# AirChat: Local Chat — Nearby Offline P2P Messenger

> Peer-to-peer messaging app using WiFi or Bluetooth, no internet needed. (iPhone/iPad app by Mark DiFranco.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airchat-local-chat/id1606916296 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Mark DiFranco](https://appshunter.io/developer/515867092)
- Category: Social Networking, Games, Casual, Word
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 33 App Store ratings · 17 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.0 · 21 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2022-02-08
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airchat-local-chat/id1606916296/reviews.md

## What is AirChat?

AirChat connects you to people nearby and allows you to send and receive chat messages over WiFi or Bluetooth. Perfect for situations when you have no internet connection, like on a plane or when travelling abroad. Messages are sent directly to each device and encrypted end-to-end, so your privacy is guaranteed.

Features:

-> Send messages directly to your friends, no internet required

-> Send and save photos to your device

-> Group chats and private DMs

-> Play games with your friends

-> Take full advantage of your iPad's screen with multiple windows

## Key features

- Internet-free messaging
- Photo sharing
- Group and private chats
- In-app games
- iPad multi-window support

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Game - Word Attack | $0.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 17)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airchat-local-chat/id1606916296/reviews.md

### 3/5 — small issue.

*2026-08-03*

app only sends messages when when both people are using the chat at the same time. notifications don’t go through, u have my background on my notifications on we’re near each other but it’s just stuck ok sending. i’m guess ios has a problem with this app.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the review, and letting us know about the bug! We are already working on a fix.

### 5/5 — ✨Great App✨

*2026-03-15*

Very functional!

**Developer response:** Thank you! We have some cool updates in the works, hang tight.

### 1/5 — Not working

*2026-02-21*

It does not work

**Developer response:** We’ve made a huge update to the app, please give it another shot!

### 5/5 — Great Concept!

*2026-01-19*

A great option for communicating without WiFi! I tested it briefly and it works well, although I couldn’t find an option to send photos 🤨 looking forward to trying it in a real world scenario.

**Developer response:** We’ve added photo support back!

### 1/5 — Don’t work at all

*2025-07-17*

It doesn’t work and the app is absolutely unusefull

**Developer response:** Please give the app another try, we’ve recently rewritten the entire connection protocol.

### 2/5 — Can’t turn off

*2024-10-05*

The app won’t completely shut down. You have to disable Live Activities in settings. I will reinstall the app once this is resolved.

**Developer response:** Sorry about this bug, we’ve fixed this in the latest version.

### 3/5 — Can’t turn off

*2024-09-29*

Can’t figure out how to turn it off. Had to uninstall.

**Developer response:** Sorry about this bug, we’ve fixed this in the latest version.

### 3/5 — Does not work in the background

*2024-09-04*

Only works if you keep the app open

**Developer response:** We’ve completely rewritten the wireless protocol, and the app now works even when it’s backgrounded.

### 1/5 — No privacy?

*2024-08-02*

The app chat is open to anyone in the area and automatically joins so there's no privacy if you were trying to message between friends or spouses like on an airplane if others have the app. When you go to direct message the replies back to the direct message are in the public chat. This seems like it should be such a simple solution and not set up this way. You should be able to direct message chat back-and-forth or only with select group members.

**Developer response:** We’ve rewritten AirChat from the ground up with better privacy controls, and end to end encryption!

### 4/5 — Would love to see on MacOS

*2024-05-05*

I have this app on an iPhone and iPad. It’s easy to see how useful this might be for communication in a grid down scenario. That being said, please make a desktop version of this software for the Mac. It would be a welcome pairing.

**Developer response:** Mac version is on the way!

## Frequently asked questions about AirChat

### Does AirChat have ads?

No, AirChat does not contain advertisements. It is a free application with optional in-app purchases.

### What devices support AirChat?

AirChat is available for both iPhone and iPad devices, offering a tailored experience for each.

### How does AirChat ensure privacy?

Messages are sent directly between devices, ensuring your privacy is guaranteed as there is no central server involved.

### Can I play games with friends on AirChat?

Yes, AirChat allows you to play games directly with your friends through the application.

### What is the age rating for AirChat?

AirChat has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

### How often is AirChat updated?

The latest version of AirChat is 3.0, and it was last updated on April 4, 2025, indicating regular development.

