Four Apps to Use for Communication Offline When the Internet and Power Go Out
An unprecedented event occurred in Spain yesterday: a widespread power outage that prevented millions of people from having access to electricity and, as a result, the internet. The nation went offline in a matter of minutes as cell phone towers collapsed and routers shut down.
The fragility of our digital lives was brought home to us by this experience. From basic phone calls to obtaining healthcare or financial services, almost every one of our everyday interactions nowadays depends on an unseen but extremely vulnerable infrastructure.
Yesterday, we had to answer two big questions: How do we stay informed when that infrastructure fails? How do we talk to our loved ones?
Fortunately, there are alternatives: mobile apps, specifically designed to work without internet or cell phone coverage, have already proven to be essential tools in emergencies elsewhere. Below, we explore the most prominent of these apps, how they work, and how they can help us stay connected when all else fails.
- Briar
Designed with a focus on privacy and censorship resistance (its primary target is activists in need of coordination), Briar allows messages to be sent between nearby users via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct. Additionally, when connected to the internet, it uses the Tor network to ensure anonymity.
Bridgefy
Bridgefy allows you to send messages via Bluetooth, creating a mesh network that expands when multiple users are nearby. It has been widely used during mass protests in areas with internet censorship. It allows for direct chat and messaging to everyone in the vicinity.
- Meshtastic
MeshTastic is an open-source project that combines mobile applications and LoRa radio devices. Unlike previous applications, which were more "urban" focused, this app is designed for hikers, explorers, and rural dwellers. It allows you to send messages and GPS data over distances of several kilometers without the need for coverage or a network.
- goTenna Mesh
GoTenna is a business solution that combines mobile devices and a highly user-friendly app. Each device (exclusive to the same brand, unlike the previous model) creates an encrypted mesh network that works even in remote areas.