Gen Z protesters used Bitchat, app can be now shared and installed offline

Bitchat has introduced a new feature that lets Android users share the app with other Android users without any internet. Bitchat is the same Bluetooth messaging app that came under scanner for being used by Gen Z protesters during the CJP protests.Bitchat can now be shared and installed offline from one Android phone to another without the internet or Google Play Store.Jack Dorsey's offline messaging app Bitchat has rolled out a feature that lets Android users share and install the app directly from one phone to another without needing the internet, the Google Play Store or GitHub. The update comes days after the Indian government asked GitHub to block repositories hosting Bitchat, claiming the app could be misused by criminal groups and make lawful investigations more difficult. The app drew widespread attention after it was reportedly used by Gen Z protesters during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protest in New Delhi. The new feature in Bitchat allows the app to effectively "spread itself" from one Android device to another without requiring an internet connection. Announcing the update on X, the Bitchat team said the app can now "send itself to another Android phone with no internet required", making it possible for new users to install the app even if they have no internet access.How the new feature worksPreviously, anyone who wanted to use Bitchat had to download the Android app package (APK) from GitHub or another online source. Now, a user who already has Bitchat installed can transfer the APK directly to another nearby Android phone using Bluetooth or a local Wi-Fi connection. Once the file is received, the recipient can install the app without connecting to the internet or visiting the Google Play Store. In effect, every Android phone with Bitchat installed can now become a distribution point for the app. In short, users can now continue to use and share Bitchat from one Android device to another, even if the app is blocked or removed from online distribution platforms such as GitHub or the Google Play Store. However, for now this offline sharing feature is available only on Android phones.How Bitchat works The update also complements the privacy-first approach that Bitchat is built around. Unlike WhatsApp or Signal, Bitchat is designed as a decentralised messaging platform that does not rely on mobile networks, internet connectivity, phone numbers or central servers. Instead, it uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to create a mesh network between nearby devices.When someone sends a message, it travels directly to nearby phones over Bluetooth. If the intended recipient is outside the sender's Bluetooth range, other Bitchat users can automatically relay the encrypted message from one device to another until it reaches its destination, provided there are enough devices nearby. This allows messages to be delivered even during internet outages or mobile network shutdowns.In addition, the app does not require users to create an account, link a phone number or connect to a cloud server. Instead, messages are encrypted and exchanged directly between nearby devices. The company says the app is suitable for secure offline communication and in conditions where internet connectivity is restricted and blocked.- EndsPublished By: Divya BhatiPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 17:03 IST