X Launches Beta Testing for Standalone X Chat App on iOS
Social media platform X has initiated beta testing for its new standalone messaging application, X Chat, on iOS devices. This move signifies a strategic shift from integrating all services within a single app to offering dedicated applications for specific functionalities.
On March 3, 2026, X announced the release of the initial beta version of X Chat, making it available to thousands of early adopters through Apple’s TestFlight platform. The beta program reached full capacity within two hours of the announcement. Michael Boswell, a product designer at xAI, shared on X that the company plans to expand the beta beyond the initial 1,000 users soon. Subsequently, Boswell confirmed the expansion of the beta to 5,000 users.
For the past few months, we’ve been quietly building a standalone X Chat app for iOS, Boswell stated on X. Use it. Break it. We want your feedback.
X Chat is an enhanced version of X’s existing direct messaging (DM) feature, which the company claims is end-to-end encrypted. However, security experts have expressed concerns about the app’s security, suggesting it may be less secure than other encrypted messaging apps like Signal. It remains unclear whether X has addressed these security concerns in the standalone app.
The introduction of X Chat as a separate application marks a departure from X owner Elon Musk’s earlier vision of creating an everything app that would centralize messaging, payments, creator content, and more within a single platform.
Early testers have begun sharing their experiences with the app’s interface. Some users noted that the beta version stylizes the name as xChat instead of X Chat, indicating a potential rebranding. Screenshots reveal a login screen featuring a starry background.
Users describe the app as offering a simpler and smoother interface compared to the main X app. The current version lacks message requests, but Boswell mentioned that this feature is being rebuilt. Other upcoming features include Verified badges and support for calling functionalities.
xAI’s AI chatbot, Grok, responded to inquiries about the new app on X, confirming details such as the app’s age rating, which will be the same as X (17+ on the iOS App Store). Grok also noted that chats would sync with the X app and the chat.x.com web app, which launched in December 2025. An Android version of the X Chat app is expected to be released very soon.
The development of X Chat reflects X’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience by providing dedicated platforms for specific services. As the beta testing progresses, user feedback will be instrumental in shaping the app’s features and functionality.
