X Chat is bringing back a familiar feature: voice notes, now in your direct messages. This update aims to make the app more competitive with others that have had this function for years.

The new addition comes after the recent spinout of X Chat as its own standalone app and could soothe users who were upset by the Voice Notes removal. Users can activate it simply by pressing the voice input icon in chats, though a beta version introduced a press-and-hold gesture to make recording easier.

While this move might not be groundbreaking, given that most messaging apps have had this feature for years, it could help X Chat retain users who value the audio option. The feature’s return follows recent beta tests of an iOS version and hints at a broader strategy change by the company towards offering standalone services like its payments app, X Money.

The new app reflects a shift in X's approach to becoming an 'everything app,' as Elon Musk once described it. This move shows that while the social network is still experimenting with different features, it’s clear they are valuing user feedback and retaining core functionalities.