iOS 4.3.5 error 9 when updating to 9.0.2

I am another user who cannot update my iPad2 from 4.3.5 to 9.2. I too got Error 9, thought I had lost everything but Dr Fone software managed to reboot and recover 4.3.5. Was on the phone with Apple Care for a couple of hours last month about this but they were no help. They suggested I ship the iPad to them and pay (!!) them for 'repairs' (there is nothing wrong with my iPad other than needing 9.2 for newer apps!).

I did as MelnikLaMelnikLa and brwyatt19 suggested and sent feedback (sorry for the shouts folks):

"Please, please, please fix the bug that makes it IMPOSSIBLE to upgrade an iPad2 from 4.3.5 to 9.2 !!!! The problem IS NOT the iPAD2 hardware. It is a bug in your iOS software update that needs to be fixed! There are MANY, MANY iPad2 owners with this SAME PROBLEM!! Just take a look at your own support forum and see the 11 pages of frustration to date: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7278630?start=0&tstart=0

No one should have to PAY Apple to have their iOS updated when Apple specifically said that an iPad2 can be upgraded to iOS 9.2. Why, after months and months of complaints from iPad2 users, have you not yet fixed this problem?? I am so frustrated and disgusted with Apple's disregard of this problem that I am seriously considering ditching Apple products."

Would've written more but message space was limited.

Hope lots more of us complain to Apple to get this ridiculous situation fixed.

OK, so here's the scoop. I sent Apple 2 iPads the other day and 2 days later they sent me 2 replacement iPads. I don't know much about Apple replacement products but these things look brand new, still iPad 2 though. They came with iOS 8.x.x.

Here's the repair ID's you can refer to, hopefully it makes it easier for you to get your stuff fixed.

Repair ID
D181346432

Repair ID
D181346406

It looks like Apple have responded to the community and are going to support the update from iOS 4 and iOS5 directly to iOS9.3.

The beta release will be an early release to allow App developers to 1) check that their software is compatible with the new release and 2) to allow new software to be developed using the new features of iOS9.3 ready for the formal release.

Anyone updating using this may be taking a chance as there will be limited support and possibly some apps won't work as expected.

I for one, am going to be patient and wait for the formal release of iOS9.3 via the normal update procedure. (I only have 2 working at iOS4.3)

There doesn't seem to be a release date as yet, but spring seems likely according to Google rumours.

Unless perhaps, anyone can confirm that it is possible to easily downgrade from iOS9.3 Beta back to iOS9.2 current release.

It will be interesting to see if there is any more feedback from people who have updated.

Many people have complained about the performance of iPad2s at iOS9, not that I have seen this - we have at least 30 iPads running iOS9.2.

yes finally, it all works smoothly!!

I've been following this post for some time. Thanks everyone for all information about this problem.

For those who do not know where you get the ios:

Just google for IOS9.3 beta download(iPad2,1_9.3_13E5181d_Restore for the IPAD2Wifi) . Using iTunes you can get your iPad 2 back alive, so that you finally can install apps again.😎

Good luck everyone.

Now I can finally enjoy the iPad2 with the new (but slow😟) IOS 9.3Beta

In addition to Lex's advice and questions, error 9 suggests you have security software interfering with your upgrade.

Resolve issues between iTunes and third-party security software - Apple Support

I've called to the support and they told me that now only service center can help to upgrade. But you will need to pay for this.

Just try iPad2,1_9.3_13E5191d_Restore.ipsw

It is working now and no need to register as a developer.

Guys!
I had the same problem until yesterday.

I was trying update ipad 2 from 4.3.5 to 9.0.2. My iPad hung up on an apple logo (error 9).

After 2 sleepless nights I found this: http://www.tenorshare.com/products/reiboot.html

Just install and clik "exit recovery mode". I still can't upgrade to 9.0.2 but at least iPad is working 🙂

Well. I am pleased to say that my ipad worked suddenly today. I was also getting error 9, tried everything i saw in internet like i said in my earlier post. I was hopeless and just left ipad in my drawer for about 25 days. Today, i just wanted to give a try since i received update in itunes and before that i just plugin in charger for 10 min. I saw that the home screen and thats it i went crazy.

My suggestion if you guys are facing similar problem, just left your ipad for several days, may be until the battery fully drain out. And then plug into the charger for 15 mins. hope it helps!!

