Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat is a fascinating experiment in offline, decentralised communication—perfectly aligned with those of us with an interest in financial sovereignty and censorship-resistant tech. It uses Bluetooth mesh networking to send messages (and even Bitcoin transactions) without internet, SIM cards, or centralised servers.
Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to get started on an Android device:
📱 Step-by-Step: Using Bitchat on Android
🛠️ What You Need First
- Android phone (Android 8.0 or higher recommended)
- Bluetooth enabled
- Battery charged (mesh networking can be power-intensive)
- Nearby users also running Bitchat (for message relaying)
- Optional: Bitcoin wallet app (e.g., Sparrow or BlueWallet) for offline transaction signing
🚀 Installation & Setup
1. Download the APK
- Visit the official Bitchat site
- Scroll to “Download APK v1.1.6” and tap to download
- If prompted, allow downloads from unknown sources
2. Install the App
- Open the downloaded APK file
- Grant permissions (Bluetooth, storage, etc.)
- No registration or login required—just launch and go
3. Enable Bluetooth
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on
- Bitchat uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to form a mesh network
4. Start Messaging
- Open Bitchat and join or create a channel (IRC-style)
- Messages will hop across nearby devices until they reach the recipient
- You can tag users with @mentions and use password-protected channels
💸 Sending Bitcoin Offline
1. Create a Transaction
- Use a wallet app to create and sign a Bitcoin transaction offline
- Export the signed transaction as a file or hex string
2. Relay via Bitchat
- Paste or attach the signed transaction in a Bitchat message
- Nearby users relay it until someone with internet uploads it to the blockchain
🔐 Privacy & Security Features
- End-to-end encryption: X25519 + AES-256-GCM
- No phone number or account needed
- Emergency wipe: Triple-tap the logo to erase all data instantly
- Store & forward: Messages are cached and delivered when peers reconnect
🧠 Pro Tips for Creative Use
- Use it in remote areas, protests, or travel zones with poor connectivity
- Create localised educational channels for Bitcoin or ethical finance
