subiyer
Level 1 (14 points)
iPad

Q: ipad2 9.3 upgrade stuck at activation server unavailable screen

Tried an ota upgrade of my ipad2 and it is stuck at the activation screen with an error message - Activation server is temporarily unavailable. tried rebooting, connecting to iTunes - nothing works.....Any help on this would be welcome.

iPad 2, iOS 9.3

Posted on Mar 23, 2016 6:06 PM

by subiyer,Solvedanswer
subiyer subiyer
Level 1 (14 points)
iPad
A:

YaY !!!

 

Fixed the problem...the workaround is as follows:

 

a) Connect the iPad to iTunes on your computer using the cable

b) Switch off the ipad while still connected

c) Press the on/off switch and the home button at the same time until you get the apple logo followed by the charging cable logo pointing to itunes

d) The iPad will now be detected by iTunes

e) Use the restore option

 

My ipad2 is now on ioS9.3 and it works just fine !!!!

Posted on Mar 24, 2016 7:38 PM

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subiyer

Q: ipad2 9.3 upgrade stuck at activation server unavailable screen

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  • Helpful answers

  • by subiyer,

    subiyer subiyer Mar 23, 2016 6:08 PM in response to subiyer
    Level 1 (14 points)
    iPad
    Mar 23, 2016 6:08 PM in response to subiyer

    btw...my iPhone6 and ipad mini upgraded just fine...

  • by Skydiver119,

    Skydiver119 Skydiver119 Mar 23, 2016 6:12 PM in response to subiyer
    Level 7 (28,414 points)
    iPad
    Mar 23, 2016 6:12 PM in response to subiyer

    This is a known glitch with no 'silver bullet' single solution. Some of the ideas below may help, they may not.

     

    Some have suggested to go to icloud.com on a computer, sign in with your apple ID and remove your device from your cloud account, then try to activate again.

    Others have suggested to simply try to restore to factory settings using iTunes on your computer then restore from a backup.

    For others the restore only works after they go into iCloud.com and remove their device.

    Option 4 is to just wait and see when Apple can issue a fix. Apparently things like this have happened in the past and it resolves itself...just no idea when.

     

    You can sign into iCloud here

    https://www.icloud.com/

     

    And here's a step by step on restoring your device if you want to try that.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414

  • by subiyer,

    subiyer subiyer Mar 23, 2016 8:50 PM in response to Skydiver119
    Level 1 (14 points)
    iPad
    Mar 23, 2016 8:50 PM in response to Skydiver119

    Hi Skydiver119,

     

    Thank you for your response...Tried those options ...unforunately, when I connect to iTunes on my mac, that throws up an error message as well (screenshot attached)...so, for all practical purposes, my ipad2 is bricked...let's hope apple comes up with a solution quickly.

    Screen Shot 2016-03-24 at 11.48.59 AM.png

  • by subiyer,Solvedanswer

    subiyer subiyer Mar 24, 2016 7:38 PM in response to subiyer
    Level 1 (14 points)
    iPad
    Mar 24, 2016 7:38 PM in response to subiyer

    YaY !!!

     

    Fixed the problem...the workaround is as follows:

     

    a) Connect the iPad to iTunes on your computer using the cable

    b) Switch off the ipad while still connected

    c) Press the on/off switch and the home button at the same time until you get the apple logo followed by the charging cable logo pointing to itunes

    d) The iPad will now be detected by iTunes

    e) Use the restore option

     

    My ipad2 is now on ioS9.3 and it works just fine !!!!

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Mar 24, 2016 7:42 PM in response to subiyer
    Level 6 (14,017 points)
    iPad
    Mar 24, 2016 7:42 PM in response to subiyer

    Great to learn!

    You were lucky!

    Many older iDevice users have not been as nearly lucky as you and a good size of the older iDevice user base have non-functioning devices, to date.

    Count your blessings!

     

  • by modular747,

    modular747 modular747 Mar 24, 2016 7:44 PM in response to MichelPM
    Level 6 (19,343 points)
    iPad
    Mar 24, 2016 7:44 PM in response to MichelPM

    Apple just released a new version of 9.3 for older devices to fix this issue,

  • by brenden dv,

    brenden dv brenden dv Mar 25, 2016 9:53 AM in response to subiyer
    Community Specialists
    Mar 25, 2016 9:53 AM in response to subiyer

    Hi subiyer,

     

    Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities! I understand that you were having some issues activating your iPad 2 after a recent update to iOS 9.3. I'm glad to hear that you were able to get that resolved. For other people with similar issues, 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

  • by prapcd,

    prapcd prapcd Mar 26, 2016 12:39 AM in response to subiyer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mar 26, 2016 12:39 AM in response to subiyer

    I think that I found a work around to activate the iPad2 after ios 9.3. I am assuming that the issues is with only the iPad with 3G (becacuse I have the same one).

     

    Try steps below.

    1. Connect the ipad to the iTunes

    2. When it asks for update, Click on update 9.3

    3. Try Back up or without back

    4. Software gets installed

    5. Remove the sim card from the ipad or Enter the sim unlock code

    6.. Setup the ipad with wifi connection

    7. Setup complete!!

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------

    Or just Remove the sim card from the ipad and try activating the ipad. It should work hopefully.

     

    Hope this helps 

     

    Thanks