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bitchat

Public-domain Bluetooth mesh messenger that works with no internet, servers or phone numbers.

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About bitchat

bitchat is a peer-to-peer messenger that sends messages over Bluetooth Low Energy between nearby phones, with each device relaying messages onward to extend the network's reach over several hops. It needs no internet connection, no servers and no account or phone number, which makes it useful at crowded events, during outages or natural disasters, and in places where the internet is censored or shut down. Its IRC-style interface offers public channels and private messages, with private chats encrypted. Started by Jack Dorsey as a side project in 2025, it is released into the public domain, with source code on GitHub. Apps are available for iPhone, Mac and Android. The obvious limit is range: it only reaches people within a chain of nearby devices, so it complements rather than replaces an internet messenger, and as a young project it has had security issues raised by researchers.

Best for: People at events, protests or outages who need to message nearby without internet.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Works with no internet or mobile network
  • No accounts, phone numbers or servers
  • Public-domain code on iPhone, Mac and Android

Why people leave

  • Only reaches people within Bluetooth relay range
  • Young project with past security concerns
  • Not a replacement for everyday messaging

Top bitchat alternatives

See all 4
  1. 1Briar logo
    Briar

    Also works offline over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and over Tor when internet is available.

    66.5
  2. 2Session logo
    Session

    Anonymous, onion-routed messaging for when internet access is available.

    62.6
  3. 3Signal logo
    Signal

    Reliable encrypted messaging for everyday use over the internet.

    59.6
  4. 4SimpleX Chat logo
    SimpleX Chat

    No user identifiers, with full messaging features over the internet.

    57.2

Why people left bitchat

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Reviews

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bitchat: common questions

Is bitchat free?

Yes, bitchat is free to use.

Is bitchat open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at permissionlesstech/bitchat.

What platforms does bitchat run on?

bitchat is available for macOS, iOS and Android.

What are the best alternatives to bitchat?

The highest-ranked bitchat alternatives right now are Briar, Session and Signal. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 4 bitchat alternatives