It seems that some iOS users on older devices are running into a snag during the 9.3 update. Upon installation, the update requires the Apple ID and password originally used to set up the device – and this ID might not match your current one.
When this happens, you end up stuck in the middle of the installation process, with no way to move forward.
“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,” said Apple in a statement to TechCrunch.
The issue affects iOS devices up to and including the iPhone 5S and iPad Air generation, which aren’t exactly “old” so much as “not new,” meaning there are probably plenty of people out there who should hold off.
Apple is issuing an update to the update “in the next few days” which will fix the issue, but if you’re already stranded at the activation screen, try the workarounds listed at this brand new support article.