X launches standalone XChat app on iOS

The first StrictlyVC of 2026 hits SF on April 30. Tickets are going fast. Register now. The first StrictlyVC of 2026 hits SF on April 30. Tickets are going fast. Register now. TechCrunch Desktop Logo TechCrunch Mobile Logo LatestStartupsVentureAppleSecurityAIApps EventsPodcastsNewsletters SearchSubmit Site Search Toggle Mega Menu Toggle Topics Latest X launches standalone XChat app on iOS Sarah Perez 12:46 PM PDT · April 24, 2026 XChat, X’s standalone messaging app, launched to the public on Friday. Initially available on iOS devices, the new app allows users to connect with their X contacts for messaging, file sharing, audio and video calls, as well as group chats. The company first began publicly testing XChat with a small group of beta users earlier this year to get their feedback about the new experience. The XChat app is a key piece to the strategic vision for the company, which sees the social network as a jumping-off point for other services, like messaging or payments. (The latter is also being tested as a dedicated app, though it is not yet available publicly.) However, X’s decision to break out of a piece of its platform to become its own dedicated app is a shift away from owner Elon Musk’s earlier plan to make X an “everything app,” which would provide a single place to access messaging, payments, creator content, shopping, AI, and more. Instead, xAI (Musk’s AI company that owns X, and is itself owned by Musk’s other company SpaceX) is now offering a suite of apps to provide more consumer touchpoints with its services. The everything app, which requires 3 apps to use the core product. pic.twitter.com/1aJF4n2par At launch, the XChat app offers support for messaging and calling, as well as other features that it says are privacy protected, including the ability to edit and delete messages for everyone in the chat; support for disappearing messages; and the ability to block screenshots. X claims there are no ads or tracking mechanisms in the app. The company also claims that all messages are end-to-end encrypted and PIN protected — though security experts have previously disputed the company’s encryption claims. Security experts had earlier warned potential users that the XChat service appears to be less secure than other encrypted messaging apps, like Signal, when the app was first introduced. They will need to evaluate the dedicated XChat app again, now that it’s broadly available, to see if the necessary improvements have been made. XChat is now available. Design team is cooking on these launch videos. pic.twitter.com/u7BIKNp0pc In addition to offering a place to have private chats or group chats, XChat is also stepping in to serve as the new destination for X’s Communities, which the company has decided to shut down due to lack of use and high amounts of spam. The timing of that news could give XChat an early boost in new installs, as community members make the shift. More updates to XChat are seemingly still planned, according to X lead designer Benji Taylor, who teased that the app is “just the beginning of what we’re building for messaging.” When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. Sarah Perez Consumer News Editor April 30 San Francisco, CA StrictlyVC kicks off the year in SF. Register now for unfiltered fireside chats and VC insights with leaders from Uber, Replit, Eclipse, and more. Plus, high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited. Most Popular OpenAI releases GPT-5.5, bringing company one step closer to an AI ‘super app’ Lucas Ropek Microsoft offers buyout for up to 7% of US employees Amanda Silberling Duolingo is now giving users access to advanced learning content Lauren Forristal Unauthorized group has gained access to Anthropic’s exclusive cyber tool Mythos, report claims Lucas Ropek Tim Cook stepping down as Apple CEO, John Ternus taking over Amanda Silberling Connie Loizos Blue Origin’s New Glenn put a customer satellite in the wrong orbit during its third launch Sean O'Kane Palantir posts mini-manifesto denouncing inclusivity and ‘regressive’ cultures Anthony Ha X LinkedIn Facebook Instagram youTube Mastodon Threads Bluesky TechCrunchStaffContact UsAdvertiseCrunchboard JobsSite Map Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicyRSS Terms of UseCode of Conduct Tim CookJohn TernusNew GlennWhatsAppMythosTech LayoffsChatGPT © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC.