Airhop review
Airhop pairs offline Bluetooth mesh chat with encrypted messaging and optional internet routes.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Airhop is a free, open-source messenger for iOS and Android, aimed at people who need to communicate when internet access is unavailable or want account-free messaging. It requires no account, phone number, or email, and keeps identity keys on the device. Nearby phones can form a Bluetooth Low Energy mesh, relaying messages across as many as seven hops. That makes Airhop a focused mobile option for offline conversations, rather than a general-purpose desktop messaging service.
Its feature set extends beyond text. Airhop supports end-to-end encrypted private messages using Noise XX, Double Ratchet forward secrecy, encrypted groups, invite-only channels, and public or geohash-based location channels. Users can also transfer photos, video, voice notes, and files. When internet connectivity is available, a Nostr relay can extend message reach; Tor routing and censorship-circumvention bridges are also supported. These layers suit people who value multiple communication paths, though mesh reach depends on other phones being nearby and participating.
Airhop also includes offline Cashu ecash payments, an optional on-device assistant, and a panic wipe for keys and local messages. Its MIT license and free presentation make it accessible without a paid tier to compare, but the product remains mobile-only: macOS and Windows are planned, not currently supported. Support channels are community resources and documentation. Choose Airhop if offline mesh messaging, mobile use, and privacy-oriented routing are central requirements. It is a less suitable choice for teams that need desktop apps, self-hosting, or a broader platform deployment.
Airhop pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Relays Bluetooth messages across multiple hops, up to seven
- Supports encrypted direct messages, groups, and invite-only channels
- Offers Nostr and Tor routing, plus offline Cashu payments
- Where it doesn't
- Available on iOS and Android only
- Bluetooth mesh messaging depends on nearby participating phones
- Support is through community resources and documentation
Airhop fact sheet, pricing and score →
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