Jack Dorsey built a messaging app that ditches the internet entirely. Bitchat runs on Bluetooth networks within 30 meters, needs no servers or accounts, and stores nothing permanently. A weekend project that challenges how we think about digital communication.
💡 TL;DR - The 30 Seconds Version
👉 Jack Dorsey built Bitchat over a weekend, a messaging app that works entirely through Bluetooth without internet, servers, or user accounts.
📊 The app operates within a 30-meter Bluetooth range, using mesh networking to hop messages between devices and extend reach beyond direct connections.
🏭 Messages store only in device memory and disappear by default, with no permanent records or centralized infrastructure collecting user data.
🌍 Bitchat targets scenarios where internet access fails or faces restrictions, like protests, disasters, or areas with poor connectivity.
🚀 The beta version launches on TestFlight, challenging mainstream messaging apps that rely on corporate servers and data collection.
Jack Dorsey spent his weekend tinkering with Bluetooth networks and emerged with Bitchat, a messaging app that works without the internet. The Twitter co-founder and Block CEO announced the beta version Sunday, describing it as a personal experiment in decentralized communication.
Bitchat runs entirely over Bluetooth mesh networks. No internet connection required. No central servers. No phone numbers or email addresses to register. Messages hop from device to device within a 30-meter range, creating a web of communication that exists only between users' phones.
The app stores messages in device memory only. They disappear by default. Nothing touches centralized infrastructure. Dorsey calls it "IRC vibes," referencing the bare-bones chat rooms of the late 1990s.
Each phone running Bitchat acts as both a client and a relay station. When you send a message, it bounces through nearby devices until it reaches its destination. Bridge devices connect separate clusters, extending the network's reach beyond Bluetooth's normal 30-meter limit.
The system fragments large messages into 500-byte chunks. End-to-end encryption protects every transmission. Users can create password-protected group chats using hashtags. A store-and-forward feature caches messages for offline users temporarily.
Future updates will add WiFi Direct support, increasing bandwidth and range. For now, Bitchat operates purely through Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networks.
Bitchat targets scenarios where internet access fails or faces restrictions. Hong Kong protesters used similar Bluetooth-based apps during 2019 demonstrations when authorities blocked internet access. The technology proved vital for coordination when traditional communication channels shut down.
Natural disasters present another use case. When cell towers fail and internet infrastructure collapses, Bluetooth mesh networks can maintain local communication. Conference attendees, airplane passengers, and anyone in areas with poor internet coverage could find the app useful.
The app requires no permanent identifiers. Users set their own handles. They automatically discover others nearby running Bitchat. The system prioritizes privacy over convenience, following Dorsey's long-standing advocacy for decentralized, censorship-resistant communication.
Mainstream messaging apps collect user data as part of their business model. WhatsApp and Messenger, owned by Meta, process billions of messages daily through centralized servers. These companies know who you message, when, and often where you are when you send it.
Bitchat eliminates this data collection entirely. The app cannot spy on users because it stores nothing permanently. Messages exist only in device memory and disappear by default. No company owns the network because no company runs servers.
This design makes Bitchat useless for law enforcement seeking communication records. It also makes the app immune to government requests for user data. The decentralized architecture means no single point of failure or control.
Dorsey's latest project aligns with his cypherpunk philosophy. He has long advocated for cryptography and privacy-enhancing technologies as tools for social change. His support for Bitcoin reflects similar thinking about decentralized systems returning power to users.
The timing seems deliberate. Telegram faces increasing scrutiny as it prepares for a potential IPO. The company now promotes its anti-piracy tools and stricter ad policies to appease regulators. Meanwhile, major messaging platforms face growing pressure to provide government access to encrypted communications.
Bitchat sidesteps these debates entirely. Authorities cannot demand access to servers that do not exist. They cannot request user data that was never collected. The app's architecture makes traditional law enforcement approaches impossible.
