The Apple Pencil 2 complements the company's excellent tablets, allowing users to take precise handwritten notes, sign documents, and illustrate digitally. It supports a wide range of advanced features, too, including pressure and tilt sensitivity, a double-tap shortcut, and more. However, just like many other Apple products, it also offers a few lesser-known features that new iPad users may not be familiar with. These include a handy shortcut that allows users to create a new note or resume the last note with a single tap. It even works when your iPad is asleep and its display is off. To enable and use it, follow the steps below.
How to create a note with an Apple Pencil tap
You can only accomplish this with the Apple Pencil 2, not the first-generation stylus. Also, your iPad must support the Apple Pencil 2. The easiest indicator is the lack of a physical Home button, excluding the iPad 10 (2022).
- Launch the Settings app on your Apple tablet.
- Scroll down until you find the Notes section. Select it.
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In the Notes section, scroll down to the bottom of the list. Select the Access Notes from Lock Screen option.
- Choose between Always Create New Note and Resume Last Note, depending on your personal preference.
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That's it! Now every time you tap on the lockscreen with your Apple Pencil 2, a note will pop up — depending on which option you've selected in the previous step.
This feature is a neat way to quickly jot down information in a time-sensitive environment. The feature works even if the display is off. Just tap the Apple Pencil tip on the screen, and your iPad will wake up, displaying a note. You can also see your notes in the Notes app for future reference.
If you're worried about people accessing your last note, you can simply choose the option that always creates a new one instead. Regardless of your choice, though, this feature is a welcome addition for those who tend to use their iPads for studies or who just want to quickly jot down an idea on the go.