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How to Use XChat: A Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)

Step-by-step guide to using XChat on iPhone and iPad. How to register, send messages, make calls, and use privacy features.

By Alex Chen ·

XChat launches on April 23, 2026. It’s Elon Musk’s new encrypted messaging app.

If you’ve never used XChat, this guide walks you through everything — from downloading the app to sending your first encrypted message. We cover 9 real use cases most new users ask about.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

  1. How to download and register XChat
  2. How to log in with your X account
  3. How to add contacts
  4. How to send your first message
  5. How to make voice and video calls
  6. How to send disappearing messages
  7. How to block screenshots
  8. How to use the Grok AI assistant
  9. How to aust privacy settings

Let’s start.

What you need before starting

Before you open XChat, make sure you have:

Requirements to use XChat
  • iPhone or iPad running iOS 16.0 or later
  • An active X (Twitter) account
  • About 175 MB of free storage space
  • Internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular)
  • Contacts who also use XChat (to message anyone)

If you don’t have an X account yet, create one at x.com first. A free X account works fine — you don’t need X Premium.

Step 1: How to download XChat

XChat is available only on the Apple App Store. Here’s how to get it:

  1. Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad
  2. Tap the Search tab at the bottom
  3. Type XChat in the search box
  4. Look for the app from developer “X Corp” — this is critical
  5. Tap Get (or Pre-Order if before April 23)
  6. Wait for the download to finish

Important: Multiple fake “XChat” apps have appeared on the App Store. Always check the developer name shows as X Corp. If it says anything else, do not download.

For more details, see our XChat download guide.

Step 2: How to register and log in

XChat doesn’t use traditional registration. You log in with your existing X account instead.

To log in for the first time:

  1. Open the XChat app after it downloads
  2. Tap Sign in with X
  3. Enter your X username and password
  4. Complete two-factor authentication if you have it enabled
  5. Grant XChat the permissions it requests (contacts, notifications)
  6. Accept the terms of service

That’s it. There’s no phone number to enter. No SMS code to wait for. No email verification.

What makes XChat different from other apps

Most messengers need a phone number. WhatsApp needs one. Signal needs one. Telegram needs one. XChat does not.

Your X handle (like @yourname) becomes your XChat identity. This is convenient and also protects privacy. If you use X under a pseudonym, you can use XChat pseudonymously too.

Step 3: How to add contacts

XChat doesn’t use a traditional contacts list. There are three ways to find people to message.

Method 1: Search by X handle

  1. Tap the compose icon (pencil or plus, top right)
  2. Type a person’s X handle (like @username)
  3. Tap their name when it appears
  4. Start a conversation

Method 2: From the X app

If you’re looking at someone’s profile on X and they use XChat, you can tap a Message on XChat button to start a chat.

Method 3: Import contacts

If you give XChat permission to access your contacts, it will show you which of your phone contacts are on X and use XChat. This is optional.

Privacy note: Giving contact access means your contacts’ names are sent to X’s servers to check who uses XChat. If you care about this, skip Method 3.

Step 4: How to send your first message

Once you’re in a chat with someone:

  1. Tap the message bubble at the bottom of the screen
  2. Type your message
  3. Tap the send arrow

Your message is end-to-end encrypted automatically. X Corp cannot read it. There’s no setting to turn on.

You can also send:

  • Photos and videos — tap the camera icon
  • Files — tap the attachment icon
  • Voice notes — hold down the microphone icon
  • Location — tap the location pin

All of these are end-to-end encrypted too.

Step 5: How to make voice and video calls

XChat has built-in calling. Both audio and video calls are end-to-end encrypted.

To start a voice call:

  1. Open the chat with the person you want to call
  2. Tap the phone icon at the top of the screen
  3. Wait for them to answer

To start a video call:

  1. Open the chat
  2. Tap the video camera icon at the top
  3. Wait for them to answer

During a call:

  • Tap mute to silence your microphone
  • Tap camera off to hide your video
  • Tap speaker to use the phone speaker
  • Tap end call when done

Calls use your internet connection, not cellular minutes. If you’re on Wi-Fi, calls are free worldwide.

Step 6: How to send disappearing messages

Disappearing messages automatically delete after a set time. XChat uses a 5-minute timer at launch, according to the App Store listing.

To send a disappearing message:

  1. Open the chat where you want to use disappearing mode
  2. Tap the clock icon in the chat’s options (usually near the message bar)
  3. Select 5 minutes
  4. Type and send your message

After 5 minutes, the message disappears from both your screen and the recipient’s screen.

