How to use Bitmesh

Step 01

Set up in 30 seconds

There is no account, no phone number and no email.

1. Open Bitmesh and tap Get started.
2. Type the name you want people to see. You can change it later.
3. Tap Turn on Bluetooth and allow it. This is how phones find each other.
4. Allow notifications if you want a nudge when someone writes. Message text stays hidden on your lock screen by default.
5. Tap Start chatting.

Your identity lives only on your iPhone. If you delete the app, it is gone for good.

Step 02

See who is nearby

Open the Nearby tab. The ring shows the network around you.

• Each dot is a person in range. Glowing dots are people you trust.
• Signal goes from Quiet to Weak, Good and Strong as more people join.
• Right here means their phone is directly connected to yours. In range through others means messages hop through other phones to reach them.
• Tap the green message button next to anyone to start a chat.

Bluetooth reaches about 10 to 100 metres per phone. In a crowd, messages hop from phone to phone, so they travel much further.

Step 03

Chat one to one

1. On the Chats tab, tap the pencil icon, then New chat.
2. Pick someone in range, or a trusted friend.
3. Type and tap the arrow to send.

• Photo: tap + and choose your library or the camera.
• Voice note: hold the microphone, speak, then let go to send. Slide left to cancel.
• More options: press and hold any message to copy it, see how it travelled, try again, report, block or delete it.

Private chats are end-to-end encrypted. Only the two of you can read them.

Step 04

Read the ticks

Under each message you send, a small symbol tells you exactly where it is.

Press and hold one of your messages and tap Info to see this explained inside the app.

Step 05

Start a Crew

A Crew is a private group for your friends or your team, up to 16 people.

1. Stand close to your friends with Bitmesh open on every phone.
2. On Chats, tap the pencil icon, then New Crew.
3. Give it a name, tick the people you want, and tap Create.

• Add people later: open the Crew, tap the people icon at the top right, then tap anyone under Add people nearby.
• Only the person who started the Crew can add or remove people.
• Leave: swipe left on the Crew in your chat list, or use the details screen.

Adding someone needs them close by, because the Crew's secret key is handed over phone to phone.

Step 06

Trust a friend

Trusting someone means messages can reach them over the internet too, even when you are far apart. You also know it is really them.

1. Meet up and open You, then tap My code and scan on both phones.
2. One person shows My code. The other taps Scan and points the camera at it.
3. Swap and do it the other way round.

A green seal appears next to their name once you trust each other. See everyone you trust in You › Trusted people.

Step 07

Join a room

Rooms are public conversations. Open the Rooms tab.

• Everyone nearby reaches everyone with Bitmesh or Bitchat in Bluetooth range. No internet needed.
• Tap Use my location to see rooms for this venue, this area, this city and wider. These use the internet. Only the rough area is used, never your exact location.
• The first time, you will see the community rules. Tap I agree to join.
• Save a room you like from its details screen so it stays in your list.

Rooms are public, like talking out loud. Do not share passwords, money details or exactly where you are.

Step 08

Use Lantern mode at busy events

iPhones limit Bluetooth when an app is in the background or the phone is locked. Lantern mode keeps Bitmesh working at full strength.

1. Open Nearby, scroll down and tap Lantern mode.
2. The screen dims and stays awake. Put your phone in your pocket.
3. Your phone now passes messages along for everyone around you. Tap Done to stop.

If a few people in your group turn on Lantern mode, the whole group gets faster delivery.

Step 09

Stay safe and private

• Report: press and hold any message and tap Report. Reports are read within 24 hours, and confirmed abusers are hidden for everyone using Bitmesh.
• Block: press and hold a message and tap Block. Unblock anytime in You › Blocked.
• Hide offensive words: on by default. Hidden messages show only when you tap them.
• App Lock: You › App Lock asks for Face ID when you open Bitmesh.
• Extra privacy online: sends internet traffic through Tor so relays cannot see your IP address. Slower to connect.
• Wipe everything: at the bottom of You, hold the button for 3 seconds. Your identity, messages, trusted people and settings are erased from this iPhone.

Do not rely on Bitmesh in an emergency. Always call emergency services when you can.