iPhone is stuck on hello screen, says "Activation Required"

My iPhone has been acting up lately. I woke up to it saying activation required and the "Hello" screen. I press the home button, select cellular data, and it prompts me to input my icloud information. Then I get a screen that says it could not connect. At this point I call AppleCare and we attempt to restore my phone but the same screen pops up. He recommended I go in store in which I plan to. I decide to do my own research and this is what I have done so far:

I was also able to connect to my home wifi.

-I have switched the sim card from my brothers working iPhone 5 with my iPhone 6 sim card.

-I set my iPhone 6 to restore mode, with the screen showing the itunes logo and a cord.

-I plug in my phone and itunes gives me an option to "Update" or "Restore".

-I press "Restore"

-"Hello" screen pops up.

-The next screen says "Update Completed, Your Iphone was updated successfully. There are just a few more steps to follow, then you're done" (yeah right) I click continue

-I sign in my apple id, clicked next

-White screen, loading icon in the middle of the screen and under it says "updating iCloud settings..."

-Waiting

-Back to "hello" screen, and a notification pop up says "Activation Required" and a button under it saying dismiss.

Note: I have been able to receive phone calls on this screen.

I have Assistive Touch and I am able to click the "multitask" button and I can see the last apps I used. Tried clicking one of the screens but it goes back to the hello one.

I have tried it a couple times but still the same result. I have some important photos that I'd love to keep. I have went to a repair shop and they said the only way is to restore the phone fresh. Any help please? If you need more information or are confused just reply. Thank you.