First-Day Review of "Musk's WeChat Equivalent" XChat: Even More Underwhelming Than Expected
- Core Thesis: Musk's encrypted communication app, XChat, has officially launched, but its positioning as a "Western WeChat" and its claimed association with Bitcoin's encryption architecture are questionable. Currently, the app's features are rudimentary, and its core selling points have not yet been fully realized.
- Key Elements:
- XChat markets itself on end-to-end encryption, but experts refute Musk's claim of a "Bitcoin-like encryption architecture," stating there is no direct technical link between the two.
- Musk emphasizes an ad-free model, aiming to make XChat "one of the most secure communication systems." However, currently, the app consists of only a single chat interface with heavily simplified functionality.
- The "screenshot blocking" feature has inconsistencies in practice; XChat group chats still allow capturing blank images, whereas X platform group chats successfully block screenshots.
- The app supports 45 languages and has a 16+ age rating (allowing profanity and sexual content), while WeChat has a more lenient 13+ rating.
- Login requires verification of the X account's linked email. Group chats support a "disappearing messages" feature (with durations ranging from 5 minutes to 4 weeks), and group member limits are expected to reach up to 1,000 people.
- Core features originally planned, such as one-click import of X contacts, Grok AI integration, X Money payments, and Cashtags, were all unavailable on the first day of launch.
Original｜Odaily Planet Daily（@OdailyChina）
Author｜Wenser（@wenser 2010 ）
After nearly a year of hype, XChat—originally set for release on April 17 but delayed twice to April 23 and then April 24—finally made its debut, championing the "Western WeChat" concept. However, contrary to many expectations, the newly launched XChat, despite being marketed as "encrypted messaging," offers a messaging experience not much different from X (Twitter)'s direct messages.
Odaily Planet Daily conducted an early review of this social application that Musk has high hopes for and uncovered several "interesting" points. Let's take a look and see if it has what it takes to be the next dark horse in Western social media after Facebook and Instagram (Thread).
Interesting Point No. 1: End-to-End Encryption to Tap Into BTC?
In June last year, Musk first hinted at XChat on social media, stating that the X platform would soon launch a new version of its chat tool, XChat, which would support end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, file transfers of any type, and audio and video calls.
Furthermore, he emphasized that XChat is developed using the Rust language and incorporates an encryption architecture similar to Bitcoin. The entire architecture has been completely rebuilt, and users can make voice/video calls across all platforms without needing a phone number (Sound like WeChat's voice/video feature, doesn't it?).
Later, some crypto professionals and cryptographers pointed out that Bitcoin's core blockchain functionality is not traditional encryption, calling Musk's claim "pure hype."
In short, XChat's communication encryption technology and BTC's cryptographic technology are not exactly identical; they are essentially unrelated.
Interesting Point No. 2: No Ads, Aiming for "One of the Most Secure Communication Systems"
On November 2 last year, Musk appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast "The Joe Rogan Experience" (Note from Odaily Planet Daily: This podcast generates annual revenue of up to $250 million and is one of the most-listened-to radio podcasts in the US), engaging in a three-hour in-depth conversation.
During the discussion, Musk stated that he believes the US is a society "infested by thought viruses," which was his original motivation for acquiring Twitter. His goal is to "let the truth speak" and to build a secure social communication platform (i.e., XChat).
His exact words were: "I don't think any communication system can be said to be 'absolutely secure,' only that the degree of insecurity varies. XChat uses a 'peer-to-peer encryption system,' somewhat similar to Bitcoin's technology, with strong resistance to attacks, and we are thoroughly testing it. XChat has no advertising hooks, unlike other communication apps like WhatsApp, which have ad-driven clickbait. They collect your chat information to push targeted ads. This is a massive security vulnerability—if an app can collect enough information to push ads, it means it's gathering a lot of private data. They say, 'Don't worry, it's just targeted ads,' but others can also exploit this clickbait to view your information. XChat has no ad-related features whatsoever.
I wouldn't say it's absolutely perfect, but our goal is for XChat to replace the old Twitter DMs and become a fully encrypted system. I believe it will be 'one of the most secure communication systems.'"
For now, this point seems achieved, as XChat is currently so barebones that it has no other pages—just the [Chat] page.
