iPad 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular not updating to iOS 9.3.6

In another thread someone came up against the same issue. They reached out to Apple and Apple told them there was no update for iPad 2 GSM. They learned only the CDMA 2 was supposed to get the update.

I don't see why we are arguing this at all, to be honest. I don't know why any more than you know why. Only Apple knows and if the OP wants a definitive answer, they should ask Apple, not us.

What Apple has done here, which is what I've been trying to tell you, is they created an update for the iPad 2,3 with is the CDMA version. You have the iPad 2,2, which is the GSM version. For whatever reason, Apple didn't feel the GSM iPad was having the issue the CDMA version was, so the update isn't meant for you iPad.

Yes, 3G and Cellular are both Cellular. But CDMA and GSM do not use the same cellular services. There's the distinction. This link explains the difference between CDMA and GSM: https://www.pcmag.com/news/300986/cdma-vs-gsm-whats-the-difference

The thing is the update was pushed out to fix a GPS issue, not an issue with cellular. The GPS issue has to do with the fact that the GPS is rolling over and the software needs to know about that or the GPS will be read incorrectly. Only the cellular iPad models have GPS which is why they need an update.

Because of that there is a near guarantee that the iPad 2,2 needs an update since it contains a GPS receiver.

My guess is that there was a problem with updating the iPad 2,2 so they didn't release an update. They have till November to do so if that's the case.

Yes, a GPS issue, which Apple seems to have determined effects CDMA iPad 2 devices, not GSM iPad 2 devices. iPads with cellular are the only device which have a GPS chip. That doesn't mean all iPad's with cellular running iOS 9.3.5 had an issue with the GPS chip. Evidently Apple found that the CDMA devices did, whereas the GSM devices didn't. If Apple wanted to roll out the update for the GSM iPad 2, they would have. They didn't.

A good but completely different example between devices would be the iPhone 7 sold by Sprint. The Sprint version and only the Sprint version has an issue where the phone loses cellular connectivity. Apple is offering replacements for those phones to this day because ONLY that version has an issue.

You can argue all you want here. We're not Apple. We don't work for Apple. We don't roll out iOS updates for devices.

Apple controls updates. Instead of wasting your time trying to prove you are right, reach out to Apple for a definitive answer.

I did this update through iTunes, and my iPad 2 is completely broke now and rendered useless. I figured it was not a big update and I could just restore my prior backup if it went badly. Unfortunately, now my iPad is unresponsive.

DON’T DO THIS UPDATE!

After emailing Craig Federighi about this issue, I finally have an answer.

Apparently, the GPS chipset is not affected by the rollover, and does not require an update. The GSM model will be fine after November.

They plan to send this message to Genius teams as well.

Hello,

iPad 2 is not compatible with iOS 9.3.6. iPad 2 is not expected to ever receive another software update.

Form what I have read, your iPad should be eligible for the update to iOS 9.3.6. It is to fix a GPS issue on cellular devices. Did you try updating using iTunes?

That is indeed iPad 2 Wifi + Cellular (GSM). If you are not gettting the update via settings on your iPad directly, my advice to connect to iTunes on your home computer will help you update it.

Then I'd ask Apple for assistance here.