Elon Musk announced XChat, an upgraded direct messaging feature on the X platform (formerly Twitter), aimed at competing with apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram. XChat was rolled out on June 1, 2025, bringing a range of improvements including end-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages, the ability to send any type of file, and support for voice/video calls without needing a phone number. This feature is currently in beta testing, primarily for paid users, although Musk has stated it will soon be rolled out to all users if there are no scaling issues.
Key features of XChat:
- End-to-end encryption: Musk claims XChat uses 'Bitcoin-style encryption,' but technology experts have questioned its security since Bitcoin does not actually use encryption but public cryptography. The lack of technical detail and transparency has led some to doubt whether XChat truly provides end-to-end encryption (E2EE) like Signal or WhatsApp.
- Self-destructing messages: Allows users to set a timer (from 5 minutes to 1 day) for messages to be deleted, enhancing privacy.
- Cross-platform voice and video calls: No phone number required, making it easily accessible and enhancing security.
- File sharing: Supports sending any type of file, increasing flexibility in communication.
- Built on Rust: Utilizing the Rust programming language, known for its speed and security.
XChat is part of Musk's plan to transform X into an 'everything app', similar to WeChat, integrating messaging, payments, and more. This feature is currently only available to paid users but may be extended to free users with limited features in the future.
Note: Some sources suggest that XChat is currently only available to paid users, but Musk has hinted that advanced features may be extended to free users with certain limitations in the future. Details about the 'Bitcoin-style' encryption remain vague, and experts are waiting for more information from X to verify the true security level of this feature.