If an iPhone has been reset to factory settings—for example, someone traveling wants to have a clean phone when returning to the US but needs to contact their ride home when done with customs—can it be used for texting before an iCloud recovery has been done?
If the iPhone is activated after factory reset WiFi can be used. Texting requires a cellular service provider to activate their SIM /eSIM card and establish service for the device.
A phone reset to factory settings will open to the hello page, meaning it's not set up or activated. So no, I don't believe you can send a text message from a phone which has not been set up or activated at all. I'm not sure why someone would want to have what you call a "clean phone" when returning from a trip? I'm not sure why there would be any benefit from wiping a phone to factory settings, just because you returned from a trip?
Customs & Immigration is doing more active and thorough inspections at border checkpoints especially airports. Had a friend who had a 4 hour interview because of material on his iPhone.
However, they may be just as suspicious of an iPhone at the Hello screen. Who travels with a device not setup and basically useless. So, do you declare it or what? Crazy times we live in.
Re: “… Who travels with a device not setup and basically useless … “
Exactly (Answer, someone who’s actively trying to hide something)
The writer of this 2017 blog writes what IMO is still good info summarized as:
Do not lie to federal officers. Do not attract attention. Do not act entitled or otherwise give bored grumpy people an excuse to entertain themselves by making your life miserable.
Source:
https://medium.com/@thegrugq/stop-fabricating-travel-security-advice-35259bf0e869#.4rdhbe2mi
using iPhone that has been reset to factory settings
