AirGrid

Jayarous

About this app

AirGrid is an offline-first nearby chat app for Android. It lets nearby devices
exchange messages directly using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct through Google
Nearby Connections, without internet, mobile data, routers, or a central
messaging server.

Use AirGrid when people are close by but normal connectivity is limited,
unavailable, or unnecessary. Nearby users can discover each other, join a local
mesh, and send public or private messages between connected Android devices.

Key features:

Offline nearby messaging
Chat with nearby Android devices without relying on internet access or mobile
data.

Local mesh communication
Messages can move between connected nearby devices using a local peer-to-peer
mesh.

Public nearby chat
Send messages to people around you who are connected to the same local AirGrid
mesh.

Private chat
Message selected nearby contacts directly when they are available in the mesh.

Encrypted private messaging
AirGrid supports opportunistic encryption for private messages after devices
exchange the required public keys.

Voice notes and media sharing
Send voice notes, photos, and files to nearby peers when the local mesh
connection supports the transfer.

Walkie-talkie audio
Send short public walkie clips to the local mesh or start an invited private
walkie session with a selected peer.

Rider Mode
Start a trusted one-to-one live audio session with mute controls and
voice-activated microphone support for close-range coordination.

Local message history
Messages are stored on your device and not on a central AirGrid server, so you
can view recent conversations locally.

Known and trusted contacts
AirGrid can remember nearby contacts discovered through the mesh. You can mark
trusted contacts for private walkie and Rider Mode features.

Optional location sharing
Share your location with connected peers only when you choose to use that
feature.

AirGrid is designed for local communication. It does not operate a central
messaging server for normal mesh messaging, and your messages are exchanged
directly with nearby devices.

Google Play Services is required. AirGrid also needs nearby device permissions
such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, notifications, microphone, and location-related
permissions because Android requires them for nearby discovery,
device-to-device connections, foreground mesh sessions, and optional audio or
location features.

Mesh performance may vary depending on device hardware, Android version,
distance, radio conditions, and the number of nearby peers.

AirGrid can be useful during events, travel, outdoor activities such as hiking
and camping, campuses, workplaces, community gatherings, dormitories, hostels,
hotels, and emergency preparedness situations where nearby people need to
communicate without relying on internet or mobile data.

Keep AirGrid ready on your device. You never know when nearby offline
communication will be useful.

What’s new

AirGrid 1.0.8
What's new:
- Fixed Nearby startup on devices where Google Nearby requires coarse location permission for discovery.
- Location is now treated as a required mesh permission alongside Bluetooth and Nearby Wi-Fi.
- Report a problem now includes native Android permission checks to help troubleshoot device-specific permission mismatches.