If your drawing tools or Apple Pencil suddenly stop working in Zinnia, don’t worry—most issues are quick to fix. A simple reboot, opacity adjustment, or Pencil check often does the trick. Try these steps before reaching out to Support.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin, make sure:
Zinnia is installed and you can open a journal page
You have an internet connection (helpful for support links or sending emails)
You're using Apple Pencil with a compatible iPad (for Pencil-related issues)
iPad running iOS 15.5 or later
Step-by-Step Fixes
1. Reboot your device.
Power off completely, wait a few seconds, then power back on. Open Zinnia and try drawing again.
2. Check the tool’s opacity.
Select your drawing tool in Zinnia
Move the Opacity slider to a higher setting
Try drawing a few strokes—low opacity often makes strokes appear invisible
3. Test Apple Pencil in another app (iPad only).
Open the Apple Notes app and try drawing
Check for basic strokes and pressure sensitivity
If Pencil doesn't work here either, the issue is likely with the Pencil or hardware—not Zinnia
4. Inspect or replace the Apple Pencil tip (iPad only).
Make sure the tip is screwed on securely—remove and reattach it to double-check
If it feels worn down, swap it with a spare and test again
5. Check Apple Pencil and iPad compatibility (iPad only).
Make sure your model of Apple Pencil is supported by your iPad: Apple Compatibility (Apple Support)
Tips and Notes
If your strokes seem to vanish, check opacity first—it’s often set too low
Testing in Apple Notes is a fast way to rule out Zinnia-specific issues
Replacing a worn Pencil tip can restore pressure sensitivity and smooth line quality
FAQ
Q: Pencil works in Notes but not Zinnia.
Re-select the tool, raise opacity, and try again. If issues continue, contact us by submitting a request with details.Q: Pencil doesn’t work in Notes either.
Tighten or replace the tip and double-check compatibility. If that doesn’t help, reach out to Apple Support.Q: My lines look faint or glitchy.
Increase opacity, switch to a darker color, disable Low Power Mode, and clean both your screen and Pencil tip.Q: Can I keep using Zinnia without Apple Pencil?
A: Yes—you can draw with your finger and still use all other features while problem solving.Q: Should I reinstall the app?
A: Not yet. Try the steps above first. If nothing helps, contact Support before reinstalling.Q: Does Zinnia support pressure sensitivity?
A: Yes—on compatible iPads using Apple Pencil. If it feels off, test in Apple Notes first.