Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has added audio and video calling functionality to its app for the very first time. Here's how to use it or disable it, depending on how you're feeling about the new feature.
The addition of video calls is the first in a series of new features the social media platform is getting, with the ability to make payments also incoming and rumors that shopping, banking, food delivery and even ridesharing could feature in the Elon Musk owned app's future.
The tech giant has already undergone a significant transformation since Musk took over the company last year. The rebrand to X is a major part of that, as is finally sharing ad revenue with creators and testing out a new subscription fee model.
Call functionality had been teased by Musk for a while prior to its addition, but don't worry if the thought petrifies you: we're here to show you how to disable video calling in X right away. Alternatively, here's how to use it if that's what you'd prefer to do.
How to Use Video and Audio Calling in X
X released its latest update this Wednesday, and with it the ability to make audio and video calls to your contacts via the Direct Messages section of the app. Prior to this, it was only major social media app that didn't let you do this.
If you actually want to use this, it's straightforward and you'll find it's turned out by default. That means to use video and/or audio calling in X, all you need to do is go to your Direct Messages, then open a window with the person you want to call.
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How to Disable Video and Audio Calling in X
However, if the idea of yet another app for people to call you on is raising your anxiety levels already, it’s easy to disable this feature. Just follow these simple steps:
- Select your profile picture
- Select Settings and support
- Select Settings and privacy
- Select Privacy and safety
- Select Direct messages
- Turn off the slider that says, Enable audio and video calling
If you don’t mind leaving this feature switched on, you can also be more specific about who can call you. Simply select from any combination of the the three check boxes to restrict certain users from contacting you via audio or video call:
- People in your address book
- People you follow
- Verified users
That's all there is to it. You have now disabled X's new calling feature, or customized your permissions so you can only use it with people you actually want to speak to.
Could X Become the First True “Everything App”?
The trend for social media platforms across the board to add on features similar to those that once defined their competitors is growing. This has been demonstrated by numerous features such as Stories being used on almost all apps – even LinkedIn briefly gave them a try before ditching the idea in 2021.
Disappearing images, once a unique feature for Snapchat, is now (thankfully) commonplace on virtually all apps. Most recently, Instagram launched its text-based “social conversations” app, Threads, to try and take advantage of the huge number of people searching for legit Twitter alternatives, as X was then called.
Now, X isn't just playing catch up with features like video calling, it apparently has bigger ideas, with Elon Musk's grand plan for the platform apparently also including not only direct payments, but everything from shopping and banking to meal delivery and ridesharing.
The idea of becoming an “everything app” carries a certain amount of appeal, especially given X's difficult year since Musk acquired the platform for $44 billion in October 2022.
