Slide to set up

In the hope that this will help other people, I'll tell you what I did to (at least temporarily) solve this problem...

Since I got no replies from the above post, I consulted ChatGPT which said the following:

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It sounds like your iPad is stuck in an activation loop, which can be a frustrating situation, especially given the importance of this device for controlling your lights. Here’s a breakdown of what could be happening and how to proceed:

Why this is happening:

Software update or network issue: Sometimes, devices show the "Slide to set up" screen due to a software update or issue with the activation process. This can happen if there’s a problem connecting to Apple’s servers, even if your iPad is connected to Wi-Fi. It might be that Apple’s activation servers were temporarily down when you tried to activate it, causing the error message.

Device reset or unexpected restart: The device might have undergone a reset (even if not manually initiated), possibly due to a power issue or a system glitch, leading it to think it needs to be reactivated.

Outdated software or expired certificate: Older iPads, particularly those running very old versions of iOS, can sometimes have issues with Apple’s activation servers if their certificates or other software components are outdated.

What happens when you activate the iPad:

Activating the iPad doesn't erase any data from the device—it merely ensures that the device is properly registered with Apple’s servers and able to use Apple services (like iCloud, the App Store, etc.). Since this iPad has been in use for many years, there shouldn't be a risk of losing your data as part of the activation process. However, some concerns you might have:

No data loss: Activation itself should not wipe the device, but if you choose to restore it through iTunes, it may reinstall the OS, which could result in data loss if you don’t back up beforehand.

Potential issues with software: Since you’ve mentioned that you've been reluctant to update the OS due to compatibility issues with your lighting control software, it’s important to note that activating the device could trigger an update to a newer version of iOS, which could lead to issues with apps that aren’t compatible with newer OS versions.

How to proceed safely:

Check the Activation Server Status:

Before trying anything drastic, you might want to check if there’s an issue with Apple’s activation servers. Sometimes, servers can go down temporarily. You can check Apple's status page to confirm if there's an ongoing problem:

Apple System Status

Try Activation with iTunes:

You mentioned that you have access to a Mac, which is good. Here’s a basic guide:

Connect the iPad to the Mac using the charging cable.

Open iTunes (or Finder if you're on macOS Catalina or later).

If iTunes detects the iPad, you should see options to either activate it or restore it.

Choose Activate to proceed, as this will just re-register the device without erasing anything.

If iTunes asks for a restore and you’re concerned about the OS upgrade or data loss, you can choose not to proceed with the restore option and just try activating the device first.

Backup your data (if possible):

If you do end up needing to restore the iPad or if you’re concerned about the OS changing, it’s a good idea to back up your iPad before proceeding. You can use iTunes or Finder to make a local backup on your Mac (if that option appears), or you can back it up to iCloud, although the "Slide to Set Up" screen might block access to settings.

Consider contacting Apple Support:

If you're unsure about proceeding and worried about any potential issues, you could contact Apple Support for guidance. They may be able to assist with the activation process or help ensure that the device remains on the current OS version to prevent compatibility issues.

Wi-Fi Check:

Ensure that your iPad is properly connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and that it can access the activation servers. You might try switching to a different Wi-Fi network, just in case there’s an issue with the current one.

Final thoughts:

It’s understandable that you’re worried about the activation process, but in most cases, activating the iPad shouldn’t lead to data loss. The key concern is whether an OS update might interfere with your lighting control software. If your apps are compatible with older iOS versions and you’re using an older version (which could be iOS 9 or earlier, based on your iPad's model), you might want to consider keeping the device on that version after activation. Restoring the iPad should be approached with caution, but activation alone is usually safe.

If you’re unsure or worried about the upgrade, it’s best to reach out to Apple Support to clarify the situation. They may be able to provide additional guidance or options to help you maintain your current setup.

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Basically this was excellent advice, and I wish Apple could

provide such good customer support.

Anyway, I connected the iPad to an Apple Mac and the iPad

asked:

"Do you trust this device?"

I answered yes, but nothing happened. In the end I had to

'Find' the iPad on the Mac and say that I trusted the iPad, and then it

immediately sprung into life. Our lighting control software, the only app we

had added, was working fine.