Interesting Point No. 3: Screenshot Blocking Feature Glitch (? )
Before XChat's launch, many were highly interested in its "screenshot blocking" feature. Based on earlier beta versions and the official release settings, this feature is optional.
However, according to the author's own testing, enabling it still allows direct screenshots within the XChat group chat interface, but the screenshot shows only the group avatar, not the chat content. In contrast, taking a screenshot in the X platform group chat displays: "This chat is protected and cannot be screenshot."
Interface after screenshot attempt in X platform group chat
Interface after screenshot attempt in XChat group chat
Specific path: [Group] - [Click Group Avatar] - [Block Screenshot] - [Enable/Disable].
Interesting Point No. 4: Supports 45 Languages, Age Rating 16+
According to the App Store listing, XChat supports 45 languages, including Chinese, German, Japanese, Russian, and Korean. Additionally, its age rating is 16+, meaning it "contains profanity or crude humor, sexual content or nudity; unrestricted web access, information, and chat." In comparison, WeChat has an age rating of 13+. From this perspective, XChat's content boundaries are indeed looser.
Additionally, here is the detailed age rating description from the App Store:
The 18+ requirement seems somewhat broad
Interesting Point No. 5: Login Requires Verifying X Account Linked Email
Contrary to pre-launch speculation, XChat's login screen is a verification page for the email linked to the user's X account. If users don't remember the email linked to their X account, they can check under [Settings and Privacy] - [Your Account] - [Account Info]. If they have 2FA enabled, they also need to enter a 6-digit verification code.
Although the author doesn't quite understand the reason for this step—is it for easier email outreach later? Or for KYC policy? For now, it remains unclear.
First glance when opening XChat
Interesting Point No. 6: Encryption Just for Show?
The previously promoted "encrypted privacy" concept currently feels less impactful in practice.
From personal trial, the messages in XChat are similar to those in X platform group chats, except for the addition of an "[Encrypted - Yes]" display.
As for any [encryption toggle] option, it is not visible in this version.
"Encryption" display after long-pressing a message in XChat and tapping "Info"
Display interface after long-pressing a message in X platform group chat and tapping "Info"
Interesting Point No. 7: Group Message Disappearing Time Ranges from 5 Minutes to 4 Weeks
In XChat's group settings, after clicking [Disappearing Messages], you can set the self-destruct timer for group messages. The options are: 5 minutes, 1 hour, 8 hours, 1 day, 1 week, and 4 weeks.
According to the note in this feature's interface, the timer should start counting after group members read the message, not from the time the message is sent.
Specific path: [Group Avatar] - [Disappearing Messages]
Interesting Point No. 8: XChat Groups Have Open Invite Link Feature
This feature is relatively standard.
Notably, XChat groups share the invite link feature with X platform groups. Once disabled, others cannot join the group even if they have the link.
XChat group invite link settings interface
Interesting Point No. 9: XChat Group Member Cap May Be 1000
This point was previously mentioned in a post by Nikita Bier, X's product lead. Currently, the group chat capacity of XChat hasn't been extensively tested.
Recently, Nikita announced the migration of X's existing Community feature to XChat groups, reminding users that the transition deadline is May 30.
Additionally, he mentioned, "We will increase the XChat group chat limit to 500 members, and aim to reach 1000 members in the coming weeks. This should cover all but a few communities on X." Of course, this seemingly casual feature update drew significant criticism from X users.
Nikita's post on April 23 also attracted significant backlash
Interesting Point No. 10: App Icon Offers 8 Options, Chat Bubbles Closely Resemble WeChat
As indicated in earlier beta versions, the official XChat also prepares 8 different colored icons—white, black, purple, green, orange, pink, gray, and yellow—for users to switch between. While a small feature, it adds a touch of human warmth to this privacy-focused chat app.
Additionally, XChat's message deletion function appears to be inspired by Telegram, offering options: "Delete for me only" and "Delete for everyone."
Finally, the previously mentioned features for XChat—one-click import of X contacts and social network, seamless integration with Grok AI, X Money payments, and Cashtags—are currently not available.
Of course, XChat has only been live for one day. It still has plenty of time for trial and iteration. Let's wait and see!
