Jack Dorsey’s Bluetooth-based messaging app ‘bitchat mesh’ launches on iPhone

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey’s latest experiment in communication is now live on the App Store. The new app, bitchat mesh, offers a peer-to-peer messaging experience that runs entirely on Bluetooth — no internet, servers, or logins required.

Built over a weekend and released as an open-source project, bitchat mesh is designed for hyperlocal messaging. Users are automatically assigned a random @ handle upon launch (customisable via a simple tap), and can message others nearby using only Bluetooth signals. This means that, unlike Signal or WhatsApp, it doesn’t need a data connection or even a SIM card to function — just a mesh of users in physical proximity.

The interface is barebones but functional. Swiping left or tapping the users icon shows a list of reachable devices. Chats are private and end-to-end encrypted, making the app’s privacy credentials unusually strong. There are no accounts to sign into, no data collection, and no cloud syncing. As such, bitchat mesh skirts traditional app infrastructure — which may also raise regulatory questions, especially in surveillance-heavy regions.

Currently, the iOS version suffers from a bug that blocks communication with Android devices. Dorsey says a fix has been submitted to Apple and is awaiting approval. The Android version is expected to follow soon, although timelines haven’t been shared.