### What are the benefits of using AirChat on an iPad?

On an iPad, AirChat allows you to take full advantage of the larger screen with multiple windows for a more efficient chat experience.

### What is the user rating for AirChat?

AirChat has a strong user rating of 4.3 stars based on 27 ratings, suggesting positive user sentiment.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.1.2 — 2026-08-17

All games are now free! Every game in AirChat is unlocked for everyone — no purchase required.

Love the app? A new Tip Jar in Settings lets you support development if you'd like.

Plus performance improvements and bug fixes.

### 4.1.1 — 2026-07-13

This update makes AirChat faster and more dependable:

-> Fixed a freeze that could occur when launching the app

-> Messages now deliver more reliably, with smarter acknowledgments and automatic redelivery

-> Faster, more robust iCloud sync

-> Fixed issues with background notifications

-> Smoother photo sending and improved message send experience

### 4.1 — 2026-05-10

• Two new games: Four in a Row and Dots and Boxes.
• Redesigned message-bar extras menu with a Liquid Glass morph on iOS 26.
• The game view now shows an unread badge on the dismiss button so you don't miss new messages while playing.
• Notification banners and sounds stay quiet while AirChat is open.
• Cleaner game leave/rejoin flow, and automatic cleanup of stale games.

### 4.0.1 — 2026-05-01

AirChat 4.0 is a massive update. It’s been completely rebuilt from the ground up!

All-New Protocol
The entire networking layer has been rewritten for faster, more reliable connections over both Bluetooth and WiFi. Peer discovery is snappier, reconnections are seamless, and message delivery is rock solid.

Photo Sharing
Send and receive photos directly to your friends. No internet, no cloud, no compression. Your images stay between you and the people you share them with.

End-to-End Encryption
Every message and every photo is now protected with end-to-end encryption. AirChat uses modern cryptography (ECDH key exchange + AES-256) to ensure that only you and your recipient can read your conversations. Not even other devices on the network can see your messages.

Also in this update:
- Improved multi-device sync across iPhone and iPad
- Smoother group chat experience
- Bug fixes and performance improvements

### 4.0 — 2026-05-01

AirChat 4.0 is a massive update. It’s been completely rebuilt from the ground up!

All-New Protocol
The entire networking layer has been rewritten for faster, more reliable connections over both Bluetooth and WiFi. Peer discovery is snappier, reconnections are seamless, and message delivery is rock solid.

Photo Sharing
Send and receive photos directly to your friends. No internet, no cloud, no compression. Your images stay between you and the people you share them with.

End-to-End Encryption
Every message and every photo is now protected with end-to-end encryption. AirChat uses modern cryptography (ECDH key exchange + AES-256) to ensure that only you and your recipient can read your conversations. Not even other devices on the network can see your messages.

Also in this update:
- Improved multi-device sync across iPhone and iPad
- Smoother group chat experience
- Bug fixes and performance improvements

## Apps similar to AirChat

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Damus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/damus/id1628663131) | 4.8 (676) | Free | Social Networking |
| [Jami](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jami/id1306951055) | 3.7 (90) | Free | Social Networking |
| [KeeperChat Encrypted Messenger](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keeperchat-encrypted-messenger/id1216446440) | 4.2 (389) | Free | Social Networking |
| [Twiq - Social Chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/twiq-social-chat/id1514175088) | 4.4 (2,139) | Free | Social Networking |
| [Walkie-Talkie - Friends Chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/walkie-talkie-friends-chat/id1627241545) | 4.5 (1,908) | Free | Social Networking |
| [Monal — XMPP Chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monal-xmpp-chat/id317711500) | 3.7 (133) | Free | Social Networking |

## More apps by Mark DiFranco

- [Memento: Modern Reminders](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/memento-modern-reminders/id1200227397)
- [Bloom Health - Insights](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bloom-health-insights/id6739955926)

All apps by Mark DiFranco: https://appshunter.io/developer/515867092

## Related topics

[airchat](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/airchat) · [airia chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/airia-chat) · [airchat offline](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/airchat-offline) · [airchat connect](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/airchat-connect) · [bluetooth chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bluetooth-chat) · [bridgefy](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bridgefy) · [bridgety](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bridgety)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*