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Apple patches iOS 9.3 to fix activation bug

Apple has released an updated version of iOS 9.3 in order to fix the activation bug affecting users of older iPhones and iPads. But note that it's not called iOS 9.3.1.
Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer

Having problems activation your iPhone or iPad since upgrading to iOS 9.3? Apple has released a patch just for you.

Apple confirmed the existence of the bug, and also went on to claim that the bug could affect iPhone 5s and earlier and iPad Air and earlier, as well as clarifying why the circumstances under which the problem occurred (which explains why I have been unable to reproduce the issue).

Read more: Two things Apple didn't tell you about the new iPad Pro

"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."

Apple goes on to outline fixes for the issue.

The patched-up version of iOS 9.3 is now out and available for download. Users who are affected by this bug can hook their afflicted iPads or iPhones to a computer to update them via iTunes -- the new build for the iPad 2 is called 13E236, compared to the original build 13E234 for the iPhone and 13E233 for the iPad -- or download the updated version of iOS 9.3 over the air.

It is unclear at this point whether the new build is for all affected devices or just the iPad 2.

Note that this patched version of iOS is still called iOS 9.3, and not iOS 9.3.1.

See also:

iOS 9.3 tip: How to password-protect Notes and unlock them with your fingerprint

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