iPad 3 activation error prevents update to 9.3.6 or restore

Multiple recent posts, concerning unresolvable issues with device re-activation, suggest that Apple has finally removed all server-side and re-activation support for obsolete 32-bit devices:

• iPad1
• iPad2
• iPad3
• iPad4
• iPad mini1

As such re-activation of your iPad3 may now be impossible, rendering the iPad unusable.

Additionally, all 32-bit Apps have been retired and removed from the Apple App Store. Other than built-in Apps, you'll not be able to install any additional Apps from the App Store.

The final nail in the coffin is simply that most online services will now be unusable with the native Safari browser - as obsolete 32-bit devices don't meet the security requirements and crypto' requirements of modern websites.

In summary, while perhaps an unexpected outcome, you might be best advised to abandon ongoing efforts to recover your obsolete iPad3. You would be best advised to consider outright replacement with much newer or current model devices.

However, should you wish to further attempt re-activation of your obsolete iPad, you might try the following...

Start here >>> If you can't activate your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) - Apple Support

If you are experiencing difficulties with (re)activation of your iPad, you may have more success if you connect your iPad to a Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows installed, or more recent Apple Devices App) or a Mac computer (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of macOS). Once connected to your computer, your iPad will be detected - and you should be able to activate using iTunes.

1. Make sure that you have the latest version of macOS or the latest version of iTunes.
2. Check that your computer has an Internet connection.
3. With the cable that came with your iPad, connect your iPad to your computer. Locate your device on your computer.
4. Wait while your computer detects and activates your iPad:

• If you see an alert that shows "Set up as New" or "Restore from Backup", it means your iPad is activated.
• If you get an error message that says the "activation information was invalid" or "activation information could not be obtained from the device", use recovery mode to restore your iPhone.

A restart of your WiFi Router and/or a change of DNS settings may also be helpful.

To restart you home router, disconnect power - then wait at least 30 seconds before restarting. When you router has rebooted (which may take several minutes), force-restart your iPad:

Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

For recommended DNS servers (configured at your home router and/or your iPad), you might choose one of the following Recursive DNS Providers (IPv4 and IPv6 addresses included below):

Quad9

9.9.9.9

149.112.112.112

2620:fe::fe

2620:fe::9

OpenDNS

208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

2620:0:ccc::2

2620:0:ccd::2

Cloudflare

1.1.1.1

1.0.0.1

2606:4700:4700::1111

2606:4700:4700::1001

Cyndy wrote:

Stuck with activation error on iPad 3.

Goal: Fix activation error to restore iPad with 9.3.6 or earlier installed so I can continue playing old .ipa games. I have back up of apps that are no longer available in store.

Device: iPad 3 A1430 with version right before 9.3.6 installed (SIM card not active)

MacBook Pro running MacOS Mojave 10.14.5 and iTunes 12.9.9.5

I am the original owner. Got it out of storage, charged it, Home Screen with passcode and my wallpaper on start up, accepts my passcode, played for a while offline, then went into activation mode that gives me error message when I try to activate.

Important: The first time I booted it up it worked great. I was playing old .ipa games without it connected to internet. A game app tried to connect me to the internet and BAM! That started the whole “need to activate” nonsense.

But it won’t let me activate it. I’ve tried through Wi-Fi and by connecting to old MacBook running iTunes. When connecting to MacBook w/ iTunes, it recognizes the iPad and tells me I need to update it to 9.3.6. When I click ”Downloadand and Install” it gives me an activation error and tells me to restore it.

How can I do this when it is stuck in the activation loop?

Please help!

If you can't activate your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) - Apple Support

We are seeing numerous reports of old iPads incapable of running iOS 11 no longer being able to activate or update after reseting or being turned off for a long time. It appears related to recent changes in what OS versions that iCloud services require. See:

System requirements for iCloud - Apple Support

The oldest iPad that can run iPadOS 11 and therefore retain iCloud support is the iPad 5. This limitation also affects the original iPad Mini.

Responders here are other end users like you, not Apple epmployees. We cannot explain or change Apple policy. You can leave feedback that an Apple employee can see using this:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

Cyndy wrote:

I only use the iPad 3 to play the old apps. It’s quite literally just for fun. I have a few newer iPad Pros for personal and work use.

I couldn’t care less if it ever can do anything more than Word Zinga, Conquist, Hidden Objects Pro, and a few others that are .ipa apps. And there might be some old photos and videos on it I need to export.

Hopefully you will have a backup of any important photos or documents - this being good practice for any computer, regardless of its manufacturer. Without maintaining a backup, you always risk data loss should a fault or other unexpected event occur.

You should note that restoring the iPad will completely erase all locally stored data from the device. Restoring a pre-existing iTunes or iCloud backup will restore any data that was included within the backup when it was created or last updated.

Unless you are able to restore your iPad3 to a running state - and successfully enter the device passcode - you'll not be able to recover or export and information, photos or other data from it. Your iPad has an encrypted filesystem - successful entry the device passcode literally being the key to decrypting any locally stored data.

If you don't have an independent backup of your critical data, but you do have an iTunes backup of the iPad3, you might consider restoring the backup to a much newer iPad - from which data included within the backup can be recovered.

iPad 3 is going to be approximately useless assuming a successful activation, given very few third-party apps still support 32-bit hardware, and given very old built-in apps and built-in network connectivity.

Cyndy wrote:

I only use the iPad 3 to play the old apps. It’s quite literally just for fun. I have a few newer iPad Pros for personal and work use.

I couldn’t care less if it ever can do anything more than Word Zinga, Conquist, Hidden Objects Pro, and a few others that are .ipa apps. And there might be some old photos and videos on it I need to export.

Cindy, Same here. We still have our first iPad 2 running 9.3.5 and only use it for two old games, one of which my 7-year old grandson likes to play with me. I have an A16 iPad for everything else.

Cheers!

Yay happy news activation fixed for iPad 3 and 2!!!!