iPad 2 iOS 9.3 can't activate

I ran into this problem on my iPad 2. I just did an OTA update to iOS 9.3 today and it couldn't connect to the activation server. I then connected to iTunes and it told me it couldn't verify my iPad and I needed to go to the Apple Store.

I had 2-step authentication on, so I turned it off and then removed my iPad from my iCloud account. I then did a recovery restore and iTunes download 9.2.1 and installed that instead of iOS 9.3, so it looks like Apple may have rolled back to iOS 9.2.1 for the iPad 2.

Currently I'm try a really old iCloud Backup which isn't downloading.at all, so I may need to use an old iTunes backup or set up as new.

I have the same problem with my iPad2, and it's been more than two days now. I can't use iTunes to revert to 9.2.1, because I run Linux on all my computers and there is no Linux version of iTumes. When I tried to contact the support center, I was informed that Apple no longer supports the iPad2 so they can't help me. When I downloaded the upgrade, it informed me that it "successfully installed." It's like in the hospital, when they tell you, "The operation was a success, but the patient died." It's too bad, because I really liked that iPad. If this problem doesn't get fixed, I'll probably opt out of buying another Apple product and go for an Android tablet, which will give me more freedom. I know losing my business won't make even the slightest dent in Apple. It seems very irresponsible of Apple not to have warned those of us who have older devices that the upgrade will not work for us and we should therefore stick to the iOS we already have istalled.

Dear igfrombris,

thank you very much for detailed information. I had encounter the same problem and was quite frustrated with the (Non-) help from Apple's support service. I am glad that I came across this web page and noticed that many people had the same problem with such an unprofessional update being provided by Apple. Your description of how to restore the iPad and "bring it back to life" really helped me. Unfortunately in contrast to your experience the Restore Option did not give me iOS 9.3 but the prior version - but so what. the iPad works again. Regarding the solution: I did not work with only pressing the Home Button, I had to press both, the Home and the Sleep / Wake Button. Once done and the connection to iTunes appeared I also took the Restore option and everything worked out quite well - one just needs a little bit of patience as the whole process does take some time. Again thank you for your help!

My iPad 2 has been out of action for 2 days following the upgrade to 9.3. Can't activate via wi-fi or iTunes. My iPhone had no problems at all.

I have a Case ID but Support is always busy (probably with lots of people experiencing the same issues).

I'm not wiping my iPad and starting again. If Apple don't solve this issue, I shall be abandoning them and moving over to windows/android. My iPad 2 was running at a snail's pace anyway so even though inconvenient, it will be better in the long-term.

Very disappointed with Apple's lack of testing and disregard for their customers.

Alan

I can see a major class action against Apple if they do not get this

sorted very quickly indeed.

On 24/03/2016, Apple Support Communities Updates

I fully understand your frustration - I had the same problem and luckily was able to restore to the prior version after reading one Apple communities user's guide how to get out of the vicious circle II was in (could neither activate nor did iTunes recognize the iPad). As Iam not a cloud user iTunes did a backup prior to installing the new update and with the restore option I am back in business so to speak.

i Have provided Apple separately a feedback on this issue as I believe it is absolutely unprofessional to release an upgrade which is neither properly tested nor had a sound quality control undertaken.

I Hope that many users will do the same and provide a feedback with their frustration so that Apple wakes up and changes their approach not mention the fix on that release which causes so many problems. in addition their training for the persons in the support center is a shame as these people have no clou in helping customers calling in or using the chat function!

I also was not sure how to get the number, however, it is also printed on the reverse side of the iPad. As it is a small imprint which I could not read I had to take a picture and enlarge it. However, even though it has helped to get through to customer support these guys who are very nice and try to help are being left in the dark by Apple. They provide a standard answer, do not know how to fix the problem and cannot give an advice how to restore the iPad to the prior version. Very unfortunate.

The worst part is that I use my iPad for teaching, so it's affecting my business.

Moving over to windows/android is going to be a real pain replacing all the apps, but what choice is there? I simply can't afford for this to happen again. I've lost confidence in the stability and reliability of the iOS platform.

