Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4: Apple pencil pro hover not working

By Sai Kiran Pandrala · reviewed by Sai Kiran Pandrala, Editor Last verified: 2026-05-30

What's happening

You hit Apple Pencil Pro hover not working on your Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4. This is one of the more common issues users report with this iPad category, and most of the time it's recoverable without a service centre visit.

Isolate

1. Power-cycle: unplug for 60 seconds, plug back in, retry.
2. Check the obvious: cables seated, batteries fresh, switches on, breaker not tripped.
3. Try a different known-good accessory (cable, remote, app, network) to rule out an external cause.
4. Check the Apple status page / community forum for known outages or release-notes for your firmware.
5. Note the exact symptom and any error code on display , you'll need it if escalation is required.

Resolve

1. Identify the trigger. Did this start after a firmware update? After a power surge? After a software / app change? Each of these has a different root cause.
2. Apply the safe fix first. For most "Apple Pencil Pro hover not working" cases on a Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4, the working sequence is:

- Soft reset (power-off, wait, power-on).

- App / firmware update to the latest stable release from the official Apple support page.

- Re-pair / re-discover the device via the Apple companion app if applicable.

1. If the soft fix fails, do a controlled hard reset. Back up settings + data first. Then factory-reset following the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4 manual. Re-enrol from scratch.
2. Test the suspect path. Reproduce the original failure deliberately to confirm the fix held.
3. Document the outcome. Note what worked. If the issue returns, you have a faster path next time.

When to call Apple support

• Issue returns within minutes of a fix.
• Device shows a hardware error code on display.
• Visible physical damage, burn smell, or swollen battery.
• Out-of-box failure within the warranty window.

Avoid recurrence

• Keep the firmware on the latest stable channel.
• Use a surge-protected outlet, especially in India where line voltage swings hard.
• Avoid third-party accessories that aren't certified by Apple.
• Schedule a periodic maintenance check (clean filters, replace consumables, recalibrate where applicable).

Frequently asked questions

How long should this take?

Most users get through the procedure in 15-30 minutes. Allow longer if you're doing it for the first time on this specific model.

Will this work on older variants of the same model?

Most steps apply across firmware generations. Menu paths may shift; use the official manual for your specific revision.

What if my variant is region-locked?

Check the model code on the rating plate. Region-locked variants sometimes have features disabled. The brand support portal will confirm what's available for your region.

Does this void warranty?

Operating the device per the user manual and applying firmware updates from the official brand portal does NOT void warranty. Opening sealed components, third-party repair, or unauthorised mods can void warranty.

Related guides

• All iPad guides -> /devices/section/ipad.html
• All device categories -> /devices/

Related fixes

Related guides worth a look while you sort this one out:

• How to use Apple Pencil 2 hover on Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4
• Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4: Apple pencil 1 usb-c adapter lost
• Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4: Apple pencil pro pairing issue
• How to charge Apple Pencil Pro magnetic on Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4
• How to pair Apple Pencil USB-C on Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4
• How to use Apple Pencil Pro barrel roll on Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4

References

• Official brand support portal for your model.
• Brand community forum + Reddit (search "Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4: Apple pencil pro hover not working").
• manufacturer repair guides guide if applicable.

Reference material, not professional advice. Validate with your manufacturer manual and follow local regulations.

Identify

When this symptom shows up on a Apple device, three patterns repeat:

1. Recent firmware update changed behavior — the symptom started within a week of an OTA push. Rollback or wait for the hotfix. 2. Environmental trigger, temperature, humidity, line voltage, network changes. Look at what changed in the environment. 3. Cumulative wear. components like batteries, gaskets, fans degrade over time. Replace the consumable rather than chasing a software fix.

Knowing which pattern applies saves time on the wrong fix.

Safety + preconditions

Before any work on a Apple device:

• Unplug from mains for any internal-access procedure.
• Discharge stored energy (capacitors in PSUs, residual battery charge) per manufacturer guidance.
• Use ESD-safe handling for boards and modules, no carpet, no wool sleeves.
• Avoid moisture; never apply liquids near vents or connectors.
• If you smell smoke, see scorch marks, or feel uneven heat, stop and escalate.

Validate

After applying the fix on your Apple device, confirm:

• The original symptom is no longer reproducible.
• Related features (status LEDs, app sync, paired accessories) still work.
• The device responds to a soft reboot without the fault returning.
• Any error codes that were on display have cleared.
• Documentation (your service log, the brand companion app) reflects the change.

Escalation guide

For a Apple device, the right escalation depends on impact:

• Cosmetic / minor: log a ticket via the Apple app or web portal. Response 1-3 business days.
• Mid-impact: phone support. Have your serial number ready.
• Critical (production down, safety issue): in-person dealer / TAC visit. Bring proof of purchase.
• Out of warranty: third-party repair shop with manufacturer-certified technicians.

More frequently asked questions

Why is this happening on a brand-new unit?

