Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and current CEO of Block, has introduced a new app called Bitchat. What makes it different? It lets people send messages without needing the internet.
The app uses Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi or mobile data. Users can send messages directly to nearby phones, even when there’s no network available. The goal, according to reports, is to keep people connected during internet shutdowns or poor connectivity.
What Exactly Is Bitchat?
Dorsey revealed the beta version of Bitchat on Sunday via Apple’s TestFlight. He also shared a white paper on GitHub explaining how it works.
“It’s a personal experiment,” Dorsey wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding that he’s testing “Bluetooth mesh networks, relays and store and forward models, message encryption models, and a few other things.”
How Does It Work?
Bitchat runs on Bluetooth mesh networks, so users don’t need to create accounts or share phone numbers or emails. As people move around, their phones form local Bluetooth groups that pass messages to others nearby. This allows messages to travel across distances, even reaching people outside the immediate range.
The messages are encrypted, stored only on user devices, and automatically disappear unless saved. They never pass through a central server, ensuring better privacy and censorship resistance.
Dorsey said Bitchat supports messages that can travel up to 300 metres (984 feet) by bouncing from one device to another. Some phones even act as bridges between groups, helping the messages spread farther.
Perfect for Emergencies and Protests
The Guardian report compared Bitchat to the Bluetooth apps used during the 2019 Hong Kong protests, which helped people communicate even when authorities shut down the internet.
Users can create group chats, known as “rooms,” and lock them with passwords. The app also supports a “store-and-forward” feature. If someone is offline, Bitchat holds the message and delivers it once they reconnect.
An upcoming update will bring WiFi Direct, improving speed and reach.
No Accounts, No Tracking
Unlike WhatsApp or Messenger, Bitchat does not rely on any central company. It collects no user data, requires no sign-up, and functions completely peer-to-peer.
Dorsey hopes this move will “encourage bigger platforms to adopt more private, user-controlled tools.”
Beta Filled Instantly
After sharing the TestFlight link, all 10,000 beta slots were claimed quickly. Dorsey also posted a link to GitHub and a “very ugly whitepaper describing protocol.”
The whitepaper describes Bitchat as, “A decentralised, peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks. It provides ephemeral, encrypted communication without relying on internet infrastructure, making it resilient to network outages and censorship.”
What’s Next?
The app is now under review before its official release. While it’s unclear if Bitchat will gain mainstream attention, it’s already making waves among tech-savvy users and privacy advocates.
Who Is Jack Dorsey?
Dorsey is currently the CEO of Block, a financial tech company he co-founded. Block owns Cash App and Square, offering digital payments and point-of-sale solutions.