The S Pen pairs to your Galaxy Tab A9+ through Bluetooth, and the process takes about two minutes

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ does not come with an S Pen in the box, but you can buy one separately and connect it wirelessly. The tablet recognizes the S Pen through Bluetooth pairing, which means the pen must be turned on and within range. Once paired, the S Pen works when ready in compatible apps like Samsung Notes, Clip Studio Paint, and the built-in drawing tools.

The S Pen for the Tab A9+ uses a single AAA battery. You will need to insert the battery before pairing, or the pen will not power on and the tablet will not detect it. The pairing process happens in your tablet's Bluetooth settings, the same place you would connect wireless headphones or a keyboard.

Key Takeaways

  • Insert a fresh AAA battery into the S Pen before attempting to pair it with your tablet.
  • Open Settings, select Bluetooth, and turn Bluetooth on if it is not already active.
  • Press and hold the button on the S Pen for three seconds until the LED light blinks, then select it from the Bluetooth device list on your tablet.
  • Once paired, the S Pen will reconnect automatically when you turn it on near the tablet.
  • If the S Pen does not appear in the Bluetooth list, remove the battery, wait ten seconds, reinsert it, and try again.

Step-by-step pairing instructions

Start by inserting an AAA battery into the S Pen. Open the battery compartment on the bottom of the pen, slide the battery in with the positive end facing up, and close the compartment. The LED light on the pen should glow briefly when the battery is installed correctly.

On your Galaxy Tab A9+, open Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen twice to open the quick settings panel, then tap the gear icon. Scroll down and select Bluetooth. Make sure the toggle switch is turned on — it should be blue when active.

Press and hold the button on the S Pen for three seconds. You will see the LED light blink, which means the pen is in pairing mode. The pen will stay in pairing mode for about two minutes, so work quickly. On your tablet, you should see the S Pen appear in the list of available devices. Tap it to complete the pairing.

A confirmation message will appear on your tablet saying the S Pen is connected. The LED light on the pen will stop blinking and remain steady. You can now use the S Pen in any compatible app.

What to do if the S Pen does not show up in Bluetooth settings

If the S Pen does not appear in the Bluetooth device list after you press the button, the battery may be dead or installed incorrectly. Remove the battery from the pen, wait ten seconds, and reinsert it. Make sure the positive end of the battery faces up inside the compartment. Try the pairing process again.

If the pen still does not appear, restart your tablet. Hold the power button on the side of the tablet for ten seconds until the power menu appears, then select Power Off. Wait thirty seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Once the tablet has fully restarted, open Bluetooth settings again and repeat the pairing steps.

Another common issue is that Bluetooth itself is turned off. Check the quick settings panel at the top of your screen — if the Bluetooth icon is gray, tap it to turn Bluetooth on. The icon will turn blue when Bluetooth is active.

Using the S Pen with apps on your Tab A9+

Once the S Pen is paired, it works in Samsung Notes, which comes pre-installed on your tablet. Open Samsung Notes from your app drawer, and you can when ready start writing or drawing. The S Pen pressure sensitivity means the harder you press, the thicker the line — this works in most drawing apps but not in text editors like Google Docs.

Other apps that support the S Pen include Clip Studio Paint, Ibis Paint X, and Procreate Dreams. These are third-party apps you read from the Google Play Store. The S Pen button on the side can be programmed to open specific apps or perform actions like taking a screenshot, depending on which app you are using.

The S Pen will automatically reconnect to your tablet whenever you turn it on near the device. You do not need to re-pair it each time. If the pen does not reconnect after a few seconds, open Bluetooth settings and check that the pen is still listed as a paired device.

Battery life and maintenance

A single AAA battery in the S Pen typically lasts between three and six months of regular use, depending on how often you use the pen and whether you leave it powered on when not in use. You will know the battery is running low when the LED light becomes dim or does not light up at all when you press the button.

When you need to replace the battery, open the compartment on the bottom of the pen and slide out the old battery. Insert a fresh AAA battery with the positive end facing up, close the compartment, and the pen is ready to use. You do not need to re-pair the pen after changing the battery.

Keep the S Pen in a safe place when you are not using it. The pen is durable but can be damaged if dropped on hard surfaces or bent. Store it in a case or pouch to protect the tip and prevent the battery from draining unnecessarily.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If the S Pen was previously paired to a different tablet or device, it may try to reconnect to that device instead of your Tab A9+. To fix this, open Bluetooth settings on your Tab A9+, find the S Pen in the list of paired devices, and tap the settings icon next to it. Select Forget or Unpair, then repeat the pairing process from the beginning.

If the S Pen connects but does not work in your apps, the app itself may not support the S Pen. Not every app on the Google Play Store recognizes S Pen input — only apps specifically designed for stylus use will respond to the pen. Try opening Samsung Notes or another app known to support the S Pen to confirm the pen is working.

If the connection keeps dropping and reconnecting, move closer to the tablet. Bluetooth has a range of about thirty feet, but walls, metal objects, and other wireless devices can interfere with the signal. Try pairing again in a different room or away from other electronics like microwaves or Wi-Fi routers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any S Pen with the Galaxy Tab A9+?

No. The S Pen must be designed for the Tab A9+ specifically. Older S Pen models from different Samsung tablets may not pair with your device. Check the product listing or packaging to confirm the S Pen is compatible with the Galaxy Tab A9+.

Does the S Pen work without Bluetooth?

No. The S Pen for the Tab A9+ requires Bluetooth to communicate with the tablet. Unlike older Samsung tablets with built-in digitizers, the Tab A9+ relies entirely on wireless pairing. The pen will not work if Bluetooth is turned off.

What happens if I lose the S Pen?

You can purchase a replacement S Pen from Samsung or authorized retailers. The pen is sold separately and is not expensive compared to the tablet itself. Once you have a new pen, follow the same pairing steps to connect it to your tablet.

Can I pair multiple S Pens to the same tablet?

Yes. You can pair more than one S Pen to your Tab A9+ by repeating the pairing process for each pen. Only one pen can be actively used at a time, but you can switch between them by turning on whichever pen you want to use.

Why does the S Pen button not work in my apps?

The S Pen button performs different functions depending on which app you are using. In Samsung Notes, it may open a menu or undo an action. In other apps, it may do nothing because the app does not support button commands. Check the app's settings or help section to see what the button is programmed to do.