Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter and CEO of Block, has launched Bitchat, a brand-new messaging app that doesn’t need Wi-Fi, mobile data, or even a phone number to work.
Instead, it uses Bluetooth mesh networking to allow users to chat directly with others nearby, completely offline.
With privacy concerns growing and internet blackouts becoming more common around the world, Bitchat arrives as a timely solution for secure, decentralized communication.
What Makes Bitchat Different?
Unlike WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram, Bitchat doesn’t rely on internet servers or cloud storage. The app uses your phone’s Bluetooth to connect directly to nearby devices, forming a peer-to-peer (P2P) mesh network.
Messages are sent from one phone to another, hopping along the chain until they reach the intended recipient. This means you can stay connected, even when the internet is down, blocked, or simply unavailable.
Built for Privacy and Security
Here are some standout features:
- End-to-End Encryption: Your messages are encrypted using strong cryptography (Curve25519 + AES-GCM), so only you and your recipient can read them.
- No Personal Info Required: You don’t need to sign up with your phone number, email, or name.
- No Central Server: Messages aren’t stored or routed through any company-owned servers.
- Panic Mode: Triple-tap your phone to instantly erase all your data.
- Disappearing Messages: Messages are stored temporarily and auto-delete after delivery.
Right now, Bitchat is in beta testing for iOS and has already reached its 10,000-user limit on TestFlight. An Android version is in the works, along with future support for Wi-Fi Direct, which could allow sharing media like images and videos without the internet.
The app’s code and whitepaper are also being made open-source, meaning more developers can build on it or review it for transparency.
