Earlier this week we reported that the newly released iOS 9.3 update was bricking older iOS devices, including the iPad 2. Now, Apple has confirmed that there are issues with the iOS 9.3 update for older iOS devices and that it is pulling the update for select devices.
In a statement issued to iMore, Apple explained that updating older devices, including the iPhone 5s and earlier and the iPad Air and earlier, can require customers to enter the Apple ID and password used to originally set up the device. If the user doesn’t remember this information, they can be blocked from activating the device. Apple says that it has pulled the update for affected devices and will release a new build within the coming days that removes the process of entering the Apple ID and password used when the device was first set up:
While some speculated earlier this week that the issue simply centered around too many people hitting Apple’s activation servers at once, it’s now clear that wasn’t the case. If you’re affected by this bug, Apple has also published a new support document detailing some potential workarounds. Below is what Apple says you should try first:
- Sign in to iCloud.com from a computer. You can get help if you forgot your Apple ID or need to reset your Apple ID password.
- Open Settings and scroll to the My Devices section.
- Confirm that your device is listed in the My Devices section. If you don’t see it listed, check all your accounts.
Mac users have also reported issues centering around singing in to iMessage and FaceTime after updating to OS X 10.11.4. Apple has yet to formally acknowledge this issue. Let us know in the comments if you’ve been affected by either of these issues.
