KAMPALA, Uganda — As political tensions rise and internet stability remains uncertain, many people are looking for ways to stay connected without a signal. Bitchat, a new messaging application launched by former Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, offers a way to communicate entirely through Bluetooth.
Unlike traditional apps like WhatsApp or Messenger, Bitchat does not use central servers or require an internet connection to send texts. Instead, it relies on a technology called Bluetooth mesh networking.
To get started with the app and use it during an outage or in a remote area, follow these steps:
Download and installation
Bitchat is available for both iOS and Android devices. Because the app is open-source and decentralized, users can find it on the Apple App Store as Bitchat Mesh or download the APK directly from GitHub for Android devices.
Because the app is designed for privacy, it does not require a phone number, email address or any form of registration. When you first open the app, it will generate a unique cryptographic key pair that acts as your identity.
Essential settings
For the app to function without the internet, two specific settings must be enabled:
- Bluetooth: This must remain on at all times, as it is the only way the app “talks” to other devices.
- Location services: On Android devices, location permissions are required for the app to scan for nearby Bluetooth signals.
For the best experience, users should also disable battery optimization for Bitchat. This ensures the mesh network can stay active in the background even when your phone screen is off.
How to chat
Once the app is open, it automatically begins searching for other Bitchat users within approximately 300 meters.
- Public channels: Users can join group conversations by typing commands like /join #general.
- Private messages: To message someone directly, users can select a peer from the nearby list or use the command /msg @nickname.
- Mesh relaying: If your intended recipient is more than 300 meters away, your message can still reach them by “hopping” through other Bitchat users’ phones between you. This happens automatically and securely without those intermediate users being able to read your message.
Safety features
The app includes several tools for high-stakes environments. Users can triple-tap the Bitchat logo to trigger an emergency wipe, which instantly erases all local message data. Additionally, messages are encrypted using the same standards used by high-security financial institutions.
