X Launches Standalone XChat App on iOS

X launched XChat, its standalone messaging app, on Friday, making it available for download on iOS devices through the App Store. The app provides X users with a dedicated platform for private conversations, including text messaging, file sharing, audio and video calls, and group chats, separate from the main X application.

XChat requires an X account to access, limiting its user base to the social platform's existing community. Upon setup, users must create a passcode, and new conversations are end-to-end encrypted, meaning only participants can read the messages. The app supports features common to modern messaging services, such as editing or deleting messages for all participants, setting disappearing messages that vanish after a specified time, and blocking screenshots to enhance privacy. Group chats can include up to 350 to 481 members at launch, with X planning to expand this to 1,000 in the future. Joinable group links allow easy invitations, even publicly. Additional options include light and dark themes, customizable swipe actions for messages, and integration with iOS design elements like the latest keyboard version.

The launch follows beta testing earlier this year,...