Jack Dorsey Launches Bitchat, a Bluetooth Messaging App That Works Without Internet
Looking for a bluetooth messaging app that works even when you're off the grid? Jack Dorsey, former Twitter CEO and current Block head, has introduced Bitchat, a new peer-to-peer messaging app that uses Bluetooth mesh networking to connect users without Wi-Fi or cell signal. This type of technology is gaining popularity for offline communication, especially in large events, remote areas, or situations with unstable network infrastructure. With privacy, decentralization, and offline access at the core, Bitchat offers a compelling new take on mobile communication. Here’s everything you need to know about this experimental new app and how it fits into Dorsey’s vision for a decentralized tech future.
Image Credits:MARCO BELLO/AFP / Getty Images
Bitchat: A New Type of Bluetooth Messaging App
Bitchat is designed to enable messaging without an internet connection by relying entirely on Bluetooth mesh networks. Unlike traditional messaging apps that need a Wi-Fi or cellular network, Bitchat allows users to send texts through a network of nearby devices, extending its range beyond typical Bluetooth limitations. Dorsey claims that messages can be relayed over a range of up to 300 meters (984 feet), compared to the usual 100-meter (328 feet) range of most Bluetooth connections. That means even if your phone can’t reach the recipient directly, others nearby using the app can help pass the message along, creating a “mesh” of connectivity.
This kind of bluetooth messaging app proves especially useful at music festivals, protests, outdoor adventures, or during emergencies—basically, any time you're in a crowd or off the grid and traditional service is weak or nonexistent. Bitchat isn’t the first app to explore this idea. Bridgefy, another Bluetooth-based messaging tool, was famously used during the 2019 Hong Kong protests as a way to communicate securely without detection. Bridgefy is even co-funded by another Twitter co-founder, Biz Stone, which makes Dorsey’s entrance into this space all the more intriguing.
Why Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat Stands Out
Jack Dorsey’s involvement adds a layer of credibility and intrigue to Bitchat. He’s long been an advocate for decentralization, privacy, and freedom from centralized control, values that align well with the app’s offline-first approach. During his time at Twitter, Dorsey initiated the project that eventually became Bluesky, a decentralized social media protocol, although he’s no longer associated with it. His involvement in Bitcoin and blockchain innovation through Block also shows his commitment to open, uncensorable systems. So, Bitchat isn’t just a fun side project—it’s an extension of his broader technological philosophy.
Beyond ideology, Dorsey’s claim that Bitchat supports end-to-end encryption is critical in today’s privacy-conscious landscape. Encryption ensures that messages remain secure, even as they hop through other users’ devices in the mesh network. While other bluetooth messaging apps offer similar features, the combination of Dorsey’s technical vision, user privacy focus, and the rising demand for internet-free solutions could make Bitchat more appealing to early adopters, activists, travelers, and technologists alike.
Availability and What’s Next for Bitchat
As of now, Bitchat is only available to a limited number of beta testers through Apple’s TestFlight program, which quickly hit its 10,000-user limit. The app is still under review before a wider release, and there’s no confirmed Android version yet. Dorsey announced the project on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that more features, updates, or open testing phases could follow in the coming weeks. Given his influence and network, a broader rollout—along with serious media and community attention—is likely.
For those interested in the future of decentralized and offline communication, Bitchat represents a significant step forward. While the name might raise eyebrows, the concept behind it is rooted in real technological needs: privacy, resilience, and independence from traditional infrastructures. Whether you're heading into a remote hike, organizing in places with network restrictions, or just curious about emerging peer-to-peer technologies, this new bluetooth messaging app might soon be an essential tool in your digital kit.
Bitchat isn’t just another app—it’s a symbol of a growing shift in how we think about communication. As networks become more congested and surveillance concerns rise, tools like Bitchat that enable private, offline messaging are poised to become more mainstream. With Jack Dorsey at the helm, Bitchat could easily evolve into a disruptive force in the messaging space, combining Bluetooth mesh networking, privacy-by-design, and decentralized values. Keep an eye on this one—it’s just getting started.
Post a Comment