Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter and later the creator of Bluesky, is back with a new project that takes communication completely off the grid. His new app is called Bitchat and works without Wi-Fi, mobile networks, or even the internet. Instead, it uses Bluetooth mesh networking to create a peer-to-peer messaging system where each connected device acts as a relay in the network.
In simple terms, if you are using Bitchat and your friend is within Bluetooth range, your message travels directly to their phone. But if they are not nearby, the message can hop across other Bitchat users’ phones until it reaches the destination.
Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter and Bluesky, has launched a new messaging app called Bitchat. Unlike traditional messaging platforms, Bitchat works without the internet. The app uses Bluetooth mesh networking to allow peer-to-peer communication between nearby devices.
The app does not rely on servers, Wi-Fi, or mobile data. Messages are sent directly from one device to another. Every device using Bitchat becomes a node in the network, helping to pass messages along. This means users can stay connected even in situations where internet access is blocked.
Jack Dorsey calls it an experiment in mesh networks, encryption, and relay systems. The goal is to create a communication system that works independently of centralized infrastructure. Messages are encrypted and stored only on the user’s device. They disappear by default and are not uploaded to any server.
Bitchat allows group chats that can be named using hashtags and secured with passwords. The app can also forward messages to users who are offline and deliver them when they come back online. In future updates, Bitchat will support Wi-Fi Direct, which will improve network speed and range.
This kind of technology is not new. Similar apps were used during the 2019 Hong Kong protests when internet services were disrupted. Mesh-based tools allow people to continue communicating without relying on traditional networks. Bitchat builds on the same idea but adds stronger privacy and encryption.
Jack Dorsey has always supported decentralized platforms. His earlier project, Bluesky, was also created with open protocols to give users more control. With Bitchat, he is now focusing on offline communication that cannot be censored or monitored easily.
Currently, Bitchat is available in beta through Apple’s TestFlight. However, the beta program is already full, and new users will have to wait until more slots open or a public version is released.
In a time when internet blackouts and censorship are becoming more common, a tool like Bitchat could be useful. It offers a simple way to stay connected without relying on any central service. While it is still in an early phase, it shows a clear push toward private and independent communication systems.
We will have to wait and see how this project evolves and whether it can scale beyond experiments. But the idea behind Bitchat seems interesting and can cater to a growing demand for privacy-focused and censorship-resistant technology.
