X’s encrypted direct message feature, XChat, is now available to a wider audience beyond its initial X Premium subscribers, following its beta launch in May, offering a more secure messaging experience.
The new feature operates independently from the existing DM inbox and provides end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the sender and the recipient can read the messages. XChat supports a range of functionalities, including media uploads, group chats, and the ability to pin messages, as well as mark them as read or unread. Additionally, a vanishing mode is rumored to be under development, which could further enhance the feature’s privacy capabilities.
To access XChat, users must actively opt-in, as it is not automatically enabled. On desktop, users can find XChat via the messages tab by selecting “Chat” from the menu above “Message requests.” On mobile devices, “Chat” is located in the main navigation bar, positioned above Communities. To activate XChat, users are required to set a four-digit code to protect their messages, a security measure similar to that used by Signal. Messaging can only commence with other users who have also opted into XChat and completed the code setup.
It’s worth noting that the existing DM system remains active and is not replaced by XChat. Unencrypted messages are now located under an “unencrypted” tab within the chat menu, allowing users to differentiate between their encrypted and unencrypted conversations. This coexistence of both systems provides users with choices regarding their messaging preferences and security.
