an error occured during activation

Hello kendraaaaaaaaaaaaaa,

This page here can help provide some helpful steps related to iMessage activation issues: If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime

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.

Turn off and restart iMessage and FaceTime

1. Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage.

2. Go to Settings > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime.

3. Restart your device:

iPhone

iPad

iPod touch

4. Turn iMessage and FaceTime back on.

If those steps above haven't helped some other things to check on are the following:

1. Make sure that your device has the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.

2. If you're using an iPhone, contact your carrier to make sure that you can send and receive SMS messages.

3. Make sure you can send and receive SMS. If a prompt appears stating "Your carrier may charge for SMS messages used to activate FaceTime and iMessage", tap "OK" to allow possible SMS charges.

4. Contact Apple Support.

Cheers.