FAQ
What is XChat?
XChat is a private messaging app built by X Corp. Every message is end-to-end encrypted by default. There are no ads, no tracking, and no analytics inside the app — the only thing in your chat is your chat.
It runs as a standalone iOS app, separate from the main X feed, and uses your existing X account to find people you’re already connected to. You can message anyone on X; if they don’t have XChat installed, they’ll get a one-tap link to install it.
XChat launches on April 23, 2026, on iPhone (requires iOS 26), with Android arriving in a later release. The App Store listing is open for pre-order now.
Is XChat free?
Yes. XChat is free to download from the App Store and free to use. There are no subscriptions, no in-app purchases, and no premium tier. The app does not contain ads.
X Corp has not announced any future paid features. As of launch, the entire app — encryption, message history, group chats, the works — is fully free.
Is XChat secure?
Every message in XChat is end-to-end encrypted by default. Your encryption keys never leave your device, which means nobody — not X Corp, not us, not your internet provider, not a hypothetical attacker — can read your messages without physical access to your phone.
There is no content scanning, no message moderation pipeline, and no plaintext backup. The encryption is on by default and cannot be turned off, so you don’t need to remember to enable it.
XChat uses the same kind of cryptography as Signal and WhatsApp. The technical details have not yet been independently audited at the time of writing — that’s worth keeping in mind if you’re protecting against state-level adversaries — but the basic design is sound and modern.
How do I download XChat?
XChat is on the iOS App Store as a pre-order. It launches April 23, 2026. Open the App Store on your iPhone, search for “XChat” (published by X Corp), and tap Pre-order — the app will install automatically on release day. You’ll need iOS 26 or later (iPadOS 26 on iPad). The download is about 175.8 MB.
You can also open the listing directly from your iPhone: Pre-order XChat on the App Store.
The app is free — no subscription, no in-app purchases. Once it installs on launch day, sign in with your existing X account to start chatting.
When will XChat be available on Android?
X Corp has confirmed that an Android version of XChat is in development, but no firm release date has been announced. The iOS app launches on April 23, 2026; Android is expected later in 2026.
There is no APK available, and there is no beta program for Android at this time. Be careful of third-party “XChat APK” downloads — these are not official and may contain malware. The only safe way to install XChat on iOS is through the App Store, and the only safe way to install it on Android, when it’s available, will be through Google Play.
How is XChat different from DMs on X?
X Direct Messages (DMs) live inside the main X app. They share the same surface as your feed, your notifications, and the rest of the social product, and most of them are not end-to-end encrypted by default.
XChat is a separate app focused only on conversation. Every message is encrypted by default, there is no ad surface, and the app does not track activity inside conversations. You use the same X identity to sign in, but the messaging happens in a different place — closer to a dedicated messenger like Signal or WhatsApp than to a social-network DM inbox.
If you only message a few people occasionally, X DMs may be enough. If conversation is the main thing you want to do, XChat is built for that.
What languages does XChat support?
XChat ships with support for more than 40 languages on launch day, including English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish (both Latin American and European variants), Brazilian and European Portuguese, French, German, Arabic, Hindi, and many more.
The app uses your iOS system language by default. You can change it in iOS Settings → XChat → Language if you prefer a different one.
A full list of supported languages is available in the App Store listing.
Who can I chat with on XChat?
Anyone with an X account. XChat uses your existing X social graph to find people you’re already connected to, so you don’t need to rebuild a contact list from scratch.
If the person you’re messaging hasn’t installed XChat yet, they’ll receive your message in their X DMs along with a link to install the app. Once they install XChat, the conversation continues there with full end-to-end encryption.
You can also start group chats with anyone on X.
Does XChat track me?
No analytics inside conversations. XChat does not log message content, does not run analytics on what you say or who you say it to, and does not show ads.
The app does collect basic operational data — the same kind any messaging app collects to keep itself running, like delivery confirmations and crash reports. None of this data includes message content. X Corp’s privacy policy covers the specifics.
If you’ve used WhatsApp, the data model is similar: encrypted messages plus minimal metadata for delivery.
What is XChat's age rating?
XChat is rated 16+ on the App Store. The rating reflects the fact that the app supports unrestricted text and media messaging, which means users can send any content to one another. There is no built-in content filter for adult material.
If you’re a parent setting up a younger user’s iPhone, the app is blocked by default by iOS Screen Time controls. You can override that on a per-user basis in iOS Settings.