Apple Temporarily Pulls iOS 9.3 Update for Older iOS Devices

[MacRumors]

Apple has temporarily stopped offering the iOS 9.3 update for older devices like the iPad Air and earlier and the iPhone 5s and earlier due to installation issues some users have experienced. On older devices, iOS 9.3 requires users to input the Apple ID and password originally used to set up the device, which can lead to the device becoming stuck at the Activation Lock screen if the original account information can't be recalled.

In a statement given to iMore, Apple says it is working on a fix and plans to issue a new version of iOS 9.3 in the next few days. Customers with an affected device who attempt to download iOS 9.3 during this time will not be able to install the update as Apple has stopped signing it.

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," an Apple spokesperson told iMore. "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."

For customers who have already installed iOS 9.3 and have gotten stuck at the Activation Lock, Apple has published a support document with steps on how to solve the issue. Apple recommends removing Activation Lock via iCloud or attempting to enter an Apple ID or password through iTunes.

Update: Apple has released a new build of iOS 9.3 for the iPad 2 and may be planning to roll out updates for additional devices. Apple has not yet resumed signing iOS 9.3 for affected devices.

Article Link: Apple Temporarily Pulls iOS 9.3 Update for Older iOS Devices

 

[SSD-GUY]

Apple strategy to force upgrade to iPhone SE/iPad Pro.

 

[anzio]

This is why I never upgrade until iOS *.44

 

[farewelwilliams]

while an extreme minor case, I'd imagine there is a customer that enabled two factor authentication tied to their only apple device. assuming they forgot the password, that means there's no way to reset and they're locked permanently...?

 

[iOSFangirl6001]

Well that's not good... Glad our devices are always fairly newer models

 

[npmacuser5]

while an extreme minor case, I'd imagine there is a customer that enabled two factor authentication tied to their only apple device. assuming they forgot the password, that means there's no way to reset and they're locked permanently...?

Better have their recovery key.

 

[volcomvenom]

Ah someone help me my iPhone 1 is destroyed from this update (tee he he).

 

[TalonFlyer]

I updated my 5s and 6 phones without issue.

 

[Kevin2055]

After so many beta 9.3 releases, I thought apple is careful this time and it should be smooth ...

 

[witherwings]

Weird, I made a restore on my 5s and it needed activation, and it came out fine! Maybe I was lucky

 

[usarioclave]

That's odd. I can't imagine a reason why Apple would need the original Apple ID password used. Apple already is tracking the current password.

 

[InfoTime]

Wait, an iPad Air is considered an older device???

 

[netslacker]

Updated my wifes 5S and was surprised by the prompt. We had to go digging in some past notes of hers for her password, luckily we found it and got it installed ok. She just rarely uses her password for anything so it was a showstopper until we figured it out.

 

[lobbyist]

I've successfully updated a 4S, 5S and iPad4 (and a 6S). All updated smoothly without problem.

 

[Andres Cantu]

This is starting to become the norm. Issues with every single update, no matter how big or small.

By the way, not the first time Apple pulls an update. Talk about embarrassing and unacceptable

 

[nezr]

all these beta releases and no one finds this out until now ? lol

 

[tentales]

Apple strategy to force upgrade to iPhone SE/iPad Pro.

Really dude ? I rarely defend Apple, but that's a stupid claim. More likely, it's lack of proper testing, despite the long beta period. If you want to criticize Apple, criticize them for that.

 

[volcomvenom]

all these beta releases and no one finds this out until now ? lol

No kidding, there goes my iPhone 1.

 

[RyanG]

I updated my 5s and 6 phones without issue.

".. an issue some users..."

 

[scottw50]

Have to laugh. I have been in the Apple Public Beta program and until the last release of ios9.3 haven't been able to get past iOS 9.2.1 on my Apple iPad 2. With the last release, the update installed in a normal fashion. Isn't software fun?

 

[BSben]

All my older devices are running it happily, and have done for some time. I wonder what the devices that won't run have in common.

 

[macduke]

I had my iCloud login screen lockup when I upgraded my 6s. Nothing responded until I locked the phone and unlocked it to try again. The text selection magnifying glass was stuck on the screen where I was trying to type, but I was able to get my password in regardless.

Probably the FBI intercepted the software and put in a key logger for our passwords, haha. Yeah, that's it!

 

[Swift]

Everybody's got their panties in a knot. When there were 12 Apple devices in existence -- I know, I was one of them -- you would download it and it worked. From Compuserve. Or you could take 5 floppies to the computer store, and they'd let you have a copy of System 6 for free! Now, we're in the world of a billion Apple devices. It might take a day or so, but they'll work it out. I updated my iPad mini v2 with Retina, and that went perfectly.

 

[Caromsoft]

The upgrade worked OK on our two 5 's (not 5S)

 

[Swift]

This is starting to become the norm. Issues with every single update, no matter how big or small.

By the way, not the first time Apple pulls an update. Talk about embarrassing and unacceptable

We're not perfect like you.