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Apple releases new build of iOS 9.3 for users of iPad 2 affected by bricking bug

iPad family 2-1

Apple, just hours after it confirmed issues relating to iOS 9.3 on the iPad 2, has released a new build of the operating system for the device. Carrying build number 13E236, the update appears to be rolling out to iPad 2 users now. Presumably, it’s the same build that was released to everyone earlier this week, just with the activation issues fixed.

This new build of iOS 9.3 for the iPad 2 is 13E236, while the version released earlier this week was 13E234 on iPhone and 13E233 on iPad.

iPad 2 users can update to the new firmware update by plugging their iPad into iTunes if it’s in a bricked state or by heading into Settings and navigating to the software update menu and updating like they normally would.

If you use an iPad 2, let us know in the comments if you’ve received the update and if it fixes your issues.

Apple earlier today confirmed that users of older iOS devices were affected by a bug that would potentially prevent users from successfully completing the update process. Apple said at the time that it was working on a fix, though it’s unclear at this point if the new build is for all affected devices or just the iPad 2:

Updating some iOS devices (iPhone 5s and earlier and iPad Air and earlier) to iOS 9.3 can require entering the Apple ID and password used to set up the device in order to complete the software update. In some cases, if customers do not recall their password, their device will remain in an inactivated state until they can recover or reset their password. For these older devices, we have temporarily pulled back the update and will release an updated version of iOS 9.3 in the next few days that does not require this step.”

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Comments

  1. viciosodiego - 8 years ago

    Bad OTA, I presume?

    • mxchan3 - 8 years ago

      Not really, every time I update my device OTA, it will always ask for password for iCloud. Probably removing it because too many people forgot their password

  2. taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

    How does this happen after 7 developer and public betas?

  3. jaydee917 - 8 years ago

    I’m more surprised Apple still offers updates and support for the iPad 2.

    • jacosta45 - 8 years ago

      Me too. Probably for the business/education customers. And for the people that just don’t want/can’t upgrade to at least an iPad Air.

    • cameroncafe10a - 8 years ago

      I still use my iPad 2 :)

    • Abedoss - 8 years ago

      They still support all A5 products because that the 1st gen iPad mini still in support cycle, and when they work on one device with a SOC like A5 it will be effortless to support others with the same gen SOCs, and this includes iPad 3rd gen with A5X.

  4. at0mhacker - 8 years ago

    if you use an iPad 2 it’s time to upgrade

    • Kevin Farrell - 8 years ago

      you work for Apple no doubt!!

    • Deepsouth - 7 years ago

      Why? I paid alot of money for my Ipad2 and I want to get as much use out of it as possible. It’s not like IPad 2’s are some sort of ancient bulky devices that have no use. They are identical in appearance to the newer models, and if you can live without Retina display they operate identical aswell. People that upgrade their devices every year are essentially throwing money away.

  5. This fix doesn’t work. There is no way to download the new iOS since when you connect the bricked iPad to iTunes in order to update the firmware, you get the error “ITunes is unable to verify your device.”

    • nathanllarsen - 8 years ago

      Put the device into recovery mode & then choose the “Update” option instead of “Restore.”

      • Nope, doesn’t work either. Tried that multiple times too.

      • Update, after numerous attempts at “Update” in recovery mode (all of which failed), I attempted to do a “Restore” in Recovery Mode. The first attempt did NOT work, but the second attempt did. So as a final resort to anyone having similar issues, I would recommend doing the Restore and not giving up after first try. If you are lucky, you have a backup you can restore from too.

  6. jdunwoody - 8 years ago

    Just applied this new update via iTunes on my Mac and it fixed my iPad 2.

  7. Nick (@Chevy_24s) - 8 years ago

    I dont have any problems with IOS 9.3 on my iPad 2. Everything is fine.

  8. valanchan - 8 years ago

    Not really a comment about this article but looking at the image above.

    I can’t help feeling there will be another iPad Pro.
    11.5″ (ish) screen?

    • jacosta45 - 8 years ago

      I doubt that. They already have three good screen sizes for different parts of the market.

