4 Apps To Chat And Text With No Internet Connection Via Mesh Network

88 Comments

1. 

   Suet [ Reply ]

   I use Netchat on Windows phone. Seems to be only one available.

   • 

     Talkmia [ Reply ]

     I m interested to including in my services but I need your sdk to accounplish that.
     What is the cost?
     Can I purchase your software to do my own or will you develop it for my company exclusive use?

     Please explain what I need to do

   • 

     Amanda Johanson [ Reply ]

     Softros LAN messenger (Windows, Android, Mac) works via Wi-Fi or LAN only. This kind of apps very helpful for local messaging.

     • 

       Jim [ Reply ]

       Thank You. This app works perfectly on the LAN on cruise ships.

2. 

   Dirk Cotton [ Reply ]

   Will all of these apps bounce a text off an intermediate phone running them? (A > B > C)

   • 

     Ngan Tengyuen [ Reply ]

     I guess so, but it will be encrypted.

3. 

   Tamba Y. Bangbeor [ Reply ]

   Never try this application before !

4. 

   Maryam [ Reply ]

   Could anyone tell me a place to chat without internet on web (not an app) please?? ASAP!

   Thanks :)

   • 

     Ali [ Reply ]

     Your tv lounge

   • 

     Syed Iqbal [ Reply ]

     Fire chat

   • 

     ashiya [ Reply ]

     yeah you are right

     • 

       Azahruddin khan [ Reply ]

       I don’t know

       • 

         Rafael [ Reply ]

         FireChat was discontinued in 2018.

       • 

         Toddp [ Reply ]

         The Serval Mesh doesn’t work much anymore. It has issues like can’t make direct calls and a lot of phones can send texts but not receive them. Also to create a mesh network you need extra software for it to work as it’s not included with the app

   • 

     Albert P van Dyk [ Reply ]

     CB radio

5. 

   rrg5 [ Reply ]

   So, if I use a mobile network app Sauron can see my messages? D:

6. 

   Kitkat [ Reply ]

   Do these work without internet???

   • 

     Ya Boi [ Reply ]

     No sh*t

   • 

     Kkk [ Reply ]

     Not firechat, I checked it requires internet

     • 

       responder [ Reply ]

       Firechat doesn’t need a network. Read the article, you just use the Nearby section.

7. 

   Your foretfather [ Reply ]

   You all bullshit !!! check the apps requirement before posting in website. Firechat works on INTERNET………you all making fool of us and earning from advt.

   • 

     Ngan Tengyuen [ Reply ]

     Nice trolling. FireChat works without an internet connection.

     • 

       Ladys Perspective [ Reply ]

       Do you know how to use firechat offline with someone who isn’t in the same country as you?

       • 

         Ngan Tengyuen [ Reply ]

         I don’t think that’s possible. It is based on bluetooth and wifi within distance of each other. that is why it is called Mesh Network or P2P.

         • 

           Pawel

           Hi Ngan Tengyuen, you seem to be good at apps like these. Let me know pls if there are any antennas to extend range for both android and iOS. Does Firechat provide call or chat only? Thx in advance

         • 

           Pawel

           One more question: in my opinion it should be doesn’t matter to success connection if our mobiles are registred in different countries if we have the same app installed. Could you verify for me?

         • 

           Ngan Tengyuen

           these app works within a limited distance, they use WiFi and Bluetooth. However, with internet connection, these apps still works regardless of the distance.

         • 

           Pawel

           I’ve just performed additional test. FireChat works even when one phone have no sim card and out of range any wi-fi (but with wi-fi on set on both phones). That means FireChat creates real independent mesh and is able to be used for communication out of grid. It was nice to hear from you Ngan (sorry, I don’t know if Ngan is your firs or last name). Do you know any app that provide both text and call out of grid for both iOS and Android? Thanks again

     • 

       Demetria L Streeter [ Reply ]

       Yes but all ur contacts have to have firechat mine does not

     • 

       Mike [ Reply ]

