Bitchat App Offers Encrypted Messaging Without the Internet

Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has introduced a new messaging platform, Bitchat, that works entirely offline through Bluetooth mesh networks. Currently in beta on TestFlight, the app allows users to exchange encrypted messages without the need for WiFi, SIM cards, servers, or personal accounts.

The launch of Bitchat fits into Dorsey’s broader agenda for decentralised and privacy-focused communication tools. Similar to his previous ventures like Bluesky and his support for Damus, this app aims to create secure spaces where digital speech is not at the mercy of gatekeepers.

“It’s a personal experiment in bluetooth mesh networks, relays and store and forward models, message encryption models, and a few other things,” Dorsey explained in his announcement.

Local Networks, Global Implications

Bitchat’s standout feature is its internet-free communication model. When people using the app are in proximity, their phones connect via Bluetooth. As users move, their devices create temporary clusters that relay messages across overlapping areas. These bridge devices help messages travel over long distances without needing an active internet connection.

Messages do not sit on any central server. Instead, they are stored locally on users’ devices and disappear by default, echoing the principles of ephemeral messaging and user data sovereignty.

Bitchat also skips traditional account setups. There are no emails, phone numbers, or usernames required, which further protects user anonymity and removes metadata tracking.

The beta version supports one-on-one encrypted chats, password-protected group rooms, and a store-and-forward mechanism. The latter ensures messages eventually get delivered even if recipients are temporarily offline.

In future updates, Bitchat will include WiFi Direct, allowing broader offline reach and faster connections without cellular or broadband infrastructure. Will this new messenger rival WhatsApp?