The title of the article may seem deceiving to some extent because the idea of messaging via phone is always associated with some kind of connection to the outside world through the internet. However, this does not mean that the idea of messaging without internet (Offline) is an impossible concept. In fact, it can be found in smartphone app stores and is primarily designed to help users in remote areas where there is no internet or in case of a general internet outage in the resident area.
There are many situations where you may need to use messaging apps without internet. These apps use a mesh network using Bluetooth technology, allowing users to send encrypted messages. So, if you are in a place without internet service and want to communicate with your friends, you can rely on messaging apps without internet, which you can use without Wi-Fi or phone data.
Before listing the best messaging apps in offline mode, we need to understand how these apps work. These apps rely on a technology called Mesh Messaging, which means messaging outside the network. It is a form of communication networks from device to device that transmit data in a small area usually between 50 to 100 meters without the need for internet connection.
This technology primarily depends on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi network in your phone, but only as a means to send messages within a mesh network until they are delivered to the recipient. These messages are usually encrypted, and the more users there are in the mesh network, the better the message quality. So, you only need to activate Wi-Fi but it is not necessary to connect to a specific Wi-Fi network. With that in mind, let’s list the most important of these apps.
1- Bridgefy App
The Bridgefy app is one of the best messaging apps without internet. When installed on your phone, you can send encrypted messages from end to end to other app users within a 100-meter range. The app features a simple user interface, all you have to do is create a username that others can access, grant the app permissions to access Bluetooth services and geolocation services, and then you can start chatting with others through the chat section.
The app requires your phone to be connected to the internet at least once before you can send and receive messages without internet. The app does not require the recipient you are sending a message to be in your phone contacts list. The recipient only needs to have the app installed on their phone and be within a distance not exceeding 100 meters.
Bridgefy is one of the few messaging apps that allow users to send messages from an Android device to an iPhone and vice versa without restrictions. However, one of the main drawbacks of the app is the pop-up ads during use, but it is available for free. [Download the app]
2- Bluetooth Chat App
The Bluetooth Chat app allows you to send messages at no cost and without internet. Once the app is installed, you can exchange texts and images with other devices using Bluetooth technology, but only within a 100-meter range.
One of the main features of the Bluetooth Chat app is that it does not require internet connection to register the device on the network as is the case with most messaging apps without internet. Also, you do not need to provide personal information or contact information such as phone number, all you need to do is choose a name for yourself, grant the app access to your storage space and geolocation.
The app is easy to use, you can click on the Scan For Devices option to search for nearby devices for 30 seconds and if the app does not detect the user’s device you want to message, you can then click on the Make Discoverable option to make the device visible to the app for 60 seconds. The app is free and available for Android only. [Download the app]
3- Signal Offline Messenger App
The Signal Offline Messenger app differs from the popular Signal Messenger app that focuses on user privacy when communicating as they are two separate applications. With the Signal Offline app, you can easily exchange texts and images through Wi-Fi Direct network, with an ideal communication range of 60 meters but can reach up to 100 meters.
After launching the app and through the Available section, it will automatically connect with other nearby app users within a 60 ~ 100-meter range. The app does not mention message encryption, so it is advisable not to send sensitive information and files through the app to prevent third-party intrusion into messages. The app is free and available for Android only and is not available on Google Play but can be downloaded from an external store and installed using the APK file. [Download the app]
4- Briar App
The Briar app is one of the best messaging apps without internet. It is an open-source app that offers several features such as disappearing messages, end-to-end encryption, content filtering, and a special section for creating posts and reading article summaries. The app allows you to choose a profile picture with the ability to customize notifications and control app lock after minutes of inactivity.
The app is easy to use, you do not need many steps to create an account or provide personal information such as phone number or email address. All you need to do to use the app is choose a username and set a password. The app offers two ways to add contacts so you can send messages and start conversations either by scanning the Quick Response (QR code) or sending a custom link to the other party. One of the main drawbacks of the app is that it requires continuous background work to deliver messages, draining your phone’s battery and reducing its lifespan over time. The app is free and available for Android only. [Download the app]