       Firechat does NOT work as a mesh P2P messaging app. It used to. The company stopped doing this probably because Islamic State was using it for messaging with Internet. The company stopped this support in 2018-19. It now ONLY works if there IS an Internet connection. Since this is the case, you might as well keep using WhatsApp or Signal

   • 

     alpha [ Reply ]

     That’s correct…you need internet to sign in to FireChat…and you need internet to find FireChat users nearby…which defeats the entire purpose of texting without using the internet

     • 

       Pawel [ Reply ]

       I think you are wrong about necesity of internet connection to communicate nearby. Of course you are right your recipient need to have the same app installed. Probably for personal message we both need to be identified before. May be thats why we need register first having internet access. By the way: anyone knows how to get Firechat manual?

8. 

   KB [ Reply ]

   I have try to use some of this your apps but it seems they all need internet connection. Please stop lying to people and came out with something that can do the job.
   KB

   • 

     Ngan Tengyuen [ Reply ]

     these app works, google on how the Hong Kong protestors use these apps to communicate when the gov block the internet. You need bluetooth and within distance for the 2 smartphone.

   • 

     Pawel [ Reply ]

     Some of these apps need internet connection for registration purpose. I suggest just to try. Cut off wi-fi, mobile data transfer and then try to connect with your friend who is not farer than 50 meters and have the same app installwd. Then share your results with all of us.

     • 

       Pawel [ Reply ]

       Correction: wi-fi need to be on even it’s not available. Then you can chat nearby. It’s successfuly verified and tested by myself.

9. 

   Molly [ Reply ]

   Is there an app that can be used to stay in contact with family at least 3 ½ miles away from where I will be? We are going to soon be hit by hurricane Irma. We are all leaving but my husband has to come back as soon as the storm passes due to him being apart of the clean up crew. I would like to be able to stay in contact with him to know he is safe.

   • 

     Ngan Tengyuen [ Reply ]

     Without internet? Impossible. No such app exist due to hardware limitation. You’ll need the internet.

     • 

       Pawel [ Reply ]

       Are there any additional known to you passive anntennas to extend firechat or similar apps’ range let’s say till 1km?
       I have iPhone but I’m interested in solutions for Android too.

       • 

         Ngan Tengyuen [ Reply ]

         1km is a crazy range, i doubt it can reach that figure.

         • 

           Lordlorrell

           You have no idea what u are talking about, there are 3 apps you can install on Android that will allow you to communicate without, wifi or ANY DATA

         • 

           Ngan Tengyuen

           It has to have some way of sending out the data, right? If it is not bluetooth, not wifi, not cellular network, how does the app send out data? If you can transmit data without it being connected to something, then why bother building network towers? why are there no coverage for remote areas since receiving data is not an issue?

     • 

       Bonny [ Reply ]

       Wait for 3GPP to come up with their ProSe, which will give proximity services in the range of 500m (as compared to the WiFi range of 100m). A mesh network of a few phones can give you that kind of range. maybe another year you will have phones that support those features over LTE and would be useful in disaster situations.

   • 

     Dwayne [ Reply ]

     Mesh networks can be used from phone to phone across great distances, but, there has to be a phone in range and your listed range is too far without other mesh users in between. So, in these cases, with great distances between, and no internet, and no land based phone network, you will need to go with a Satellite phone option. Expensive option however, and most can’t afford it.

   • 

     BCP-Guy [ Reply ]

     for that situation you would need something like the goTenna Mesh device for iOS and Android, it allows you to securely message between 2 devices over a greater distance than off-grid mesh apps alone such as FireChat. with goTenna I think that you could also download maps for off-line use: ideal for trekking in remote areas. And do not forget about the use of Zello when you have a cell-signal for voice-based “walkie-talkie” comms.

     • 

       SmileyGG [ Reply ]

       https://www.foxnews.com/us/zello-confirms-walkie-talkie-capitol-riots-ban-militia-channels

       They are already F-ing with Zello.

