What is the X (Twitter) Chat passcode? What happens if you forget it?

Recently, X (Twitter) DMs have been integrated into XChat, and when you try to open your DMs, you are prompted to set a passcode.

This article explains in detail what the XChat passcode is used for and what happens if you forget it.

What is XChat?

XChat is a new chat service that replaces X’s DMs.

It includes features such as encryption, disappearing messages (Vanish Mode), and file sharing, enhancing both security and convenience.

Previously, DM encryption was only available to users subscribed to a paid plan, but with XChat, all users can use encryption.

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What is the XChat passcode?

With the integration of X’s DMs into XChat, you are now prompted to set a 4-digit passcode when you open the DM screen.

In XChat, messages are encrypted so that not even X can view them, ensuring that only the rightful user can read them.

The 4-digit passcode is used to securely store on X’s servers the “secret key” required to decrypt (restore) encrypted messages.

As long as you remember the 4-digit passcode, you can restore the secret key and view your messages from any device you are logged into.

When you log out of your account, the secret key and cached conversation history stored on that device are deleted.

What happens if you forget the passcode?

What happens if you forget the 4-digit passcode set for XChat?

As mentioned above, the passcode is used to store and restore the secret key needed to decrypt conversation history.

If you are already using XChat and have a device on which you have entered the passcode, you can reset the passcode by tapping the chat settings button and selecting [Change passcode].

If you reset the passcode using this method, your conversation history will not be deleted, and you can continue using XChat as before.

If you are already using XChat but do not have any device on which you have entered the passcode, you will not be able to reset it, and the encrypted conversation history cannot be restored and will be lost.

This is because decrypting encrypted conversation history requires the secret key, and restoring that secret key requires the passcode. Therefore, if you forget the passcode and cannot reset it, you will be unable to decrypt the encrypted conversation history.

How can you avoid losing conversation history?

To avoid losing your conversation history, it is important not to forget your passcode.

Using a service called a password manager, which can store passwords, is recommended.

In addition, if you always stay logged in to XChat on at least one device, you will be able to reset the passcode even if you forget it.

Conclusion

X’s DMs have been integrated into the new chat service, XChat.

XChat allows you to use message encryption.

When you open XChat for the first time, you are prompted to set a passcode, which is used to securely store on X’s servers the secret key required to decrypt messages.

Even if you forget your passcode, you can reset it from the settings and restore your conversation history as long as you have a device on which the passcode has already been entered.

If you do not have any device on which the passcode has been entered, forgetting the passcode means you will not be able to restore encrypted conversation history, so caution is required.

References

• About Encrypted Direct Messages – DMs | X Help