Q: Cannot Activate iPad IOS 9.3

Exactly the same as mine then. Mine is still restoring through DFU modus as I am typing this.

I understand your feelings.

I restored now via DFU....

So did I, and although I am now still restoring from a backup I had made just before attempting to upgrade to v.9.3, I notice the iOS version installed is 9.3. Go tell!

Just reinstalled 9.2.1 via iTunes (alt select downloaded IPSW file).

All's well now.

Major FU from Apple.

My issue is now resolved.

iPad 2 wifi+3G 64GB now running iOS9.3.

I got the cannot activate issue most others are reporting here as well (see my previous post).

To resolve the issue I needed to go a full restore on my iPad.  Reminder: the home and top buttons pressed together with the iPad plugged into the computer with iTunes.

The restore took about 2 hours but its all good now.  It first wipes the iPad and then puts the OS on, then after that you can restore from a backup you have.  As mine is backed up to my computer, I used the iTunes restore process.  I expect the other process will work for iCloud backups/restores.

Some more details are here: Use iTunes on your Mac or PC to restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

Good luck and I hope this helps others!

How did you download and install 9.2.1?

Unless you really cannot wait for Apple to fix this issue I'd recommend just sitting tight a day or two till they fix it on their end... you'd think that if its just an activation issue that they can take care of it on their end without forcing us to revert back to 9.2.1 and iTunes backups...

That is... unless they are trying to force us to buy new iPads to replace our iPad 2's I've reverted back to my old iPad 1 on 5.1.1 for now... *sigh*

I had the same authentication issue. Used the method described by TorontoKev.

iPad working now, and has 9.3 running.

Good luck all.

it all works perfectly ... Activation working after restoring (via DFU mode)...

I just reinstalled everything after a reinstall/erase in DFU mode. Restored from an old backup and was doing app updates, setting up email, etc. Then it reboots on it's own and goes through the activation process AGAIN! There was an alert "Activation Required" on start up. And it's failing again!

Apple, this is beyond INFURIATING!

- Download an IPSW (from https://ipsw.me/9.2.1).

- Connect iPad to PC/Mac

- Put iPad in DFU mode (home + lock  until iPad is black; wait 5 seconds then release lock, but hold home).

- click restore (with alt button pressed) and select the downloaded IPSW.

- let nature run its course and you're good to go after 10 minutes or so

- reinstall all your apps (manually)

- (and when asked, say NO to "there is a new iOS update 9.3"!)

My solution was to restore iPad 2. Now i have 9.3 working.

First on the iPad hold down the Home button and on/off button until you see the connect to iTunes icon.

Then connect to your computer. In iTunes select Restore.

Worked for me too!

Have perfectly working iPad with 9.3 now (restoring did not put me back to 9.2.1)!

Restore worked for me too.... for about 2 hours. then it rebooted while i was setting things up in Settings and asked to be activated again. Failed again. This is definitely a back-end server issue that Apple needs to resolve.

Good for you guys/girls!

My restore didn't work out. Hence my reply to 'tpires'.

I'll wait for Apple to solve these 9.3 issues before jumping in.