Bitchat's 30-meter range severely limits its utility compared to internet-based messaging. Users must stay within Bluetooth distance to communicate directly. The mesh networking helps extend reach, but physical proximity remains essential for the network to function.
Message size restrictions pose another challenge. The 500-byte chunk limit means sending photos or videos requires significant compression or becomes impossible. The app works best for text-based communication, echoing its IRC inspiration.
Battery drain could prove problematic. Bluetooth mesh networking requires constant radio activity to maintain connections and relay messages. Heavy usage might significantly impact phone battery life.
Dorsey built Bitchat in a weekend, according to his announcement. The rapid development suggests he used existing libraries and frameworks rather than building everything from scratch. The TestFlight beta and GitHub repository indicate serious intent beyond a simple proof of concept.
His previous messaging ventures provide context. Dorsey co-founded Twitter, launched the decentralized Bluesky platform in 2019, and left Bluesky's board in May 2024 without explanation. Bitchat represents his latest attempt to reshape digital communication.
The app's name likely references Bitcoin, though no direct connection exists. Both technologies embrace decentralization and peer-to-peer networking. Both aim to remove intermediaries and return control to users.
Bitchat enters a crowded messaging market dominated by WhatsApp, Messenger, and iMessage. These platforms serve billions of users through polished interfaces and reliable infrastructure. Bitchat offers privacy and censorship resistance but sacrifices convenience and features.
The app appeals to specific user groups: privacy advocates, protesters, disaster response teams, and anyone needing communication in internet-dead zones. Mainstream adoption seems unlikely given the technical limitations and setup requirements.
Dorsey's involvement brings attention and credibility. His track record with Twitter and Block demonstrates ability to scale communication platforms. Whether Bitchat remains a weekend experiment or evolves into something larger depends on user adoption and development resources.
Why this matters:
• Bitchat proves secure messaging works without corporate infrastructure, challenging the assumption that privacy requires trusting companies with user data.
• The app's offline capabilities expose how dependent modern communication has become on internet infrastructure that governments and corporations control.
Q: How do I actually get Bitchat?
A: The beta version is available through Apple's TestFlight app for iOS devices. You need an invitation link to join the beta program. Dorsey posted the TestFlight link on X, along with the GitHub repository containing the app's code.
Q: How many people can chat at once?
A: The app doesn't specify user limits, but Bluetooth mesh networks typically support dozens of devices per cluster. Performance depends on how many people are actively sending messages and how far apart they are within the 30-meter range.
Q: What happens to my messages if I leave the area?
A: Messages disappear from your device by default since they're stored only in memory. The store-and-forward feature caches messages for offline users temporarily, but there's no permanent message history like WhatsApp or iMessage.
Q: How much battery does Bitchat drain?
A: Bluetooth mesh networking requires constant radio activity to maintain connections and relay messages. Heavy usage could significantly impact battery life, though specific drain rates haven't been published. The app uses Bluetooth Low Energy to minimize power consumption.
Q: Can governments block Bitchat?
A: Traditional internet blocking won't work since Bitchat uses Bluetooth radio waves, not internet connections. However, governments could jam Bluetooth frequencies or ban the app from app stores. Physical proximity requirements also limit its use during widespread crackdowns.
Q: How far can messages actually travel?
A: Direct Bluetooth range is 30 meters, but messages can hop through multiple devices to reach further destinations. In theory, a dense network of users could relay messages across several kilometers, though each hop adds delay and potential failure points.
Q: What devices work with Bitchat?
A: Currently only iOS devices through TestFlight beta. The app requires Bluetooth Low Energy support, which most smartphones have had since 2010. Android and other platforms aren't supported yet, though the open-source code could enable ports.
Q: How secure is the encryption?
A: The app uses end-to-end encryption, but Dorsey hasn't specified which algorithms or key lengths. The white paper mentions different encryption methods for private messages, room chats, and broadcasts, though technical details remain limited in public documentation.
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