X has launched its long-awaited Chat platform, replacing the app’s traditional direct messages with a full-featured messaging system comparable to mainstream communication apps. The new update introduces voice and video calling, file sharing, and the ability to edit or delete sent messages. Users can also enable disappearing messages and benefit from added privacy controls, including end-to-end encryption and alerts when someone takes a screenshot.
The revamped Chat service is currently available on iOS and the web, with an Android release expected soon. X says it is also developing a voice memo feature that will let users send short audio recordings.
The company has been teasing its enhanced messaging system for several months. An early version of encrypted messaging was released earlier this year but was paused in May to resolve technical issues. The latest update removes several of those limitations. According to X’s help center, group chats and shared media are now supported under encryption, although metadata such as recipient information is still exposed.
X also acknowledges that its current system does not guard against man-in-the-middle attacks, meaning encrypted conversations could theoretically be intercepted without users being notified. The company says it is working on verification tools that will allow users to confirm the authenticity of their encrypted chats.
