Highlights
- Elon Musk’s X has launched X Chat in beta, replacing Direct Messages.
- It is a fully encrypted communication stack supporting secure messaging, audio/video calls, and large file transfers.
- X Chat offers end-to-end encryption for all conversations (including old messages), screenshot blocking, message editing/deletion, and no ads or tracking.
Caption – (Photo by Dima Solomin on Unsplash)
In a recent development, X (formerly Twitter) has begun rolling out X Chat. It is a completely new encrypted communication stack that replaces the platform’s existing Direct Messages (DM). Elon Musk, the platform’s owner and Chief Technical Officer, confirmed that the feature is now available in beta for a limited group of users.
X Chat Rolls Out in Beta
Caption – X Chat.
X Chat was introduced on X via a newly created account @chat. In the introduction post, the account wrote, “Say hello to Chat – all-new secure messaging on X.” The post also listed some of the features, which includes the following –
- end-to-end encrypted chats and file sharing
- edit, delete, or make messages disappear
- block screenshots and get notified of attempts
- no ads. no tracking. total privacy.
Say hello to Chat – all-new secure messaging on X.
• end-to-end encrypted chats and file sharing
• edit, delete, or make messages disappear
• block screenshots and get notified of attempts
• no ads. no tracking. total privacy. pic.twitter.com/7dmDEDkYvO— Chat (@chat) November 14, 2025
Musk too announced the update recently on X and wrote, “X just rolled out an entire new communications stack with encrypted messages, audio/video calls and file transfer.” While Musk previously hinted that X Chat would launch as a standalone platform, the company has instead integrated it directly into X for now.
𝕏 just rolled out an entire new communications stack with encrypted messages, audio/video calls and file transfer.
𝕏 Money comes out soon.
Join us if you want to build cool products.
𝕏 will be the everything app. https://t.co/7DyLNEgNnw
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2025
Full End-to-End Encryption for All Conversations
Encryption has been a major focus of X Chat. Currently, DMs are not encrypted by default with only paid users able to access an encrypted chat tab. With X Chat, this distinction disappears entirely and every conversation is now encrypted including older messages that previously lacked protection.
Musk has publicly compared the platform’s new encryption capabilities to those offered by Signal and WhatsApp.
Mandatory PIN Setup
Users who gain access to the beta will first be prompted to create a four-digit PIN, which is required to open and view messages. The PIN must be entered each time the Chat interface is accessed.
Meanwhile, Head of X Developer Platform, Christopher Park noted in a separate post that X has launched multiple new products in recent weeks. These include Grokipedia, X Chat, and the X API beta.
The progress we are making at xAI is profound across our core products in X and Grok:
• Grokipedia launch
• Grok Imagine Upgrades + 15s soon
• Grok 5 in training
• Encrypted XChat rollout
• XMoney coming soon
• X API Pay-Per-Use Beta
• Fully Grok-Powered X Feed… pic.twitter.com/PwgZoOuNUI— Chris Park (@chrisparkX) November 14, 2025
The company is also preparing to roll out major enhancements such as an upgraded Grok Imagine capable of generating videos up to 15 seconds, the launch of X Money, and a fully Grok-powered feed on the platform.
In any case, X Chat is now live in beta and it is quite clear that the platform is accelerating to transform itself into a comprehensive communication and services platform.
FAQs
Q1. What is X Chat and how is it different from Twitter DMs?
Answer. X Chat is a new encrypted messaging system replacing Twitter’s Direct Messages. It offers end-to-end encryption, file sharing, audio/video calls, and enhanced privacy features like screenshot blocking and disappearing messages.
Q2. Is X Chat available to all users?
Answer. No, X Chat is currently in beta and available only to a limited group of users. A wider rollout is expected later.
Q3. What security features does X Chat include?
Answer. X Chat requires a 4-digit PIN to access messages, encrypts all conversations (including old ones), blocks screenshots, and notifies users of any attempts.