X to launch XChat messaging app on April 17 with end-to-end encryption and privacy claims

X Corp., the company behind X (formerly Twitter), Grok, and Grokipedia, has announced the upcoming release of XChat, a new messaging app set to launch on April 17, 2026. The company describes XChat as a “private space for focused conversations”, promising users an experience without ads or tracking. To appeal to privacy-conscious users and compete with platforms like WhatsApp and Signal, XChat will support end-to-end encrypted conversations.

Alongside text messages, XChat will enable audio and video calling, sharing of documents, group chats, and options to edit or delete sent messages. According to screenshots from the Apple App Store, users will also be able to block screenshots of their chats and send disappearing messages to further enhance privacy controls.

Despite these privacy-forward features, the Apple App Store listing raises concerns by indicating that XChat may collect personal information tied to user identities, such as location, contact details, search history, contact lists, and user-generated content. This may appear contradictory to the app’s privacy focus. Access to XChat will require an X account and, at launch, the app will only be available on iPhone and iPad. Unlike WhatsApp or Signal, which do not mandate a separate account, adoption may depend on user willingness to use X’s broader ecosystem.