Bitchat is a Bluetooth messaging app that works without internet, servers, or mobile networks. Created by Jack Dorsey, the app turns iPhones into both message senders and receivers using Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networks. Each device acts like a link in a chain, passing messages along.
There is no need for a phone number, email, or username. People create password protected rooms or send private messages to others nearby. Anyone within 30 metres can connect, and if devices are spaced correctly, messages can jump from person to person across longer distances.
This lets people speak to each other even during internet blackouts or in areas where mobile service is blocked. It works best when people are physically near each other, such as in dense crowds or buildings.
Why Is Bitchat Gaining Attention?
When Dorsey released Bitchat on Apple’s TestFlight early this month, all 10,000 testing slots were filled within hours. He also shared a whitepaper on GitHub, describing the app as a weekend learning experience to understand encryption, relays, and mesh networking.
Bitchat is not the first app to use mesh messaging. FireChat and Bridgefy were used during protests in Hong Kong in 2019. What makes this new app stand out is its mix of encryption, message routing, and the decision to leave out phone-based accounts entirely.
The app does not pretend to replace WhatsApp or Telegram. Its more so a tool that works under different conditions, especially where online tools stop working or are monitored.
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How Does It Protect Privacy, And Where Does It Work Best?
Bitchat uses end-to-end encryption through Curve25519 and AES-GCM. It also hides user behaviour through dummy traffic. The app sends fake messages every 30 to 120 seconds, and it adds random delays of 50 to 500 milliseconds to real ones. This makes it hard to figure out which messages are genuine or when they are sent.
Nothing is stored in a cloud or server. Devices save messages for up to 12 hours for regular contacts. Messages sent to people marked as favourites can stay longer. Still, nothing is permanent.
There is no record of who sent what, or when. Devices only hold message IDs and expiry timers. If someone picks up a phone, they will not see old message logs unless the messages are still inside the short storage window. A triple tap on the screen can wipe everything instantly.
Bitchat works where people are physically close. The average range is between 100 and 300 metres, and it does not support voice or video. It is currently only available for iOS users. Android support is being worked on but is not yet released.
What Are Some Interesting Features?
One thing that stood out is its “store and forward” feature. If someone leaves your range while a message is being sent, your phone can store the message and try again once that person returns. It is a slow but steady method that makes the system more reliable in short bursts.
It is likely to be most useful at crowded events, or in areas hit by natural disasters, where phones are near each other but internet access is lost. In those cases, it could help people pass important information between groups without relying on mobile data or WiFi.