ack Dorsey has unveiled a new experimental messaging app called Bitchat, which enables users to communicate entirely without the internet by leveraging Bluetooth mesh networks. As reported by CNBC, the app is now in beta testing and is positioned as a decentralised, peer-to-peer communication tool with no reliance on central servers.
How does Bitchat work?
Bitchat facilitates encrypted communication between nearby devices by creating a Bluetooth mesh network. Each connected device acts as a node, broadening the range and robustness of the network. This means messages are sent directly from one device to another, but the mesh structure allows each device to relay messages further, extending communication beyond immediate Bluetooth range.
Because Bitchat operates via Bluetooth, it does not require Wi-Fi or cellular service, making it particularly useful in environments where internet access is unavailable or deliberately blocked. Messages are stored only on the sending and receiving devices, disappearing by default without ever connecting to a centralised infrastructure, thereby enhancing privacy and security.
and here's an ugly whitepaper describing protocol: https://t.co/AhJ1y0jJdP
— jack (@jack) July 6, 2025
Key features of Bitchat
- Offline functionality: Works without internet or cellular service, relying solely on device-to-device Bluetooth connections.
- Decentralised architecture: No central servers involved, ensuring resilience against network shutdowns.
- Encrypted messaging: Messages are encrypted end-to-end for security.
- Group chats: Users can create group chats named with hashtags and protected with passwords.
- Store-and-forward: Messages can be forwarded to users who were temporarily offline when the message was first sent.
- Future Wi-Fi Direct support: Upcoming versions will include Wi-Fi Direct integration to improve network speed and capacity.
Context and vision
Dorsey described the app as an experiment exploring “Bluetooth mesh networks, relays and store and forward models, message encryption models, and a few other things.” The underlying technology is reminiscent of tools used during the 2019 Hong Kong protests, where similar Bluetooth mesh apps allowed protesters to communicate securely without relying on cellular networks vulnerable to state surveillance or shutdowns.
Bitchat aligns with Dorsey’s long-standing advocacy for decentralised communication platforms, a principle also embedded in Bluesky, his other project aimed at creating an open-source, user-controlled social media ecosystem.
Availability
Currently, Bitchat is available in beta via Apple TestFlight, although the initial testing slots are already filled. There is no confirmed timeline yet for a wider public release.
As global conversations around privacy, decentralisation, and censorship-resistant communication tools continue to grow, apps like Bitchat highlight an emerging technological trend towards off-grid, resilient connectivity solutions that could redefine how people stay connected in restrictive or disconnected environments.
