X launches rebuilt Android app after year-long overhaul, promising faster performance

X, the social network owned by Elon Musk, has released a fully rebuilt Android application after nearly a year of development, the company announced on Monday. The new app, now available for download via the Google Play Store, was built from the ground up to address longstanding performance issues that had made the Android version noticeably inferior to its iOS counterpart.

A complete rewrite, not just an update

Unlike a standard update, X engineers rewrote the Android app entirely using a modern technology stack, Kotlin and Jetpack Compose. The company says the new foundation makes the app faster, smoother, and more reliable, with improvements to scrolling, loading times, and notifications. Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, described the effort as “one of the largest engineering projects” in the company’s history, emphasizing that the app was built from scratch rather than patched.

Why Android mattered for X

The decision to prioritize an Android rebuild came after years of neglect, during which the app suffered from poor performance and even failed to load posts when users clicked links. Last October, X recorded one of its biggest weeks ever for Android downloads, highlighting the platform’s importance, particularly in global markets where Android is the dominant smartphone operating system. The new app is expected to help retain and attract users in these regions, where a smooth experience is critical for engagement.

What’s still missing and what’s coming

While the core app is now rebuilt, Bier acknowledged that some features are not yet fully optimized. Performance on older Android devices still needs improvement, and support for Spaces, X’s live audio feature, is not yet included. The company says these updates are under active development. Additionally, features such as the new video editor, the react-with-video option, cashtags, and custom timelines are expected to arrive on Android soon.

Context and broader strategy

The Android rebuild is part of a broader push by X to roll out new capabilities, including standalone apps for X Money and X Chat. The company has been expanding its feature set rapidly, and the new Android architecture is designed to enable faster feature development going forward. For existing users, upgrading is as simple as updating the app through the Google Play Store.

Conclusion

The launch of the rebuilt X Android app marks a significant engineering milestone for the company, addressing years of platform disparity and setting the stage for faster innovation. While some rough edges remain, the update signals a renewed commitment to Android users, particularly in international markets where the platform’s performance directly impacts user retention and growth.

FAQs

Q1: How do I get the new X Android app?
Existing Android users can update their current X app through the Google Play Store. The rebuilt version is now available for download.

Q2: What is different about the new app?
The app was completely rewritten from scratch using Kotlin and Jetpack Compose, making it faster, smoother, and more reliable. Improvements include better scrolling, faster loading times, and improved notifications.

Q3: Are all features available in the new app?
Not yet. Some features, such as Spaces (live audio) and the new video editor, are still being developed for Android. Performance on older devices is also being optimized. These updates are expected in future releases.