X rolls out a dedicated XChat messaging app for iOS

XChat, the standalone messaging application from X, officially rolled out to the public on Friday. The app is initially available for iOS devices and enables users to communicate with their X contacts via messaging, file sharing, audio and video calls, and group conversations.

The company began testing XChat with a limited group of beta users this year, gathering feedback to refine the experience before the broader launch.

XChat plays a central role in the company’s broader strategy, which positions the core social network as a foundation for additional services such as messaging and payments. While a separate payments-focused app is also under development, it has not yet been released publicly.

At the same time, the move to separate messaging into its own dedicated application represents a shift from Elon Musk’s earlier ambition to turn X into a single “everything app” that would combine messaging, payments, creator tools, shopping, artificial intelligence, and more on a single platform.

Instead, xAI — Musk’s AI venture, which owns X and is itself tied to SpaceX — is now building a suite of apps to expand its reach and engagement across multiple consumer touchpoints.

At launch, XChat includes features such as messaging, voice and video calls, and a set of privacy-focused tools. These include options to edit or delete messages for all participants, send disappearing messages, and block screenshots within conversations. The company also states that the app does not include advertisements or tracking systems.

X further claims that all communications on XChat are protected with end-to-end encryption and secured with PIN access. However, these assertions have previously been questioned by security researchers.

Experts had earlier raised concerns that XChat’s security framework appeared weaker than that of established encrypted messaging platforms such as Signal when the service was first introduced. With the public release now underway, those same experts are expected to reassess the app to determine whether improvements have been implemented.

Beyond private and group messaging, XChat is also being positioned as the new home for X’s Communities feature. The company has decided to discontinue Communities due to limited engagement and significant spam issues. This transition could help drive early adoption of XChat, as existing community users migrate to the new platform.

Further enhancements to XChat are already in the pipeline. According to X’s lead designer, Benji Taylor, the current version is only the starting point, with additional messaging-related developments planned.