Elon Musk’s X has expanded its messaging service, XChat, with features aimed at giving users more private ways to communicate without sharing their phone numbers. XChat was launched as a separate messaging app in April 2026 for iPhone and iPad users, offering encrypted chats, group conversations, file sharing, and audio and video calls.
The service has since added X Numbers, a private numeric code that allows people to contact a user without exchanging a phone number. The feature was officially introduced in September and can be used to send messages and make calls through XChat. Users can generate a new code or disable it when they want.
X says its Chat service uses end-to-end encryption to protect message content. It also uses PINs and cryptographic keys to secure conversations. However, X notes that some information, such as the people involved in a conversation and message timing, is not encrypted.
XChat also supports disappearing messages and screenshot blocking, adding features commonly found in other private messaging apps.