   • 

     Campi [ Reply ]

     Bridgify… Somerhing like that…. Every cellphone becomes like an Antena and expand the signal… We used it here in mexico a couples of months ago just after a big earthwake, i dont kmow how to spell it, buy its works great

   • 

     D-cat [ Reply ]

     The Serval Mesh can do this with a long range relay device they are specifically working on for the purpose of relay communications in the outback. You’d have to contact them directly regarding acquiring a pair of these long range extenders. The relay devices are WiFi only (the app supports Bluetooth relay but in testing relays between Bluetooth WiFi incur heavy delays, so they are focusing on the longer range option of WiFi.

10. 

    Molly [ Reply ]

    3½ hours away*

11. 

    Joe Tarry [ Reply ]

    From what I have read, firechat looks like the first and most popular (and thus best connected) of these apps. With it’s everyone option, if someone else in the mesh that I join has Internet connection, does that mean my messages can get out of the local mesh and to a mesh in some other town or state? Even if my mobile data is down and I do not have an Internet connection myself? And if that is the case, will the entire mesh be using up that one guys mobile data for the month just because he is the only connection to the net?

    • 

      Alexis Nicole [ Reply ]

      Firechat is actually pretty difficult to use. Plus, the person you’re contacting, don’t they need to have a FireChat account? Because I tried contacting people from my area and it’s just a hazard, it doesn’t work. This is false advertising. I haven’t tried those other apps, but as soon as I get Wi-Fi I will download them one-by-one and test them. Wish me luck!

    • 

      D-cat [ Reply ]

      The only two I have tested is Serval and FireChat. I have discovered that they do not coexist well, so you really have to pick one that works best for you.

      FireChat only requires internet to set up, then it will work offline. The thing about FireChat is it’s always preparing to operate offline, so whenever it’s online, it’s grabbing regional relay data, and a lot of it. It can even somehow bypass background data restrictions to some degree. I’ve had it pull nearly 500MB off my limited data plan overnight, so I put on background data restrictions, it still managed to pull about 100MB a night. It is a text only app, but very resilient at its mesh ability and it is cross platform which may be very important in many situations.

      The Serval Mesh is kind of buggy. It is Android only (there is an iOS app now but it is not compatible with the Android app), works with Bluetooth and WiFi, but relays between formats are subject to heavy delay; using WiFi OR Bluetooth, it is capable of a decent voice communication, but if the relays use both, you’ll want to stick to text. The WiFi mesh mode requires root and isn’t guaranteed to work, works best in AP mode (both connected to the same WiFi network, no internet connection required or even acknowledged) or if your device is already connected to an existing mesh network by another means.

      The advantage of Serval Mesh is the ability of live voice communication on a local network, and it doesn’t matter how extensive that local network is (they’re making AP-Mesh long range relay devices for exactly this purpose).

      The advantage of FireChat is it can take advantage of an internet connection whenever available on top of WiFi and Bluetooth relay ability.

      Serval Mesh is very much a point to point communication platform, FireChat is designed as a public communication platform, kind of like a Twitter lite.

12. 

    LongJohn [ Reply ]

    The idea behind these mesh net apps is that they can use your phone’s radios (WiFi & BlueTooth) to form a peer to peer mesh network. You have to turn on WiFi and BlueTooth on your phone, but you don’t need to have a working router or internet connection. Messages move from phone to phone to spread across the network. It can stretch as far as there are phones running the app. You won’t get a message across the country on this network, but you may get a message to a disaster agency or HAM radio operator with your name, location and status. If you include a contact e-mail or phone number, these folks can share your status with your loved ones. No guarantees, but it’s certainly worth some peace of mind for your loved ones.

13. 

    Irene Cartagena [ Reply ]

    Molly,
    One person said it was integral to the Cajun Navy in Houston for them to communicate rescuing people. I just downloaded it, it took about 30 seconds and it is really cool, works just like a real walkie-talkie. After it is downloaded it will ask you if you want to test the app, click yes. At that point the walkie-talkie part will show up and you will have a red circle in the middle of the screen, press down on that Circle and hold it until it turns green and start talking, when you are done talking stop pressing, kind of like a real walkie talkies with buttons on the side.

