Preview tools and controls with Apple Pencil hover on iPad (2024)

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iPad User Guide

With Apple Pencil hover, you can quickly preview and switch between different tools and controls in supported apps. You can preview a drawing tool before it makes a mark on the canvas. You can also sketch, write, and make adjustments with greater precision.

Apple Pencil hover is available on iPadPro 11-inch (4th generation) and iPadPro 12.9-inch (6th generation) with Apple Pencil (2nd generation).

Use Apple Pencil hover

Hold Apple Pencil up to 12 mm above the iPaddisplay. Here are some examples of what you can do:

Explore the tool palette: Hold ApplePencil over the tool palette, then move over the tools such as the pencil, brush, eraser, and colors. Touch the tool, color, and options you want to use.
Preview before you make a mark: Hold ApplePencil over the drawing area. With some drawing tools, you can even tilt Apple Pencil and change the azimuth (lateral angle) for different effects. For example, in the Notes app , you can preview the color, line thickness, and opacity of the highlighter.
Erase with precision: Select the eraser tool, then select options such as the pixel eraser size or the object eraser. Hold ApplePencil over the drawing area to preview the effects of the eraser.

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