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Apple re-releases iOS 9.3 for older iPhones and iPads affected by Activation Lock issue

Apple has released an updated build of iOS 9.3 for users affected by an activation bug, first reported last week. Although the version number is still 9.3, the update features a new build number, 13E5237, to signify the change. The issue prevented some iPhone and iPad owners from successfully completing the upgrade steps for iOS 9.3 if they could not recall their Apple ID info immediately, to pass Activation Lock.

Apple stopped signing iOS 9.3 for older devices due to this bricking bug. Affected customers can now download the new firmware to upgrade to iOS 9.3. This may involve DFU mode and a cable to download the new firmware via iTunes, if currently stuck on the Activation Lock screen.

Otherwise, simply visit Settings to check for a new Software Update for users who were prevented from updating sooner because Apple pulled the build. Users already on iOS 9.3 do not have to do anything as they have already successfully upgraded to the new operating system.

The iOS 9.3 launch has not been a smooth rollout, with several major bricking and crashing bugs affecting users. Apple already had to re-release iOS 9.3 specifically for the iPad 2, which was affected by a different issue with activation. Over the weekend, we reported on a widespread issue where opening links would cause some apps to hang and crash on iPhones and iPads. Apple is yet to officially comment on when that problem will be addressed. iOS 9.3 includes several major new features, such as Night Shift and Touch ID Notes.

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Comments

  1. nlv2016 - 8 years ago

    Night Shift does not load on iPhone 5. I guess it would over work the “old” (installed) processor.

  2. ave ego (@Ave451) - 8 years ago

    how to fix broken ios 9.3 safari/mail links bug:

    1) find and uninstall booking.com application, if you have it
    2) wait at least 1 hour, bug is gone. maybe you need to reboot once

    to reproduce bug again: install booking.com application

  3. Donna Simmons - 8 years ago

    My husband is having problems with his iPhone 6+ as well as iPad Air

  4. cruz23site - 8 years ago

    I hope they re-release it to FINALLY fix the performance on iPhone 6 that’s present since iOS 9 came out.

  5. Lucas Arruda - 8 years ago

    I have 9.3 on a 5S and it’s prompting me to update.

    It seems like they packed a whole update, as it contains 1.4GB!

    • jacosta45 - 8 years ago

      That’s weird. The update is about 1.5GB.

    • Sumit Agnihotri - 8 years ago

      yes, i have 5s too and my device won’t affected that Activation Lock but getting that big update. yes, its 1.4GB..

    • icharyapp - 8 years ago

      Same here, iOS 9.3 on my iPhone 5S and I didn’t get any activation and now it prompts me a software update.

      And yeah the update size is 1.4GB
      Should I install it again?

  6. opsono - 8 years ago

    I see 13E237, with no ‘5’. Where’d that come from?

  7. Jim Hassinger - 8 years ago

    I was a Public Beta tester, and I never saw any of this. However, the newest MLB app has some severe problems. I open it, open the stream, listen, and it unpredictably crashes. Icons of the players don’t show up for minutes. It crashes, then when I open it, it’s Inning 0, score 0-0. Sometimes the audio will be unavailable after the crash. It’s consuming over 50% of battery.

  8. Bill Myers - 8 years ago

    I have 9.3 “ready to install” on my ipad 2. i cannot find a ’13E####’ designation anywhere. i am concerned that it might still be the one that ‘bricked’ me. how can i find out?

    • Vinnie - 8 years ago

      Settings – General – About – Look for the number by “Version”

      • Bill Myers - 8 years ago

        that ID is what’s already ‘running’, not the one ready to (possibly) re-brick me. there is no ID like that, that i can find, for the one in waiting.

  9. Vinnie - 8 years ago

    Looking t the developer site, the “old” one is the only one available. 13E5237 isnt an option, 10:30 CST

  10. Carmencita Andreea - 8 years ago

    I have the same problem..after updating with 9.3 no matter what I type in safari or opera mini,it simply won t allow me to click on any sites. It allows me to write in the Google search engine , however after it finds it, I cannot click on any page or link!!! Any news about how to fix it? I uninstalled the booking app already like somebody suggested..the problem still persists..pls help!!!

  11. Laura Glasgow - 8 years ago

    I can’t activate my ipad to get the new updates, anyone have any clue when they going to say how to fix it, because i can’t even fix it on my compute using itunes

  12. RSerafini (@RSerafini2) - 8 years ago

    Currently stuck in Activation Lock on older iPad… Have been able to download the 9.3.1 above to my iTunes on PC… But now cant get PC to connect to iPad…have gone through the process numerous times including rebooting…. Help!!!!

Author

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.