Social network X is making a bold move by launching its private messaging service, X Chat, as a standalone app. This decision was announced on Monday, with the initial beta version of the X Chat app being made available to 1,000 users through Apple’s TestFlight testing platform. The response was overwhelming, as the beta program reached full capacity within two hours of the announcement.
According to a post by xAI product designer Michael Boswell, the company plans to expand the beta beyond the initial 1,000 users in the near future, although no specific timeline was provided. Boswell expressed the company’s excitement about the new app, encouraging users to test it out and provide feedback for further improvements.
X Chat is positioned as an upgraded version of X’s existing DM feature, boasting end-to-end encryption. However, security experts have cautioned users about the app’s security vulnerabilities compared to other encrypted messaging platforms like Signal. It remains to be seen whether X has addressed these concerns in the standalone app.
This move signifies a departure from X owner Elon Musk’s previous vision of creating an all-encompassing “everything app” that would integrate messaging, payments, creator content, and more. The decision to focus on a standalone messaging app reflects a strategic shift in the company’s approach.
Early testers have started sharing screenshots of the app’s interface, with some users noting that the beta version stylized the name as xChat instead of X Chat, hinting at a potential rebranding. The app’s interface is described as simple and user-friendly, offering a smoother experience compared to the main X app. While the current version lacks message requests, Boswell has assured users that this feature is in the process of being revamped.
Grok, xAI’s chatbot, has confirmed additional details about the app on X, including its age rating (17+ on the iOS App Store) and the synchronization of chats with the X app and the chat.x.com web app. The Android version of the X Chat app is also expected to be released soon, catering to a wider user base.
Overall, the launch of the X Chat app marks an exciting development for X users, providing a standalone platform for private messaging that promises a seamless and secure communication experience. With ongoing updates and improvements, X Chat is poised to become a key feature in X’s ecosystem, catering to the evolving needs of its user base.
