Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter (now X) and CEO of Block Inc. has created a messaging app that works even when there is no internet or phone service. Called Bitchat, the app uses Bluetooth mesh networking to connect people directly, enabling offline messaging.
Dorsey shared on X that he built the basic version of Bitchat over the weekend. He said it was a way to learn about Bluetooth mesh networks, relays, message encryption models, and other technologies. “Bitchat: Bluetooth mesh chat… IRC vibes,” Dorsey posted, sharing links to the app’s TestFlight page and GitHub.
Bitchat is fully decentralized, meaning there are no servers storing messages. Messages travel directly from one device to another, bouncing across nearby phones until they reach the intended person.
The idea of Bitchat is simple but powerful. It lets users send messages to anyone within about 300 meters (984 feet) using Bluetooth. If the recipient is further away, the message travels through other nearby users in a relay process called mesh networking.
Because Bitchat doesn’t rely on the internet or mobile networks, it can be useful in situations where service is limited or blocked. This includes crowded events like music festivals, emergencies, or even in countries where governments restrict access to the internet.
Dorsey explained in his post that Bitchat does not require phone numbers, email addresses, or any user accounts. Messages are stored only on the user’s device and disappear by default. The app also supports group chats, or “rooms,” which can be protected with passwords.
Dorsey made Bitchat available for iOS users via Apple’s TestFlight program. However, it quickly reached the 10,000-user limit for early testing. Many people are now waiting for the public release or an Android version, but Dorsey has not given a timeline for when these will happen.
This is not the first time Dorsey has worked on decentralized technology. He previously supported Nostr, a decentralized social networking standard, and founded Bluesky, a rival to X. Privacy advocates say Bitchat fits into Dorsey’s vision of building tools that are resistant to censorship and surveillance.
“Bitchat addresses the need for resilient, private communication that doesn’t depend on centralized infrastructure,” the app’s white paper explains.
Messages sent using Bitchat are end-to-end encrypted, which means only the sender and recipient can read them. Even if messages bounce through other devices, they remain secure.
This isn’t the first time developers have tried mesh-based messaging apps. Tools like FireChat and Bridgefy became popular during the 2019 Hong Kong protests because they allowed people to communicate even when authorities blocked internet access.
However, these apps faded over time. Tech experts believe Bitchat could succeed where others didn’t because of Dorsey’s reputation and the growing need for privacy-first communication.
Dorsey has said Bitchat is currently just a personal experiment. But he hinted that future updates may support Wi-Fi Direct, which would make the app faster and increase its range.
“By leveraging Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networking, Bitchat enables direct peer-to-peer messaging within physical proximity, with automatic message relay extending the effective range beyond direct Bluetooth connections,” Dorsey noted in the app’s white paper.
The app’s design, which leaves out servers and user accounts, also means there is no tracking or data collection. This privacy-first approach has excited activists and journalists. They often work in environments where third parties monitor their communications.
Bitchat is still in beta and only available to a small group of testers. But the app is already attracting attention.
“This isn’t about competing with WhatsApp or Signal,” Dorsey said. “It’s about exploring what’s possible when you remove the central servers and give power back to people.”
