Number associated with Apple ID about to expire

Hello Shawngaper,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

We want to help keep iMessage and FaceTime activated on your device.

If your new SIM does not support these features, then you might need to use the other SIM again.

You can start with these steps to ensure it's not a software related issue:

"Check your device settings

1. Make sure that you’re connected to a cellular data or Wi-Fi network. 
2. If you're using an iPhone, you need SMS messaging to activate your phone number with iMessage and FaceTime. Depending on your carrier, you might be charged for this SMS.
3. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure that your time zone is set correctly."

This Apple Support page has the full details and more steps to take: If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime - Apple Support

We hope this helps to activate iMessage and FaceTime on your device.

Cheers!

I am having the same problem as the OP and I’m sorry but that doesn’t help fix the issue. Do we need to put our original sim back into the phone in order to stop the countdown? What happens at the end of the countdown? How can I continue to use a local sim without permanently losing the phone number I’ve had since I was 10.

thank you in advance.