XChat: Standalone Messaging App for X Now Available on iOS with End-to-End Encryption and Group Chats Up to 350 Participants

XChat, the standalone messaging app from X, has officially launched on iPhone and iPad, offering users a private, focused space for conversations with features including end-to-end encrypted messaging, audio and video calls, file sharing and group chats supporting up to 350 participants.

The app, which became available on the App Store on Friday, April 24, 2026, allows users to chat with anyone on X while providing tools such as the ability to edit and delete messages for everyone in the chat, send disappearing messages, and block screenshots. X claims all messages in XChat are end-to-end encrypted and PIN protected, though security experts have previously questioned the validity of these encryption claims.

XChat supports video and audio calls and is positioned as a potential successor to X’s Communities feature, which the platform announced it would retire at the end of May 2026. The company suggested that XChat’s group chat functionality could serve as a worthwhile alternative for users seeking larger group conversations, with plans to expand the participant limit beyond the current 350 in the future.

The launch of XChat as a standalone app marks a shift from Elon Musk’s original vision for X as an “everything app” that would integrate messaging, payments, job boards, shopping, AI, and creator content into a single platform. Instead, X is now a subsidiary of xAI, Musk’s AI company, which itself is part of SpaceX, reflecting a strategic focus on AI and a suite of dedicated apps rather than an all-in-one experience.

Unlike the main X app, which continues to use the iOS 18 version of the keyboard, XChat is designed with iOS 26 in mind, featuring the updated system keyboard and a more modern interface. The app includes a prominent button for launching the original X app and currently does not support CarPlay, though the company has indicated it may consider adding such functionality following the initial release.

At launch, XChat emphasizes privacy and user control, with no ads or tracking mechanisms claimed by the company. The app’s release follows a period of public beta testing earlier in 2026 to gather user feedback on the new experience. As X continues to evolve under its new corporate structure, XChat represents a key step in its effort to provide more focused consumer touchpoints for its services.