The social network X, formerly Twitter, is undergoing one of its biggest transformations with the launch of XChat, the new messaging system With this app, Elon Musk intends to directly challenge WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. Far from being a simple improvement to direct messaging, it's a tool rebuilt almost from scratch which brings X closer to the superapp concept that the tycoon is so keen to achieve.
With XChat, Musk wants users to be able to chat, call, make video calls, send files, and even manage payments without leaving the platform. All of this accompanied by promises of Advanced encryption, disappearing messages, and privacy features which, on paper, directly target the strengths of WhatsApp and other secure messaging applications.
What is XChat and why does Elon Musk see it as a rival to WhatsApp?
XChat is a instant messaging function integrated within X which is gradually replacing traditional direct messages. It's not a completely independent app (at least not yet), but a a service that lives within the social network itself and that is being rolled out on mobile and web versions.
From this new system, users can Send text messages, photos, GIFs, voice notes, and all types of filesIn addition to making voice and video calls, the idea is that while you're posting, replying to mentions, or consuming content, you can... have advanced private conversations without switching appsThis is very much in line with the super-app model of platforms like WeChat.
Musk has made it clear that his goal is transform X into a comprehensive daily platformwhere messaging, payments, content, financial services, shopping, and even dating functionalities coexist. XChat is a key step in that plan: if it also controls private messagingX becomes the place where users do virtually everything.
Availability now, who's arriving first? XChat
The XChat rollout is being progressive and with early access for some usersAs Musk himself explained on X, and as reported by media outlets such as Forbes, certain X Premium subscribers They were the first to test the service before it reaches everyone else.
XChat is currently available on X's mobile apps and on the webwith the promise of gradually expanding access to all users, both paid and free. However, Some advanced features are restricted to subscription planssuch as group calls or video calls, support for sending any type of file, or certain ephemeral messaging options.
Musk himself has acknowledged that the mass rollout may suffer delays due to potential scalability issuesIn other words, the system is up and running, but still in a sort of limbo. extended beta phasewhere technical details, limits and functions are adjusted according to user feedback.
How does XChat work within the X app?
To use XChat, you don't need to install anything extra: Everything is done through the direct messages section. from the X app. That's where the new experience is activated, with options that were previously unavailable or have been completely redesigned.
When opening a conversation, the user can send text messages, voice notes and react with emojis It works much like WhatsApp or Instagram. To record audio, simply tap the wave icon on the right side of the text box, play it if needed, and then decide whether to send or delete it.
At the top of the chat appear the voice and video call iconsWhen you tap them, the app requests permission to use the microphone, camera, and, in some cases, access to the recording system. Both participants must have those permissions enabled. to ensure smooth communication, much like how WhatsApp works.
Additionally, XChat It integrates new encrypted messages and the history of old messages into the same inbox.This way, the user doesn't have to keep switching tabs. Some chats will display a padlock icon or visual indicators to clearly show which conversations are already protected with the new security features and which are not.
XChat's main features: much more than text messages
Musk's new system combines features reminiscent of WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, or WeChatBut trying to make everything happen without leaving X. These are the most prominent features that have been detailed:
- Ephemeral messages and “disappearing mode”You can send messages that are automatically deleted after being viewed or after a certain time, a very similar idea to the temporary chats of Signal, Telegram or Snapchat.
- Delete and edit messagesIf the user regrets something they have sent, they have the option to delete or edit the message, and the changes will be applied. on all devices associated with the account.
- Improved group chatsGroups can be created to talk to several people at once, with support for Reactions, voice notes, and files, as in any modern messaging app.
- Sending all types of filesBeyond the images and GIFs already allowed by the old DMs, XChat promises to accept files of all types and larger sizesHowever, in the free version, some formats are still limited for now. For sharing files between devices, there is a guide on [specific feature/feature]. Share files between Android and PC.
- Audio and video calls without a phone numberOne of its greatest strengths is that There is no need to link your mobile numberEverything works with X's account, which allows for a greater degree of anonymity compared to services like WhatsApp.
- Recording voice notesJust like on WhatsApp or Telegram, you can send quick audio messages to avoid writing, with preview and deletion option before sending.
More features
- Reactions with emojisThe user can respond to a message with a quick reaction by doing Double tap on the message and by choosing an icon, without needing to write anything.
- Disappearing messages and self-destructionIn addition to ephemeral ones, one can configure self-destructing messages after a certain time, designed for particularly sensitive conversations.
- Screenshot blocking and notificationOne of the features that X sells as differentiators is the ability to block screenshots or at least notify If someone tries to make one in an encrypted chat; for users concerned about recordings, there is information about screen recording on Android.
- Mark messages as unreadIf the user wants to revisit a conversation later, they can Mark messages as pending so they don't get lost in the inbox.
Some Premium plans are also being explored Integration of payment tools within the chat itselfso that purchases or transfers can be made in the style of Zelle, Venmo or WeChat Pay, without switching to other applications.
Privacy and security: encryption, PINs, and doubts about the “Bitcoin style”
One of Musk's big promises with XChat is the Enhanced privacy through end-to-end encryptionAccording to the company, the system aims to prevent even X from reading the content of conversations, aligning with what WhatsApp or Signal already offer in their messages.
To unlock the full security potential, users must set a 4-digit access codeA PIN protects conversations and activates advanced features. While this process is not complete, some chats may display an open padlock or signs that they are not yet fully encrypted.