    DOWNLOAD ZELLO NOW, please.

    • 

      Ken Walker [ Reply ]

      Yes Irene ZELLO worked well in Houston and will work well everywhere the cell towers are up and running. BUT if the cell tower goes down Zello will NOT work. Zello can get groups together to accomplish great things but as soon as the tower goes it is useless. These mesh type apps will work even when the towers go down. The only downside to them is range. Of course range can be extended every time someone installs the app

14. 

    JoAnne [ Reply ]

    Sounds like there should be a movement for all Smartphone users to install Firechat, on their phones. Hmmmm, how can I get everyone on the cruiseship to install the app ?

    • 

      BCP-Guy [ Reply ]

      how about Apple (and other phone manufacturers) turns on the FM radio chip, if it is still installed…
      love the BlackBerry KEYOne for this FM Radio chip and Radio app.
      FM Radio: old 20th century tech that works!

      see previous reply: use F-Droid to share FireChat with your cruise ship team!

      • 

        DREADS [ Reply ]

        BLACKBERRY was the fist p2p incracable 100%
        all the top of the top criminels use it aroud the world…

15. 

    Hope Watford [ Reply ]

    Do any of these apps let me talk to my contacts without making them install the app themselves?

    • 

      Ngan Tengyuen [ Reply ]

      No, both need to have the same app and within certain distance. they need bluetooth and wifi to function.

16. 

    Benoit Hanridge [ Reply ]

    A Mesh P2P (peer to peer meaning person to person) is like the good old days of home or office network without internet. Instead using cables between computers it’s wireless and between smartphones (iOS/Android). Max distance varies between few tens of feet to a few 100 feet between peers depending on environment. The Mesh networking makes it possible to communicate between any two peers that are present in a local cluster of any amount of peers where any distance among peers in general is not greater then a few or say a 100ft depending on the environment (open space, air humidity, living trees, stone or wooden walls, dirt, metal construction, metal objects or cagings like cars).

    Like cows in a field, as long they stay within a few yards from eachother the cows on the border of the field can talk to eachother privately.

    Mesh is what fishnets are made of each knot an individual that can talk to any other knot/individual provided the holes of the net don’t get to widened.

    ● ●

    A can talk to B provided any distance between the dots is not greater than x.

    • • • • • • A
    • • • • • •
    • • • • • •
    • • • • • •
    • • • • • •
    • • • • • •
    • • • • • •
    • • • • • •
    • • • • • •
    • B • • • • •

17. 

    Cheyenne [ Reply ]

    Amateur (Ham) radio is the only true wireless P2P communication system. Greater range P2P, hilltop repeaters that have back-up power, and NEVER an internet connection needed. There are internet-based ham systems, but the majority of Ham communications is ‘web free’. Check out ARRL.org for licensing requirements and protocols. Check for local Ham radio clubs in your area. It’s ‘old school’, but it will work when all else fails.

18. 

    Richirich [ Reply ]

    Is there any apps thst can be used between a lap top and a snart phone without wifi bluetooth or any signal or data or internet access when the person on the smart phone and the person on the laptop are in two sifferent states to be exact georgia and Vermont?

19. 

    Richard Hughes [ Reply ]

    Walkie-Talkie on the Apple App Store is a true offline voice and IM App. It will happily create its own mesh between phones. The mesh is created using WI-FI and / or Bluetooth. If devices are already connected on a WiFi network then it can use that to extend the range to devices on the SAME Wi-fi.
    Note, it does not need Internet at any point.

20. 

    DJ [ Reply ]

    I haven’t found any app that works, let alone between Apple and Google. Check the update dates on these things, some haven’t been updated since 2015. They have all virtually been abandoned. Firechat disabled my Bluetooth. I don’t think any of these actually work.

    • 

      Tom [ Reply ]

      Bridgefy works.

21. 

    Scientist [ Reply ]

    hi, everybody! there is another WiFi P2p Chat (Messenger) – AFIR. Main feature of AFIR is one-to-many mode. No registration, no metadata (unbreakable anonymity). It works without connection confirmation, just as radio. Available on Google play only….