After this I thought I should back up the iPad so I asked

ChatGPT:

"Can I perform a backup of the iPad (with its old OS)

into the Apple cloud?"

It replied:

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Yes, you can back up your iPad to iCloud, even if it’s

running an older version of iOS. However, there are a few important

considerations when backing up to iCloud from an older device or iOS version:

How to Back Up Your iPad to iCloud:

Ensure iCloud Backup is Enabled:

Connect your iPad to a Wi-Fi network.

Make sure the iPad is plugged into a charger or has enough

battery.

Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud

Backup.

Toggle the iCloud Backup option to "On" if it’s

not already enabled.

Perform the Backup:

In the iCloud Backup settings, tap Back Up Now to begin the

backup process.

Make sure the process completes before you disconnect from

the Wi-Fi or charger.

The backup will include most of your app data, settings,

photos, and other information. However, there are some limitations:

App Data: If the iPad is running an old version of iOS, some

apps or app data might not be included in the backup, particularly if the apps

are no longer supported on that iOS version.

System and app updates: If you do a full restore after

activating the device or if you update the iOS version, some apps may need to

be updated to the latest version to work properly. If the apps you use to

control your lighting are no longer supported in newer versions of iOS, this

could be an issue.

Considerations for Backing Up on an Older iOS Version:

Old OS Compatibility:

iCloud backup will work with older iOS versions, but if you

are using very old apps, they may not sync or restore properly after an iOS

update.

If you plan to restore from iCloud after activation, make

sure the apps you need (like the lighting control software) are compatible with

the iOS version you're running.

Free iCloud Storage Limits:

If you have a lot of data on your iPad, you might run out of

iCloud storage. Apple’s free iCloud plan gives you 5 GB of storage, which may

not be enough for a full backup, especially if you have many photos or apps.

You can purchase additional iCloud storage if needed.

Backup Timing:

Make sure to back up before attempting activation or any

changes to your device. Once the device is activated and connected to iTunes or

iCloud, you can restore the backup if needed.

Alternatives if iCloud Backup Isn't an Option:

If you're concerned about backing up to iCloud or prefer a

local backup to your computer (iTunes or Finder), you can perform that as well:

Back Up with iTunes/Finder (Local Backup):

Connect the iPad to a Mac (or PC with iTunes).

Open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina or later).

Select the iPad in the sidebar and choose Back Up Now.

This method will back up everything from your iPad to your

computer, which is especially useful if you’re concerned about iCloud

limitations or issues restoring the backup later.

Conclusion:

You can back up your iPad running an older iOS version to

iCloud, and it should back up most of your data and settings. However, if your

apps are older and not compatible with the latest OS versions, this could pose

a risk when restoring or activating the iPad. If you have concerns about

updating the OS after activation, you might want to back up to iTunes or Finder

on a Mac, as this will create a full, local backup without relying on iCloud’s

storage limitations.

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I therefore tried this but the backup failed, providing no

reason.

Conclusion

I can see that I'm living on 'borrowed time' with this

setup, and we need to use a different computer and software to get a more

robust solution for running the lighting. As I see it, there are two issues

with Apple products:

Firstly, You are completely at the whim of the developers,

who can and do change things which can completely change or remove one's own

ability to use a device. For example, I remember when we bought two of the

first iPhones which included Google Maps. After some period of time, Apple took

the unilateral decision to delete that application from iPhones. We had paid

for the products, and we owned them, and yet this important part of the phones'

functionality was removed.

The second problem is that a user cannot have absolute

control over their own data. Unlike the humble (for example) the humble

Raspberry Pi, one cannot take an image of one's Apple device and later do a

byte-for-byte restore of it. I appreciate that the majority of users may not

feel they need this, but I need to know with absolute confidence that I can get

our device back to a known state. That's not possible with the iPad it seems.

As a postscript to the above, I should apologise for the poorly formatted way that the text is formatted. In its original form I had formatted it properly so that it was easy to read, but the system complained that I had exceeded the 5,000 character limit, and promptly deleted everything I had typed. Experience had prompted my to take a backup of all the text, but copying and pasting loses the formatting, so what you see is the result.