Elon Musk’s ongoing reimagining of Twitter into his concept for “X” persists, with the platform’s Direct Messages (DMs) potentially being the next element to undergo a significant transformation. Reports from X employees and independent tech analysts indicate that the familiar DM tab may soon be replaced with a new messaging feature called “XChat.”

The initial signal came from X software engineer Zach Warunek, who replied to a user facing problems with DM message requests. Warunek disclosed that the specific page would be “deleted soon,” specifying that the entire DM tab—not merely the requests section—would be eliminated.

Backing this assertion, app researcher and web developer Nima Owji mentioned that XChat is currently in use internally among company employees. Leaked images from another X user imply that XChat is being created as a comprehensive messaging platform, potentially competing with applications like WhatsApp. Reported features include end-to-end encryption, file sharing (including PDFs), self-destructing messages, read/unread status toggles, the capability to erase messages for all participants, and eventually, voice messaging.

Owji also provided what seems to be a screenshot of the XChat interface, although its legitimacy has not been independently verified. A noteworthy addition in the image is a PIN verification option, which could suggest enhanced security capabilities.

This transition aligns with Elon Musk’s larger goal of transforming X into an all-inclusive digital ecosystem. In February, Musk indicated his intention to phase out the necessity for a conventional phone number, opting instead to manage all communications—texts and calls—through X.

While an official launch date for XChat remains undisclosed, the fact that employees are openly engaging in conversations about it implies that its introduction might be imminent.