XChat has been developed on Rust, a programming language known for its security and memory managementMusk has highlighted it as a key technical pillar for reducing vulnerabilities and building, in his words, a "completely new architecture".
However, a significant part of the controversy revolves around the expression “Bitcoin-style encryption” which Musk has repeated several times. Bitcoin, in fact, It does not use message encryptionbut public key cryptography mechanisms and digital signatures designed to verify transactions on the blockchain.
Rust language of XChat
XChat has been developed on Rust, a programming language known for its security and memory managementMusk has highlighted it as a key technical pillar for reducing vulnerabilities and building, in his words, a "completely new architecture".
This has led experts and media outlets such as The Economist Times or TechCrunch to question What exactly does that “Bitcoin style” mean? applied to a chat. Some suggest it could refer to a more decentralized architecture or a cryptographic trust system, but there is no transparent technical description that completely clears up the doubts.
So far, X has not offered a clear and detailed confirmation guaranteeing the end-to-end encryption (E2EE) throughout the content from XChat. The company itself has admitted that, although the content is encrypted, the metadata (who talks to whom and when) It is not fully protected, something that worries part of the security community.
How information is protected in XChat: keys, encryption, and limitations
XChat uses a system of public key cryptographyA mechanism widely used in blockchain networks like Bitcoin. In this model, each user manages a couple of keys: one public and one privateThe public key can be shared, while the private key remains hidden.
When someone sends a message, it is encrypted with the recipient's public keyso that only the corresponding private key can decrypt it. In theory, even if the transmission is intercepted, the content would remain unreadable to any third party who does not possess that private key.
Even with this approach, specialists have pointed out that the promise of total privacy It should be approached with caution. X's own history with encryption includes temporary E2EE pauses due to failures in earlier versions of the messaging system, which has led some analysts to call for independent audits and open technical documentation.
Furthermore, it has been mentioned that certain stronger protective functions, such as the Complete blocking of captures, advanced self-destruct messages, or the sending of certain types of filesThey might be more closely linked to Premium plans than to the free version, which raises a debate about whether more robust security should be an extra cost.
Key differences between XChat, WhatsApp, and Telegram
At first glance, XChat might seem Just another messaging app in a saturated marketHowever, its main selling point compared to WhatsApp or Telegram is full integration with social network X and the fact that it is supported by a base of more than 600 million monthly users.
While WhatsApp and Telegram are separate applications, XChat is designed as a central part of the X experiencePosts, threads, replies, video calls, and private messages are all concentrated in a single environment, reducing the friction of jumping between different apps for each task.
Another important difference is that It does not require a phone number to registerWhatsApp revolves entirely around the mobile number as the main identifier; XChat, on the other hand, relies on the X account, something closer to the approach of Telegram or Signal with aliases and usernames.
Furthermore, Musk's plan is not limited to messaging: his intention is for XChat connect with payment services, banking, and e-commerce integrated into the platform itself. WhatsApp and Telegram have taken steps in that direction in some countries, but X has the advantage of having a very active social network as a base and agreements such as the one signed with VISA to enable payments between users.
XChat as a piece of the superapp: payments, AI and extra services
Since buying Twitter in 2022 for around 44.000 millionMusk has not hidden his objective: use that acquisition as an accelerator to create X, “the app for everything”In their vision, X should not only be used to publish content, but also to pay, buy, play, and communicate at all levels.
In this context, XChat fits as the private and secure communication module of a broader superapp. It is expected that, over time, more will be incorporated payments integrated into the chat, money transfers between users, and direct purchases from the conversations themselves, following models already established in Asia.
This is in addition to the integration of Grok, X's artificial intelligence chatbot, which could appear within the chats themselves for summarize conversations, generate responses, translate messages, or assist in complex tasksFunctions related to use an AI as an assistant They illustrate the type of capabilities that could be integrated.
Other tech giants are also looking build your own super appsOne example is OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, with projects such as the app World, focused on identity verification with biometrics and devices such as the Orb that scans the iris. Musk and Altman don't exactly have a good relationship, so the race for master the next generation of digital platforms It also has a component of personal and strategic rivalry.
Who is XChat designed for, and what uses can it have for brands and creators?
Although XChat is still in the rollout phase, it's already clear that it could be especially useful for those who already have an active presence on XBrands, content creators, media outlets, or marketing professionals.
For these profiles, the new messaging system can become a centralized channel for customer service, support, and private conversationsInstead of directing users to WhatsApp, Telegram, or other external apps, companies can keep all interactions within X, from the first public contact in a post to the private resolution in the chat (for example, export WhatsApp chats).
It also opens the door to new formats of closed community, such as themed groups, fan circles or VIP spaces where files, videos or exclusive promotions are shared, without losing the connection with the public content of the account.
If we add to this the arrival of integrated payment features and AI toolsXChat could become an environment where a brand or creator sells, provides customer service, answers questions, and builds customer loyalty without needing to move your audience to other services.
Elon Musk's bet with XChat combines advanced messaging, encryption, calls, and an expanding ecosystem within X that aspires to compete head-to-head with WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal; although technical doubts remain about the true scope of "Bitcoin-style encryption" and some features are still tied to paid plans, the move places X in a very different position: from being just a microblogging social network, it becomes a complete communication platform where messaging, payments and AI They mix in the same place.