Twitter founder launches new messenger app BitChat

Twitter co-founder and Block CEO Jack Dorsey has introduced BitChat, a new messenger app currently in beta — as he announced in a post on X.

Unlike traditional messaging platforms, BitChat works without an internet connection, relying solely on Bluetooth. The app has no central servers — all messages are stored locally on users’ devices and protected by end-to-end encryption. There's no registration process and no need to share personal information like a phone number or email.

BitChat is built on Bluetooth Mesh technology, which allows Bluetooth-enabled devices to form a decentralized network. Each device acts as both a client and a relay node, using a store-and-forward method to temporarily hold messages and deliver them once the recipient comes within range.

According to Dorsey, BitChat carries the spirit of IRC — the classic internet chat protocol from the 1990s — and is designed to offer a minimalist, no-frills interface.

The app is currently available in beta testing.