What Is BitChat? How to Download & Use Jack Dorsey’s Offline Messaging App

In a world where privacy, security, and decentralization are more important than ever, a new messaging app is making waves: BitChat. Built by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, BitChat is a peer-to-peer encrypted messaging app that runs entirely without the internet.

In this article, we'll explain what BitChat is, how it works, and how to download and install it on your device.

What Is BitChat?

BitChat is an open-source messaging platform designed to work on Bluetooth mesh networking. It allows users to send and receive messages without requiring internet, SIM cards, or centralized servers. Jack dorsey launches BitChat in early of July 2025

Developed by Jack Dorsey, cofounder of Twitter, under the GitHub username jackjackbits, BitChat provides a modern take on decentralized communication, offering:

• Peer-to-peer messaging via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
• Multi-hop relay, so messages can hop across several users
• End-to-end encryption using AES-256-GCM and X25519
• No account registration, no phone numbers, and no tracking

The project is publicly available on GitHub and licensed as well.

Why BitChat Was Created

Traditional messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal still rely on centralized servers and internet connections and often require your phone number. This leaves users exposed to:

• Censorship and internet shutdowns
• Surveillance and metadata tracking
• Infrastructure failure during disasters

BitChat was built to solve these problems by removing all dependencies:

• No internet
• No phone numbers
• No cloud servers
• No persistent identity

Its goal? To empower offline-first, encrypted communication—especially in high-risk, high-value, or high-censorship environments.

BitChat Features

Offline Messaging via Bluetooth Mesh

BitChat works entirely offline. Using BLE, it can transmit messages over ~300 meters per device. Messages are automatically relayed through other users to reach further distances—ideal for outdoor or emergency use.

No Account or Server Needed

You don’t need to sign up or provide a phone number. All communication is done over ephemeral sessions, making it perfect for users who value anonymity.

Secure & Encrypted

Private messages use end-to-end encryption via X25519 key exchange + AES-256-GCM. Channels can be password-protected and are encrypted using Argon2id.

Privacy-First Features

• Cover traffic to obscure metadata
• Ephemeral sessions with new key pairs per launch
• Triple-tap “panic wipe” feature to delete all content instantly

Developer Friendly

Written in Swift and designed for iOS/macOS, it’s easily extendable. Android support is also in progress via third-party developers.

How BitChat Works

According to the BitChat Whitepaper, the architecture is composed of three layers:

Transport Layer – Bluetooth Mesh

• Built on BLE Peripheral and Central roles
• Multi-hop message forwarding across devices
• Low latency within a ~300 m range per hop
• Peer discovery using UUIDs, GATT, and advertisements

Protocol Layer – BitChat Protocol

• Messages are packaged, signed, encrypted, and relayed
• Types of messages: Join, Text, Presence, Leave, Control
• Messages are time-stamped, compressed (LZ4), and bundled

Application Layer—iOS/macOS Interface

• Built using SwiftUI
• Users can send messages, join channels, and manage privacy
• Command-based interface (e.g., /j #general, /m @user)

How to Download and Install BitChat

Here are three simple ways to get BitChat on your iPhone or Mac via GitHub.

Option 1: XcodeGen (Recommended)

bash

brew install xcodegen git 

clone https://github.com/jackjackbits/bitchat.git 

cd bitchat xcodegen generate open bitchat.xcodeproj

Then choose your device and run the app through Xcode.

Option 2: Swift Package Manager (SPM)

bash

git clone https://github.com/jackjackbits/bitchat.git 

cd bitchat open Package.swift

Build and run directly from Xcode.

Option 3: Manual Setup in Xcode

1. Create a new iOS/macOS project in Xcode
2. Copy all .swift files from the BitChat GitHub repo
3. Add Bluetooth permissions in Info.plist
4. Set deployment target to iOS 16+ / macOS 13+
5. Build and run

Option 4: Download in Testflight

1. Open testflight testing for BitChat 
2. Download and run

How to Use BitChat

Once installed, BitChat works similarly to IRC-style commands.

Examples of useful commands:

• /j #channel – Join a public channel
• /m @user – Send a private message
• /pass [password] – Set a channel password
• /block – Block users
• /clear – Clear chat screen
• Triple-tap the screen to instantly wipe all messages

You can use BitChat entirely offline, with support for relaying messages through other nearby devices.

BitChat vs Traditional Messaging Apps (WhatsApp or Telegram)

Here is the table comparing BitChat vs. WhatsApp or Telegram, the traditional messaging apps:

BitChat is a strong alternative for situations where privacy, decentralization, and internet-free communication are needed.

Use Cases for BitChat

Here are some use cases that are suitable for using Bitchat:

• Protests and Rallies: Communicate without relying on mobile networks
• Travel and Outdoor Adventures: Stay in touch in mountains, forests, or flights
• Emergency Scenarios: Send encrypted messages when the internet is down
• Crypto Events and Demos: Share information peer-to-peer in a decentralized way

Final Thoughts

BitChat is a promising tool for anyone who values privacy and decentralization. Whether you're navigating areas with low connectivity, attending crypto conferences, or looking for censorship-resistant communication—BitChat has something powerful to offer.

Try it today by cloning the GitHub repo and building your own mesh-powered, internet-free messenger.