BitChat
BitChat is a decentralized messaging app that uses Bluetooth mesh for nearby communication and Nostr relays for internet messaging.
What BitChat is
BitChat is a decentralized messaging app that uses Bluetooth mesh for nearby communication and Nostr relays for internet messaging. Nearby devices can relay messages over Bluetooth without internet, across as many as seven hops. The app prefers Bluetooth when available, can switch to Nostr, and can queue messages when neither transport is available. Geographic chat rooms use geohash coordinates. BitChat requires no account, phone number, or central server, but mesh announcements expose static keys and nicknames in cleartext, and a persistent device identifier can make tracking possible for a nearby listener. Live mesh sessions use Noise XX for mutual authentication and forward secrecy; Nostr private messages use an app-specific encrypted format that works only with BitChat clients. Features include IRC-style commands and a triple-tap emergency wipe that clears app data, identity keys, and queued messages. Android adds Wi-Fi Aware on supported devices and built-in Tor. BitChat is available for Android, iOS, and macOS, and is free. The maker describes offline communication as useful during outages, disasters, protests, or in areas with limited connectivity.
Good
- Bluetooth mesh messaging works without internet
- No account, phone number, or central server required
- Messages can queue when neither transport is available
- Emergency wipe clears app data and identity keys
Watch out
- Mesh announcements expose keys and nicknames in cleartext
- Nostr private messages work only between BitChat clients
- Offline mesh is limited to seven hops
Who it suits
BitChat may suit people seeking nearby messaging when internet access is limited, as well as users who want Nostr-based internet messaging. It is available on Android, iOS, and macOS.
Verdict
BitChat combines offline Bluetooth mesh messaging with internet messaging through Nostr. Consider its cleartext mesh announcements and app-specific private-message format when deciding whether it fits your privacy and interoperability needs.
Plans and prices
From BitChat's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free download · iPhone app |
The facts
Each one read from BitChat's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Accounts
- The app says it requires no accounts, phone numbers, or central servers.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The maker describes offline mesh communication as useful during internet outages, natural disasters, protests, and in regions with limited connectivity.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Build verification
- The project recommends installing from the App Store or building verified source, and describes checking builds against a per-release hash manifest.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- BitChat's Nostr private-envelope format is app-specific and interoperates only with BitChat clients.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The maker links to the App Store and Google Play, and provides Android APK releases through GitHub.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Emergency wipe
- A triple-tap emergency wipe clears app data, including identity keys and queued messages.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The project describes Noise Protocol end-to-end encryption for mesh messages and BitChat private envelopes for Nostr fallback messages.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The listed internet messaging transport is the Nostr protocol, which connects BitChat users through relays.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- The maker describes offline use during internet outages, natural disasters, protests, and in areas with limited connectivity.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Internet messaging
- Location-based channels use geohash coordinates over Nostr relays, and the app can fall back to Nostr when Bluetooth is unavailable.checked 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The iOS/macOS project and its whitepaper describe the software as released into the public domain.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Location channels
- Geographic chat rooms use geohash coordinates over Nostr relays.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Message routing
- The app prefers Bluetooth when available, falls back to Nostr, and can queue messages when neither transport is available.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Messaging features
- Features include IRC-style commands, automatic message routing, message queuing, and a triple-tap emergency wipe.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Offline mesh
- Nearby devices discover peers and relay messages across Bluetooth LE mesh networks, with a maximum of seven hops.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Offline use
- Bluetooth mesh messaging works without internet, with nearby devices relaying messages across multiple hops.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The iOS/macOS project and Android project state that they are released into the public domain.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The app requires no accounts or phone numbers, but its mesh uses a persistent per-device identifier derived from the identity key.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy limitation
- The whitepaper says mesh announcements expose static keys and nicknames in cleartext, allowing a nearby passive listener to follow a device across time and places.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Privacy policy
- The project says the app has no analytics, advertising, telemetry, or tracking and does not sell user data.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- BitChat is a decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app that uses Bluetooth mesh for nearby communication and Nostr for internet messaging.checked 10 Oct 2026
- What it does
- BitChat is a decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app that uses Bluetooth mesh nearby and Nostr over the internet for global messaging.checked 11 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Android features
- The Android version lists Wi-Fi Aware transport on supported devices, Tor support, and optional password-protected channel chats.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The maker's site lists iOS, macOS, and Android builds; iOS requires version 16.0 or later, macOS 13.0 or later, and Android 8.0 or later.checked 11 Oct 2026
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