- Jack Dorsey built Bitchat, a Bluetooth mesh messaging app that works offline with an extended 300m range.
- The app mimics features of Bridgefy — which was used in Hong Kong protests — and is fully encrypted.
- Bitchat’s beta test maxed out at 10K users via TestFlight, and is now awaiting Apple’s review for public release.
Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and current Block CEO, casually dropped a surprise this past Sunday: he built a new messaging app over the weekend. It’s called Bitchat — yes, that name — and it’s a peer-to-peer messaging app built on Bluetooth mesh networks. Basically, it lets folks send messages without needing Wi-Fi or cell signal. Handy for chaotic music festivals, underground events, or… you know, internet outages.
Unlike most Bluetooth-based apps that max out at around 100 meters, Dorsey claims Bitchat can stretch up to 300 meters by bouncing messages through nearby users like a chain. That kind of range could make it more than just a novelty — it might become a lifeline in disconnected zones.
Encrypted and Offline: Similar Vibes to Bridgefy
Apps like Bridgefy have already shown the power of offline comms — famously used during Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests to sidestep surveillance. Like Bridgefy, Bitchat is said to be end-to-end encrypted, offering private chatter even with no web. Interestingly, Bridgefy is backed by Biz Stone, another Twitter co-founder, making this a sort of low-key Bluetooth showdown between old Twitter heads.
Dorsey’s interest in this space isn’t exactly new though. His track record includes Bluesky (which he no longer runs) and a heavy push for decentralized, Bitcoin-fueled tech. Bitchat seems to slot right in with that ethos.
Already Maxed Out on TestFlight
Dorsey tossed the app to beta testers through Apple’s TestFlight — and in classic Dorsey fashion, it filled up fast. The beta hit its 10,000-user cap pretty much instantly. He mentioned that the app is still under Apple’s review for a full rollout, so broader access could be on the way soon. Whether the name sticks? That’s another story entirely.
