bitchat

NO WI-FI. NO CELL SERVICE. FULLY END-TO-END ENCRYPTED

Jack Dorsey, co‑founder of Twitter and CEO of Block, quietly released a beta version of Bitchat, a messaging app that operates without internet, cellular coverage, or central servers. It works through a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh network, enabling devices within range—and beyond—to relay messages directly, relying solely on local connectivity  .

Key Features & Privacy Protections

Peer-to-peer, account-free communication: No need for phone numbers, emails, or user accounts  . End-to-end encrypted and ephemeral: Messages exist only on-device and vanish by default  . Multi-hop relay (mesh): Each device acts as both transmitter and relay, enabling message travel over 300 meters via intermediate devices  . Group chat with enhanced privacy: “Rooms” can be password protected, with cached messages that deliver later if a user is offline  . Panic Mode: A triple‑tap on the app logo wipes all data instantly  .

Bitchat stands out as a resilient, censorship-resistant tool and Dorsey hinted it’s aimed at crisis-response scenarios:

Useful in internet shutdowns, protests, disasters, off-grid areas, or events with overloaded networks  . Echoes earlier mesh networking apps like Bridgefy and FireChat, which were used during the Hong Kong protests  .

Current Stage & Next Steps

Beta testing only: The iOS beta via Apple TestFlight has already filled its 10,000‑user capacity  . A public release is TBD—may soon include Wi‑Fi Direct support to expand range and speed  .

Final Takeaways

Bitchat is less about mainstream messaging and more a decentralized experiment by Dorsey—a throwback to the ethos of IRC and an extension of his work on Bluesky, focusing on infrastructure-free communication. While elder apps have tackled parts of this vision, Bitchat’s emphasis on privacy, lack of accounts, and panic‑mode features give it a compelling edge for high‑risk or off‑grid environments.

Stay tuned as testing progresses and Bitchat potentially reaches broader audiences.