X Is Phasing Out DMs and Replacing Them With ‘XChat’ – What Users Should Know

Big changes are coming to X (formerly Twitter), and not everyone is thrilled.

The platform is reportedly preparing to shut down its current direct messaging system, with plans to introduce a new feature called XChat. This potential overhaul was revealed in a reply by X engineer Zach Warunek, who commented under a user complaint that “the whole entire DM’s will be gone soon.”

That brief statement set off a wave of concern among longtime users who rely on DMs for everything from personal conversations to professional outreach.

So far, X has not provided any official explanation or timeline for the switch, and details about XChat remain scarce. Theories are circulating, with some linking the change to a recent Wall Street Journal report about Elon Musk’s private message activity.

Under Musk’s leadership since 2022, DMs on X have increasingly been plagued by spam, phishing bots, and hacked accounts – all of which have made the system difficult to use for many. Some believe the platform may be trying to start fresh with a more secure solution.

The name “XChat” hints at a standalone messaging experience – possibly a dedicated app, similar to Facebook Messenger. Users are speculating that it could include end-to-end encryption, enhanced controls, and possibly new features designed to modernize the messaging experience.

But that’s all speculation for now.

What’s not clear is whether users will be able to keep their existing DMs, or if years of conversations will simply vanish once the switch is made. That uncertainty is fueling anxiety across the platform.

This move is just one in a string of sweeping changes since Elon Musk bought the platform. From the Twitter-to-X rebrand to revamped verification, changes to content moderation, and now messaging, the pace of updates has left many users struggling to keep up.

The prospect of losing archived messages without warning is particularly troubling to journalists, businesses, and longtime users who’ve relied on DMs as a vital communication channel.

Until XChat is officially launched or further details emerge, it’s a good time for users to take precautions. At TweetDeleter, we recommend:

For now, users are left waiting – and hoping – that X’s next update won’t come at the cost of their personal messaging history.