Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly Twitter, has officially launched XChat, a secure messaging service that is intended to rival WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger. Announced earlier this year and then launched in November of 2025, XChat represents Musk’s latest effort to turn X into a one-stop digital ecosystem for communication, finance, and social networking.
Privacy at the core
XChat has end-to-end encryption, meaning that private conversations cannot be read by any other third party. The application will be made in Rust—a language known for its speed and safety. It vows to protect users from cyber threats effectively. Musk also teased Bitcoin-style encryption for peer-to-peer messaging, signaling he is putting a high focus on privacy.
Features that stand out
The new service introduces vanishing messages, adding user-set timers that further give users control over how long their chats remain visible. The service also allows file sharing of any type, from documents to videos, making it a versatile tool for both personal and professional use. XChat provides voice and video calls with no need for a phone number, an opportunity designed to make global communication smooth and safe.
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Premium Perks
While XChat will be available to all users, some power-user features will be limited to X Premium customers, including advanced customization and early access to new features. The tiered model reflects Musk’s strategy of charging for premium experiences while keeping the core messaging service free.
Availability and Rollout
XChat is live on iOS and web, with Android support coming soon. The design of the unified inbox combines legacy direct messages with new chat threads to make the transition seamless for existing X users.
The Bigger Picture
With XChat, Musk is betting that users will continue to move away from public feeds toward private group chats and secure communication. If it sees widespread adoption, XChat could change the way millions interact online and position X as something much more than a social network: the “super app” Musk has talked about for years, combining social media, messaging, and financial services under one roof.
