X today launched XChat, a standalone messaging app for the iPhone and iPad, available now on the App Store.XChat allows users to chat with anyone on X in a private, focused space separate from the main X app.At launch, the app supports direct messaging and group chats, audio and video calls, and file sharing.
X claims all messages are end-to-end encrypted and PIN protected, with no ads or tracking.Other features include disappearing messages, the ability to edit and delete messages for everyone in a chat, and a mechanism to block or alert users when a screenshot is attempted.The app is free to download and requires iOS 26.0 or later.
The app has been in testing with a small group of beta users since last year.X says more updates are still planned, with X lead designer Benji Taylor teasing that XChat is "just the beginning of what we're building for messaging." Unlike the main X app, XChat adopts iOS 26 design conventions, including the iOS 26 keyboard.The app offers several customization options, including light and dark modes, message permissions, left-swipe interaction settings, and a selection of app icon options.
There is also a prominent button within XChat for jumping back to the main X app.XChat can now be downloaded from the App Store in the United States.A release date for an Android version of the app has not yet been announced.
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