Charging the new Apple Pencil may mess with your car key fob

Charging a second-generation Apple Pencil may temporarily cause your car key fob to stop working.

As 9to5Mac reports, Apple recently updated this support document, which details how to use Apple Pencil with your iPad or iPad Pro, to warn users about this weird "signal interference" issue affecting its latest stylus.

The second-gen $129 Apple Pencil, released in November, only works with the new 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro tablets. To charge it, you simply attach the stylus to the magnetic connector on the right side of your iPad Pro. But don't charge it near your car key fob.

"If you're charging your Apple Pencil (2nd generation) with your iPad Pro and your car's keyless entry device (key fob) is nearby, signal interference might prevent you from unlocking your car with your key fob," Apple warned.

Fortunately, fixing the problem is pretty simple.

"If this happens, you can simply move your iPad Pro away from the key fob or remove your Apple Pencil from your iPad Pro and store it separately," Apple advises. "When Apple Pencil is finished charging, any resulting signal interference will cease."

It's a minor issue, but may cause some annoyance if you head out with your iPad Pro and Apple Pencil in tow. It might be especially annoying if you often bring the devices to work or school. If you do plan to bring the gadgets along for a ride, try to charge your Apple Pencil ahead of time so you can avoid a scenario where your car key fob won't work.