Q: Is the latest IOS 9.3.1 safe now for IPad 2 GSM users?  I don't want the horrible IOS 9.3 activation problems to happen all over again.

Yes, you can update to iOS 9.3.1.

I haven't seen anybody say that iOS 9.3.1 caused the activation issues. I would give it a go.

I am, right now, trying to reboot an iPad 2 after updating it to 9.3.1.

And I'm getting the activation error.

This, after updating to 9.3 and then having to downgrade to the last iteration of 9.2.

So... I don't think it's quite as safe as this reports.

I've tried removing an old SIM card and rebooting, in hopes that would work. It didn't.

Now I'm trying this... (from here: If you can't activate your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch after installing iOS 9.3 - Apple Support)

Try to sign in to iCloud.com, so you can remove Activation Lock:

1. Turn off your device or take it offline.
2. Sign in to iCloud.com with your Apple ID and password.
3. Open Find My iPhone.
4. Select All Devices, then select your device.
5. Click Remove from Account. If you still see a map in the device detail view, select All Devices again, click next to your device, then click Remove.
6. After you set up your device successfully, make sure that you sign in to iCloud and turn on Find my iPhone again.

It's still rebooting after removing it from iCloud, so we'll see if that works...

And... nope. That didn't work either.

So now I'm going to try this...

If you can’t activate your iPad 2 (GSM model) after you update to iOS 9.3 - Apple Support

(Link has the same name as above, but it's different info... on how to restore the iPad)

Really bummed that this happened, because this time I don't have a recent backup... so if I have to do a full restore, it means tossing two weeks worth of Minecraft projects for my daughter... plus losing progress in four downloaded spelling apps. Grr.

Just installed 9.3.1 on my iPad 2 and it is now broken, unrecoverable with iTunes, glorified paperweight. It's as dead as Apple's sense of customer service.

I Did FINALLY get mine to activate. Was on the phone with a helpful Apple rep, though he was also perplexed.

After getting the activation error several times, I did another hard reset... home button and sleep button pressed until it reboots to logo... and, strangely enough, that finally worked.

BY the way, this was also after going on my iCloud.com account and deleting the device from my list of Find My iPhone devices. I don't know if that matters, but it's worth mentioning.

GOod luck!

My wifi is dead now under 9.3.1. Seemed symptom as my 4s.

What crap updates of apple release right now.

Please don't tell to restore or reset any general settings.

All is not work. Stay from 9.3.1 updated or your bricking the WIFI.

MY iPad really has issues since update to iOS 9.3.1 it blacks out, freezes, and tells me I have no wifi. I've never had issues like I've had with this latest iOS update.

ok just follow my workaround. seemed its work rather yo leaves your ipad dead.

kindly use WPA2-AES for your wifi settings. after done please reboot your modem.

than reset your iPad network settings in General. and fill your password and select WPA2.

(if) in CASE later found your ipad have lose the wifi signal/connection AGAIN.

just take your ipad near(read this->NEAR) the modem router. check your HOTSPOT in wifi settings.

than you'll see the network. Just tap it. And your wifi will be back.

good luck and god bless..

You definitely should make at least a back-up before trying. My iPad2 does no longer find the cellular network after upgrading the 9.3.1. Following some of the instructions from this forum and taking out SIM card, toggling flight mode and mobile network on/off resolved the issue once for a day. After a day the network was lost and I have not found a solution how to get it back.

In addition, ever after iOS 8 the responsiveness/speed on iPad2 (especially Safari)  has taken a leap backwards. I definitely would never started to upgrade if I would have seen even a glimpse of this iOS update mess that has made my iPad2 pretty useless.

I truly hope Apple would get its act back together. All the updates to iPad2 from iOS8 onwards have been disastrous as I see it. It would be great to have full possibility to restore back to any previous version in the future.

So with these answers, any idea when OS 9.3.2 will be released? Saw beta on April 6, should we who have not upgraded wait a bit longer?

This update just bricked my ipad 2.  It has always been an awesome device.  I wish I had read this first.

Always had a well functioning IPAD, so after the mess 9.3 created decided to wait, and went striaght for 9.3.1 but now my IPAD is basically broken. It needs pushing the reset button every few minutes as screen freezes. Also has enormous problems starting up, and it is really random when it decides to answer my start button push with a screen. Then I can not slide the start bar to open.

It has become a useless device.

Now what ?

Did you back up your iPad, first, before updating?

Have you resolved this yet?

My iPad 2 is running completely fine on iOS 9.3.1.

Using it to type right now.

Did you back up your iPad, first, before updating?