X Launches Standalone Chat App Beta for iOS Users

X is pivoting its strategy for direct messaging by launching a standalone application dedicated to its chat service. The company initiated a beta phase this Monday, granting access to thousands of early adopters through Apple’s TestFlight platform.

The initial beta rollout reached its capacity within two hours of the announcement. Michael Boswell, a product designer at xAI, confirmed that the company plans to scale the testing group, having already expanded the program to 5,000 users shortly after the initial launch.

A Shift from the “Everything App” Vision

This development marks a notable departure from Elon Musk’s previous ambition to consolidate all services—including payments, creator content, and messaging—into a single “everything app.” By detaching the chat functionality, X is signaling a change in how it intends to structure its digital ecosystem.

“For the past few months, we’ve been quietly building a standalone X Chat app for iOS,” Boswell noted on the platform, inviting users to test the interface and report bugs. Early feedback suggests a refined, smoother user experience compared to the messaging tools currently embedded within the main X app.

Features and Security Concerns

While the standalone version offers a simplified interface, it currently lacks certain functionalities found in the primary app, such as message requests, which the team is reportedly rebuilding. Other planned integrations include support for voice and video calling, as well as the implementation of Verified badges.

Security remains a focal point for the product. Although X markets its direct message service as end-to-end encrypted, the platform has faced scrutiny from security experts who argue that it lacks the robustness of competitors like Signal. It remains unconfirmed if the standalone app introduces new security protocols to address these long-standing criticisms.

Technical Details and Future Rollout

Technical specifications provided by the company’s AI chatbot, Grok, indicate that the app carries a 17+ age rating on the iOS App Store. Data is designed to sync across the new mobile app, the standard X platform, and the chat.x.com web interface introduced in December 2025. Additionally, the company has signaled that an Android version is currently in development and expected to arrive shortly.

Some users have noted that the interface occasionally refers to the service as “xChat,” sparking speculation regarding a potential rebrand. Screenshots circulating online highlight a distinct visual identity, including a starry login screen that deviates from the main platform’s aesthetics.