Verum Messenger is marking its fifth anniversary with a feature that challenges one of modern messaging’s basic assumptions: that communication requires the internet.

The privacy-focused app announced a new update today that allows iPhone users to send messages without an internet connection. Instead of relying on centralized servers or cloud infrastructure, the feature uses a decentralized, peer-to-peer system that enables devices to communicate directly with one another.

Unlike most offline messaging experiments, which typically depend on Bluetooth, Verum says its solution does not require Bluetooth at all. Messages are exchanged through encrypted device-to-device connections designed to function independently of traditional network access.

The update arrives at a time when internet connectivity can no longer be assumed. Network outages, government-imposed shutdowns, natural disasters, and infrastructure failures have highlighted the fragility of always-online communication. Verum’s approach aims to offer an alternative for moments when connectivity is limited or unavailable.

Founded five years ago, Verum Messenger positions itself as a privacy-first platform. The app does not require a phone number or email address to create an account. Instead, users are identified by a randomly generated Verum ID, while encryption keys are generated and stored locally on the device.

Over the years, Verum has expanded beyond basic messaging into a broader ecosystem of privacy-focused tools on iOS. These include end-to-end encrypted chats and calls, screenshot and screen-recording protection, self-destructing messages, anonymous email, a built-in VPN, eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries, on-device AI tools, and in-app crypto mining.

Rather than competing directly with mainstream messaging platforms on scale or social features, Verum appears to be targeting users concerned with censorship, surveillance, and infrastructure dependence.