The disclosure herein describes changing a mode of operation of a computing device using signals from a pen device. The pen device obtains gesture input data from at least one sensor of the pen device and the obtained gesture input data is compared to at least one gesture pattern. Based on the gesture input data matching the at least one gesture pattern, the pen device transitions to an active state. The pen device detects, via an electrostatic communication channel, an uplink signal from the computing device and sends a signal to change a mode of operation of the computing device by at least one of a network interface or a communication channel, other than the electrostatic communication channel. Changing modes of operation of a computing device provides a flexible, stream-lined way to enhance the user experience of using a computing device with a pen device (e.g., performing an initial pairing process).