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No Wi-Fi? No Problem! Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat App Lets Phones Talk Directly via Bluetooth Mesh — The Ultimate Censorship-Proof Chat Tool
Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter (now X) and a longtime advocate for decentralized technology, has thrown his support behind—and actually launched—a groundbreaking messaging app built specifically to function without any traditional internet access.The app, called Bitchat (sometimes stylized as BitChat or Bitchat Mesh), was announced and released in beta in July 2025. It operates entirely through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networking, a clever peer-to-peer system where devices connect directly to each other and automatically relay messages from one phone to the next. This creates an ad-hoc, decentralized network that expands its reach as more users join in the same physical area—no central servers, no Wi-Fi, no cellular data, and no need for phone numbers, emails, or user accounts required.
Messages are end-to-end encrypted for privacy, and the system uses techniques like “store and forward” (where devices hold onto messages until they can pass them along) and automatic relaying to hop signals across multiple devices. In ideal conditions with enough nearby users acting as nodes, the effective range can stretch far beyond a single Bluetooth connection—up to several hundred meters or more in dense crowds.This kind of offline, censorship-resistant communication shines in real-world scenarios where regular networks fail or are deliberately shut down:
- During internet blackouts imposed by governments (as seen in recent protest crackdowns in places like Uganda and Iran, where Bitchat saw significant usage spikes in early 2026).
- In natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, or power outages when cell towers and internet infrastructure go down.
- At large-scale events, protests, or in remote areas with poor connectivity.
Similar peer-to-peer offline messaging tools have already proven their value in high-stakes situations. Apps like Briar (popular among activists for its Tor integration and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi support), Bridgefy (used heavily during Hong Kong protests), and others have been battle-tested in movements where authorities cut off online access to suppress coordination and information sharing. Bitchat builds on these ideas but emphasizes a pure Bluetooth mesh focus, with Jack Dorsey describing it as an experimental project exploring mesh relays, encryption models, and resilient communication.
Dorsey, who has long championed open, user-controlled platforms (like his involvement with Bluesky and Nostr), positioned Bitchat as a step toward truly permissionless communication that can’t be easily monitored, censored, or disabled by centralized powers. It’s currently in beta (initially via TestFlight for iOS, with plans for broader rollout and features like Wi-Fi Direct support), and early adoption has been strong—drawing thousands of users quickly despite its niche, offline-only design.While battery drain from constant Bluetooth activity and limited range in sparse areas remain practical challenges, the core innovation offers a powerful backup layer for staying connected when everything else goes dark. In an era of increasing internet restrictions and infrastructure vulnerabilities, tools like this could become essential for emergency responders, journalists, protesters, or anyone who values communication independence.
