X's messaging app, XChat, may be available soon

SiliconFeed EditorialApril 11, 2026

messaging xchat elon musk privacy app store

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At a glance:

XChat listed on the App Store with a launch date of April 17
End‑to‑end encrypted, supports up to 481‑member groups and disappearing messages
Pre‑order available for iPhone and iPad; the app will run without ads or tracking

What is XChat

XChat is a new standalone messaging client that ties directly into the X social network. While the name may evoke the old IRC client from the early 2000s, this is a completely different product built for modern X users. The App Store listing shows a brief description and a release date of April 17, and the app can be pre‑ordered today for iPhone and iPad so it will install automatically when the rollout begins.

The decision to launch a separate app follows Elon Musk’s mid‑2025 announcement that X’s direct‑messaging feature would receive a “whole new architecture” and end‑to‑end encryption. Rather than embedding those changes into the main X web and mobile experiences, the company opted for a dedicated client that can evolve independently while still using the same X account credentials.

New features and privacy controls

XChat promises a suite of privacy‑first features. All conversations are end‑to‑end encrypted, meaning only participants can read the messages. Users can edit or delete messages for everyone in a thread, block screenshots, and enable disappearing messages that self‑destruct after five minutes. The app also supports massive group chats with up to 481 members, a number far larger than most mainstream messaging platforms allow.

In addition to these security tools, XChat’s App Store page guarantees an ad‑free experience and explicitly states that the app will not track users. This positioning aligns with Musk’s broader narrative of giving X users more control over their communications, especially after earlier promises that every X user would receive the new DM feature in June of the previous year—a timeline that was later pushed back.

Rollout timeline and availability

The current rollout plan is straightforward: pre‑order the app now, and it will download automatically on April 17 for iOS devices. The listing does not mention Android availability, so iPhone and iPad owners are the first to receive the client. No pricing information has been disclosed, and the app appears to be free to download, consistent with the “no ads, no tracking” promise.

If the launch proceeds as scheduled, XChat could become a central hub for X‑based conversations, potentially reducing reliance on third‑party messengers. Observers will be watching how quickly users adopt the new client and whether the promised privacy features hold up under real‑world scrutiny.

Editorial SiliconFeed is an automated feed: facts are checked against sources; copy is normalized and lightly edited for readers.

FAQ

When will XChat be available for download?

According to the App Store listing, XChat is expected to become available on April 17. Users who pre‑order the app now will have it automatically downloaded to their iPhone or iPad on that date.

Which devices can pre‑order XChat?

The App Store entry allows pre‑ordering for iPhones and iPads running iOS. No Android version has been announced, so the initial rollout is limited to Apple devices.

What privacy features does XChat include?

XChat offers end‑to‑end encryption, the ability to edit or delete messages for all participants, screenshot blocking, disappearing messages that vanish after five minutes, and it runs without ads or user tracking, as stated in the App Store description.