Bitchat is now available: How to install it and which phones support it?

A new alternative for communicating without data or Wi-Fi is now available. It's Bitchat , a messaging app that works offline , making it ideal for areas without coverage or during emergencies.

Bitchat is a decentralized messaging app based on Bluetooth technology, designed for sending text messages without an internet connection or cellular signal . The app creates a mesh network between nearby devices and uses Bluetooth to transmit messages from one phone to another until they reach the recipient.

• The app uses Bluetooth LE to connect to devices at a range of up to 100 meters.
• Messages can jump from one device to another, even if the recipient is not nearby (it works as a “relay” between connected users).
• The system is decentralized and encrypted , meaning it doesn't rely on servers and messages are private.
• If several people have the app, a more robust network is formed and messages reach further.

Bitchat is currently only available for Android and can be downloaded from Google Play. The minimum requirements are:

• Android operating system 6.0 or higher
• Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) active
• Location permissions and Bluetooth access enabled

There is no official iPhone version yet, but the developers have confirmed that they are working on an iOS version.

Bitchat is designed for scenarios where there is no mobile network, such as:

• Marches, festivals, or mass events where networks collapse.
• Rural or hard-to-reach areas without cellular coverage.
• Natural disasters or emergencies where communication is interrupted.

Unlike WhatsApp, which relies on servers, Bitchat doesn't need a network provider. If you're on the go and there are other users using the app, the message will "hop" until it arrives.