updated to IOS 9.3 and activation server is not responding how can i go back to my previous version?

This may only work for a short period of time, if it will even work at all. I have never done this, but a Google search brought it up right away.

https://www.gottabemobile.com/2016/03/21/how-to-downgrade-from-ios-9-3-to-ios-9- 2-1/

Have you tried the following: If you can‘t update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Ok, so this has driven me mad since yesterday too (again ipad2) - and i had tried the suggestions outlined above and similar ones on other related threads with no success.

However the link above in jwmesser post has finally worked for me! I had tried this before (as another post somewhere had the same link) and on the first go i opted to Update - but that just took me through the whole install cycle again to end up with the same problem and unable to activate the iPad. so on 2nd attempt i instead opted to Restore. After i selected the backup file to restore from, the following message said it would Restore and Update - so i went with it and although eventually success!! Yes a pain that I'm now waiting for all the apps, content etc to synch, but at least i have a functioning iPad again.

More painful that it needed to be but at least the good folk on here are able to help each other out where Apple seem to struggle!

I know solutions don't always seem to work for everyone, but give the above a shot and hopefully this will work for you too.

Same here, iPad 2 that's stuck at activation after upgrade to 9.3.

“the activation server is temporarily unavailable” for several (>10) retries in a time range of several hours. Rebooting the iPad doesn't help, updating via usb cable and iTunes doesn't help either. Still stuck at the activation stage. I can ping the device, though. Wifi seems to work… My other devices' internet connection works fine.

I updated two IPhones with no issue....IPAD is still unable to activate. Tried the work around above with same result...activation is not working

So we need to use a 3rd party app to get us past this problem? It seems to me that iPad2 users got sunsetted.

and it did not work for me at all... anyone heard anything from Apple.. I heard this was an issue in every beta and then an issue in final release.. seems to me that it isn't a glitch.. its working as intended..

I used the restore mode function to restore my backup and update to 9.3 all in one step. If the instructions I posted earlier didn't work, try following the instructions in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkVr5CxFiFM. NOTE: The video shows the old iTunes logo so you that will be different. Also, I ONLY followed his instructions up to the point where the iTunes logo showed up (~1:07). I then was prompted by iTunes to Restore and Update my iPad2 so I let iTunes take over. iTunes prompted me to select which device and backup to restore and then it performed the restore and upgraded my device to 9.3. Its working perfectly fine now.

Also, FWIW, I did follow others suggestion to go into iCloud under "Find iPhone", clicked on my name in the upper right corner, clicked on iCloud Settings, clicked on my iPad2 name, then in the window that popped up I clicked on the x in the circle next to the iPad and that removed it. I don't know that removing it helped, but it definitely didn't hurt.

Hi Larashley,

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities! I understand that you have been having issues activating your iPad 2 after a recent update to iOS 9.3. If that is the case, you may find the information and steps outlined in the following article helpful:

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

Regards