X Unveils Revamped Android App After Year of Development

TL;DR
- **Full Rebuild from Scratch:** X has officially launched a completely rebuilt Android app after nearly a year of development, replacing the outdated codebase to fix long-standing performance issues like slow loading and erratic scrolling.
- **Key Performance Gains:** The new application promises significantly faster loading times, smoother scrolling, more reliable notifications, and improved overall stability for most users.
- **Future Features Pending:** While the core app is live, some features like full support for Spaces, optimization for older devices, the new video editor, and custom timelines are still being rolled out or are coming soon.
A Year-Long Engineering Marathon
After nearly a year of intensive development, X has officially relaunched its Android application, marking one of the largest engineering projects in the company's history. The new app was not merely updated but built entirely from scratch to address the persistent performance gaps that had long separated it from its iOS counterpart. Elon Musk-owned X announced the refreshed app on Monday, making it available for immediate download via the Google Play Store for existing users who simply need to update their current version.
The decision to undertake a ground-up reconstruction was a strategic move to modernize the platform's mobile experience, particularly for international markets where Android devices dominate user adoption. For years, the Android version faced criticism for technical constraints, including slow load times and failures when opening posts from external links, which hindered the launch of new features compared to iOS.
Built for Speed and Reliability
The primary promise of the new Android app is a dramatic improvement in core performance metrics. X stated that the rebuilt application delivers faster loading times, smoother scrolling, and more reliable notification delivery. Tycho Bier, who led the effort, described the new app as "faster, smoother and more reliable," noting that the new foundation will enable the company to build new features at "lightning speed".
Users have reported tangible improvements in daily usage. The app now opens and scrolls more quickly, with tab switching feeling significantly lighter than before. Visual upgrades include better animations and a cleaner, more modern user interface (UI) that feels less cluttered, refreshing the visual language without becoming overly flashy. Stability has also improved for many, with fewer random crashes and smoother sessions once the update settles in.
New Features and User Controls
Beyond raw performance, the rebuild introduces several functional enhancements designed to give users more control and better content management tools. A dedicated **Priority notifications tab** has been added to surface meaningful interactions while reducing noise from less important alerts. Users can now select specific topics to mute, providing finer control over what appears in their feed.
Power users will appreciate the proper support for **custom timelines**, allowing them to build and switch between curated feeds without fighting the app's default structure. Additionally, a full **video editor** is now built directly into the app, enabling users to trim and polish clips without switching to external tools. The **Spaces dashboard** and raise-hand features are also working for many, offering a more reliable core experience during live audio sessions.
Rough Edges and What's Coming Next
Despite the successful launch, X has acknowledged that the new app still has "rough edges" to iron out. Bier warned that performance on older Android devices needs further optimization, and full support for Spaces is still underway. The company has indicated that other features, including the new **react-with-video** functionality, cashtags, and custom timelines, are coming soon to Android.
The rollout is currently ongoing, with the new version reaching most users in mid-July 2026. While the core architecture has been successfully rebuilt, the development team continues to prioritize optimizing the application for less powerful devices and fully integrating remaining features. The success of this relaunch will ultimately be measured by how effectively this new foundation supports rapid future updates and improves user retention in global markets.
Get All The Latest Updates Delivered Straight To Your Inbox For Free!