1. Download Briar from official sources ONLY:
   • Android: https://briarproject.org/download-briar/
   • F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/org.briarproject.briar.android/

2. Install and create your account (no phone number needed)

3. Add contacts via QR code or link

4. Messages sync automatically via:
   • Bluetooth (up to 100m range)
   • Wi-Fi Direct (local networks)
   • Tor (when internet works)

You just got the exact steps to install Briar—the app that's keeping Iran connected while the government shuts down internet access nationwide. This isn't theoretical. Right now, as you read this, Iranian activists are using these same instructions to organize and communicate.

Briar works because it bypasses traditional internet infrastructure completely. When authorities pull the plug on cellular and broadband networks, Briar users keep talking through direct device-to-device connections. No servers, no ISPs, no government middlemen.

TL;DR: Why This Matters Now

• What: Briar is an open-source messaging app that uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct to work without internet access.
• Impact: It's currently enabling communication in Iran during nationwide internet blackouts imposed by authorities.
• For You: You get a censorship-resistant communication tool that works anywhere, even during disasters or protests.

The Iranian Test Case

Iran has become the real-world proving ground for Briar's technology. During the 2022-2023 protests, authorities implemented some of the most sophisticated internet shutdowns ever seen.

Traditional messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram went completely dark. But Briar kept working.

Activists reported message delivery rates near 100% within localized areas. When one phone had internet access (via satellite or border networks), it could bridge messages to others in the mesh network.

How Briar Actually Works

Briar creates what's called a "delay-tolerant mesh network." Here's the technical breakdown:

• Bluetooth Mode: Devices within 100 meters find each other automatically and sync messages
• Wi-Fi Direct: Creates local networks without routers or internet access
• Message Relaying: Your phone becomes a node that can carry messages for others
• End-to-End Encryption: All messages are encrypted before leaving your device

The magic happens in the background. You just send a message like normal. Briar figures out the best path—whether that's through 5 other phones via Bluetooth or waiting until someone connects to Tor.

Beyond Iran: Why You Should Care

This isn't just about political protests. Briar solves multiple real-world problems:

Natural Disasters: When hurricanes knock out cell towers, Briar keeps emergency communications alive. Messages hop from phone to phone until they reach someone with connectivity.

Travel & Remote Areas: Hikers, sailors, and remote workers can communicate without relying on spotty cellular coverage. Bluetooth works anywhere.

Privacy Protection: Since Briar doesn't use phone numbers or central servers, there's no metadata for governments or companies to collect. Your social graph stays private.

The Limitations (Be Realistic)

Briar isn't perfect. You need to understand its constraints:

• Bluetooth range is limited to about 100 meters
• Message delivery can be slow (hours or days in sparse networks)
• Android-only for now (iOS version in development)
• Requires physical proximity to build the initial network

But here's the key insight: Slow communication beats no communication. During internet blackouts, even delayed messages can coordinate medical aid, share safety information, and maintain social cohesion.

Getting Started Practical Tips

If you install Briar today (using the steps above), here's how to maximize its effectiveness:

1. Pre-seed Your Network: Add contacts BEFORE you need it. Scan QR codes when you're together.
2. Enable All Sync Modes: Turn on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Tor in settings for maximum connectivity.
3. Keep Phone Charged: Mesh networking uses more battery. Carry a power bank.
4. Share Wisely: The app includes forums and blogs—use them to spread critical information during crises.

The Iranian experience proves something crucial: decentralized technology works when centralized systems fail. While governments can shut down internet service providers, they can't turn off every Bluetooth radio in a country.