my imessage does not activate

Hey there @Benm28, sorry to hear that. Please try the below and see if this helps:

1) Turn off iMessage (Settings > Messages)
2) Restart your phone (by pressing and holding the on/off button)
3) Tap Settings > Phone > My Number and confirm that it is correct. 
4) If it is not correct, please enter the correct number
5) Turn iMessage back to On (Settings > Messages)
6) Finally, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and see if the correct number is displayed under "Start new conversations from:"

If you are having issues with step 4 please reset network settings and try again.

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Thanks,

Tyler

I had the same issue (on an iPhone7), and tried all the steps Tyler suggested, and those I read in other threads here too. All to no avail. Eventually I contacted Apple Support, and an advisor called me on the phone, and talked me through trying all the above steps (again), and then adding my (old, ported) number into Settings>Phone>My Number. The advisor had to activate screen sharing on my phone and I had to allow that. But the end result was… iMessage and Facetime are now working on my old phone, on my old number, on my new network (IDMobile, of course).

I’m adding this here because so many people seem to report encountering the same problem, and it seems like no-one has mentioned contacting Apple. I hope this helps someone. Good luck, all!

@Benm28 @TLMB we have a comprehensive guide here:

• How do I fix Calls, iMessage or FaceTime issues on my iPhone? F.A.Q.

It’s long winded, but should work! Thanks.