The experience of Iran, Uganda and Myanmar.
What to do if the internet suddenly goes out? This question has gone from theoretical to urgent for 92 million Iranians, who are completely cut off not only from the internet but also from regular calls and text messages. The answer has become messaging apps that work without the internet at all—via Bluetooth and WiFi.
Bitchat, developed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, recently surpassed one million users on Google Play and is rapidly approaching two million. The secret to its popularity is simple: the app creates a mesh network via Bluetooth, allowing people to communicate under one roof or within a block without registration, accounts, or phone numbers. The app has become a favorite among tourists in remote areas and residents of Uganda, who used it during the internet shutdown for the elections.
Another messenger, Briar, has already accumulated 2.6 million downloads and has become a real lifeline for Iranians. In addition to Bluetooth and WiFi, it can even transfer data via memory cards. The app was originally created for activists and journalists for whom privacy is critical. When internet access is available, Briar uses the TOR network for anonymity, and when the connection is lost, it switches to wireless protocols.
These apps operate fundamentally differently from traditional messaging apps. There are no central servers—devices sync messages directly with each other. All data is stored solely on users' phones, with no copies in the cloud. End-to-end encryption protects communications, and the absence of a single point of failure makes the system impenetrable to authorities: there's nothing to block or seize.
Briar also supports forums that are permanently deleted: each subscriber keeps a copy of all content, making it impossible to delete a post. Contacts are added via secure links or QR codes in person, rather than using phone numbers.
Another player in this market is Bridgefy, with 12.5 million users. The app was actively used during the Hong Kong protests in 2020, and in 2021, it was downloaded over a million times in Myanmar following the military coup.
Some smartphone manufacturers are already building similar features directly into their devices. Techno Mobile introduced FreeLink technology, which allows calls without a network or SIM card at a range of up to 500 meters. The updated version, FreeLink 2.0, increased the range to one and a half kilometers in open areas. According to some reports , the technology also uses peer-to-peer communication to route calls and SMS messages through other devices acting as repeaters.
However, the technology does have its drawbacks. Users complain about the inability to transfer media files or poor image quality due to limited data transfer speeds. Account recovery is impossible: if you lose your device or password, you lose access to all your correspondence. Furthermore, constantly using Bluetooth significantly drains the battery.
The topic of mesh messaging apps that allow Iran to stay connected via Bluetooth and WiFi has become one of the most discussed topics on Hacker News. "This is a lesson for all of us," wrote one user. "We should start building and maintaining lightweight mesh networks just in case. We shouldn't take for granted a world where everything depends on ISPs, Meta , Cloudflare, Google, and AWS."
What to do if the internet suddenly goes out? This question has gone from theoretical to urgent for 92 million Iranians, who are completely cut off not only from the internet but also from regular calls and text messages. The answer has become messaging apps that work without the internet at all—via Bluetooth and WiFi.
Bitchat, developed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, recently surpassed one million users on Google Play and is rapidly approaching two million. The secret to its popularity is simple: the app creates a mesh network via Bluetooth, allowing people to communicate under one roof or within a block without registration, accounts, or phone numbers. The app has become a favorite among tourists in remote areas and residents of Uganda, who used it during the internet shutdown for the elections.
Another messenger, Briar, has already accumulated 2.6 million downloads and has become a real lifeline for Iranians. In addition to Bluetooth and WiFi, it can even transfer data via memory cards. The app was originally created for activists and journalists for whom privacy is critical. When internet access is available, Briar uses the TOR network for anonymity, and when the connection is lost, it switches to wireless protocols.
These apps operate fundamentally differently from traditional messaging apps. There are no central servers—devices sync messages directly with each other. All data is stored solely on users' phones, with no copies in the cloud. End-to-end encryption protects communications, and the absence of a single point of failure makes the system impenetrable to authorities: there's nothing to block or seize.
Briar also supports forums that are permanently deleted: each subscriber keeps a copy of all content, making it impossible to delete a post. Contacts are added via secure links or QR codes in person, rather than using phone numbers.
Another player in this market is Bridgefy, with 12.5 million users. The app was actively used during the Hong Kong protests in 2020, and in 2021, it was downloaded over a million times in Myanmar following the military coup.
Some smartphone manufacturers are already building similar features directly into their devices. Techno Mobile introduced FreeLink technology, which allows calls without a network or SIM card at a range of up to 500 meters. The updated version, FreeLink 2.0, increased the range to one and a half kilometers in open areas. According to some reports , the technology also uses peer-to-peer communication to route calls and SMS messages through other devices acting as repeaters.
However, the technology does have its drawbacks. Users complain about the inability to transfer media files or poor image quality due to limited data transfer speeds. Account recovery is impossible: if you lose your device or password, you lose access to all your correspondence. Furthermore, constantly using Bluetooth significantly drains the battery.
The topic of mesh messaging apps that allow Iran to stay connected via Bluetooth and WiFi has become one of the most discussed topics on Hacker News. "This is a lesson for all of us," wrote one user. "We should start building and maintaining lightweight mesh networks just in case. We shouldn't take for granted a world where everything depends on ISPs, Meta , Cloudflare, Google, and AWS."
