Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has launched a new messaging service called XChat to rival popular apps like WhatsApp.
Currently in beta, XChat was announced by Musk via a post on X on Sunday. He stated:
“All new XChat is rolling out with encryption, vanishing messages and the ability to send any kind of file. Also, audio/video calling.”
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk), June 1, 2025
Features of XChat
End-to-End Encryption
Messages are protected with Bitcoin-style encryption, ensuring only the sender and recipient can read them.
Vanishing Messages
Messages can be set to disappear automatically after a certain time.
File Sharing
Users can send any type of file securely.
Audio/Video Calls
Calls can be made without requiring a phone number.
Built with Rust
The platform is developed with the Rust programming language for enhanced security and performance.
Competing with WhatsApp
Unlike WhatsApp, XChat does not require a phone number to access its features. This gives it a competitive edge, especially for privacy-conscious users. Both platforms offer:
- Secure messaging
- File transfer
- Auto-deleting messages
But XChat’s additional features and tighter integration with the X platform could make it a strong alternative.
Still in Beta
XChat is currently available to a limited number of users for testing. There’s no official date yet for a full public release.
What Is End-to-End Encryption?
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a security method where only the communicating users can read the messages. The message is encrypted on the sender’s device and decrypted only on the recipient’s device. This technology is also used by apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram.
