9.3 Your iPad could not be activated because the activation server is temporarily unavailable.

Hello, I have the same problem since this morning, while trying to update to 9.3.

I Had the same problem. Connected to iTunes, update didn't work, but restore did. Now back to previous update, so won 't update until issues solved.

Since upgrading yesterday I have tried religiously to activate my iPad but to no avail. I called the Apple Helpline who kept me waiting over 20 minutes but due to work situations, I was unable to hold any longer. I was told that the wait would be 2 minutes but 20 minutes later, I still had not spoken to anyone - they must have forgotten to add a 0 to the end of the 2! This is quite despicable behaviour from a corporate company like Apple who have a strong foothold in the market for their products. Obviously this indicates that they are losing their grip and other service providers are catching up so maybe after this incident, they will have to stand back and re-evaluate their situation. If not, then they could end up losing customers in droves.

How do you restore it? I need my iPad for school and i can't wait for a fix.

Apple just recently has offered this possible solution.

A solution for Activation Server Lock on iOS 9.3.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206203

Force restart did not work. Guess I will just have to wait till Apple gets its act together.

The problem with this link is that the screen display I'm getting does not ask for password etc. it is just a flat out activation option which then won't work because "the activation server is temporarily in available". When you go into iCloud.com it asks for your device ID but you can't access that because you need to get into your iPad to find it! This is unacceptable! If it is a case of congestion on the servers why can't AppLE make an announcement to this effect & give us a time frame when when can expect it to be restored? Instead we sit here with iPad/iPhone bricks, not being able to conduct our business or social activities or schoolwork. Like everyone else I don't have the time to sit at the end of a phone for hours & then possibly get charged $39 for a solution. I hope they realise that this glitch will cost them dearly!

Bazza, I saw a post somewhere yesterday from someone who had an ipad4 with the same issues so although most of us have ipad2's it is not just restricted to us. Also some iPhones. I have tried every link & tip for nearly 3 days & I'm getting pretty cranky about it!

Latest Apple news posted,unbelievably, elsewhere other than on Apple's own website/community tech forums.

Apparently Apple has now halted iOS 9.3 updates due to growing Activation Server Lock issues.

http://www.imore.com/apple-working-ios-93-fix-older-iphone-ipad

I've been doing this for about 3 days. Restarted about 10 times. Connected to iTunes. This effectively bricked my iPad. I know it's old, but it should still WORK!

This is rediculous. What is the patch/work around please?

I have the same problem from march 23rd too. I pad 2. Itunes freezes and has to be stopped...

Hi Eileencat,

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities! I understand that you may be having some issues activating your iPad 2 after a recent update to iOS 9.3. If that is still 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

It took two attempts at the "update" option via iTunes... But this worked for my iPad 2. It successfully updated to 9.3 without losing any of my info. I also noticed during the process that my iPad 2 received a Firmware update as well. Thanks Apple for the quick correction.

Great! It works! Now my IPad 2 run and I have all my apps and data ad before. Many thanks