China Bans Jack Dorseys Bitchat as Apple Pulls It From App Store

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Apple Pulls Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat from China App Store

Key Highlights

  • Apple removed Bitchat from China’s App Store after regulators flagged its decentralized messaging as a risk to local internet rules.
  • China’s CAC sees Bitchat’s offline mesh messaging as a threat to control, especially during internet shutdowns and protests.
  • Despite the China ban, Bitchat continues gaining traction globally, driven by its privacy-first, internet-free communication model.

Apple has taken down Bitchat, a messaging app created by Jack Dorsey of Block, from its App Store in China. This happened after Chinese authorities said the app broke the country’s rules for online services.

Jack Dorsey announced on X (formerly Twitter) that his app, Bitchat, was removed from the Apple App Store in February. He also stated the beta version of the app, available through TestFlight, would no longer be accessible in China.

bitchat pulled from the china app store

— jack (@jack) April 5, 2026

The CAC referenced its regulation number 3, stating that any online service aiming to influence public opinion or organize social activity must complete a security check before it goes live.

Bitchat is a messaging app that uses Bluetooth and mesh networks, allowing it to function even without an internet connection. This has made it popular in countries like Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia, and Iran, particularly when governments block internet access during times of protest.

From my analysis, Chinese authorities are concerned that Bitchat could challenge their ability to control information and maintain social order. Apple, meanwhile, has cautioned developers – including those working with apps like Bitchat – that they are ultimately responsible for ensuring their apps comply with all Chinese laws. They acknowledge it’s a complex landscape, but emphasize developers need to be aware of and adhere to local regulations.

How Bitchat works

Bitchat has introduced a new feature called “location chat” that allows users to connect with people who are nearby, as well as participate in global conversations. The app uses a system called geohashes to create different chat channels based on location, and users are given a nickname instead of their real name to help keep their information private.

The app sends messages through a network of independent relays, much like Nostr – a system Jack Dorsey has publicly backed. It’s gaining popularity quickly, with data showing over three million downloads on Chrome and more than one million registered downloads from the Google Play Store, including 92,000 new downloads just last week.

Competition and market context

Bitchat is a competitor to WeChat, the leading social media app in China, which is operated by Tencent. WeChat boasts a massive user base, with 810 million users in China and 1.41 billion globally. On average, people in China spend around 79 minutes each day using the app.

From January to July 2025, in-app purchases generated over $81 million in revenue. WeChat Pay serves 935 million customers, and its mini-programs have 945 million monthly active users.

Around 65 million companies use WeChat Work for business communication. However, Bitchat operates very differently, using a decentralized system that creates new challenges for regulation and widespread use.

Even though Bitchat is blocked in China, people in other countries can still download it, showing it’s still used worldwide.

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2026-04-06 09:41