    • Smigit - 8 years ago

      Almost certainly not. They don’t need an option for every 1.5″ increment. They’ve got 11, 12, 13 and 15 inch laptops but there’s no race to get a 14″ one into the lineup.

      What they have now, along with the iPhones, caters to a rather wide range of sizes and uses.

  9. How to set it up if itunes does not connect Ipad ??

  10. matlinp - 8 years ago

    Just checked my iPhone 5s running 9.2.1 and it says that my OS is up to date, so the release is evidently aimed at iPad 2 only. At least for now.

  11. //jason (@CyberWingman) - 8 years ago

    my Ipad 2 updated fine with the initial release, any reason to do this update on top of it?

  12. Anton Gorodetski - 8 years ago

    I love my iPad 2. Not going to change it yet. Finally updated my bricked iPad 2 to iOS 9.3 using this simple instruction:
    http://howtoiph.one/2016/03/25/how-to-restore-your-ipad-by-fixing-ios-9-3-activation-error/

  13. Kevin Farrell - 8 years ago

    Did not work for me (IPAD2) Won’t allow me past Activation screen won’t accept my ID and Password and the ID and Password is the only one we ever used for the ipad. as soon as I click to start the build update it takes me immediately to Itunes and the activation screen in said Itunes and then will not accept the ID and PAss… 4 days of this and I believe the ipad is going to find it’s way into the dumpster never again to buy an apple product!!

  14. Morac - 8 years ago

    I did update my iPad 2 that had previously been “bricked”, forcing me to go back to iOS 9.2.1. I did so OTA, but I logged out of iCloud first, just in case.

    Now if only I could delete the stuck iCloud backup for my iPad 2.

  15. Will (@xofrd) - 8 years ago

    I still use my IPad2 happily. Downloading this new update version. Let’s hope it will unbrick the Ipad this time.

  16. Don Pincott - 8 years ago

    Just tried the (presumably) new build by forcing a recovery > update and it failed with same old “Could not activate iPad” message. I presume it was the new build, because as late as this morning, forcing a recovery > update installed a 9.2 version with the above error, this afternoon forcing a recovery > update installs a 9.3 version that still fails. Sigh! Not that Apple Support would post anything as clear as ” A new Fix is available”.

    Note to Apple: Have another go – it is still not right!

  17. Don Pincott - 8 years ago

    Just tried the (presumably) new build by forcing a recovery > update and initoially it failed with same old “Could not activate iPad” message. I presume it was the new build, because as late as this morning, forcing a recovery > update installed a 9.2 version with the above error, this afternoon forcing a recovery > update installs a 9.3 version that still fails.

    However, whilst writing this, iTunes progressed and I now have a working iPad 2 – at last.

    FYI – You will have to force a fresh install by going into recovery mode (pressing the power button and home button simultaneosly. CHOOSE UPDATE, – NOT recovery and it will force a fresh download of the patched 9.3. Might need a couple of goes to register it, but it does get there. (I had also previously deleted my iCloud account).

  18. superrgg - 8 years ago

    I currently use an iPad 2. I just updated to iOS 9.3 and my iPad is perfectly fine. Over the past year my iPad has started getting so slow and I have had it for three years. But anyway I realized a few months ago that I needed a new iPad and was waiting for new iPads. So yesterday I ordered an 128gb gold 9.7 inch iPad Pro.

  19. Meg Lewis - 8 years ago

    Have downloaded from Facebook iPad will not activate even after all software & firmware verified because
    “server temporarily unavailable” any comments.

  20. Ben - 8 years ago

    My girlfriend’s iPhone 5 has been bricked for a couple days. We’ve reset, restored, and updated the thing multiple times to get it back to 9.2 but to no avail. Had a support call too… Anyone have a trick for solving this on iPhone 5?

