Why is a cancel X icon required if there is already a Cancel option in a modal?

1. Do modals need a cancel button?
2. Does X mean cancel?
3. Why cancel button is used?
4. Are the close button and X on a popup redundant?

Do modals need a cancel button?

Your modal window will need a 'Cancel' button if the user is doing a task where they're entering information. If there's a form in your modal, it's important that the user doesn't click outside of the window to close it. To prevent this, offer users a 'Cancel' button as the only way the user can close the window.

Does X mean cancel?

Yes, the X icon is commonly recognized by users to mean either to cancel or to close, but distinguishing between the two possibilities is critical for the success of the interaction.

Why cancel button is used?

Cancel is mainly useful for multi-step dialogs where the user has progressed past one or more pages with actions. At this time, pressing the Back button will not undo these actions and it would be better if the user would click Cancel.

Are the close button and X on a popup redundant?

Yes, they're redundant.