{{Short description|Offline Bluetooth messaging app}} {{Infobox software | logo = Bitchat.png | logo caption = | logo alt = | logo upright = | logo size = | collapsible = yes | screenshot = Bitchat screenshot.png | screenshot upright = | screenshot size = | screenshot alt = | caption = | other_names = | author = | developer = Jack Dorsey and Block, Inc. | released = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} --> | ver layout = <!-- simple (default) or stacked --> | discontinued = <!-- Set to yes, if software is discontinued, otherwise omit. --> | latest release version = | latest release date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} --> | latest preview version = | latest preview date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} --> | repo = {{URL|https://github.com/permissionlesstech}} | qid = | programming language = {{Unbulleted list|Android: Kotlin|iOS: Swift}} | middleware = | engine = <!-- or |engines= --> | operating system = {{Unbulleted list|Android|iOS}} | platform = | included with = | replaces = | replaced_by = | service_name = | size = | standard = {{Unbulleted list|Bluetooth Mesh|Nostr}} | language = | language count = <!-- Number only --> | language footnote = | genre = Instant messaging | license = {{Unbulleted list|Android: MIT License|iOS: Unlicense (public domain)}} | website = {{URL|https://bitchat.free/}} | AsOf = | module = <!-- Used to embed other templates --> }} '''Bitchat''' is a peer-to-peer encrypted messaging app developed by Jack Dorsey, co‑founder of Twitter (now X) and Block, Inc. Announced in July 2025, Bitchat enables users to send messages via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks without requiring internet connections, cellular service, user accounts, or central servers. Bitchat also uses the internet-based Nostr protocol for global reach.
== Overview == Bitchat uses a hybrid peer-to-peer encrypted messaging architecture, with two complementary transport layers of Bluetooth mesh networking and Nostr for offline and internet communication. It operates local messaging over Bluetooth based on the Noise Protocol Framework,{{sfn|Cuthbertson|2025}}{{sfn|Sigalos|2025}}{{sfn|Silberling|2025}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crawley |first1=Jamie |last2=Alpher |first2=Stephen |title=Jack Dorsey Unveils Bitchat: Offline, Encrypted Messaging Inspired by Bitcoin |url=https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/07/08/jack-dorsey-unveils-bitchat-offline-encrypted-messaging-inspired-by-bitcoin |website=CoinDesk |access-date=9 July 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250709161638/https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/07/08/jack-dorsey-unveils-bitchat-offline-encrypted-messaging-inspired-by-bitcoin |archive-date=9 July 2025 |language=en |date=8 July 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnivan |first1=J. R. |title=Twitter Co-Founder Launches Bitchat, a Security-Focused, Bluetooth Messaging App |url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-jack-dorsey-bitchat/ |website=TechRepublic |access-date=9 July 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250709162042/https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-jack-dorsey-bitchat/ |archive-date=9 July 2025 |language=en |date=8 July 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> enabling nearby devices to relay messages without requiring internet connectivity.{{sfn|Bonk|2025}}{{sfn|Sigalos|2025}}{{sfn|Weatherbed|2025}} Users can chat on the local <code>#mesh</code> channel, and since version 1.3.0, Geohash-based location channels are available via Nostr, allowing online users to chat with nearby or global people.<ref>{{cite web |title=bitchat 1.3.0 |url=https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat/releases/tag/v1.3.0 |website=GitHub |publisher=permissionlesstech |access-date=6 January 2026 |date=20 August 2025}}</ref> Direct messages to other users use end-to-end encryption, with Bluetooth preferred first and Nostr being the fallback routing when Bluetooth is unavailable. Furthermore, the app features <!--password-protected channels and -->a panic mode that erases all stored data upon three taps of the logo.{{sfn|Weatherbed|2025}} Jack Dorsey has said the app resembles IRC messaging systems.<ref name="ct-july-07"/>
