updated to IOS 9.3 and activation server is not responding

Check to see if locations services was turned off during the update. Turn it back on activation issue might be gone.

http://thecomputermonkey.com/apple-ios-9-3-issue-verification-failed-when-activa ting-after-update/

Well I tried all of the above instructions on my iphone, no luck. Gave in and restored, no recent backup, lost everything but my contacts. Texts, photos, apps, all of it gone. Learned a valuable lesson though, never updating my phone ever again

Siralu,

When I finally was able to update my iPad 2 a couple of days ago, I got the choice to either update or restore once I got it into recovery mode holding the home button on power-up (the screen with the cable telling you to connect to iTunes). You have two choices at that point from iTunes, Restore (which does a restore to factory setting and updates the software), or Update. If you select Restore at that point, it will reset the iPad, then restore software. Once that completes, then it should ask whether you want to restore a backup or set it up as a new iPad. When I got there, I just set mine up as a new iPad, which activates it. After signing in with my Apple ID, I then could recoup the apps I wanted and so forth. Any data that was in the cloud at that point was also recoverable.

areedj

OR how about getting a backup strategy to regularly backup your iDevice/s so, you won't ever lose your data to an iOS upgrade/update, ever again.

That is a much better lesson to learn.

Don't you think?

Never perform upgrades/updates on any computer or mobile conputing device without having a backup of the data on that device first

😉

agree, hindsight is a wonderful thing. I'm kicking myself for not backing up but this in a way has taught me a few things regarding back ups that I wouldn't have known and if that's taking a positive out of all this BS, then that's what I'm doing ,

i am going to be backing up with iTunes and today I have purchased a program called imazing, this program can clone a device. Two back ups! Surely even I can't bugger it up now, lol

Yes and also Let's not release an update that is bugged to death without prior warnings ...Apple knew of the issues before sending out the update but they ignored it as seen in some posts that were shared here ..whatever the case may be and no matter how folks try ..it is not our fault they F@#$# up our apple products ...yes I /we should always back stuff up in the event of utter incompetence...so I agree I learned a very valuable lesson ..to back up and to never trust Apple again!!

Okay I went through the process two more times and both times it failed and as my ipad is no longer recognized in Icloud I have no idea what is left to try except packing it up and sending it to Apple and telling them that they broke it now fix it or send me a new one!!

I never got any of those options only restore and update and after it was finished it went straight to activation screen and it will not accept my ID and password ....it is also not recognized in Icloud

keep trying, if I was you I'd look at some YouTube video's on how to start the restore process, I know posts on here help but watching someone actually do it can help further explain the process, it's not easy, it's a bit hit and miss. Just bear with it, I did and I was pulling my hair out. I am ill and I depend on my iPad as I am virtually bed bound, my device keeps me entertained and company. Not having it for two days even was horrible and made me realise just how dependant I had got on my iPad and am wondering if that's a good thing.

The new fix hasn't worked for you, huh?

Bummer.

Sorry it didn't end up working on your iPad.

Keep trying a little longer.

Do you have an Apple Store you can bring your iPad to?

Maybe they can help, at this point.

Yes there is an Apple store about an hour and a half from here...guess I can plan a road trip with the family in the coming days but it p i s s e s me off that it has come to this because of incompetence. We suffer while they rake in the $$ and expect us to buy more of their products ...you know I might even just take the loss and buy another brands tablet ...This has left a very bad taste in my mouth for Apple. I actually called the store yesterday and they told me that there wasn't going to be much they could do. but now after the latest patch that didn't work ..maybe they can throw me a new one 😝

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

I completely understand.

I feel the underhanded way Apple has handled this whole iOS 9.3 roll out debacle was not good and not good for customet/user product satisfaction and trust.

To be honest,

Unlike most of the ADD crowd that just HAD to download the new iOS immediately, if not sooner, I didn"t!

IMSO, iOS 9.3 is a yawner, ho hum update that I am not in a big hurry to update to.

An iOS update Lite, I am calling it

It doesn't offer anything of significance for my iPad Pro and adds, virtually, nothing to my older iPad 2 or 3 models.

I might not even update any of my older iPads because there won't be anything of real signifucance that older iPads get out of iOS 9;3.

I truly can't believe all of the iPad 2 users that bothered with iOS 9. iPad 2, 3 and 4 models will only get a minimal of base features of iOS 9.

Not enough, for me, to bother with.

The only iDevice that I own that will truly benefit from most of the iOS 9 features set is my iPod Touch 6th gen.

That, maybe, the only iDevice I will update to in another week, or so.

And that in a nutshell is why I have this naggin conspiracy feeling that some iPad users have been targeted to splash out on new devices, and it's a win / win for Apple on so many levels, yes they have a slight PR issue but this is possibly trending iPad's and advertising them, if they don't get you with buying a new device they might have you with a hefty repair bill or a lengthy telephone call, ker-Ching ker-Ching.

Interesting to note that when I complained about not being able to download some magazines I had subscribed to and are no longer available to me now that my IPad 2 has been restored to factory and I can't re-download past issues, I was posted some terms and conditions as a reply, great customer services I thought. I can understand some thinking of going down the non Apple route but this is where they have you again as it means all those apps you've lavished dollar on will be long forgotten. Grrrrrr it all makes my blood boil that we have no recourse for them effectively bricking our devices through their mistakes.

SIraulu,

Sorry I haven't been in the thread. I feel your pain. It may be that I just got lucky but the steps I posted have worked for me and a few others. However Apple has said that not every iPad 2 reacts the same to this situation. Mine failed at the Authenication Screen. Mine started this way:

1) Went to General>Software update>download on my home Time Capsule wireless system

2). After a couple of download progress screens I was presented with the "Hello" screen ( slide to unlock )

3) Next screen for me was to choose my Wi-Fi network which I did

4) Next screen was the dreaded "Your iPad is being Authenicated with Apple, this could take a few minutes."

5) This is the what showed:

6) This is where I shut-down my iPad. Watched for the spinning wheel of shut-down to show. Disconnected my iPad at the 30 pin connector.

7) Re-connected my iPad. And that is where my miracle took place. iTunes FINALLY recognized my iPad! iTunes showed me the Summary page

for my iPad.

Siraulu, it is possible that you have been suffering a different problem, the one that asks for your password to your @mac.com, @me.com, or @icloud.com

password before getting to the activation page. I never had that problem. Therefore my solution may not work for you. I really and truly wish you luck and

patience. As I stated in a previous post in this thread, Apple discontinued selling iPad 2's a year or so ago but they stated they would still offer them to schools. Rest assured that Apple's dedication to education is very important to the company and they do not want to let down educators and students.

As for others' statements that this was planned by Apple to get older idevice users to upgrade, I disagree with that. The programmers are human just like everyone else and they can/do make mistakes. Apple has quickly owned up to this saying it is their (Apple's) responsibility and that they (Apple) will correct it. Does anyone remember the MobileMe roll out? What a fiasco that was. But when iCloud rolled out Steve Jobs mentioned in his keynote that they had

learned from their mistake with MobileMe and his statement has, so far, proven true about iCloud.

Good luck to you Siraulu.

Greune Guy

Thank you very much Greune Guy, Thank you for your help and instructions. I did , however, learn that Apple is still going to release another fix for earlier Ipads so for now I will wait and see what happens. If that one should fail me too I will take the Ipad to the Apple store and see what they can do. You have been very generous during this difficulty with Apple and ipad and I thank you for all your help and encouragement. I will get a working Ipad back again 🙂

Thanks

Siraulu