I've just discovered these 2 handy Apple Pencil tricks

You might think you know it all when it comes to the iPad and Apple Pencil, but seeing as Apple doesn't exactly shout about its products' features – which don't come with a guide full of nifty tips – there may well be a trick or two you're missing.

I recently went to visit Apple's London HQ to meet with the company's product marketing guru, who showed me how to get the best out of the Apple Pencil and the iPad. There were a few things I was already familiar with, mostly around adding Stickers, but there were a couple of Apple Pencil tips that I certainly wasn't aware of before, and which I'm now showing anyone who'll listen...

01. Take a screenshot with Apple Pencil

Place your Apple Pencil in the bottom left corner of your iPad, and then move it in a diagonal line towards the centre, and your iPad will take a screenshot. 

The Apple Pencil tools then pop up at the bottom of your screen so you can annotate your screenshot as required.

02. Make Quick Notes with Apple Pencil

Quick Notes can be used to make well, quick notes, on apps or webpages while using the iPad. To create one, simply place your Apple Pencil in the bottom right corner of your screen and drag it diagonally towards the middle of the screen. 

You should see a little Quick Notes screen pop up. You can click the link to create a hyperlink, and scribble directly on the note – the iPad will then turn your scribble into text (it can even read my atrocious handwriting). 

The next time you're on that webpage or app, the Quick Note will pop up on your screen so you can see your annotations. 

You can also find all your Quick Notes in the Notes app, where they have their own section.

If you don't have an Apple Pencil yet, see our Apple Pencil deals page. And if you're not sure which iPad or Apple Pencil you need, see our iPad generations guide, or our post about why the iPad lineup is so confusing.