When to use disappearing messages

Good for:

  • Sharing a password temporarily
  • Quick location details you don’t want saved
  • Sensitive conversations you want to clean up

Not good for:

  • Content someone might screenshot fast (disappearing is a speed bump, not a wall)
  • Legal or work records you need to keep

Step 7: How to block screenshots

XChat can prevent other people from screenshotting your chats. When enabled, their screenshot attempts show a blank screen or a warning.

To enable screenshot blocking:

  1. Open the chat you want to protect
  2. Tap the three dots menu (or chat options)
  3. Find Privacy settings or similar
  4. Turn on Block screenshots

This applies to that chat only. You may need to enable it per conversation.

Caveat: Screenshot blocking doesn’t stop someone from taking a photo of the screen with another phone. It’s a privacy feature, not a bulletproof vault.

Step 8: How to use the Grok AI assistant

XChat has Grok AI built in. Grok is X’s AI assistant, similar to ChatGPT.

To talk to Grok:

  1. Start a new chat
  2. Search for @grok or find the Grok icon
  3. Type your question
  4. Grok replies inside the chat

What Grok can do

Based on public information, Grok in XChat can:

  • Answer questions
  • Summarize long messages
  • Help draft replies
  • Translate text
  • Explain complex topics

Privacy note about Grok

Messages to Grok are not end-to-end encrypted — they can’t be, because Grok (X’s AI) needs to read them to respond. Don’t share sensitive information with Grok the same way you wouldn’t share sensitive info with ChatGPT.

Regular chats with humans stay encrypted. Only Grok chats are different.

Step 9: How to adjust privacy settings

XChat has several privacy controls. To find them:

  1. Tap your profile icon (top left)
  2. Tap Settings
  3. Tap Privacy

Key privacy settings to review:

Privacy settings worth checking
  • Who can message you (everyone vs followers only)
  • Read receipts (on or off)
  • Typing indicators (on or off)
  • Contact discovery (let people find you by X handle)
  • Screenshot blocking default (on or off)
  • Disappearing messages default timer
  • Block and report tools

We recommend:

  • Turn read receipts OFF if you don’t want people to know when you’ve read messages
  • Turn typing indicators OFF for extra privacy
  • Enable screenshot blocking by default if sensitive conversations are common

Tips for using XChat safely

Safety best practices
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your X account
  • Never share your X login with anyone
  • Verify contacts' X handles before sharing sensitive info
  • Be skeptical of messages asking for personal data (phishing)
  • Keep iOS updated to the latest version
  • Don't tap suspicious links, even from people you know

Remember: XChat’s encryption is strong, but people are the weakest link. Social engineering works even when technology is bulletproof.

What XChat can’t do (yet)

Managing expectations matters. At launch, XChat cannot:

  • Work on Android (see our Android coverage)
  • Work on Mac, Windows, or Linux
  • Work in a web browser
  • Back up chats to iCloud or Google Drive
  • Connect to WhatsApp, Signal, or iMessage users
  • Handle payments (for now)
  • Support more than 481 members in a group

These may come in future updates. None are confirmed for launch day.

Common problems and solutions

I can’t sign in with my X account

Check that:

  • Your X account is active (not suspended)
  • You’re entering the right password
  • Two-factor authentication codes are being received
  • X.com works in a browser — if not, X is having issues

My messages aren’t sending

  • Check your internet connection
  • Close and reopen XChat
  • If the recipient doesn’t have XChat, messages won’t go through
  • Check if you’ve been blocked by the recipient

Calls keep dropping

  • Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular
  • Make sure XChat has microphone permission (Settings > XChat > Microphone)
  • Restart your phone

I don’t see someone even though I know they’re on XChat

  • They may have restricted who can message them
  • They may have blocked you
  • Search by exact X handle, not display name

The bottom line

XChat is simpler than most messengers because it uses your X account. No phone number means faster setup.

The learning curve is short. Most people will be messaging within minutes of installing.

The biggest surprises for new users are usually:

  • No Android version — disappointing for many
  • Needs X account — locks out people who quit X
  • 5-minute disappearing timer only — less flexible than Signal

Otherwise, it works like any modern messaging app. Just with end-to-end encryption built in by default.

Sources

All instructions are based on pre-release information as of April 18, 2026. Features and steps may change slightly at launch. We’ll update this guide with hands-on testing after April 23, 2026.