iPad 2 activation required and failed (out of nowhere, not activation lock)
I have an iPad 2 and out of nowhere it requires an activation. It is connected to my WIFI and I did not have to enter my Apple ID.
The activation however fails, and it tells me to connected it to iTunes. The error message on the iPad is (translated):
Your iPad could not be activated because the activation server is temporarily unavailable. Try to activate it with iTunes or try again in a couple of minutes. If the problem persists talk to the apple support.
When I connect it to my laptop it tries to activate it bu fails as well. The error message in Finder is (translated):
Activation failed. The iPad can't be synchronised. The operation timed out.
Restoring is not possible as the only thing I see is the error message where normally the different options (software update, backup information, etc.) for the iPad are. I've tried it for a week now and came to the conclusion that this is some kind of software bug.
I tried to restart it and do a shutdown.
I know this device is fairly old but I use it every now and then. It was working just fine before this. Also the apple stores are currently closed where I live due to COVID. Does anyone have any ideas?
UPDATE: I contacted the apple support and after some time their suggestion was to put the iPad in recovery mode. First I should try to just update the software when in recovery mode but that did not help. Same screen appears which shows that same error message. Then they suggested to restore the iPad from the backup. This was possible because I entered the recovery mode. After restoring the iPad it worked for about 30min (I was already happy to have my iPad back) when all the sudden the apple logo appeared on the screen and it tells me it needs activation. Well now I'm even more frustrated :D I guess I'm going to contact the support once again...
The system caches a result that shows the device is activated. You likely have some corruption on the storage and if following the normal activation process fails, support or jailbreak or repair would be next steps.
Doing the activation from a computer lets you get diagnostic logs and may be the best next step if you can’t get it on wireless.
Worst case, try a restore and then consult support online.
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201252
- https://support.apple.com/
Online support is very good now that the stores have been shuttered for months in most places and staff cross trained to field the online support queues. Support will likely conclude if the device is vintage and for most effectively obsolete and refer to external vendors, though.
- https://locate.apple.com/
- obtaining support for vintage or obsolete products the iPad 2 is currently “vintage” and soon to be obsolete