The Galaxy Z Fold 4 takes two styluses — the S Pen Fold Edition and the S Pen Pro — and only the Pro pairs over Bluetooth.
An S Pen from an older Galaxy Note will not work, and Samsung warns that older styluses can damage a Z Fold display. The pen must be the right model and meet the right screen.
Neither stylus ships in the box. The S Pen Pro adds Bluetooth Air actions, but needs a charge and a linked Samsung account first. Buy the Fold Edition expecting a camera shutter button and you’ll hunt for a pairing menu that doesn’t exist.
Which S Pen Fits The Galaxy Z Fold 4?
Only two styluses are cleared for this phone: the S Pen Fold Edition and the S Pen Pro. Samsung’s compatibility guide lists both for the Galaxy Z Fold3, Z Fold4, Z Fold5, and Z Fold6, and rules out the S Pen Creator Edition for the whole Fold line.
| What Changes | S Pen Fold Edition | S Pen Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Writing surface | Inside Main Screen of the Z Fold3 and Z Fold4 | Inside Main Screen, plus S Pen-ready tablets, phones, and Galaxy Book laptops |
| Bluetooth pairing | None — nothing to pair | Required before Air actions work |
| Remote control | No shutter button, no Air actions | Air actions and button shortcuts after linking |
| Power | Passive EMR pen, never needs a charge | Charges through a USB-C socket |
| Mode switch | Not fitted | Must sit on Z Fold mode for this phone |
| Tip | 1.5 mm, approved for Fold inner screens | Retractable, spring-loaded to shed excess force |
| Cover Screen | No pen input | No pen input |
| Samsung account | Not needed | Needed to link the pen |
Samsung files the phone under model code SM-F936, and regional variants such as SM-F936BZKGMEA use the same two pens. Since neither comes in the box, plan to buy one — and these tested Z Fold 4 accessory picks cover cases that leave room for the pen.
Pairing The S Pen Pro In Four Steps
The S Pen Pro needs a charge and a Bluetooth handshake before its button and Air actions respond. The pen’s Mode switch must sit on Z Fold mode first — leave it in S Pen mode and the Fold 4 never sees it.
- Plug the pen into a USB-C cable and charge it.
- Slide the Mode switch to Z Fold mode.
- Press and hold the Connection button for three seconds, until the indicator LED blinks.
- Tap Connect on the pop-up that appears on the Fold 4, then sign in to your Samsung account.
Once linked, the pen writes in Samsung Notes and the side button fires Air actions. Moving the pen to another device means flipping the switch to the matching mode and pairing again. If the pop-up never appears, the Mode switch is the usual culprit.
Using The S Pen With Galaxy Z Fold 4: Screen Limits
Writing happens on the inside Main Screen and nowhere else. Samsung states that S Pens cannot be used on the Z Fold series Cover Screen, so the outer display stays finger-only.
The Fold Edition is the simpler half of this pair: unfold the phone, open Samsung Notes, and write. There is no setup step, no pairing screen, and no battery — ink appears the moment the tip touches the inner glass. Menu wording shifts with the installed Android and One UI version, so a renamed app or moved toggle is normal.
Three mistakes cause most trouble. An older S Pen or unapproved third-party stylus can scratch the inner display, so Samsung asks owners to use Fold-approved pens only. Pressing harder buys nothing, since the Pro’s tip retracts under force. And reaching for the Cover Screen leaves you tapping a panel that ignores the pen. Samsung’s S Pen compatibility list is the page to check before buying any stylus for this phone.
Common Questions
Do You Need To Charge The S Pen Fold Edition?
No. The Fold Edition is a passive EMR stylus with no battery, no Bluetooth radio, and no pairing step, so it works straight out of the box and never needs a cable. It cannot take photos, flip slides, or run Air actions — those belong to the S Pen Pro, which charges over USB-C and must be linked to your Samsung account first.
Can The S Pen Write On The Z Fold 4 Cover Screen?
No. Samsung states that S Pens cannot be used on the Z Fold series Cover Screen, so the outer display responds to fingers only. Every handwriting, drawing, and Air action feature applies to the inside Main Screen after you unfold the phone. Jotting a note with the phone closed is not possible — open it first.
Does The S Pen Pro Work With Other Samsung Devices?
Yes. Samsung lists the S Pen Pro as compatible with the Galaxy Z Fold3 through Z Fold6, plus a range of S Pen-ready Galaxy tablets, phones, and Galaxy Book laptops. To switch, slide the Mode switch to the setting for that device — Z Fold mode for Fold phones, S Pen mode for the rest — then hold the Connection button and pair again.
Sources
- Samsung. “Which S Pens are compatible with the Galaxy Z Fold series?” Supports the pen compatibility list and the S Pen Creator Edition exclusion.
- Samsung. “How to use S Pen Pro on my Galaxy Z Fold4” Source for the charging, mode switch, Connection button, and pairing steps.
- Samsung. “S Pen Fold Edition (PF926)” Source for Fold Edition dimensions, weight, and model number.