Social network X is testing a standalone version of its private messaging service, X Chat, with a limited group of users.
The company announced that the first beta version of the X Chat app is now available to early testers through Apple’s TestFlight platform.
The beta initially opened to around 1,000 users and reached full capacity within two hours of the announcement. According to xAI product designer Michael Boswell, the testing program will expand soon. Shortly after the announcement, Boswell said the beta would grow to include about 5,000 users.
Boswell explained that the company has been quietly working on the standalone messaging app for several months. He encouraged testers to try the app and provide feedback as development continues.
Just downloaded the standalone 𝕏 Chat app to test 😎
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) March 3, 2026
Cool login screen pic.twitter.com/boXS082la0
X Chat is an upgraded version of the platform’s existing direct messaging feature. The company claims the messaging system supports end-to-end encryption. However, security researchers have previously raised concerns about its safety, saying the service may not be as secure as dedicated encrypted messaging apps such as Signal. It remains unclear whether those concerns have been addressed in the standalone version.
Some early testers have already shared screenshots showing the interface of the new app. One user noted that the name appears stylized as “xChat” instead of “X Chat,” which could indicate a possible rebranding. Images of the login screen show a starry-themed background.
Early feedback from testers suggests that the standalone app offers a cleaner and smoother messaging experience compared with using direct messages inside the main X app. However, the beta version currently lacks some features. Message requests are not included yet, although Boswell said the feature is being rebuilt.
Other capabilities still under development include verified badges and support for voice or video calling.
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An Android version of the standalone X Chat app is also expected to arrive soon.
