Squeeze gestures can be customized in your iPad settings > Apple Pencil > Squeeze. The following gestures are supported:

Squeeze to Erase 

1. Squeeze the Apple Pencil Pro and hold to switch to the Eraser tool. 
2. Erase as needed.
3. When you're done erasing, release to quickly switch back to the previous tool. 

Squeeze to Switch to the Last Tool Used

Hold squeeze (temporary):

1. Squeeze and hold the Apple Pencil Pro to temporarily switch to the last tool used.
2. Use the tool while holding the squeeze.
3. Release the squeeze to return to your previous tool.

Quick squeeze (persistent):

1. Briefly squeeze the Apple Pencil Pro to switch to the last tool used.
2. Use the tool as needed.
3. To switch back, briefly squeeze again.

Squeeze to Show Color Palette 

1. Squeeze and release the Apple Pencil Pro to display the color palette.
2. Select your desired color, line size, and line style. 
3. The menu will automatically be dismissed after your selection. 

Arc Menu

1. Squeeze the Apple Pencil Pro to bring up the arc menu.
2. Draw on the note while the arc menu is open.
3. Select a tool such as a pen, pencil, highlighter, eraser, select, and undo. The color and size can also be adjusted. 

FAQ

Why aren't the Squeeze gestures working for me?

1. Double check that you don't currently have the Navigate tool in your toolbox enabled. Squeeze can be triggered when using any tool except the Navigate tool.
2. If the above doesn't help, double check that Squeeze isn't disabled in your iPad's Pencil Settings. 

I'm having trouble holding the squeeze.

You can adjust the sensitivity in your iPad's Pencil Settings and that should help with holding the squeeze. 

What happens when Auto-Deselect is enabled with Pro Pencil squeeze?

Auto-deselect disables the Pro Pencil squeeze, so squeezing the pencil won't trigger its functions.

Updated June 19, 2026 00:16