An active stylus includes a stylus tip and a pressure sensor disposed proximate to the stylus tip. A stylus controller is configured to receive, from the pressure sensor, a current pressure value quantifying a pressure measured at the stylus tip. The stylus controller receives, from a separate display device, a proximity indicator that indicates a current estimated proximity of the stylus tip to a surface of a touch-sensitive display of the display device. Based at least on both of (1) the proximity indicator received from the separate display device, and (2) a comparison between the current pressure value and a touch input pressure threshold, the stylus controller sends a touch status indicator to the separate display device.