== History == Dorsey first announced Bitchat on X (formerly Twitter) on 6 July 2025.{{sfn|Sigalos|2025}}{{sfn|Silberling|2025}} He published a white paper to his GitHub page detailing its decentralised architecture and encryption design.{{sfn|Cuthbertson|2025}}{{sfn|Ropek|2025}}{{sfn|Weatherbed|2025}} Furthermore, the app entered beta testing via TestFlight, quickly reaching its 10,000‑user limit.{{sfn|Sigalos|2025}}{{sfn|Silberling|2025}}{{sfn|Cuthbertson|2025}} Shortly after the app's testing release on TestFlight, a security researcher found it was possible to impersonate another user and communicate with that user's contacts while appearing as them to that user. Dorsey later added to the Bitchat project page, saying it was a work-in-progress, hadn't received an external security review, and might not meet its security goals.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Franceschi-Bicchierai |first1=Lorenzo |title=Jack Dorsey says his 'secure' new Bitchat app has not been tested for security |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/09/jack-dorsey-says-his-secure-new-bitchat-app-has-not-been-tested-for-security/ |website=TechCrunch |access-date=10 July 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250710092141/https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/09/jack-dorsey-says-his-secure-new-bitchat-app-has-not-been-tested-for-security/ |archive-date=10 July 2025 |language=en |date=9 July 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Use cases == Bitchat is designed for resilient communication when traditional networks are unavailable or compromised, for example during natural disasters or Internet blackouts.<ref name="ct-july-07">{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=Martin |title=Jack Dorsey tests Bitchat — decentralized messaging without internet |url=https://cointelegraph.com/news/jack-dorsey-launches-bluetooth-relayed-decentralized-messaging-app-bitchat |website=Cointelegraph |access-date=9 July 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250709152517/https://cointelegraph.com/news/jack-dorsey-launches-bluetooth-relayed-decentralized-messaging-app-bitchat |archive-date=9 July 2025 |language=en |date=7 July 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Ropek|2025}} It also enables communication at large events such as music festivals without relying on Internet connectivity.{{sfn|Cuthbertson|2025}}{{sfn|Silberling|2025}} The app addresses censorship and surveillance concerns and reflects predecessors like FireChat and Bridgefy, which were used by pro‑democracy protesters in Hong Kong.{{sfn|Weatherbed|2025}}{{sfn|Silberling|2025}}{{sfn|Sigalos|2025}}
The app saw significant use by protesters in Madagascar in September 2025, with the company reporting 70 thousand downloads within the course of one week from the country,<ref>{{cite news |title=« Gen Z world » : Téléchargement de Bitchat en hausse à Madagascar |url=https://midi-madagasikara.mg/gen-z-world-telechargement-de-bitchat-en-hausse-a-madagascar/ |access-date=2 October 2025 |work=Midi Madagasikara |date=1 October 2025 |language=fr-FR}}</ref> compared to around 360 thousand total worldwide downloads the company had reported by late September.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jack Dorsey's Bitchat Explodes in Madagascar as Protesters Ditch Government-Controlled Comms |url=https://cryptonews.com/news/dorseys-bitchat-explodes-in-madagascar-as-protesters-ditch-government-controlled-comms/ |access-date=2 October 2025 |work=Cryptonews |date=29 September 2025}}</ref> Similar patterns occurred in Nepal during its protests the same month, with nearly 50,000 downloads from Nepalese users on 8 September 2025 alone.<ref>{{cite news |title=From Discord to Bitchat, tech at the heart of Nepal protests |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250912-from-discord-to-bitchat-tech-at-the-heart-of-nepal-protests |access-date=2 October 2025 |work=France 24 |date=12 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nepal Protesters Turn to Jack Dorsey's Peer-to-Peer Messaging App to Circumvent Social Media Ban |url=https://cryptonews.com/news/48000-nepalis-download-jack-dorseys-peer-to-peer-messaging-app-amid-protests-and-social-media-ban/ |access-date=2 October 2025 |work=Cryptonews |date=11 September 2025}}</ref> In January 2026, there were reports of a rise in downloads of Bitchat in both Uganda and Iran during internet blackouts.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ugandans, Iranians turn to Dorsey's messaging app Bitchat in web crackdowns | work=Reuters | url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/ugandans-iranians-turn-dorseys-messaging-app-bitchat-web-crackdowns-2026-01-14/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=Daily-Briefing&utm_term=011526&lctg=670fdab8200586e1320276e2 }}</ref> In April 2026, the Apple App Store took down BitChat in China at the request of the Cyberspace Administration of China.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-04-06 |title=Apple pulls down Jack Dorsey's Bitchat messaging app in China |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/apple-pulls-down-jack-dorseys-bitchat-messaging-app-in-china-tells-protesting-developer-it-is-your-responsibility-to-understand-and-make-sure-that-/articleshow/130057004.cms |access-date=2026-04-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|Free and open-source software}} * Bluetooth mesh networking * Delay-tolerant networking * Mesh networking * Mobile ad hoc network * Smartphone ad hoc network * Briar (software)
