X Launches Audio and Video Calling on Multiple Platforms, No Phone Number Required

Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), has been consistently introducing new features to the platform in an effort to transform it into a comprehensive app. Recently, X Hiring, a feature that enables organizations to post job listings on their profiles, was made available to users. Now, Musk has unveiled another addition to the platform: audio and video calls. Although in-app calling is not groundbreaking in 2023, X had previously refrained from incorporating it, even as competing apps adopted the feature. However, the microblogging platform has finally embraced this functionality.

Announcing the feature, Musk posted: “Video and voice calls are coming to X. Works on iOS, Android, Mac and PC. No phone number required. X is a powerful global address book. This set of features is unique.” Based on the description, it looks pretty similar to the feature on Facebook’s Messenger platform, and will likely work just like any other in-app calling feature.

One user inquired whether these calls are encrypted or not. Musk replied: “Not at first, but we’re adding the ability to dynamically turn encryption on or off. There’s bound to be a small delay in encryption. Most of the time, encryption isn’t important and the call quality is better.”

X to get voice and video calling feature

One unique feature of the calling feature is its universality in terms of deployment. Even today, you can’t make calls from the WhatsApp web app. Similarly, other social media platforms have some limitations. However, X plans to add this feature to all platforms from the start, which would make it quite convenient.

However, the encryption issue is difficult to solve. Today, encryption has become essential for many people. And at a time when WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram all offer fully encrypted call support, X’s failure to do so may turn some users off.

Musk has not revealed an availability date for the feature. It could arrive next week or next month, but given past trends, it shouldn’t be too long. We do not know if this feature is offered only to X Blue subscribers or if it is available to all users.