Anyome that is having this problem please contact Apple support no matter if you have Apple care or not. 1-800-275-2273 The more we call hopefully the faster this gets fixed. Due to low customer impact this problem has just come to light. Call support and give them your s/n and problem. And they will ask if you want to send in and say no you would like to see a future iOS update to fix problem. I was told Apple rarely reads these posts. So call call call.

I guess we are lucky at this college. I was handed 4 iPad2s that had not been managed. The first 2 were at iOS4.3.5 and having tried many times to update, the first failed with error 9 as everyone is experiencing. That brought me to this thread.

I had to use the iPhoneCarePro - purchased version of iReboot, to get one out of restore mode. The other two iPads were at 6.1.3 and these successfully updated to iOS 9.2.

Clearly there must have been an update on the iPad itself between iOS4.3 and iOS6.1 which made a change to the update process and now prevents the latest updates from going onto the iPad?

I found the iPadUpdater log for the latest update attempt:

Under <Username>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPad Updater Logs

Here is the last section of the log - some people enjoy this techie stuff.......... But to those who don't, the Bold text may be remotely interesting!

[14:32:59.0362] requested restore behavior: Erase

[14:32:59.0362] overwrite InstallDiags to false

[14:32:59.0362] fixed TcpWindowSize (131072) can cause restore failure if too large

[14:32:59.0377] device did not return saved USB log

[14:32:59.0377] device did not return saved panic log

[14:32:59.0377] connected to service com.apple.mobile.restored

[14:32:59.0377] using protocol version 13

[14:32:59.0377] unable to open device_map.txt: No such file or directory

[14:32:59.0377] board config = k93ap

[14:32:59.0377] no value returned for BootArgs

[14:32:59.0377] _copyDeviceProperty() failed for restore bootargs

[14:32:59.0393] no value returned for MarketingPartNumber

[14:32:59.0393] _copyDeviceProperty() failed for mpn

[14:32:59.0393] requested restore behavior: Erase

[14:32:59.0393] value query for 'HardwareModel' returned 'K93AP'

[14:32:59.0393] Established proxy for device ID 7

[14:32:59.0424] <Restore Device 000000005BC948D0>: operation 28 progress -1

[14:33:09.0343] RestoreOS mode device disconnected

[14:33:09.0343] RestoreOS device removed before restored completed

[14:33:09.0343] recv(6428, 4) failed: connection closed

[14:33:09.0343] unable to read message size: -1

[14:33:09.0343] unable to read message from device

[14:33:09.0343] AMRAuthInstallDeletePersonalizedBundle

[14:33:09.0389] <Restore Device 000000005BC948D0>: Restore failed (result = 9)

[14:33:09.0436] Restore completed, status:9

[14:33:09.0436] Failure Description:

[14:33:09.0436] Depth:0 Error:AMRestorePerformRestoreModeRestoreWithError failed with error: 9

[14:33:09.0436] Depth:1 Error:The operation couldn’t be completed. (AMRestoreErrorDomain error 9 - Failed to receive message from device)

I can see why they say about cables and anti-virus issues from the lines I have highlighted saying the device was disconnected.

The device either rejects the latest version of iOS or the message it passes back to iTunes is not accepted to allow the update to continue.

I tried one last time with an online chat to Apple Support. Whilst he was very helpful, I can't see any progress happening on this issue.

They recommend the iPad needs to be repaired. But I don't think anyone is going to pay for a repair - might as well spend the money on a new iPad!!

Not good news for individuals or those with large numbers of iPads in this position.

I'm sure there must be a way of Apple releasing a software program to replicate the update that must have happened between iOS4.3 and iOS6, but there doesn't seem to be a way of getting this request through to them.

Please stay on Apple about this. It's thier problem, they changed partitions some where around ver. 5 or 6 which makes the iPad 2s not update to the newest version. I have two of my iPads sent to them right now for replacement or repair and was told thpier engineers were working on a fix in a later update but everyone needs to bug the crap out of them about this or it will never get fixed. The up rise the better. Nothing can fix the iPad 2s expect APPLE.

It worked! Updating to 9.3.1 beta then downgrading to 9.2. It worked like magic!

It really works, download ios 9.3 beta IPSW and restore it from DFU! Thanks for original poster!