Why "Bitchat" Became a Lifeline in Iran: How Messaging Works Without the Internet

Bluetooth Connectivity... Usable Without an Account
Popular Even in Authoritarian Countries Like Uganda

The messenger app "Bitchat," which can send messages even when the internet is down, is attracting attention as a useful communication tool in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes such as Iran and Uganda.

Protesters are participating in a rally supporting a nationwide large-scale demonstration against the Iranian government on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in Berlin, Germany. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Bitchat, released last July by Jack Dorsey-co-founder of Twitter (now X) and CEO of Block-is a messaging app that operates via a Bluetooth mesh network. Its decentralized system allows users to send and receive messages without Wi-Fi or cellular signals. There is no need to create an account or verify a phone number.

Due to the nature of Bluetooth, its typical range is within 100 meters, but if there are many users nearby, each device can act as a relay, reportedly extending the range up to 300 meters. End-to-end encryption ensures that messages cannot be intercepted in transit, and no records are stored on a central server.

Because of these features, usage of Bitchat has surged in countries experiencing turmoil due to protests, wars, or authoritarian rule. According to multiple foreign media outlets, in Uganda, Bitchat downloads surpassed 28,000 this year, making it the top-ranked app in both major app marketplaces.

Yonhap News Agency

This is because the Ugandan government shut down the internet ahead of the presidential election on January 15. President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is seeking a seventh term, sparking protests led by opposition candidates in their 40s. In Iran as well, the authorities recently cut off internet access to suppress the spread of anti-government protests, causing Bitchat usage to triple.

Previously, during the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2020, the messenger app "Bridgefy," which operates in a similar way to Bitchat, gained popularity. In Myanmar, where the military seized power in a coup, Bridgefy downloads exceeded 1 million in 2021.

Meanwhile, Jack Dorsey is reportedly feeling some responsibility and regret for the centralization of the internet. Interested in technological decentralization, he launched the decentralized social messaging platform Bluesky last year as an alternative to X.