A new build of iOS 9.3 was released on March 24, a few days after the latest OS version was announced and rolled out. Several owners of older Apple mobile devices ran into authentication issues after updating to the latest iOS. Now, Apple has stopped signing in both builds after more devices got affected by the authentication issue.
MacRumors reported that the second build of iOS 9.3 has a version ID of 13E236, and was specifically designed for the GSM version of iPad 2. This addressed the authentication issue that spurred out of the original build. Apple posted a step-by-step guide for the said older device for its customers to follow.
"After you update to iOS 9.3, you might see this message on your iPad 2 (GSM model): Your iPad could not be activated because the activation service is temporarily unavailable," the company stated.
However, after more Apple devices started downloading and installing the first build of iOS 9.3, several more devices got stuck with the Authentication Screen. The additional models that are affected by the issue are the iPad Air, the iPad mini 2, the iPhone 5s, the iPod touch and other earlier models.
Apple issued a detailed workaround for these devices in another announcement that is dated March 25. It says, "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. If you can't recall your password or can't sign in, try these steps."
PhoneArena added that Apple has pulled out both builds altogether and no device will be able to download the mobile operating system for the time being.
The tech giant is currently working on a fix for the these activation issues and will be releasing another a fix at the soonest possible time. Apple also advised that owners of older devices must stay with iOS 9.2.1.
