Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 1 hr ago
Bitchat tops France’s social app chart as users seek ways to stay connected
Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat has surged in popularity in France, reaching the top of the App Store’s social networking chart.
The messaging app’s downloads rose during weeks of protests over the cost of living, including a large national mobilization on October 17.
Bitchat can pass messages between nearby phones using Bluetooth, so it can work without internet or mobile service.
Phones relay messages to one another, with a reported range of about 300 metres.
A nearly ten-hour Orange network outage on October 21 added to concern about staying connected, while former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal called for temporary, targeted social media blocks in riot-hit areas.
That has made an alternative to internet-based messaging appealing to some users, especially when networks are overloaded or restricted.
Bitchat has limits: a French journalist cited in coverage warned that it may be possible to identify the original sender of a message.
A contributor said the app’s French location-based channel was overloaded and that work on a fix was underway.
Bitchat has become one of France’s most downloaded apps amid recent protests and concerns about mobile and social-media access.
The app reached number one in the App Store’s Social Networking category in France and entered the top ten free apps overall, according to Gizmodo.
Bitchat uses Bluetooth to pass messages between nearby phones, allowing communication without internet or mobile networks.
Downloads rose during recent French protests, while a nationwide Orange and Sosh outage lasted nearly ten hours on October 21.
Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal called for the possibility of temporary, targeted social-media blocks in areas experiencing riots.
- Who
- Bitchat users in France, including protesters, are driving the app’s rise. The app was created by Jack Dorsey.
- What
- Bitchat has surged in popularity and reached the top of France’s App Store Social Networking chart.
- When
- The surge was reported on October 23, 2026, following protests and a mobile network outage in October.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- The app can pass messages between nearby phones over Bluetooth without internet or mobile networks. The sources link its rise to protests, debate over social-media restrictions and a major mobile outage.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hundreds of thousands of people joined national protests against the cost of living, with students and unions among those taking part.
Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told RTL that the government should be able to impose temporary, targeted social-media blocks in areas experiencing riots.
Orange and Sosh mobile service was largely unusable from about 11:20 a.m. until about 9 p.m.
Bitchat contributor Calle said the French geohash channel had become so active that it was causing performance problems.
Reports described Bitchat as among France’s most downloaded apps and the leading app in the App Store’s Social Networking category.
- App
- Bitchat
- Creator
- Jack Dorsey
- France App Store ranking
- Number one in Social Networking; top ten among free apps overall
- Messaging range
- Theoretical multi-hop range of about 300 metres
- Protest date
- October 17, 2026
- Orange and Sosh outage
- October 21, from about 11:20 a.m. to about 9 p.m.
2 sources
What people are saying
social networks have become a real problem.
herd effect
This messaging app allows people to communicate without an internet connection or mobile networks.
In these countries, the app is downloaded even more when authorities regularly use a tool to channel opposition movements: the shutdown of social networks.
Posts on X
L’application de messagerie BitChat, chiffrée et indépendante du réseau mobile, est désormais numéro 1 sur l’App Store dans la catégorie « réseaux sociaux ». Et dans le top 10 global.
french bitchat geohash channel is so active, it causes performance issues. working on a fix!