X, formerly Twitter, is reportedly planning to shut down its current direct messaging system and replace it with a new feature called XChat.
This major change was hinted at when X software engineer Zach Warunek responded to a user’s complaint about the current DM system, saying, “the whole entire DM’s will be gone soon.”
That one sentence sparked widespread panic and frustration across the platform.
No official explanation has been given for why the change is happening, though some users speculate it may be tied to a recent Wall Street Journal article about Elon Musk’s private DM usage.
Since Musk’s takeover, DMs have become riddled with spam, bots, and hacked accounts—issues that have made the feature increasingly dysfunctional.
Still, users are worried, as DMs remain crucial for everything from casual chats to business communications.
According to Warunek, DMs are indeed going away, but XChat will take their place. Details about XChat remain vague.
There’s speculation that it could be a separate app, like Facebook Messenger, with added features such as encryption.
However, many fear that the existing messaging system could be scrapped before the new one is ready, leaving users in limbo.
Ever since Musk acquired the platform in 2022, sweeping changes have become the norm. From rebranding to altering verification, unbanning accounts, and now removing DMs, users have struggled to keep up.
Warunek’s announcement only deepens that frustration, especially without answers to key questions—like whether past conversations will be saved.
As users wait for more info, many are hoping XChat doesn’t arrive at the cost of losing years of messages. For now, everything remains uncertain.
