Phone number cannot be used for iMessage or FaceTime

I had this issue for over 4 days, brand new number and second hand device. It was only allowing me to use my email address to make and receive iMessages and FaceTime calls..Several calls with apple support and my carrier did not help. All the tips and advice from the community also did not help, and I was becoming extremely frustrated.

I eventually fixed it myself, by doing the following:

Settings > apps > phone. I deleted my phone number and left it blank.

Then I went and removed the number from my Apple ID account.

I toggled both iMessage & FaceTime off. Then proceeded to reset my network settings.

Once the phone was back on, I re-added my phone number under ‘phone’ settings. And re-added the number to my Apple ID account.

Toggled iMessage & FaceTime back on and to my surprise the number connected immediately.