Updated:Currently, Bitchat can also beApple App StoreDownload and install on devices like iPhone, iPad, and even Vision Pro.
Jack Dorsey, who founded Twitter (now "X") and later promoted the decentralized social platform Bluesky,AnnounceLaunched a communication social platform that can operate completely independently of the InternetBitchat", which can establish a decentralized, peer-to-peer (P2P) message transmission model based on the Bluetooth network, is currently being tested in beta form through the TestFlight platform and has attracted a lot of attention in a short period of time.
"Bitchat" operates primarily through Bluetooth mesh networking, encrypted transmission, and "store and forward" technologies, allowing devices to transmit messages directly to each other without having to go through Wi-Fi, mobile networks, or any network servers. Each device is a node in itself, capable of not only sending and receiving messages but also acting as a relay station to transmit messages to more distant users, gradually expanding the scope of the entire communication network through Bluetooth connectivity.
Because it bypasses the internet entirely, Bitchat is particularly useful for users in specific environments. For example, it allows for basic communication during network blockages, communications restrictions, or internet outages. Similar Bluetooth communication applications were also used during the 2019 Hong Kong anti-extradition movement, primarily to circumvent government blockades.
The current "Bitchat" features include support for group chats, which can be named using hashtags and protected with passwords. In addition, when some users are temporarily offline, the device can temporarily save messages and automatically send them when the other party is back online, ensuring that the messages are not lost.
It is expected that future updates will add support for Wi-Fi Direct, further improving data transmission speed and communication range, and expanding the application possibilities of Mesh networks.
Jack Dorsey explained that "Bitchat" is an experimental application of multiple technologies, including Bluetooth Mesh, communication encryption, and node relay. Its goal is to enable secure and reliable instant messaging without a network server or even the internet. Like Bluesky, "Bitchat" emphasizes open source and user autonomy, aiming to return communication sovereignty to users rather than leaving it to platforms or companies.
Bitchat is currently in beta testing, available through Apple's TestFlight platform, but the beta testers are currently fully booked. Whether the official version will expand support for Android and cross-platform interoperability in the future remains to be announced. However, judging by its technical architecture, this app is clearly targeted at specific groups, such as those involved in outdoor activities, emergencies, protests, or those who simply prioritize privacy and security.
Although decentralized communication technology is not a new concept, it is worth paying attention to whether it can trigger a new wave of decentralized social applications under the promotion of Jack Dorsey.
