Q: Cannot Activate iPad IOS 9.3

Has anyone got the newly released iOS v9.3 working? (25/0316  -  iPad2,2_9.3_13E236_Restore)
Woke up this morning (UK) to see it available to install via iTunes. Unfortunately this has still failed...

I have:

-removed the SIM

-deleted the previous iOS install files from the PC

-removed the iPad from 'Find my iPhone'

Not tried yet:

-removing the saved WiFi network and reconnecting

SUCCESS - WORKING! ... at last

First attempt this morning failed, second attempt worked.

1) Connect iPad to computer

2) Enter DFU mode

3) Install (new) iOS 9.3

* eventually iTunes said something about trying to connect to iPad and 'RETRY' option. LEFT THAT ALONE

* iPad was busy still installing and eventually got to the "Hello" screen. AGAIN LEFT THAT ALONE

4) Once iPad was finished iTunes connected to iPad automatically and activated itself.

* I did not swipe past "Hello" screen, i left the iPad and iTunes do their thing.

5) Once iTunes was all finished syncing and activating i only then went to iPad, where it asked for all my passwords.

6) Backed up to computer and iCloud immediately

Its working. Let's hope it stays that way!

Now to wait for the apology from Apple...

There is some update for my iPod 2 3g in iTunes -  It extract the software, but when it try to do a backup it says - iTunes could not backup the iPad ".........." because a session could not be started with the iPad.

Same problem with Ipad3 GSM. You are not alone.

Wait for new firmware !!!!

I just connected my iPad 2 3G+WiFi that I got working again, and that is running iOS 9.3, checked for an update and got this:

I am not going to try it out, unless advised otherwise by an expert on this board.

There is some update for my iPad 2 3g in iTunes -  It extract the software, but when it try to do a backup it says - iTunes could not backup the iPad ".........." because a session could not be started with the iPad.

Still stuck in the contacting activation server error.

So, this finally worked for me:

(iPad2 + 3G - 64gb)

• removed the sim card
• disconnected 'find my iPad' via the iCloud website
• removed the iPad Software Update (9.3) file from the iTunes librarie
• connected my iPad to computer via USB, and started DFU
• agreed on iTunes, when it started up after DFU from iPad, to update
• did nothing, and ignored all the rest untill upgrade was done
• unlocked my iPad (stil had the start screen with numerical acces code), and just waited while iTunes continued too do its thing

Now it's running 9.3

It takes a long time, because (like every other upgrade) it reinstalls every app you ever bought or downloaded.

But no data or setting are gone ...

So you have to go through the dfu mode?

Exactly like the support link that's just posted.

Differce with what I did is that I removed the previous iOS 9.3 update file from my iTunes library, just to be sure ...

(and removed sim, because I didn't use it anymore. It could block on that with the question "enter pin", before it would progress.)

Try this

http://www.imore.com/how-downgrade-ios-93-back-ios-92

It worked. Remember, the when downloading has lasted 15 minutes iPad has to be restored back to recovery mode by pressing on/off + home-buttons. Downloading may last about 2 hours. Now my iPad operating system is 9.2.1 and will be.

Hope this gives some light to your gloominess.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206214

Above now works. Make sure you choose "update" and NOT "restore".

No data lost! All former customisations and configurations are fully retained, and it shows iOS 9.3 (build 13E236).

Feel bummed that I've been unable to use the iPad for paid work in the last 4 days, but at least glad it retained all data, info and settings.

Shame on Apple publicly saying that "In some cases, if customers do not recall their password, their device will remain in an inactivated state until they can recover or reset their password." which was completely, utterly untrue. What contempt!

I finally got my iPad2 64gb wifi+3g working again with these instructions:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206214

Not sure if necessary, but before I took the steps described, in iTunes I checked for new versions in the iTunes main menu. It found a new version of IOS9.3 released today and downloaded it.

One other thing I did first was disconnect Wifi and delete the iPad in iCloud.com > settings (under account top right) > my devices.

Then I took the steps in the Apple support document.

As described after about 15 minutes there is a timeout and you have to do step 3 again.

It got through the update process the 2nd time.

Then I got a message in iTunes that my simcard needed a password, but nowhere to enter it. So I was stuck again. I then unplugged the iPad, removed the simcard and plugged the iPad in again. Then the process could finish, you have to enter your Apple ID on the iPad an all was working again.

So before taking above steps, remove your simcard.

I now have a fully working iPad2 again with IOS9.3. I lost nothing, I did not have to restore a backup.

I have 64gb wifi/3g ipad2 which stuck in the activate loop after 9.3 update. I have now updated to the new version of 9.3 via recovery mode and itunes. It did not immediately function but a hard reset (hold home and on/off button until it reboots) and all came to life. It lost a few email passwords but none of my other settings or data. Although Apple's response was fairly quick it still wasted a lot of time searching for info. I would have been far more impressed if their testing protocols had worked! As for those on various forums suggesting a ipad 2 is too old to be worth fixing, this is the most wasteful side of our throw away society coming to light, my mission in life is not to increase the profits of big tech companies just because a perfectly functional product is not the latest fad.

After almost 4 days of losing my iPad 2 GSM, this works for me.

If you can’t activate your iPad 2 (GSM model) after you update to iOS 9.3 - Apple Support

It took about 20 to 30 minutes.  Just follow the instruction.  Sit back and relax.  I will not use OTA update again!  By the way, I think Apple will not release another iOS update for iPad 2 after this case.