How to communicate during a network shutdown

No internet | No SMS | No Phone Calls

Install Bridgefy

This app allows people to chat via BLUETOOTH. Messages hop through phones of people around you, so the more people have Bridgefy on their phones, the stronger the network. Install and test with friends before you step out.

After installing make sure Bluetooth is on.
If you don’t see people nearby in the app try:

Switch airplane mode on and off
Turning off battery optimization
Force restarting the app

Be aware

There is no privacy in Broadcast mode, anyone with this app who is nearby can see messages
If you choose to verify your number in the app, your number may be visible to everyone nearby using the app
Keep in mind that messages might appear out of order and with some delay (between 3 and 20 seconds)

Remember to:

Charge your phone
Carry a fully charged power bank
Carry your phone & power bank chargers
Make sure you have talktime & data on your phone
Share your live location using Google Maps (better for battery) or WhatsApp (battery draining) with your friends and family
Use Instagram Live to share videos as much as possible so you have a record of your content online in case you lose your phone

Take these measures to keep yourself connected and safe.

More Information

Install Bridgefy

Install on Android

Install on iOS

Download APK

Checksum 

      SHA256  

      eb447d88698ad13889ae4c56ba7e5 

      1b12481deff4f56f0846bca8290607 

      fe269 

      SHA1 bd028959f6117292f84dfdba8 

      48278faaed8963d

Verify your number from Settings so you show up on your friends' list

There is no way to hide the phone number on a verified account short of deleting the account

This is not mandatory to use the app, only to find the people

Refresh contact list. You'll need to be connected to the internet for the contact list to sync.

WhatsApp / Telegram

Keep sending messages, they'll go out as soon as you get connected to the internet
If you have internet, share your location live with friends and family. This is battery draining

Google Maps

Using this requires internet

Go to Google Maps, click the hamburger menu on the top left > Location sharing > Add people

You can do this indefinitely or just for that day

This method also shows you how much battery is left on your friends' phone

This method does not drain a lot of battery

Google might collect some data, especially if your location history is turned on