Flight Mode Chat

Imagine taking a flight and seated apart from your loved ones? This app lets you chat securely with people around you working completely offline using Bluetooth. Supports iPhone, Mac, Ipads.

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Flight Mode Chat – Offline Messenger on Bluetooth

Inspiration

The idea for Flight Mode Chat struck me during a flight. I noticed two friends seated apart, both on window seats because they wanted to enjoy the view. They were constantly restless, trying to share pictures they had clicked, repeatedly turning around to talk. It not only disrupted their experience but also bothered other passengers.

This made me realize how challenging it can be to communicate or share content with people nearby—whether on a flight, at an event, or in a travel group. I wanted to create a private, offline messaging solution that works without internet or cellular networks, making it easy to stay connected anytime, anywhere.

How I Built It

Flight Mode Chat leverages Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networking to connect devices directly. Messages hop from one device to another, extending the network range without relying on servers.

Key features include:

  • No internet needed – works in airplane mode, remote areas, or crowded events.
  • End-to-end encryption – ensures privacy and security.
  • Rich content sharing – text, images, voice notes, files, and contacts.
  • Group and private chats – communicate one-on-one or in local public channels.

I built the app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, supporting offline messaging in environments where connectivity is limited or unavailable.

Challenges

Testing was the biggest hurdle. Bluetooth messaging cannot be simulated, so I had to compile the app on multiple physical devices to test different scenarios. Ensuring reliable message delivery over Bluetooth, handling device discovery, and maintaining privacy required careful planning.

Other constraints included:

  • Bluetooth doesn’t support voice calls, limiting communication to text and media.
  • Sending large data over Bluetooth required efficient encoding and handling.

Lessons Learned

Through this project, I learned:

  • How Bluetooth LE mesh networks function and their constraints.
  • Best practices for offline data transmission and encryption.
  • The importance of user-centric design—making messaging simple and seamless, even without internet.

Impact and Use Cases

Flight Mode Chat is perfect for:

  • Air travel – chat with nearby passengers.
  • Events & festivals – stay connected when cellular networks are overloaded.
  • Hiking & camping – communicate in remote areas.
  • Emergencies – share crucial information when networks fail.
  • Campus & communities – create local group chats instantly.

By combining privacy, connectivity, and usability, Flight Mode Chat brings freedom to communication—even when traditional networks are unavailable.

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