== References == {{reflist}}
=== Works cited === {{refbegin}} * {{cite web |title=bitchat Technical Whitepaper |url=https://github.com/jackjackbits/bitchat/blob/4ca9bd86b8f52c6fba64b8ec94cd1457d82d265b/WHITEPAPER.md |website=GitHub |access-date=9 July 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250709145131/https://github.com/jackjackbits/bitchat/blob/4ca9bd86b8f52c6fba64b8ec94cd1457d82d265b/WHITEPAPER.md |archive-date=9 July 2025 |language=en |date=7 July 2025 |url-status=live}} * {{cite web |last1=Bonk |first1=Lawrence |title=Jack Dorsey just released a Bluetooth messaging app that doesn't need the internet |url=https://www.engadget.com/apps/jack-dorsey-just-released-a-bluetooth-messaging-app-that-doesnt-need-the-internet-191023870.html |website=Engadget |access-date=9 July 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250709141213/https://www.engadget.com/apps/jack-dorsey-just-released-a-bluetooth-messaging-app-that-doesnt-need-the-internet-191023870.html |archive-date=9 July 2025 |language=en |date=7 July 2025 |url-status=live}} * {{cite web |last1=Cuthbertson |first1=Anthony |title=Twitter founder launches WhatsApp rival that works offline |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/jack-dorsey-bitchat-whatsapp-rival-bluetooth-b2784535.html |website=The Independent |access-date=9 July 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250709141340/https://www.the-independent.com/tech/jack-dorsey-bitchat-whatsapp-rival-bluetooth-b2784535.html |archive-date=9 July 2025 |language=en |date=9 July 2025 |url-status=live}} * {{cite web |last1=Ropek |first1=Lucas |title=Jack Dorsey's New Private Messenger App Doesn't Need an Internet Connection |url=https://gizmodo.com/jack-dorseys-new-private-messenger-app-doesnt-need-an-internet-connection-2000625403 |website=Gizmodo |access-date=9 July 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250709141117/https://gizmodo.com/jack-dorseys-new-private-messenger-app-doesnt-need-an-internet-connection-2000625403 |archive-date=9 July 2025 |language=en |date=8 July 2025 |url-status=live}} * {{cite web |last1=Sigalos |first1=MacKenzie |title=Jack Dorsey launches a WhatsApp messaging rival built on Bluetooth |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/07/jack-dorsey-whatsapp-bluetooth.html |website=CNBC |access-date=9 July 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250709141454/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/07/jack-dorsey-whatsapp-bluetooth.html |archive-date=9 July 2025 |language=en |date=7 July 2025 |url-status=live}} * {{cite web |last1=Silberling |first1=Amanda |title=Jack Dorsey working on Bluetooth messaging app, Bitchat |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/07/jack-dorsey-working-on-bluetooth-messaging-app-bitchat/ |website=TechCrunch |access-date=9 July 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250709141652/https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/07/jack-dorsey-working-on-bluetooth-messaging-app-bitchat/ |archive-date=9 July 2025 |language=en |date=7 July 2025 |url-status=live}} * {{cite web |last1=Weatherbed |first1=Jess |title=Jack Dorsey made an encrypted Bluetooth messaging app |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/701272/jack-dorsey-bitchat-bluetooth-messaging-app |website=The Verge |access-date=9 July 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250709141629/https://www.theverge.com/news/701272/jack-dorsey-bitchat-bluetooth-messaging-app |archive-date=9 July 2025 |language=en |date=8 July 2025 |url-status=live}} {{refend}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://bitchat.free/}} * {{GitHub|permissionlesstech}} * [https://bitchatexplorer.com BitChatExplorer] - real-time global activities of location channels * {{Google Play|com.bitchat.droid}}
{{Instant messaging}}
Category:2025 software Category:Bluetooth software Category:Instant messaging clients Category:Android (operating system) software Category:iOS software Category:Mesh networking