What’s new: direct text‑to‑video on mobile

xAI has flipped the switch on direct text‑to‑video generation inside Grok’s Imagine tool on mobile. As of November 28, 2025, Elon Musk said “Text to video now works with Grok Imagine,” noting upgraded audio and longer 10‑second clips are next on the docket. The rollout is hitting iOS, Android, and the web in waves. Earlier this month, Android picked up the feature first; now iPhone users are seeing the same mode arrive via app updates. Digital Trends reported the announcement, and independent coverage has tracked the staged iOS rollout as well. PiunikaWeb

A person holding a smartphone showing a mobile UI with an Imagine tab and a toggle labeled Text to Video/Text to Image, plus a preview of an AI‑generated clip.

Why this matters

Until recently, Grok Imagine could animate images into short clips but didn’t let you start with plain text—The Verge called out that limitation when the tool debuted in August. Removing the “start with an image” requirement lowers friction for mobile creators, speeding the path from idea to publishable video. That’s especially relevant for X’s short‑form ambitions; Musk has pitched Imagine as an “AI Vine.” The Verge • Business Insider

How it works on iOS and Android

  • Update the Grok app to the latest version.
  • Open the Imagine tab.
  • Use the new mode switch above the prompt field to choose Image or Video.
  • Type your description and generate. Current clips are short, with Musk saying improved audio and ~10‑second outputs are next.
TipTry text‑to‑video on your phone
  1. Update the Grok app from the App Store or Google Play.
  2. Tap Imagine → toggle to Video.
  3. Prompt examples: “a motorcycle speeding through a neon‑lit city at night,” “a dreamy whale swimming through clouds,” or “a product rotating on a white cyclorama.”
  4. If the toggle is missing, force‑quit the app, check for updates again, or try the web version while the mobile rollout completes.

For context, Android users began seeing the text‑to‑video toggle in early November, with developer posts and changelogs hinting at additional playback controls (tap‑to‑pause, seek bar) arriving shortly after. Coverage of those Android‑first changes was widely shared in the days following. EONMSK • EONMSK

Early impressions, guardrails, and caveats

This is a fast‑moving rollout—and like most fast rollouts, it isn’t perfectly smooth yet:

  • Some users report the text‑to‑video toggle disappearing or generation stalling, which typically resolves after an update or via the web app. Reddit
  • Content policies are a live issue. When Imagine launched, its optional “Spicy” mode drew criticism for enabling NSFW outputs (with filters), prompting debates about safety and moderation that will continue as video creation becomes easier. The Verge • Time

Our take: For everyday creators and social teams, removing the image prerequisite makes quick storyboards, social promos, explainers, and B‑roll snippets far faster to produce directly on a phone. Just expect some teething issues while features propagate across platforms.

How it compares in the broader AI video race

Grok Imagine’s mobile‑first, speed‑over‑cinema approach situates it alongside tools like OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo in Gemini. Those rivals lean into higher‑fidelity and longer‑form outputs but are often gated by invites or paid tiers; xAI’s push is about immediacy and shareability in the X ecosystem. Expect a pace of incremental upgrades (audio, duration, controls) rather than a single giant leap. Background: The Verge • Digital Trends

What to watch next

  • Shorter‑term: upgraded audio and longer (≈10s) clips, per Musk, and more polished mobile playback controls. Digital Trends • EONMSK
  • Access and pricing: Historically, Imagine features arrived first for higher‑tier Grok subscribers before widening. Check the app’s subscription panel if features aren’t visible yet. Background on initial gating: The Verge
  • Policy posture: Expect ongoing tuning of filters—particularly if “Spicy” remains available for video—given scrutiny from major outlets and regulators. Time
Step‑by‑step close‑ups of a mobile UI showing the Imagine tab, the Video toggle, a prompt being typed, and a progress indicator with an audio waveform.

Sources

  • Digital Trends: “You can now create fun AI videos from text with Grok” (Nov 28, 2025)
  • PiunikaWeb: “Grok now supports text‑to‑video generation” (Nov 28, 2025)
  • The Verge: “xAI’s new Grok image and video generator has a ‘spicy’ mode” (Aug 2025)
  • Business Insider: “Elon Musk says Grok’s latest feature is the new Vine” (Aug 2025)
  • EONMSK: Android text‑to‑video + playback control updates (Nov 2025)
  • Reddit r/grok: user reports on disappearing toggle/stability (Nov 2025)
  • Time: “Grok Will Soon Allow Users to Make AI Videos, Including of Explicit Nature” (Jul 2025)