Would it have been difficult for Apple to email all iPad 2 owners and tell them not to upgrade? What kind of testing did they do? Is it a deliberate ploy to make me buy a new iPad?

A company like Apple should have the best, highly-trained support staff and systems in the world... and it should be totally free.

Disappointed.

Hi,

Just to say that the link that Bism4ark gives does work, or it did for me and my original iPad, but it may need clarifying because it reads as if things are quick.

I opened iTunes

Plugged in the iPad

I held down START and HOME at first, but an earlier error on my part meant that iPhoto opened to import a screen dump I inadvertently took.

I couldn't see the iTunes screen so was forced to relinquish my hold on one button, in this case HOME, to quit iPhoto and see iTunes.

It said it 'didn't recognise the iPad', so AT FIRST I thought I had failed, BUT I held down the HOME button again and it seemed like it took an age BUT the screen changed and it then came up with the restore options. So DON'T be put off by the instant reappearance of the 'non recognition' screen.

The buttons for Restore concerned me, the only option seemed to be restore and upgrade and I didn't like the idea because the upgrade caused this, but that is the only way forward. Make sure you have all your passwords - WiFi, iCloud etc., etc., ready, it can take some time to restore but mine is back and at 9.3.

This is still a poor upgrade and certainly it will be my last. I lost some work and can't afford to do that again.

Remember, take your time, the fix isn't instant.

We have tried everything and nothing works .... I can honestly say that this is the last straw with Apple... My entire family and I are going to turn our Apple products in and go a different direction. 30 of us ...just a drop in the bucket for Apple but this has been a nightmare including trying to get help from them as they appear to have no clue what's going on. Incompetence at it's worst. I have tried complete restore to all of the suggested fixes but to no avail. I can log into our apple account on laptop as well as icloud but it refuses our ID and password when trying to activate the ipad ... I have tried the restore over and over multiple times and I get same results. *NOTE* My son is using the older Ipad 16 gig. Apple has not made any comments publicly as they are probably hard at work laughing at us for being stupid enough to get this one of many flawed updates .....this time they figured we would just up and buy a new apple product to replace the one they destroyed. I am truly sorry for my rant but I am ******!! My son is three days without his Ipad and all his school work is gone and some other stuff that even it is backed up ..we can't use the Ipad. I hope the rest of you have better luck!! Apple is the scourge of the Earth!!

Having exactly the same experience. It's now day three and I am very unhappy that Apple have not fixed this issue. I'm not hugely computer literate so not game to apply the fixes detailed by other users so I have to wait for Apple to supply a fix.

I like the product but I hate having to deal with their website as I seem to get sent round in circles to find a simple answer. Very frustrating company to deal with. Definitely not user friendly.

I had the same problem for two days. Finally, I fixed it! Basically I used Find My Phone, erased the data on on the iPad and restored it from a Backup.

The iPad was stuck on this message: “Could Not Activate iPad. Your iPad could not be activated because the activation server is temporarily unavailable. Try connecting your iPad to iTunes to activate it, or try again in a couple of minutes."

I also tried connecting to iTunes. But iTunes could not recognize the iPad and suggested that I go to an Apple Store!

Details;;;;;;

After looking around the internet for a couple of days, I found a reference to turning off the "Find My Phone" feature. So, I went to iCloud.com, signed into my account and used the "Find My Phone" application. It found the iPad with no problem. I directed the application to erase the data on the iPad.

After that I connected it to iTunes and iTunes recognized the iPad this time. I restored the iPad from a backup. Unfortunately, it was not a recent Backup. The Backup from just before the upgrade to 9.3 was corrupted. For some reason that I do not understand, the most recent backup available was from Sept. 2015. But, it worked fine. I now have iOS 9.3 and just need to update some of the Apps (delete old ones and add new ones) and tweak some personal settings like Wallpaper. A small PITA but better than having an iPad Brick!

support says there is nothing they can do.... I am trying to figure out why these things are not tested on all devices prior to launch

support told me to not do a restore

It worked for me. That's all I can say. It sure beats sitting around with a dead iPad