X (Twitter) is making another big move in its push beyond social media, this time by launching a separate messaging platform designed to compete directly in the private chat space.
The company officially released XChat to the public on Friday, with the standalone app arriving first on iOS devices. Users can message their X contacts, share files, make audio and video calls, and join group chats through the new platform.
X had quietly tested XChat with a limited group of beta users earlier this year before expanding access. The launch marks an important shift in strategy for the Elon Musk-owned company, which once promoted X as an “everything app” where messaging, payments, shopping, creator content, AI, and more would all live under one roof.
Instead, X and Musk’s related companies now appear to be leaning into separate apps built around specific services. XChat is one of the clearest examples of that new direction.
At launch, the company says XChat includes several privacy-focused tools, including message editing, deleting chats for everyone, disappearing messages, screenshot blocking, and PIN protection. X also says there are no ads or tracking systems inside the app.
The company further claims all messages are end-to-end encrypted, though those security promises have previously faced scrutiny from experts. Researchers had earlier raised concerns that the service did not offer the same level of protection as apps like Signal. With the public release now live, those features will likely face fresh evaluation.
XChat is also becoming the new home for X Communities after the company decided to close that feature due to low usage and spam issues. That transition could help drive early downloads.
X lead designer Benji Taylor hinted more is coming, calling the launch “just the beginning of what we’re building for messaging.”
