Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has launched a new messaging platform called Bitchat, which enables users to communicate without any internet connection.
Bitchat is a peer-to-peer messaging app that operates entirely through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks rather than relying on central servers or telecom infrastructure. Available exclusively via Apple’s TestFlight for iPhone, the app has already reached the maximum beta testing limit of 10,000 users.
The system allows smartphones to create nearby clusters, passing encrypted messages from one device to another within a range of about 30 metres. As people move, their devices can link separate clusters, helping messages travel beyond ordinary Bluetooth limits. This makes Bitchat especially useful during network outages or in regions with restricted internet access.
Unlike conventional apps such as WhatsApp or Telegram, Bitchat is fully decentralised. There are no central databases or user accounts—messages are stored only on participants’ devices and are automatically deleted after a set time. This design strongly prioritises privacy, anonymity, and resistance to censorship.
Key features include end-to-end encryption, no requirement for email or phone registration, and offline functionality. The current beta focuses on improving battery usage and stabilising message relays.
Looking ahead, the developers plan to integrate Wi-Fi support to increase bandwidth and eventually enable sharing of images and videos.
Dorsey has also published Bitchat’s whitepaper and beta invite publicly to encourage wider testing and feedback.