X has launched its standalone messaging app, XChat, for iOS users, marking a fresh step in the company’s evolving product strategy. The app enables users to connect with their existing X contacts through private and group chats, along with features such as file sharing and audio and video calls, signalling a clear push into the competitive messaging space.

According to a report by The Economic Times, the rollout follows a limited beta phase where the platform tested the product with a smaller group to fine-tune the user experience. Now available publicly, the launch reflects a notable shift from earlier ambitions, particularly those associated with Elon Musk, to transform X into a single “everything app” integrating messaging, payments, and commerce.

Instead, the company—under the broader ecosystem linked to xAI and backed by SpaceX—appears to be moving toward a model built around multiple standalone applications. Each product is designed to address a specific use case while contributing to a wider, interconnected ecosystem.

At launch, XChat comes equipped with a range of features aimed at enhancing both functionality and privacy. These include end-to-end encrypted messaging, PIN-based access, disappearing messages, and controls such as message editing, deletion for all participants, and screenshot blocking. The company has also positioned the app as ad-free and free from tracking mechanisms, pitching it as a privacy-first alternative in an already crowded market.

That said, the app’s security claims are likely to face close scrutiny. Earlier versions of XChat had drawn criticism from experts who felt it did not match the standards set by established encrypted platforms like Signal. With the broader rollout, the app is expected to undergo renewed evaluation to determine whether those concerns have been addressed.

Beyond direct messaging, XChat is also set to incorporate X’s Communities feature, which is being phased out on the main platform due to low engagement and spam-related challenges. Migrating these users could help drive early adoption, effectively turning XChat into a combined messaging and community hub.

The launch points to a broader recalibration in X’s strategy—moving away from the idea of packing everything into a single platform, and instead building a network of focused applications. With XChat, the company is taking a more modular approach, expanding its presence in the messaging space while continuing to reshape its long-term product vision.