bitchat-android

Project Overview

bitchat is a decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app for Android with dual-transport architecture: local Bluetooth mesh networks for offline communication and internet-based Nostr protocol for global reach. No accounts, no phone numbers, no central servers.

Key Features

• Dual Transport Architecture: Bluetooth LE mesh for offline messaging, Nostr relays for internet-based messaging
• Location-Based Channels: Geographic chat rooms using geohash coordinates
• End-to-End Encryption: Noise Protocol (XX pattern, X25519 + ChaCha20-Poly1305)
• Decentralized Mesh Network: Automatic peer discovery and multi-hop relay over Bluetooth LE (max 7 hops)
• Wi-Fi Aware Transport: Higher-bandwidth local mesh on supported devices
• Channel Chats: Topic-based group messaging with optional password protection
• IRC-Style Commands: Familiar /join, /msg, /who style interface
• Tor Support: Built-in Tor (Arti) for private internet connectivity
• Emergency Wipe: Triple-tap to instantly clear all data

Target Audience

• Users who care about privacy and decentralized communication
• Users who need local communication in offline environments

Quick Start

1. Download the APK from GitHub Releases
2. Install the APK on your Android device
3. Open the app and grant Bluetooth, location, and notification permissions
4. Start sending and receiving messages

Core Advantages

• No accounts, phone numbers, or central servers
• Supports both offline local communication and internet global reach
• End-to-end encryption for privacy
• Fully protocol compatible with the iOS version for cross-platform mesh communication

System Requirements

• OS: Android (API 26+)
• Additional Dependencies: Android Studio (for building)