Reviews for Briar

"Your Briar account is stored encrypted only on your device.." Well, I loved the idea. I installed the app and started using it, but then comes the bummer! First, I was logged out of my Signal app as soon as I logged into the Briar app!!! I have no idea why this happened, but there must be some sort of conflicts between these two apps?!! Then, I noticed there is NO way to send voice messages in Forums or Blogs!!! Sorry, this is not going to work!

This app was developed a long time ago, it seems since then changes in Android OS have stopped this app from functioning properly. I want the app purely for offline Bluetooth connected messaging (on an airplane), but it simply will not connect and send messages between devices in any way except full internet access

Highest security possible (no data stored in any central server, onion routing, open source code, self destructing messages, peer to peer conversation) but not for the lazy standard user, because once you forgot your password it's over, and you can't send audios. Edit(update): the only thing that is bothering me is that this app drains a lot of battery, maybe if there was an option of using less battery and search for internet less often in the background would be good.

It only sends out messages when both devices are in use. This might be a deal breaker. But otherwise, adding contacts via QR code scanning and Bluetooth detection is most secure. I wish there was a way to migrate history to a new phone. Also, support for iOS devices is missing.

Best chat app for both privacy and no-internet situations. I've been using this app for years and it has worked reliably. The offline bluetooth chat option is great for leaving messages with friends when camping but could really use more range. It would be nice if the devs can support a public forum within the app for the app...

Make SURE "connection method to Tor network is NOT set to "automatic based on location." There was an insane flood of random IP addresses that tried to access Briar (which I was able to see with Netguard) until I chose the other two options. Edit: It is still not secure with this setting. While random IP addresses are less common, I've seen two amazon.aws trackers. Where the heck did those come from? Edit: Thank you for the response. I'll leave this here for others

I've been following this project for a long time but it never worked via bluetooth for some reasons for the phones I was testing. I can finally confirm it works fully! Bluetooth to Bluetooth off grid messaging! Never had much of a use case scenario with my situation but always a solid back up plan.

Probably the most secure messaging app out of any available, great idea! Unfortunately it will not be a good replacement for more popular messaging apps anytime soon. There is no way to send a video. Pictures are possible, but only in a chat with one other person and they get massively compressed. Pretty crazy in 2022. I love the idea of my messages not being routed through a central server, but it's not ready to replace my messaging app of choice. I'll check back in a few years.

One of the few apps that seemed to work without an internet connection, some small issues that I found: unable to send video or pictures and additionally you can only add people who you are physically in contact with, in a emergency their maybe other people trapped or folks you want to communicate with who are in the area but you can't physically meet. Overall however seems to do does basic communication okay

Installed on a phone and a wifi tablet. Turned off wifi routers at home and disabled mobile data on the phone. Didn't work at all. Tried cycling bluetooth and wifi on both devices, still nothing. GalaxyS9 and ASUS Z500. Great idea, failed implementation in my case. Two stars because it at least works with internet connection, with man in the middle.

App is so depleted of features that it's amazing it's even available for download. There is no option to copy or share the message, no option to add photos to "Forum" or "Blog" and much more... Any day to day usage cannot compare to any of the available messaging apps. Luckily it's hungry for battery so there is that too. Idea is nice but the "finished" product is a waste of disc space and battery.

I would like to see a pop-up chat head. If I'm not looking at the screen I will miss the flash notification across the top. I have missed a reply for hours. I like adding the contact without using my phone number. I was using TextNow and Text free but the constant ads drove me crazy! I think this is a good app.

The only thing the app is doing well, that it can work standalone in a WIFI network, if no Internet is available, sending Text messages. It is mentioned that it is useful for Journalists, but has a Jounalist only the requirement to send real low quality pictures, to get them printed??? There is the requirment to sent high quality pictures especially in crisis situation. Next does a Journalist needs to sent reports, stories in form of documents, nit only pics? Not much useful !

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.

Thanks. It's interesting and hypothetically useful. But how can I set PINCODE to unlock? It's not the password! The password contains words, but the pin code allows only digits. So I need to remove the app after locking every time, and install it again.

Shows great potential. But needs ability to add photos (and video) in Forum, Blogs as well, to have any chance of mass adoption. Other things like voice/video chatting aren't so important as there are other apps for live chat. But images/video clips are absolutely necessary in the 21st century for an offline communication and information platform.

Might be a limitation with Android but with data turned off I couldn't communicate with nearby contacts without manually pairing on both devices simultaneously. No iOS support so the few people I'd like to bring into the fold are ineligible. Severe battery drain. Subscribing to an RSS dropped my battery 20% in 3 hours. Even without subscriptions in "blog" I'm still losing too much battery for a background app. What good is an offline device if it's dead?

Underrated secure messaging application, taking something good (Tor) and applying it to something many are desperately in need for (private and discrete contacting in dangerous situations) and making something better than the sum of its parts. Stability may be a bit off, but that aside, security and privacy are what matters for those who download the app. I'd give 10 stars if possible.

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.

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.