22. 

    Amos Yau [ Reply ]

    I would like to suggest you try “P2P Video Call” (Android app), it’s also a communication app without the Internet.

23. 

    Tracey Currie [ Reply ]

    I am looking for a text/calling app that I can use without wifi and/or cellular data. Is there one out there that really works? I require it to work with a distance of about 500kms. Any input would be great.

    • 

      Ngan Tengyuen [ Reply ]

      500kms… do you know how far is 500km?

      • 

        Drdale1 [ Reply ]

        300 miles

24. 

    Vivek narain [ Reply ]

    Fm transmitter for upto 2km is the best way for rare emergencies,provided a clubbing of like minded persons takes place.

25. 

    Tom Rossi [ Reply ]

    Has anyone used firechat with a LoRa radio with ble?

26. 

    Tom [ Reply ]

    Your information is wildly outdated.

    Bridgefy is a great app to consider for this list. It’s been a huge success in Hong Kong protests.

    Firechat changed their platform and it is definitely not suitable for online use anymore. Read the reviews instead of their glossy brochure and you’ll learn it doesn’t work without an internet connection and then it’s spotty.

27. 

    Spiritwomyn [ Reply ]

    I do not live in a big city but in the Big sky open spaces of Montana. What is best for us?

28. 

    Keuspastis [ Reply ]

    Would be nice to see an app where people that have internet connection can be a relay for other people, like for example you could set your device to relay all traffic up to certain quantity of data.
    The other problem is that everyone is using different apps but if everyone were using the same app we could create a very good worldwide mesh network.

29. 

    Alex [ Reply ]

    And for work I recommend using such LAN software as MyChat enterprise messenger. It can work both in local network and over the Internet. For those who have bad Internet connection MyChat will be a good option.

30. 

    Javier Caceres [ Reply ]

    Great article , which allows me to ask:
    Is there a way to have a cellphone send a text message to a PC to inquire for some data and have the PC respond with the answer and of course,not using internet ? Thank you

31. 

    George [ Reply ]

    There is another application that can communicate offline using only WiFi Direct. It is called AFIR (available on Google Play). Unlike other similar applications, AFIR provides completely anonymous communication, since AFIR does not send other users such metadata as IP, MAC address, etc. In addition, AFIR communicates without acknowledgment, i.e., AFIR transmits messages, as the radio does. Each user will receive a message from a nearby user, even if these users do not know each other.

32. 

    Bono [ Reply ]

    MyChat can work in local networks via Wi-Fi. It also has own server which gives you more controllabily over your communication process.

33. 

    Cinda [ Reply ]

    Blackberry at one time had capabilities to text between blackberry devices when no service was available

    Wonder if blackberry platform is still up and running.

    If so might need to invest in their stock

34. 

    Ahmad [ Reply ]

    Please include Manyvers in the list, It using novel Secure Scuttlebot technology.

35. 

    Mike [ Reply ]

    You are incorrect about Firechat. It will no longer work when the Internet is blocked. It doesnt use wifi or bluetooth signal anymore. It is an Internet based tool now. It hasnt been a P2P chat program since 2019

36. 

    G Tee [ Reply ]

    I will be traveling in a mountianous area with blackout spots for cell phones. I am interested in resourses which I can use in case of car trouble. I am with my young son and infant and do not want to be at the whim of highway pirates, in the event an emergency happens.

    I see dicussusion re android access, which I have via an android cell phone. I also have an IPhone. What app should I download so that I can have communication for help (if needed), when I travel in October?

    Please know, I am a novice at technology.
    Thanks
    Ms G. Tee

37. 

    Gadgetsage [ Reply ]

    Your old phone(s) could be used as repeaters….

38. 

    M.Maus [ Reply ]

    White Mouse (android only) is another option to have in mind. I’m using it and works very well within a 100/200 mt range.

39. 

    ni8crawler [ Reply ]

    how to use of firechat in a given area

    • 

      ni8crawler [ Reply ]

      how to detect use of firechat in a given area