Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, has launched a new messaging app called Bitchat. The app allows users to send messages without using the internet, mobile data, or even Wi-Fi. It works by connecting nearby phones through Bluetooth. The app is now available only for iPhone users through Apple’s TestFlight, and it quickly reached the 10,000-tester limit. Dorsey also shared the app’s whitepaper and invite link, which created a lot of interest among privacy-focused users.
my weekend project to learn about bluetooth mesh networks, relays and store and forward models, message encryption models, and a few other things.
bitchat: bluetooth mesh chat…IRC vibes.
TestFlight: https://t.co/P5zRRX0TB3
GitHub: https://t.co/Yphb3Izm0P pic.twitter.com/yxZxiMfMH2— jack (@jack) July 6, 2025
What makes Bitchat different
Bitchat is not like WhatsApp or Telegram. It doesn’t ask for your phone number or email address. You do not need to sign up or connect to any server. Instead, it creates a local network by linking phones through Bluetooth. Messages move from one phone to another in short steps, reaching users, even beyond normal range. The messages are protected with strong encryption, stored only on your device, and automatically deleted after a short time. This helps keep Chats Private and anonymous. Each phone becomes part of a small, private network, helping messages travel without the internet.
Bitchat is useful in places where the internet is blocked or not working. People can use it during protests, natural disasters, or large events. It is also helpful in remote areas with no signals. Developers are now working on making the app better by saving battery and improving message delivery. In the future, they plan to offer Wi-Fi mesh support, photo and video sharing, and stronger privacy controls.