Elon Musk's WhatsApp Alternative App Officially Launches in Indonesia, Here's How

Elon Musk has released a short messaging application that will compete with WhatsApp. The app is named XChat. According to observations by CNBC Indonesia on Tuesday (28/4/2026), XChat is already available and can be tried by users in Indonesia. However, it should be noted that the app is limited to users with iOS-based devices. When we tried it, users do not need to register a phone number; they simply connect their X account to log in to XChat. The XChat interface is similar to WhatsApp. The app also claims to be protected with end-to-end encryption. Users can immediately send messages, share files, and make video calls using their X contacts list. The app is also very focused on privacy-related features. XChat supports disappearing messages, the ability to edit or delete messages for everyone in the chat, and even includes protections such as blocking screenshots. X also claims that the app does not include ads or tracking mechanisms, positioning it as a cleaner alternative to traditional messaging platforms. The launch of this app reflects a broader strategic shift. X is no longer trying to keep everything in one application. Instead, they are starting to separate core features, such as messaging, into standalone apps. This approach aligns with Elon Musk’s long-standing ambition to transform X into an all-in-one app, similar to China’s WeChat, but executed through a modular ecosystem.