The power goes out across a city and mobile data stops working, yet a group of people still needs to share updates. Briar is built for that case, since it can pass messages between nearby phones over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This page covers version 1.5.24, updated on November 4, 2026.
Open-source project with a GPL licence and public code
The developer is listed as unknown, but the project has a website at briarproject.org and its source code is published at code.briarproject.org. The licence is GPL-3.0-or-later. The app first appeared on August 14, 2018.
It is free, shows no ads, and carries the tags open-source, messaging, connectivity and internet.
Messaging without a central server, over Tor or local links
Briar does not route messages through a central server. Devices synchronize with each other directly. When the internet is available, sync runs through the Tor network, which the description presents as protection against surveillance of users and their relationships.
When the internet is down, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi can carry the messages instead. The description names activists and journalists as the intended audience.
An optional link to a device running Briar Mailbox lets you receive encrypted messages from contacts while Briar itself is offline. The Mailbox app is listed on F-Droid.
Android 5.0 and a 48.3 MB download
Briar needs Android 5.0 or newer, so it runs on quite old phones. The package ID is org.briarproject.briar.android and the file size is 48.3 MB.
Briar pros and cons
Pros
- Free with no ads
- Source code is public under GPL-3.0-or-later
- Syncs by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi when the internet is down
- Uses Tor for sync when online
- Runs on Android 5.0 and up
Cons
- Developer is listed as unknown
- No visual preview of the app is available before installing
- Version 1.5.24 has no published changelog
- Contacts need Briar too, so the audience is narrower than large messengers
Is Briar safe?
We host the unmodified APK at Tier A, and the SHA-256 checksum is fd01d439040c5964a3c986250cdcd4ff549405194f69ef8b972dc6aefd6f3ff7. The licence is GPL-3.0-or-later and the code is public, which allows outside review. No independent security review is available.
How to install Briar
- Download the APK with the button on this page and wait for it to finish.
- Compare the file with the SHA-256 checksum shown here if you want to confirm it arrived intact.
- Open the file on your phone and allow installs from this source when Android asks.
- Finish the install, then open Briar from your app drawer.
