I tested it and it seems that #bitchat is better than alternatives during mobile internet shutdowns.
🔥 release: bitchat for android 0.8. this is a big one.
bitchat now uses more secure noise xx handshakes for private message encryption with forward secrecy. the mesh is now more reliable too.
try it out with your friends! pic shows ios interop because it's so pretty. apk link below.
https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat-android/releases/tag/0.8
Discussion
what did you test it against?
Compared it with Brigefy and Briar. Brigefy is ok, but asks for internet for the first time, to create an account. Briar sees the internet and tries to use it instead of bluetooth. It's wrong behavior because during internet shutdowns (I'm from Russia) this "internet" has very limited speed, and nothing works.
Meshtastic is longer range, but does require a device purchase. Bitchat, while much shorter range, has the advantage that everyone already has a device.