XChat: New standalone chat app from X for iOS and iPadOS
The short message service X has packed its chat function into a separate app. The company promises end-to-end encryption.
XChat icon on an iPhone.
(Image: X)
X, formerly Twitter, has outsourced its chat or direct messaging function (also known as DMs for “Direct Messages”) into a separate app for iPhone and iPad. The new app called XChat is available for download in the App Store, but an Android version is missing so far. X promises end-to-end encryption, but the keys are stored on the company's servers, and Forward Secrecy is missing. At least: The key is supposed to be unlocked via a PIN stored only on the device. According to the company, it uses the Juicebox protocol to enable synchronization between different devices. On the server side, the key is to be stored in parts in three locations, two of which have hardware security modules, according to X.
Reach all X users
The minimum requirement for XChat is iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. Communication via the app should be possible with any X user. Tests have been running as a limited beta since last year. According to X's lead designer, Benji Taylor, the service, which belongs to Tesla founder Elon Musk, has big plans: XChat is “just the beginning of what we're building for messaging.” This means X apparently wants to compete with services like Signal or even WhatsApp.
Videos by heise
The app was initially only available in the US App Store but is now also available for download in Germany. Currently, there are various standard functions such as light and dark mode, setting message permissions, different app icons, and more. X states that it will refrain from advertising and tracking. A switch to the main X app is possible with a click.
Not the first chat option
Before its renaming to X, Twitter already offered encrypted direct messages once in 2023. In May 2025, this option was withdrawn, with a note about upcoming improvements at the time. Independent analyses will now have to show how secure the chosen protocol form is.
You can message anyone who follows you or whom you follow, has previously sent you a message, or has previously accepted an encrypted chat message from you. It is also possible to send unencrypted messages.
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
(bsc)
