updated to IOS 9.3 and activation server is not responding

Same as yours. Still can not be activated

I did this:

1. Installed the 9.3 update via itunes, couldnt activate.

2. Rinse and repeat ... still couldnt update. I tried powering

off ipad, updated itunes on mac to latest version, no joy. I

kept getting 'cant connect to activation server' and itunes

couldnt verify my device (whatever that means).

3. Restarted ipad in recovery mode while connected to itunes

and selected 'Restore to factory settibgs and update (I think

thats it) and it worked perfectly. 9.3 installed and prompted

me to restore from backup (which I did yesterday before starting

the upgrade to 9 3.

I tried to install 9.3 public betas (9.3.1, ... 9.3.5) and always had

to restore to 9.2.1. I was resigned to using 9.2.x on my ipad.

Without a backup, I dont know if I would have tried it this way.

And frankly, I expected better from Apple on an official release.

I wish you luck. I spent the last day trying everything until what I posted for the fix.

I first tried to install update but failed. I then shut down the iPad 2 3G and when I plugged in the cable to the iPad from the Computer (I installed the most recent El Capitain software and iTunes update) I held down the home button until it came on and asked for a restore. So it ran. I came back like 20 minutes or so and I had to log onto the iPad again and then got distracted with the kids for another 20 minutes. When I came back to check it was on iOS 9.3 and worked. I recommend you shutdown the iPad. Upon plugging in the cable you hold down the home button until the iTunes on the computer asks you to restore.

Good luck.

Didn't work for me - iTunes still won't verify the iPad - darn!

Thanks Pierre, but it didn't for me. I guess Apple will silently solve the problem, hopefully very soon.😎

Did a restore to factory settings and sync from backup. All working now. You need DFU mode to make this work. http://www.imore.com/how-to-iphone-ipad-dfu-mode

David is absolutely right. I did the same thing and everything works fine.

Connect the iPad with the USB cable to your computer.

If not automatically, open iTunes on the computer.

When prompted for a password, which you do not, remove the USB plug from the iPad (not the computer).

Turn the iPad off (sleep button pressed for a few seconds until the red slider appears, and then turn off the iPad).

Connect the iPad again with the USB cable still inserted in the computer while holding down the Home button. Let the home button until release when you see the message "Connect to iTunes" or "Connect to iTunes".

iTunes detects that an iPad is connected in recovery mode (English: recovery mode). Click "OK" and select restore the iPad to factory settings.

http://www.imore.com/how-to-iphone-ipad-dfu-mode

This same issue affected my iPhone 5S. I tried resolving it first by connecting the iPad to the iTunes with the cable, but the activation still failed, saying something about the iPhone being in a "lost phone" state. I then opened iCloud on my iPad, opened the list of devices on "Find my device", and deleted the iPhone form that list. I was able to activate my iPhone then right away. And presto, after the succesful activation, my iPhone reappeared on the list of devices on the iCloud.

Hope this helps someone. So try deleting your iPad from the Find My Device list on the iCloud, using your computer or another iOS device, and see if activation then works.

Thanks Jyrki, but unfortunately that method has been mentioned many times in the various threads around here but it does not work for this iPad 2 issue 😟

Only way for me to switch off Find My IpHone is to Authenticate - which is the bleeping problem in the first place. Can't wipe/update or restore either without Authenticating. Worried about any fix which will also probably require me to authenticate because I blinking well can't authenticate!!! Grrrrr

Sorry, it didn't work for my iPad 2 😟.

I've tried everything described in this discussion, but I cannot fix he problem. I connected to iTunes, but iTunes cannot activate my iPad 2. Unfortunately my iPad is stuck and I cannot use it. How Apple releases an update with this big problem? Now we have to go to an Apple Store to solve this?

I think Apple has to find a solution and publish on this site as soon as possible, and not send users to Apple Store. Why did they release an update with such a problem to the public without testing it first? That's not fair!

Completamente d'accordo. La Apple come una Microsoft qualunque? Mai vista una cosa così

Apparently, Apple will be supplying a fix / update but I don't know when

@londonmole, Where did you hear/read that? 🙂