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# Twitter's Original Co-Founder’s New Messaging App Works Without an Internet Connection
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/bitchat/
- Published: 2025-07-08T13:43:11.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-08T13:43:11.000Z
- Description: Offline, encrypted messaging via Bluetooth.
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: Privacy 🛡️, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

Having a secure way to communicate, especially in conflict zones, is more important than ever. When authorities or the occupying power feel threatened, they shut down networks, block apps, and surveil everything, going to great lengths to suppress [dissent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissent?ref=itsfoss.com).

Against this bleak backdrop, Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, [has launched](https://x.com/jack/status/1941989435962212728?ref=itsfoss.com) an open source project. It's **a decentralized messaging app** that works offline without needing the internet or cellular networks.

## bitchat: What to Expect?

![bitchat logo on left, bitchat running on ios screenshot on right, the background is a mixed blue light gradient](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/07/bitchat-logo-demo.png)

Built with offline and physical proximity use in mind, **bitchat enables secure, peer-to-peer messaging** by connecting nearby devices via Bluetooth LE [Mesh Networking](https://www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/feature-enhancements/mesh/?ref=itsfoss.com), allowing messages to hop between phones without involving conventional network connectivity.

bitchat’s architecture depends on a decentralized mesh in which each device simultaneously acts as both a node (*client*) and relay (*server*), where each device broadcasts and receives encrypted message packets using [Bluetooth LE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth%5FLow%5FEnergy?ref=itsfoss.com), enabling **multi-hop communication without central servers**.

As for its features, **bitchat requires no accounts or phone numbers**, **supports IRC-style commands** for easy navigation, **enables group chats** with channel management, and **offers an emergency wipe option** to instantly clear all data. It also **includes performance optimizations** like message compression and adaptive battery modes.

If you ask me, the features it provides can actually be useful for people who are in places where their government can’t be trusted and are facing constant surveillance, censorship, and sudden internet shutdowns that block normal communication channels, e.g., during protests, unlawful crackdowns, armed conflicts, or other emergencies.

## Get bitchat

The app is currently in the testing phase via [TestFlight](https://testflight.apple.com/join/QwkyFq6z?ref=itsfoss.com) (*the beta spots are currently full*) and is **only available for iOS and macOS** right now. There’s no word on an Android version yet. 

The source code is hosted on [GitHub](https://github.com/jackjackbits/bitchat?ref=itsfoss.com) as an [Unlicense](https://unlicense.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) project. You can also check out the [detailed whitepaper](https://github.com/jackjackbits/bitchat/blob/main/WHITEPAPER.md?ref=itsfoss.com) for more information on the underlying bits.

[Explore bitchat](https://github.com/jackjackbits/bitchat?ref=itsfoss.com)