# Is it true that Bitchat is mesh networking? For example: a phone sends to another phone 30 metres away, which then passes to another phone 30 metres away, just like Meshtastic? ---
AI Generated Badge
--- Yes, it is absolutely true that BitChat is a mesh networking app. It passes encrypted messages across a "human chain" of smartphones just like you described. [1, 2, 3, 4] However, while BitChat and Meshtastic share the exact same logical concept, they use entirely different wireless technologies to achieve it. [5, 6] ## BitChat vs. Meshtastic: The Core Differences | Feature | BitChat[](https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat) | Meshtastic | |---|---|---| | Hardware Used | Just your standard smartphone. | Separate, specialized LoRA radio hardware (T-Beam, Heltec, etc.). | | Signal Carrier | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). | LoRA (Long Range) Radio Frequencies (915MHz / 868MHz). | | Single-Hop Range | Short (~30 metres). | Long (Several kilometers, up to 100km with line-of-sight). | | Required Crowd Density | Very High. Needs a dense pack of humans to form a working chain. | Very Low. A few nodes placed on high rooftops can cover an entire city. | ------------------------------ ## How the "30-Meter Jump" Works on BitChat When you type a message and press send on BitChat, the app breaks the message into encrypted data packets. [4, 7] 1. The First Leap: Your phone broadcasts this packet over its built-in Bluetooth antenna. This signal radiates outward roughly 30 metres. [3, 7] 2. The Anonymous Relay: A stranger standing 28 metres away has the BitChat app running. Their phone's Bluetooth background scanner catches your packet. [3, 4, 7] 3. Blind Forwarding: Because it is encrypted using the [Noise Protocol Framework](https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat/blob/main/WHITEPAPER.md), the stranger's phone cannot read your message. However, the protocol recognizes that the target recipient is still farther away. The stranger's phone automatically rebroadcasts your packet. [3, 7, 8, 9, 10] 4. The Second Leap: The packet jumps another 30 metres from that stranger's phone to a third phone. [3] 5. The Final Destination: The chain continues for up to 7 total hops, giving your message a maximum theoretical reach of around 210 to 300 metres through a crowd. [3, 4] ## What happens if the chain is broken? If there is a 60-meter gap with no people between you and the recipient, the Bluetooth signal cannot bridge the distance. [4] To handle this, the BitChat protocol whitepaper outlines a Store-and-Forward architecture. If a phone receives a message but finds no nearby nodes to pass it to, it holds the packet in an internal cache. The moment a person walks past and enters their 30-meter Bluetooth radius, the message is automatically handed off and pushed forward down the line. [1, 4, 8, 11] [1] [https://www.ditto.com](https://www.ditto.com/blog/dorseys-bitchat-is-new-the-underlying-technology-isnt) [2] [https://en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitChat) [3] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/theprintindia/posts/bitchat-passes-messages-from-phone-to-phone-over-bluetooth-low-energy-up-to-seve/1095473926416154/) [4] [https://medium.com](https://medium.com/illumination/bitchat-the-offline-messaging-app-that-works-without-internet-7014fe411254) [5] [https://github.com](https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat) [6] [https://www.instagram.com](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL6t7zNuqK2/) [7] [https://medium.com](https://medium.com/design-bootcamp/bitchat-and-the-unexpected-future-of-bluetooth-6991511bcf0d) [8] [https://github.com](https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat/blob/main/WHITEPAPER.md) [9] [https://en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitChat) [10] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/legitngnews/posts/jack-dorsey-twitter-founder-has-unveiled-a-new-whatsapp-rival-that-works-without/1123693366643738/) [11] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/theinfomance/posts/the-centre-has-asked-github-to-block-access-to-bitchat-an-offline-messaging-app-/1018745994121338/)