  21. cameronhood - 8 years ago

    So it’s Apple’s fault if you forget your passwords? Uhhh…what about keys, and wallets? If I forget them, is that Apple’s fault for not having an app to remind me? Err, ahh…and to people who inherited phones from deceased loved ones, I have much sympathy for their loss, but this issue will be showing up TIME AND TIME AGAIN on everything from bank accounts to Netflix. We are all mortal; if your time is nigh, please PASS YOUR PASSWORDS ON TO LOVED ONES. And NONE of this is Apple’s fault; it’s Obama’s…

    • Kevin Farrell - 8 years ago

      ya know, 3 1/2 years after purchasing the ipad and several moves due to military service we had lost our id and password but we did remember it since it was the only ones used to activate the Ipad but it is always so nice to see comments like yours …I guess not everyone is as wonderful as you in your world professor. Your comments are typical of what society calls jerks. Thus I must take from this that you are an Apple employee and have a stake in the company. Oh and even we are using the correct id and password …it wont accept them and say it cannot activate. So as you sit there in your perfect world thinking about how great you are because you have your id and password constantly on hand ….remember we as customers did not create a botched update and then knowing it was botched …release it as a botched update. That my friend has nothing to do with ID’s and Passwords …so screw off!!

  22. maxleopold - 8 years ago

    I have an iPad2 with 9.3 (13E233)
    the Software Update in Settings > General
    does not provide me with the new Version at all.

  23. Melissa Bennett - 8 years ago

    still not working.

  24. This update totally bricked my iPad mini 1. I haven’t seen much mention of this. Anyone else have trouble with their mini’s?

  25. One more problem has recently aroused with iOS 9.3. Links in Safari, Mail app, iMessage and in other 3rd party messengers do not work properly.
    Source: http://howtoiph.one/2016/03/27/links-in-safari-mail-news-and-imessage-do-not-work-after-updating-to-ios-9-3/
    shame to apple

  26. I have NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING and my ipad does not work, I can browse, but I cannot open any internet site!!

  27. Bill Myers - 8 years ago

    How do I know what version of (.3 has been downloaded to my iPad? it was trashed last time i “installed”. I do not want manual recovery again.

  28. David Fritsch - 8 years ago

    I am unable to edit photos.. error in saving. I use an app for work every day and the photos do not populate in the app like they did prior.
    I don’t have a back up of 9.2.1 so bummed.. I may have to go buy a new phone with the old version…errr

  29. Mark Preece - 8 years ago

    I’m having issues downloading 9.3 update saying error not connected to internet when I am
    Any ideas

  30. kayangmo (@kayangmo) - 8 years ago

    I just bricked my trusty old Ipad2 with iOS9.3 (dunno which version). I have an old Macbook 13 and itunes 11.4. I cannot even restore the ipad2. I have to go to apple store tomorrow and see what they say.
    Maybe they will be kind.
    Maybe they will be pushing blame to me and asking me to buy new ipad. Who knows?

  31. kayangmo (@kayangmo) - 8 years ago

    i lost all my data. The build is now 13E237, i took 4 hours to restore to a blank new OS on an old ipad2. Saves a trip to the store but man am I pissed.

  32. pennyevans3 - 8 years ago

    I have just incorrectly stated that the safari and email links on my iPad 2 are not working since installing ios9.3 but actually it is an iPad mini 3, not 2.

  33. Mark Saunderson - 8 years ago

    I have an I pad pro. Apple just bricked it. I know my passwords, I know my user names. It will not accept them!

  34. RSerafini (@RSerafini2) - 8 years ago

    Been trying to ‘reactivate’ all morning… Got the fix to download on my iTunes but can’t get PC and iPad to connect….

  35. Patrick Hinchliffe - 8 years ago

    I updated to 9.3.1 last night and charged it overnight.
    Now I’ve closed an app and tried to switch bacn to Facebook. I’ve got a white screen with a bue line across the top but no text.
    Home button does nothing and I can’t power off. I can take a photo of the white screen but nothing else.
    Have I got to wait for the battery to go flat ?

  36. Joe Hochreiter - 8 years ago

    my iPad2 won’t even open the settings or safari apps. It opens some of the other apps, but operation of those apps is sketchy at best. The unit also isn’t recognized by iTunes on my iMac. As a result, I have no way to upload new OS, save for maybe wiping it and starting over….

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Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

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