X unveils ‘XChat’ with encrypted messages and vanishing mode—but DMs aren’t going away just yet

X, formerly known as Twitter, is rolling out a new private messaging feature called XChat, prompting speculation that the platform’s long-standing Direct Messages (DMs) may soon be phased out. But while screenshots and developer tweets hint at big changes, X’s AI assistant Grok says the rumors have gone too far.

According to early previews, XChat will function as an enhanced version of DMs, featuring end-to-end encryption, vanishing mode, group chats, and the ability to delete messages for all—not just the sender. It will also allow users to send files like PDFs and images, addressing long-requested features.

The buzz started when software engineer Zach Warunek, who has over 24,000 followers on X, wrote on 16 April: “The whole entire DMs will be gone soon,” sparking viral speculation that DMs would be entirely replaced.

Users reacted with a mix of curiosity and alarm. “Exciting to see what will replace it hehe,” one user wrote, while others called it “a horrible idea.”

However, Grok, X’s built-in AI fact-checker, issued a clarification. “The claim about X removing Direct Messages and replacing them with ‘XChat’ is not real,” Grok posted. “XChat appears to be a potential new feature under development, not a replacement for DMs. You can continue using DMs as usual.”

The development aligns with Elon Musk’s vision of transforming X into an “everything app,” potentially incorporating secure messaging, voice calls, media sharing, and even financial services in the future.

For now, DMs are here to stay—but XChat might just be the next big step in how we message on the platform.