bitchat is a decentralized chat app for iOS and macOS that combines offline Bluetooth mesh messaging with internet-based Nostr relays, aiming for accountless, serverless communication with an IRC-like feel.
bitchat is a peer-to-peer messaging app built around two transport options: Bluetooth mesh for local, offline communication and Nostr for broader internet reach. The README positions it as a “side-groupchat” with no accounts, no phone numbers, and no central servers, and says it runs natively on iOS and macOS.
It targets situations where people want messaging without relying on accounts, centralized infrastructure, or always-on internet access. The project explicitly highlights offline use for disaster scenarios, protests, and remote areas, while also supporting location-based community chat when internet access is available.
At a high level, bitchat chooses between two paths. Nearby devices can exchange messages over a Bluetooth LE mesh that can relay messages through multiple peers, while internet-connected users can communicate through Nostr relays using location-based channels. For private messages, the app uses end-to-end encryption: Noise Protocol on the mesh side and app-specific encrypted envelopes over Nostr when Bluetooth is unavailable; if neither path is available, messages can be queued until delivery becomes possible.
It is attracting attention because it combines several currently popular themes in one project: decentralized messaging, Bluetooth mesh networking, end-to-end encryption, and Nostr-based internet messaging. The repository also appears to be gaining momentum on GitHub, with about 34.2k stars and a recent weekly increase of 4,942 stars, and the README emphasizes trust and verification in light of takedown pressure.
The README does not name direct competitors, so only broad comparisons are clear. Conceptually, it overlaps with other decentralized or encrypted messengers, Bluetooth mesh communication apps, and Nostr clients, but bitchat’s distinctive angle is the combination of offline Bluetooth mesh, internet relay fallback, and location-based chat in one app.
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