iPhone 4S. iMessage only works with the apple id

I have an iPhone 4s currently upgraded to iOS 6. iMessage is only working with the apple id. I cannot get it working with my phone number. I had this issue when I was using iOS 5 as well.

I think my phone is manufactured for the chinese market or something. I did not buy it from a network. Does this have something to do with iMessage activation?

in the iMessage section in settings, it says activation is unsuccessful. But still it says i can be reached with my apple ID.

ugp said:

Try signing out and back in. My phone number added on my phone but wouldn't on other devices right away. Signing out and back in fixed it for me.

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Doesn't work. Its only showing my apple id in the settings where it says "Send and Receive"...