See who is nearby
Nearby Offgrid phones appear automatically, without pairing.
Nearby messaging + calls for Android
Send a signal.
No signal required.
Message friends without mobile data or a Wi-Fi network. Offgrid connects nearby Android phones directly, carries waiting messages across the mesh, and can use an optional Internet relay.
Alex
Sam
Maya
AM
Alex is nearbyDirect · High link
Festivals
Camping
Crowded events
Network outages
How it works
Phones help messages travel.
No account, router, hotspot, or mobile data needed.
- 1
Open Offgrid
It finds other Offgrid phones nearby.
- 2
Add a friend
Chat, share a photo, or call.
- 3
Keep moving
Nearby Offgrid phones can carry waiting messages forward.
Google Nearby + message mesh
Bluetooth + Wi-Fi · optional Internet relay
What you can do
The useful stuff. Nothing else.
Keep friends handy
Accept or reject requests and choose stronger alerts per friend.
Send messages and photos
Clear waiting and delivered states follow every route.
Call a friend
Calls ring distinctly and use direct Nearby or the Internet relay—not the phone mesh.
Use the message mesh
Nearby phones can carry out-of-range messages and photos automatically.
Get noticed
Urgent alerts look urgent in chat and use a stronger notification.
Find a friend with UWB
Allow once, always, or reject; supported phones show distance and direction.
Control and troubleshoot
Choose or disable the relay, run readiness checks, and inspect hidden diagnostics.
The app
Simple from the first tap.
Installation
Install in three steps.
- 1
Download
Tap the button below to get the app file.
- 2
Open the file
If Android asks, allow your browser to install it.
- 3
Allow access
Grant nearby devices, notifications, call audio, UWB if supported, and location when requested.
Android 8+ or newer
Google Play services required
No SIM or internet required for nearby use
Download for Android
Version 0.10.0 · 16.7 MB
FAQ
A few useful answers.
How far does it work?
Each radio hop depends on the phones and surroundings. Walls and crowds reduce a direct hop; other Offgrid phones can extend message and photo delivery through multiple hops or later encounters. Calls need a direct link or the Internet relay.
Do I need to join a Wi-Fi network?
No. Keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched on, but you do not need a router or hotspot.
Why does it need permissions?
Android needs them to find nearby phones, keep the service running, show alerts, and use call audio. Offgrid does not collect your GPS location.
Can it point me toward a friend?
Yes, when both friends have compatible UWB phones. Offgrid asks the other person first unless they always allowed you. It uses live UWB only; there is no GPS or signal-strength fallback.
Does it use much battery?
Nearby discovery uses extra battery while Offgrid is running. Settings includes a readiness check, background-service switch, and optional Quick Settings tile.
What happens to a waiting message?
It stays in your outbox while direct Nearby, the message mesh, and your optional Internet relay keep trying. It is only marked delivered after your intended recipient replies with an acknowledgement.
How do calls and the Internet relay work?
Friend calls use direct Nearby audio or encrypted Internet-relay fallback; they never travel through other phones. You can choose a compatible server or turn Internet relaying off. The server does not help discover nearby people.
Is it secure?
Each installation gets its own secure identity. Payloads are encrypted and signed so their recipient can verify the sender while mesh and Internet relays carry ciphertext. Offgrid is an early release and has not had an independent security audit.
Current release
Ready to go offgrid?
Offgrid 0.10.0 for Android 8 and newer.
Technical details
- Version
- 0.10.0 (code 11)
- Released
- SHA-256
1862d4adf51e016fb6ec92ba37ec957a9aad95382b8ab135a36f73b5787f7fd0