X is extending its push into private messaging with the release of a standalone Chat app, a move that builds on the encrypted direct messages the platform first introduced in 2023. While the company frames the new app as a privacy-centric alternative to mainstream messengers, its current implementation shows a mix of expanded features and notable security gaps that users should keep in mind.
The Chat app brings end-to-end encryption for conversations and file sharing, disappearing messages, and restrictions that prevent screenshots. Users can edit and delete messages after sending, and the company advertises the service as free of ads and tracking. In practice, the app functions like a full-featured communication tool rather than an extension of the platform’s existing inbox, offering support for both voice and video calls. A voice memo feature is also in development, reflecting the broader trend toward asynchronous audio messaging across social platforms.
Say hello to Chat – all-new secure messaging on X.
— Chat (@chat) November 14, 2025
• 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
Despite the emphasis on privacy, X acknowledges that its current encryption design does not defend against man-in-the-middle attacks. According to the company’s own documentation, there is no mechanism to warn users if a third party—or even the platform itself under legal pressure—intercepts a conversation. This limitation stands out in a landscape where competing encrypted apps have long treated authentication and integrity checks as core components of their security models. X says it is working on a system to make such attacks difficult and to notify participants if a compromise occurs, but there is no timeline for when these protections might arrive.
Beyond messaging and encryption, the Chat app’s availability is also rolling out in stages. It is currently accessible on iOS and through web browsers, with an Android version listed as coming soon. The staggered release suggests X is still refining the experience across platforms, particularly as it positions the app as a cleaner, more controlled environment compared to its main social feed.
The arrival of the Chat app marks another attempt by X to reposition itself within the private communications space. While the feature set is competitive on paper, the security limitations may give privacy-focused users pause until stronger protections are in place.
