Briar

Briar Project

About this app

Briar is a messaging app designed for activists, journalists, and anyone else who needs a safe, easy and robust way to communicate. Unlike traditional messaging apps, Briar doesn't rely on a central server - messages are synchronized directly between the users' devices. If the Internet's down, Briar can sync via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or memory cards, keeping the information flowing in a crisis. If the Internet's up, Briar can sync via the Tor network, protecting users and their relationships from surveillance.

The app features private messages, groups and forums as well as blogs. Support for the Tor network is built into the app. Everything you do in Briar is only stored on your device unless you decide to share it with other users.

There are no advertisements and no tracking. The source code of the app is completely open for anyone to inspect and has already been professionally audited. All releases of Briar are reproducible, making it possible to verify that the published source code exactly matches the app published here. Development is done by a small non-profit team.

Privacy policy: https://briarproject.org/privacy

User manual: https://briarproject.org/manual

Source code: https://code.briarproject.org/briar/briar

Ratings and reviews

The good: *I love that it works via Bluetooth. *Its fast and easy to add a friend with the QR code. *The Bluetooth connection has surprisingly long range! The bad: *It doesn't work via offline WiFi LAN. *you cant send pictures in groups. *you cant post pictures in forums. *you cant post pictures in blogs. *you cant react to specific images that have been sent.

Best Offline Messaging app!! The fact you can communicate through Bluetooth only really helps when service is bad in a friend group or on a cruise ship with family. The user interface is easy to use, and you can have multiple messages at once. I love that you can send emoji's and photos by Bluetooth only and or through wifi. It helped my friends and family stay connected during a cruise. I wish they added a walkie-talkie voice note feature but it's great so far.

This is probably one of the best messaging apps ever. I didn't even know a messaging app ever existed without using data . I installed this app into two phones and turned off Wi-Fi off for both of them and only left Bluetooth on. The app worked perfectly and no delayed text messages. I never knew that text messaging apps existed without ever having to use data or a Wi-Fi connection. I'm glad this technology exists because this would be very good in an emergency situations. Love this technology.

What’s new

* Update translations
* Fix button colour in mailbox status screen
* Add themed icon