X has launched its separate X Chat app, following a month of beta testing, providing a dedicated platform for direct messages (DMs) and engagement outside the main app.
The X Chat app is now available for iOS and is marketed as having no ads and no tracking. According to the app’s App Store description, “Privacy is the foundation. Every message is end-to-end encrypted with a key pair unique to you, protected by a PIN that never leaves your device.” Despite these claims, some experts have raised concerns about the actual security of the encryption system.
Researchers, including software engineer David Nepozitek, have identified potential vulnerabilities in X’s encryption. Nepozitek highlighted a flaw in which the conversation key used for encryption does not change, increasing the risk of attacks. He stated, “If the conversation key is ever compromised, all past and future messages can be decrypted.” Mysk, an iOS development team, echoed these concerns, calling the app’s encryption claims “misleading at best.”
Welcoming a new member of the family
Get XChat for iOS: https://t.co/hu4FFTLZIN pic.twitter.com/DbqsL9Qny6
— Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) April 24, 2026
The release of X Chat aims to provide users with another way to access DMs and engage with each other independently from the main platform. Additionally, this app could be crucial in X’s quest to secure licensing for payments processing. Elon Musk has been vocal about his vision for an all-in-one application that can handle financial transactions, payments, and social media interactions.
However, the creation of a separate DMs app may contradict Musk’s goal of consolidating functions within one platform. Nevertheless, enhanced security measures could improve regulatory confidence in X’s ability to manage user payment information. This confidence is vital as X seeks to move forward with the launch of its payment service, X Money.
Musk initially projected a late 2024 launch for X Money but has since adjusted this to a definitive date of April 2026. Although X has secured payment transmitter approvals in most U.S. states, several key jurisdictions have rejected its application, raising concerns about funding partners and ownership.
Regulatory approval is essential for launching X Money in the U.S. Market expansion is contingent on this approval, making the establishment of the X Chat app possibly beneficial in building regulatory trust. Despite concerns over security, the app offers additional options for users reliant on DMs.
