X has launched a standalone beta version of X Chat for iOS, available through TestFlight. The initial testing phase was capped at 1,000 users, a limit that was reached within just two hours.
Expansion and Features
According to xAI product designer Michael Boswell, the beta program will soon expand to accommodate 5,000 testers. The new standalone app is designed to replace X's existing direct messaging system, offering features like end-to-end encryption. However, security researchers have raised concerns about the transparency of X's encryption framework, and it remains unclear if these issues have been addressed in the beta.
User Experience and Missing Features
Screenshots from testers reveal a minimalistic interface with stylized xChat branding and a starry login background. Users have reported a smoother and more streamlined messaging experience compared to the main X app. Despite these improvements, several features are currently missing from the beta version. Message requests are being rebuilt, and functionalities like verified badges, voice, and video calling are still under development.
Integration and Compatibility
The app retains a 17+ rating on the App Store and is designed to sync chats across the standalone app, the primary X platform, and the web client chat.x.com.