Out-of-box defects do occur. If you've owned the device under 30 days and the symptom persists after a factory reset, escalate to the seller for replacement under DOA terms before opening a manufacturer support case.

What if my model isn't exactly the same revision?

Cross-check the model code on the rating plate against the manufacturer support page. Major firmware generations sometimes shift the menu path; the option is usually under a similarly-named section.

What if the fix returns after a reboot?

Persistent fault returns mean either: a hardware fault (escalate), a configuration that's being overwritten by a sync source (check cloud profiles), or a regression in a recent firmware update (rollback).

Can I roll this back if something breaks?

Yes for software-level changes (firmware rollback, config rollback). Hardware changes are usually one-way. Always back up settings before starting.

Should I update firmware first or last?

Update firmware first if a release note specifically mentions your symptom. Otherwise, finish the troubleshooting flow first, then update; that way you can isolate whether the update or the underlying fix solved it.

Field notes from real iPad incidents

When I work on Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4: Apple pencil pro hover not working the rhythm I lean on is the one I have built over years of these tickets. I always check whether a firmware update landed in the last seven days before I open a single screw: most regressions trace to a recent OTA push. A USB-C power meter has paid for itself ten times over on devices that look broken but are actually undervolting on a flaky cable. Consumer device fixes split cleanly into 'soft reset clears it' and 'replace the consumable'; the middle ground is rare.

Tools I actually reach for

For Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4: Apple pencil pro hover not working on iPad the cheapest signal I can land usually comes from Bluetooth LE scanner (nRF Connect on phone), then Multimeter (for power-rail spot checks), Manufacturer firmware update tool, Companion app for the device (iOS / Android), Wi-Fi analyser (e.g. Wireshark + airodump for AP-side capture) when Bluetooth LE scanner (nRF Connect on phone) cannot see the layer the fault sits in, and ESD-safe screwdriver kit for the cases where neither of those answers cleanly. That ordering is not academic. It matches the layers the failure tends to surface through, so the cheap signal lands first and the heavier tooling only comes out when the simpler answer does not hold up under scrutiny.

Verification I run before I close the ticket

Before I mark Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4: Apple pencil pro hover not working resolved on a iPad unit, the verification loop below is what I actually run. Each step proves a different layer is green, and the order matters - the cheap checks gate the more expensive ones.

Factory reset following the brand's official procedure for this model + revision

If that one comes back clean, move to the next check. If it does not, stop and dig in there before layering more verification on top of a red signal.

Cross-check on a known-good account / cable / network to isolate the device

If that one comes back clean, move to the next check. If it does not, stop and dig in there before layering more verification on top of a red signal.

Soft reset (power off 60 seconds, then on)

If that one comes back clean, move to the next check. If it does not, stop and dig in there before layering more verification on top of a red signal.

24-hour soak test under normal load before declaring the fix held

Only when every line above runs clean do I close the ticket and update the runbook with the timestamps.

Where I check first when the docs disagree

When two sources contradict each other on a iPad detail, the disambiguation order I lean on is stable. I usually start at manufacturer user manual PDF (download from the support portal) for the ground-truth view on iPad. I usually start at official manufacturer support portal for the ground-truth view on iPad. I usually start at FCC ID database (fccid.io) for hardware revision lookups for the ground-truth view on iPad. Random blog posts and reseller wikis are signal, not ground truth, and I treat them as such until the references above either confirm or contradict the claim.

Pitfalls I have walked into on this exact path

The shortcuts that look smart on Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4: Apple pencil pro hover not working have a habit of biting back. The pitfalls below are the ones I have personally walked into on a iPad unit, not things I read about. Consumer device fixes split cleanly into 'soft reset clears it' and 'replace the consumable'; the middle ground is rare. I always check whether a firmware update landed in the last seven days before I open a single screw, most regressions trace to a recent OTA push. A USB-C power meter has paid for itself ten times over on devices that look broken but are actually undervolting on a flaky cable. When in doubt I revert to the slower path that the manual prescribes - the time I save by skipping it is always smaller than the time I spend cleaning up afterwards.

What I tell the next on-call

When I hand Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4: Apple pencil pro hover not working off to the next person on rotation, the three lines I leave in the runbook are these. First, the symptom signature for iPad on the iPad family - not a paraphrase, the exact string that surfaces. Second, the diagnostic that gave the highest signal in the least time. Third, the exact verification command whose green output justified closing the ticket. That trio is what turns a one-off fix into a runbook entry the next engineer can use without paging me at three in the morning.

I also add a one-line note on the cost of getting this wrong. For Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4: Apple pencil pro hover not working on a iPad unit, the cost is rarely the replacement part. It is the downtime, the second site visit, and the trust deficit you spend with whoever owns the asset when the fix does not hold. That framing keeps the next on-call from choosing the cheap-looking shortcut that ends up costing the most in elapsed hours and goodwill.