X has introduced a new feature that allows Premium subscribers to pin topic-based timelines right to their home tab. If that sounds familiar, that’s because it is. TweetDeck provided a similar service for free for years before X decided to shut it down.
What’s Actually New Here
X’s custom timelines feature is now rolling out to Premium users on iOS. This lets you create filtered feeds focusing on specific topics and pin them to your home screen. Imagine having multiple TV channels, each dedicated to a single type of content, instead of one chaotic broadcast that mixes everything.
Nikita Bier, X’s product lead, announced that the feature uses AI (artificial intelligence — software that learns patterns from data) to surface relevant posts in each custom feed. So if you create a timeline for, say, Formula 1, the algorithm is designed to know what fits without you having to curate every account manually.
Currently, this feature is available in the X app for iOS, but there’s no confirmed rollout date for Android or web versions yet.
Why TweetDeck Fans Are Rolling Their Eyes
Here’s the kicker: TweetDeck, the beloved third-party Twitter client that X acquired and then diminished, had this functionality. Power users — including journalists, social media managers, and sports fans tracking live events — built multi-column dashboards sorted by topic, list, or search term. It was free, flexible, and genuinely useful.
X rebranded TweetDeck as “XPro” in 2023 and locked it behind a Premium subscription. Then they quietly reduced its functionality. Now, X is bringing back a diluted version of what TweetDeck did natively, still behind that same paywall, and presenting it as a new innovation.
The main difference? TweetDeck allowed you to manually build columns with complete control. X’s new custom timelines rely on AI to populate your feeds, which can be convenient if the AI works well — and frustrating if it doesn’t.
| By The Numbers: X Custom Timelines | |
|---|---|
| Feature availability | X Premium subscribers only |
| Platform | iOS (as of April 2026) |
| TweetDeck shut down (free access) | 2023 |
| X Premium monthly cost (US) | $8/month (Basic) to $22/month (Premium+) |
| Curation method | AI-assisted topic sorting |
What This Means for Everyday Users
If you’re a casual X user who mostly scrolls through the default feed, this probably won’t change much for you. But if you’ve ever wanted to separate your sports takes from tech news and local updates — without following hundreds of new accounts — this feature aims to solve that problem.
The catch? You’ll need an X Premium subscription to use it, starting at $8 a month. For those already paying, this is a solid upgrade. For free users, it’s another reason the free tier of X feels more limited compared to what Twitter once offered for free.
Keep an eye on the AI sorting too. Algorithmic curation, which lets software decide what’s relevant instead of you picking, can be hit or miss. If X’s AI understands your topic well, you’ll get a clean, relevant feed. If not, you might end up with a messy timeline that misses the mark — which can be worse than having no filter at all.
What the Community Is Saying
“So they destroyed TweetDeck, charged us for XPro, made it worse, and now they’re charging for a feature TweetDeck had in 2012. Incredible.”
“Honestly, if the AI actually works, this could be great for following live sports. My timeline during a match is a warzone. Will try it.”
What To Watch
- Android and web rollout: X hasn’t confirmed when custom timelines will come to Android or desktop browsers. Since TweetDeck was mainly a desktop tool, a web version would really show if this feature is a true replacement.
- AI quality over time: Early users will quickly reveal whether the topic-sorting AI is genuinely useful or just a marketing gimmick. Feedback from the community in the first few weeks will tell the real story.
- Competitor response: Bluesky and Mastodon both offer custom feed and list features free of charge. If X’s implementation impresses, it might win back some power users. If it flops, it gives those platforms more reasons to attract unhappy ex-Twitter users.
- XPro’s future: With custom timelines now appearing in the main app, it raises questions about the purpose of XPro — and whether X plans to merge or phase it out eventually.
Sources: Mashable, MacRumors, Nikita Bier on X
Maya Torres
Maya Torres is the Consumer Tech Editor at Explosion.com with 7 years covering product launches for major technology publications. She has reviewed over 300 devices across smartphones, laptops, wearables, and smart home products. Maya specializes in translating spec sheets into real-world buying advice and attends CES, MWC, and Apple keynotes as press. Her reviews focus on helping readers decide what to buy, not just what specs look good on paper.
