X/Twitter decrees the end of the famous DMs. Understand

Earlier this year, information emerged that the X (old Twitter) would be developing a new messenger to replace the DMs: XChat. The proposal? Create a direct competitor to Apps like WhatsApp. Now, new leaks reveal possible features of the service, such as sending files, temporary messages, the option to delete or “unread” messages and more. Understand what it is XChat and what new things it can bring.

DMs: a chat of bots and spam

As Direct messages, or DMs, are the chat private integrated into the platform X/Twitter. Currently, the tool allows the sending of text messages, photos, videos, GIFs and audio, and is also a space for private sharing of posts between users of the platform.

Despite repeating, in a more simplified way, what other social networks already do, such as Instagram - what has also been updating its DMs - it's the Facebook; by integrating a messenger into the application, DMs have long suffered from persistent problems such as a large volume of spam and unwanted messages, often sent by automated accounts (bots).

The platform has tried to mitigate the issue in the past. In July 2023, for example, the X implemented a setting that directed messages from verified accounts that the user did not follow to a separate “message requests” box instead of the main inbox.

At the time, the company reported a 70% reduction in spam boxes. However, the move was criticized for merely redirecting the problem rather than eliminating it. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the attempt was compromised by the controversial change in the verification system of the X, which began granting the verified seal to any subscriber to the paid service X Premium, which often includes, bots and fraudulent accounts.

What will change with the XChat?

Interestingly, it was a discussion about the “message requests” box that caused the software engineer Zach Warunek, linked to the company of Elon Musk, stated that the tool now known as DM would be “deleted soon”, giving way to a completely new space.

The reaction to the announcement of end of DMs was immediate and widespread. Users responded to the statement Condition outraged, with many comments questioning the logic behind eliminating a feature considered so fundamental.

The declaration of Condition, which was made informally and is not an official announcement, quickly fueled speculation that the DMs would be completely replaced by a new system, possibly called XChat.

However, after a note from the community, a review of the Grok and another colleague from the company, Ellis Driscoll, point out that Condition was exaggerating, the employee corrected his statement, making it clear that DMs will not cease to exist, but rather, they will be reformulated — which is still part of the company's plans for the supposed XChat, rumored since January this year.

But, after all, besides the end of message requests, what else should change in DMs with the new chat? The changes aim to make the messaging system more secure, functional and competitive in relation to dedicated applications such as WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram.

Unofficial screenshots allegedly showing a user interface chat separate with that name, began to circulate. According to the user @P4mui, via a post on X, the main new features under testing or development include:

• End-to-end encryption: The technology ensures that only the sender and recipients can read the contents of messages. Although an optional and limited form of encryption was already available to subscribers of X Premium, the goal now seems to be complete and robust integration for all users;
• File Sharing: at DMs do X They will also gain advanced file sharing features, allowing the sending of different types of documents (such as PDFs), bringing them closer to the capabilities of other messaging applications;
• Temporary Mode (Vanishing Mode): messages that disappear automatically after being viewed or after a certain amount of time. The tool is already available in other messengers, such as Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram and others;
• Deleting messages for “Everyone”: the ability to delete a message sent not only to yourself, but also to all participants in the conversation. Also available on other platforms;
• Undo “Read” status: an option to “unread” a message, that is, remove the indication that it has been read;
• DM Editing: the ability to edit messages after sending, a feature that had already been implemented for iOS users in 2024 and may be expanded;
• Unlock Codes: Mentioned in some previews, although their exact function (additional security, secret messages) is not yet entirely clear.

In the post, the leaker demonstrates some graphic works with the interface and clarifies that the messages from the old DM will not be deleted, according to another company employee, this time unidentified.

You use them a lot DMs do X to talk? What do you think of the likely changes? Tell us in the comments.

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Source: Engadget, Zach Warunek (via X), P4mui (via X)

Text review done by Jaime Ninece in 17 / 04 / 2025.