Reach the people you care about.
Send text, voice notes, or images. Nearby phones pass messages along toward the person you want to reach.
A voice note to family across the village.
Mahala Network
Messaging
without
mobile data.
Mahala Network is a messaging technology framework for communities where Internet access is too expensive or unreliable.
We’ve built a way to exchange messages locally without a data plan—and carry information further than you’d ever think was possible without the Internet.
Explore the technologyA Mahala Labs initiative
Connecting the Unconnected
The technology meets everyday needs of the people it serves.
Share information that matters
Post to a channel for your area so people can exchange updates without each buying an Internet connection.
Market prices, meeting times, or a local announcement.
Get the answers you need.
Queue a search or a message going further afield. A traveler carries the request to a connection and brings the response back.
A search for information that can wait until the next trip.
How the Technology Works
Nontraditional Networking
Within the communityNo Internet needed
Messages move between phones using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. A local network can work without any of those phones reaching the Internet.
Beyond the communityConnect when possible
A traveler takes queued requests to mobile coverage or Wi-Fi. Replies return through the network, sharing the cost of that connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get to Know
the Network
Can I use it today?
Yes, through technology partners like Bridgefy ↗, Briar ↗, or BitChat ↗. Mahala Labs no longer maintains the Mahala App. Features and compatibility vary by app.
What phones can I use?
Device support depends on the app you choose. Check the app’s listing for compatibility, permissions, and setup requirements, and use the same compatible app as the people you want to reach.
What does a community need?
Enough compatible phones and people who can pass messages between them. Reaching the Internet also needs someone who travels to a connection. Tell us about the devices, travel routes, and communication needs in your area.