th gen IOS 15.5. Hope that helps.

miya38 2022-08-04T06:06:41Z

iPad Air5th ios15.5 and Apple pencil2.
I thought it was just only my ipad's error, so I reinstalled the app.
then I somehow made a mistake. all the data disappeared.
still Apple pencil doesn't work.
Of course I backed up the "minecraftworlds" folder and put it back in the same place. filenames and biome are alive, but my villages I spent years building was lost forever.

princessainani 2022-08-07T02:51:28Z

Mine hasn’t been working since the last update either! Works in everything else. Hoping the next update will change this.

Kimjakk 2022-08-10T00:26:55Z

I have had this same problem since the update with the Apple Pencil not working with Minecraft (works with everything else).…is there a fix for this yet?

Sugarashley 2022-08-10T06:05:14Z

Sadly it didn’t get resolved in 1.19.20😞

miya38 2022-08-12T01:10:29Z

update doesn't solve this problem. sadness. I have sore arm.

ksdakhno 2022-09-02T08:05:11Z

1.19.22 Apple Pencil 2 doesn't work.

The same thing. iPad mini 6, last version IOS 15.6.1. Minecraft 1.19.22. Apple Pencil 2 doesn't work.

Please fix it! Thank you.

Madz108 2022-10-12T11:07:49Z

Why does the new update not like the apple pencil anymore? Is it an apple pencil thing or a stylus thing in general? I’ve been watching this thread for months hoping to get a fix😞

jesalin14 2022-12-31T00:56:56Z

I am so severely disappointed that this hasn’t been fixed yet, I made an account just to make this comment. If it hasn’t been pointed out already, I want to make sure Mojang knows that this isn’t just an issue of convenience, it’s an accessibility issue. I have been unable to play minecraft since July, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. The update that messed up apple pencil compatibility has made the game practically unplayable for many disabled users. Mojang seriously needs to fix this, or at the very least address it so we know it is actually being worked on, and not just tossed to the side. Please let us know that your disabled players have not just been pushed aside as “inconvenient”.

Kimjakk 2022-12-31T01:23:51Z

I also, only play using the pencil….I have tried different ways to get help with this…with no luck….it has been 6 months…..it does feel as if it has just been “tossed aside” and that no one is seriously trying to fix it…..I would think after 6 months someone would at least let us know something…..

DeepSeaAxolotl 2023-02-22T03:54:40Z

Microsoft styluses also seem to not work, although I'm not sure because I haven't used it before in the Minecraft app and sometimes mine doesn't work in general.

Solarcin89 2023-04-08T06:02:22Z

My 7 year old quadriplegic son who plays on his iPad by holding his Apple Pencil with his MOUTH has gone almost a year without his favorite game where he can flex his creativity and essentially play with digital legos since he can’t move his arms or hands. Mojang, are you guys gonna actually do anything about this or just ignore an entire group of disabled gamers out here? Your response to this has been utterly terrible.

Kimjakk 2023-04-24T13:44:25Z

Is the plan to “NOT” fix this? If so……someone should just tell us that is the case……it would be nice to also be told if anyone is going to try and fix it…if that is the case……Someone should say something… because it feels like it’s just been… and continuing to be…ignored.

J 2023-04-29T01:22:52Z

Hey Mojang.. are we planning on taking a look at this? Its been almost a year now without any hint of resolution. Some users are reporting it as an accessibility issue, others are missing the comfort and functionality of a product designed to be used across all AppStore apps. It’s disappointing that it has gone on for this long and I would like to believe that the issue is being looked at but the overwhelming silence on Mojang’s part is discouraging. I love this game, as do so many others. Please look into this issue more closely so we can go back to enjoying it fully. Thank you.

Kimjakk 2023-08-01T00:45:23Z

Like everyone else, I think it’s shameful that they don’t care about fixing this, or letting us know if anyone is trying!
Yesterday, my husband said why don’t you try this….it was a pen with a squishy rubber tip….it worked!…but was too squishy…… picked these up today and so far is working great with Minecraft!!!
So I wanted to share that with all of you in case you want to give it a try….I am enclosing a pic….I think the cost was $10 at Walmart.

Someone let me know if the pic showed up………3 pack, (brand) add onn. Styluses

(I am trying to add a pic)

RayBowers 2023-08-05T04:12:50Z

Still does not work with an Apple Pencil 2 on 1.20.13 on an Apple iPad Air, 4th gen. 1.18 was fine…

PLEASE fix this!

KryptoChaos 2023-10-18T13:05:07Z

Issue still applies to BE v1.20.32.

Girlxpop 2023-10-18T16:13:08Z

My iPad Pro 2020 running the latest version of Minecraft still does not work with the Apple pen 2. This problem also applies to my HP laptop and its companion Pen. I love playing Minecraft with touch and pen, this sucks I can’t get it to work on anything.

RayBowers 2024-01-18T15:12:42Z

I have voted for this bug. What more can we do to get this address??? Come on Mojang, this is an accessibility issue for many people. Put a little effort into it please!

RayBowers 2024-01-18T15:21:26Z

Go vote for Apple Pencil to be supported by Minecraft. It was submitted as an idea for a “new feature” at https://feedback.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/community/posts/11531537065101-Apple-Pencil-to-minecraft-iOS-iPad

Girlxpop 2024-01-18T17:10:14Z

I haven’t been able to play on my tablet since this happened. Please someone look into this. I loved using my tablet to play. Can we please get someone to acknowledge this post?

RayBowers 2024-06-04T21:36:11Z

Also still waiting on a resolution to this issue. Minecraft was so much easier with a pencil, and for me it was just a nice to have feature. For others, it is critical. PLEASE escalate this issue. It worked before. Make it work again PLEASE!

Bricked_In 2024-06-22T02:03:10Z

This is getting unbelievably disrespectful and frankly frustrating to not even ACKNOWLEDGE this. I know it's not Apple's fault as they allow Apple Pencils to work with any compatible apps that provide support. Mojang, please fix this problem for the next minor bug fix update, most likely 1.21.20. I'm actually getting so annoyed about this stupid bug that could be easily fixed. Just provide support yet again. I have a disability.

CookieCft 2024-07-18T11:05:36Z

Happy this is fixed in the latest preview, but can I ask why some bugs are resolved as soon as the preview is released, whilst some are resolved when the full release is out? I always thought they were meant to be resovled as 'Fixed' when the full version is out

Auldrick 2024-07-18T12:27:49Z

If a bug was only ever reported in a Preview/Beta release, and it was fixed before the corresponding full release came out, there's no reason to wait for the full release to resolve it. The bug was discovered and fixed within the same development cycle so it never affected any full release.

RayBowers 2024-07-19T02:30:50Z

Great to hear it is fixed in preview. Next question is, when is it available to everyone? Thanks!

Auldrick 2024-07-19T05:13:10Z

I expect it in 1.21.20. When will that be? When it's ready.

Bricked_In 2024-08-14T04:11:27Z

Thank you for fixing this issue in the latest preview! 🙂

RayBowers 2024-08-14T05:07:23Z

YAY! It works now! Wish it did not take so long, but glad to finally be able to use it!