Messaging app Bitchat enables users to send messages without internet, Wi-Fi, or cellular service by using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connections between nearby devices.
Instead of relying on central servers, the decentralised app allows phones to communicate directly. The system works as a peer-to-peer network, where each device can receive and forward messages to other devices nearby. Creating a ‘Bluetooth mesh’, each phone becomes a node that allows messages to jump between devices until they reach the recipient. Encryption ensures that only the intended recipient can access the message.
The app does not require phone numbers or user accounts, making it very useful for environments where internet access is limited such as large events or remote locations. It’s also perfect for disaster situations, such as the aftermath of an earthquake or hurricane, when infrastructure has been disrupted or destroyed. It also enables communication at protests or other events where internet or cell networks are overwhelmed or intentionally shut down.
Created by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey.
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