Q: Activation failed on iPad 2 after iOS 9.3 update

You might consider trying this. Haven't done it myself but if DFU doesn't work for me tonight I may give it a go. https://www.gottabemobile.com/2016/03/21/how-to-downgrade-from-ios-9-3-to-ios-9- 2-1/

it didn't work for me either. I have had to do a factory reset. I couldn't wait any longer

Its too late for me because I decided to do a factory reset but if anyone is on Twitter you can get Apple supports attention over there. They are falling over wanting to help me but as I say it's about 12 hours to late!

DFU works for me also!

Lucky to have a recent backup too, though!

What is DFU???

Did it happen??

More about DFU mode here: http://www.imore.com/how-to-iphone-ipad-dfu-mode

Falling over trying to help - yeah giving me the same instructions as what it is telling me on my itunes - reconnect to itunes, disconnect from itunes, reconnect and if that doesnt work ring for support.  Oh hang on as this is outside of the free 90 day support I will have $39 to help you fix our stuff up!!!!!!.  I am even having issues trying to do a factory reset

Apple must be able to find a fix that doesn't require DFU mode and restoring from a backup...  I mean the firmware is fully on the iPad,  isnt it? It is just failing to activate. Server side resolution is bound to be found (right? Lol)

I am having the same issue few hours ago i was astonished its the first time to have this critical troubleshooting with apple

and surprised they are unable to solve it till now

RIP Steve Jobs

My wife has same problems with her iPhone 6 plus.  She first downloaded and installed update on iPad 2, then started update on her iPhone 6 plus.  It failed, just locked up, while doing the update process.  We have tried to download update via iTunes on her Mac Book Pro, with new iTunes upgrade on it, and it fails, so we have tried several times to use restore mode.  It will work until it reaches the restore firmware part then it locks up and gives her an error code of "47".  Everyone that knows Apple knows what happens next, yes a continue round robin of doing everything they spell out for you on the web site with the same results.  Sure hope someone can help or Apple will wake up and fix.

Try placing it into DFU mode to to the restore:

http://osxdaily.com/2010/06/24/iphone-dfu-mode-explained-and-how-to-enter-dfu-mo de-on-your-iphone/

I had to place iPad 2 into DFU mode to do a complete restore to iOS 9.3 from iTunes. It  takes some time so have patience.

Once done, I was able to restore from previous Backup. Or, if you like, you can set up as a new device and just login to your iCloud account.

Mine was also an iPad 2 WifI+3G. DFU restore fixed it and then I restored from backup.

As mentioned above I did have to do that which is basically  a factory reset and the restoring a back up which is fine if like me you have a recent back up but many don't so it's not a solution they can afford to do. As also mentioned above Apple support are over on Twitter. If anyone wants to speak to them tweet to @applesupport I'm over there now tweeting about  and Apple are freaking out they keep sending me DM asking me to stop because the want to resolve my problem but as yet they don't have any solutions