In a bold move to redefine how we stay connected, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has unveiled BitChat — a messaging app that works without internet, SIM cards, or even phone numbers. Currently in beta testing via Apple’s TestFlight, BitChat is already generating buzz for its game-changing approach to communication, privacy, and decentralization.
Unlike traditional messaging platforms, BitChat doesn’t rely on centralized servers. Instead, it uses Bluetooth mesh networking, where messages hop from one nearby device to another using “bridge devices.” This means even if you’re out of Bluetooth range or offline, messages can still reach their destination by bouncing through connected devices around you.
Dorsey described the app — launched on July 6 — as an experimental yet essential tool for secure, peer-to-peer communication. Here’s what BitChat offers:
End-to-end encrypted messaging that stays on your device
Password-protected group chats (or “rooms”) with hashtag labels
A “store and forward” system to deliver messages even if someone is temporarily offline
Upcoming support for Wi-Fi Direct, increasing message speed and range
No phone number, no cloud, no data collection — everything stays local
Inspired in part by tools used during the 2019 Hong Kong protests — where people stayed connected despite internet shutdowns — BitChat is designed for resilience in crisis zones, during protests, or in remote areas with limited connectivity.
This project follows Dorsey’s long-term vision of decentralizing the web. After efforts like Bluesky and Damus, BitChat is another push to return control of digital communication back to users — free from surveillance, censorship, and corporate interference.
For those worried about privacy in an increasingly monitored world, BitChat might just be the answer.
