I can’t use my email for my iMessage

Hi Kimtope,

Thanks for contacting Apple Support Communities!

We understand that you're attempting to sign into iMessage using your email address. In order to sign in to iMessage with an email address, that email address needs to be associated with your Apple ID as outlined here: If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime on your iPhone - Apple Support

"Use an email address to sign in to Messages or FaceTime instead

You can also use your email address with iMessage and FaceTime. Sign in to your Apple ID account page and review all the email addresses you have on file, including the one that you're trying to verify. If the email address is incorrect, you can update it. Then click Resend next to the email address that you want to verify.

To select your email address to use with Messages:

1. In the Settings app, tap Messages.
2. Tap Send & Receive, then choose your email address.

To select your email address to use with FaceTime:

1. In the Setttings app, tap FaceTime.
2. Scroll to You Can Be Reached By FaceTime At, and choose your email address.

When you use both your phone number and your email address with Messages, you might start or receive separate conversation threads with the same contacts. Set your phone number or email address as the primary way to start and receive Messages.

FaceTime isn't available in all countries or regions.

If you can't turn on or sign in to Messages and FaceTime when you try on your Mac or iPad"

If you're already using your Apple ID email address to sign into iMessage, just let us know what's happening specifically when you attempt to sign in with your Apple ID email address. If you see any alerts, be sure to include the wording of the alert you're seeing so that we can assist you further.

Kind regards.