My Ipad 2 Can't Be Activated After update to IOS 9.3

Thanks @brenden dv , I was able to update my ipad and activate it without data loss.. good thing I did not go for DFU or factory settings.

Finally, this worked! After trying the RESTORE several times and every time (in my iTunes) I was would get stuck at...

"iTunes was unable to verify your device" and "The iPad software update server could not be contacted. An unknown error occurred (1671).

1) I connected my iPad to a different PC, and clicked on "Try Again". Btw, I did NOT have use the iTunes app in the different PC. So, don't go there.

I went thru the setup process and when asked something like, "Setup as a NEW iPad" I selected that option.

2) When that was done, I disconnected it from the different PC.

3) Connected it back on MY PC. Opened iTunes and it asked me if I wanted to Restore from my iTunes, so I did that.

This took at least an hour, but it's working now. I think the RESTORE and UPDATE worked every time on my PC, it just never could get thru the ACTIVATION screen. This solution tells me something is going on with my PC with connecting to the Apple server. Btw, I backup my iPad on my PC all the time and it paid off this time, big time! 🙂

Finally it worked for me.

Use as an initial referenceRe: My Ipad 2 Can't Be Activated After update to IOS 9.3

The key is use itunes to update it and activate your ipad2! Not restore it!

1. Open Itunes on your PC (you've use the latest version itunes 12.3.3)

2. Take out the sim card from your ipad if applicable.

3. Avoid any wifi signal available ipad. (Maybe shutoff wireless radio).

4. Off the ipad.

5. Ipad connects to the PC using cable data and turn on.

6. Choose connect to itunes (hold off wifi ipad when asked)

7. Follow the instructions (be patient)

Voila! ipad2 is back with 9.3 and all my data!

Regards

Thanks @brenden dv! I went to the link you provided and found that that is precisely what I did last night - many times. I finally was given the option to restore or update (instead of the unable to activate message I'd been getting for the previous 48 hours) and the 1.32gb update was still slowly downloading when I went to bed last night. I woke up to find the download had apparently finished so I went through all the steps again and rather than finding last night's download it began downloading iOS 9.3 (1.34gb). Thankfully my internet was running slightly faster this morning so after an hour or so I went through the steps yet again only to get the unable to activate message again. I unplugged the cable from my iPad 2 and miracles of miracles it began updating!!!

It took awhile but my iPad 2 is finally more than a paperweight. The first thing I did was begin a backup (which is still running after well over an hour) just in case it locks up again. I've got my fingers crossed that everything will be as it was before the initial 9.3 update two days ago.

About the only positive thing I can say is that IF the current backup is successful, it'll be the first backup to complete since 12/30/15! And even that last backup was after *months* of backup failures (I don't recall which update preceded that particular issue that obviously was never fixed).

I haven't purchased a newer iPad because I simply don't need bigger, better, faster since I primarily use it as an ebook reader - nearly all internet use is done on my MBP since it has a 17" screen and fullsize keyboard. 🙂 That said, the next time my iPad 2 turns into a paperweight it'll be the last time because I'll replace it with a competitor's tablet.

1.) Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes — which should be iTunes 12.3.3.17.

2.) Connect your iPad to your computer and backup your data locally or through iCloud.

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3.) Disconnect the iPad after the backup is complete.

4.) Press down the Home and Power button of the iPad at the same time and then release just the Power button after the device restarts.

5.) You will be asked to connect your iPad to your computer using the USB cable again.

6.) An option will appear that asks if you want to restore the device and upgrade to iOS 9.3.

7.) As iOS 9.3 downloads, the error message will appear again — but you still need to wait until iOS 9.3 is done.

8.) After iOS 9.3 is done downloading, you will need to repeat step 4. This time your iPad will ask if you want to restore it.

9.) Once the restore is finished, you will be asked to select whether you want to activate the iPad as a “new” device or if you want to restore it from your last backup. Selecting the new iPad option will format your iPad so it is like new and restoring it will retrieve your data again.

The activation bug is not the only problem iOS 9.3 has. The signature feature included in iOS 9.3 is Night Shift, which is used for turning down the blue light produced by the display. However, Night Shift is only available on devices that have a 64-bit processor. That means Night Shift requires the iPhone 5S and above, the iPad Air and above and the iPad Mini (2nd generation) and above. Night Shift also does not work when devices are on low power mode.

HI , try this merhod ... But .. You will lost all your data .. As you may backup in itunes ..... But again.... You need a password for backup!!! Which i don remember I set it before . If you don mind you have a "NEW" ipad 2 follow this steps

1) Turn off you ipad2

2) plug in to your pc already in iTunes

3) Press down only home button for xxseconds until you see connect to iTunes And release .

4) The download process will begin ...... Just wait

5) The iOS is not 9.3 .... Is 9.2.. What the ....F

hope this make you feel a bit ok ..

Solution here:

Re: iPad2 - After the updated iOS 9.3 Build 13E236

The strange thing is that even though my iPad 2 has been successfully updated to IOS 9.3 (after 2 restores) and it is showing as the latest version in the Settings, when I plug into iTunes it tells me that there is a new update available and asking me to download IOS 9.3 again.

I'm not touching it until Apple figures out what exact software our iPads should be running.

Hello, Apple Community! There is a very simple 6-ish step solution to the problem.

This problem seems to only occur on iPad 2, surprisingly no reports of the original iPad.

Anyways, Apple posted an official thread about this on the apple.com site just 10 minutes after the update was released.

Apple wrote:

After you update to iOS 9.3, you might see this message on your iPad 2 (GSM model):

“Your iPad could not be activated because the activation service is temporarily unavailable.”

Here is the simple 6-ish step solution:

1.) Connect your iPad to a computer. If you don't have a computer, you can borrow one, or go to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for help.

2.) Open iTunes. Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes.

3.) While your iPad is connected, force it to restart by doing the following: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time. Keep holding down the buttons until you see the Recovery mode screen. (below)

4.) When you get the option to restore or update in iTunes, choose Update.

5.) iTunes will try to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. If it takes more than 15 minutes, your iPad will exit recovery mode, and you'll need to repeat steps 2 and 3 again.

6.) After the update is complete, you need to leave your iPad connected to the computer and complete the activation setup process for your iPad using iTunes.

If iTunes doesn't recognize your iPad after the update is complete, disconnect your iPad and reconnect it to the computer. If it still doesn't appear, try to connect it to another computer to complete the setup process.

If you still need help, https://www.apple.com/support/contact/.

OK Guys,

It seems the problem has finally been resolved, as I just updated my wife's iPad 2 without iTunes and just using the WiFi connection and it went through without a single glitch.

At completion, I looked in the settings of the iPad and the IOS version is showing as 9.3 (13E236)

My other iPad 2 which was upgraded 2 days ago showing the IOS version as 9.3 (13E233), so it seems Apple has fixed the issue after all.

I Worked!!!

I had tried everything for 3 days...

many thanks!

My apple i-pad shut down while making payments over the internet. I have tried rebooting it several times but it is as if it lost all its data. Error messages include, ACTIVATION REQUIRED, and ACTIVATION SERVER TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE.

I am presently unable to use or access any features of my i-pad. Help please!

the only other computer i have uses Ubuntu