The Serval Mesh
Free App
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About The Serval Mesh
Mobile phones normally can't be used when cellular networks fail, for example during a disaster. This means that millions of vulnerable people around the world are deprived of the ability to communicate, when they need it most.
We have spent the past six years working with the New Zealand Red Cross to create a solution. We call it the Serval Mesh, and it is free software that allows smart-phones to communicate, even in the face of catastrophic failure of cellular networks.
It works by using your phone's Wi-Fi & bluetooth to communicate with other phones in your vicinity. Or even by forming impromptu networks consisting only of mobile phones. Mesh communications is an appropriate technology for complementing cellular networks. Think of it like two-way radio or CB radio that has been propelled into the 21st century. For long-range communications you will still need to make use of cellular or fixed telephone networks
or the internet.
This software allows you to easily make private phone calls, send secure text messages and share files in caves, in subways, in the Outback, in Australia or Africa, in Europe or the United States -- even when cellular networks fail or are unavailable.
You can also keep using your existing phone number on the mesh, which is really important in a disaster when people are trying to get back in contact with each other.
Our software:
* Is completely open and open-source; free for all
* Can be carried and activated in seconds by those who need it when it is needed
* Is carrier independent
* Can be installed during an emergency from only one phone
* Is distributed in nature making the network resilient
* Can use your existing phone number
* Encrypts mesh phone calls and mesh text messages by default
* Can distribute pictures, videos and any other files
We have spent the past six years working with the New Zealand Red Cross to create a solution. We call it the Serval Mesh, and it is free software that allows smart-phones to communicate, even in the face of catastrophic failure of cellular networks.
It works by using your phone's Wi-Fi & bluetooth to communicate with other phones in your vicinity. Or even by forming impromptu networks consisting only of mobile phones. Mesh communications is an appropriate technology for complementing cellular networks. Think of it like two-way radio or CB radio that has been propelled into the 21st century. For long-range communications you will still need to make use of cellular or fixed telephone networks
or the internet.
This software allows you to easily make private phone calls, send secure text messages and share files in caves, in subways, in the Outback, in Australia or Africa, in Europe or the United States -- even when cellular networks fail or are unavailable.
You can also keep using your existing phone number on the mesh, which is really important in a disaster when people are trying to get back in contact with each other.
Our software:
* Is completely open and open-source; free for all
* Can be carried and activated in seconds by those who need it when it is needed
* Is carrier independent
* Can be installed during an emergency from only one phone
* Is distributed in nature making the network resilient
* Can use your existing phone number
* Encrypts mesh phone calls and mesh text messages by default
* Can distribute pictures, videos and any other files
All Application Badges
Good rating
Free
downl.
downl.
Android
2.2+
2.2+
Bug
buster
buster
Android app
App History & Updates
What's Changed
0.93
* Greatly reduced power drain, especially when no peers are present
* Bluetooth has been added as a usable network transport
* Improved support for more recent versions of Android
* Improved feedback while networks are changing
For a complete list of changes, see https://github.com/servalproject/batphone/blob/master/CURRENT-RELEASE.md
0.93
* Greatly reduced power drain, especially when no peers are present
* Bluetooth has been added as a usable network transport
* Improved support for more recent versions of Android
* Improved feedback while networks are changing
For a complete list of changes, see https://github.com/servalproject/batphone/blob/master/CURRENT-RELEASE.md
Version update The Serval Mesh was updated to version 0.93
Version update The Serval Mesh was updated to version 0.92
More downloads The Serval Mesh reached 100 000 - 500 000 downloads
More downloads The Serval Mesh reached 50 000 - 100 000 downloads
What are users saying about The Serval Mesh
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
Destroyed everything related to wifi in all my phones. Even hotspot service is not working now. Something is really going haywire in the app. Needs serious improvement.
T
by T####:
by T####:
PLEASE! Notice!! This app is great! As I get to this app..i told to most of my friends and they are great usefulness with this app.. But... PLEASE add the "video chat" capacity in this same method!... Please! I'm begging you! T-T
E
by E####:
by E####:
Resilient automated (and simulated) shared folder of files for whole network using app . Ppl complain, u need root. Not for the file share! i installed on all 3 of my devices ten minutes after dloading. I use dropbox for file transfer btween devices. This app saves me about ten clicks each time I want to transfer a file. Also no internet needed 4 that. App can make phone to phone networks. This is the next big tech after cellphone towers I guarantee you.. Clever. Really clever and i cant wait for the next power outage. Never seen anythingblike this before. A+. Also, if your Internet gets wonky, unclick the networks and uncheck the 'active' box, then force quit the app. App needs a shutdown button but... Super impressed.
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
I run the test option but it keeps telling me the root shell is missing, not sure what that means exactly.
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
Calls are surprisingly clear and low letency on direct connection, WiFi or Bluetooth, but there's no packet flow control so talk slow to avoid losing syllables when the buffer plays catch-up. If however there is a WiFi↔Bluetooth relay in the pipeline, voice is useless; stick to text. A two hop text (through BT anyway) could be anywhere between a couple seconds to over a minute, but does eventually arrive. Messages currently lack an accessible sent time/date stamp. Requires some reading to really get how each option works. Note to some other reviews: root is only required for AdHoc mode, which is an Android design limitation. Other modes work fine. Resilience is lacking, which is forgivable in experimental stage. I find myself every hour or so having to cycle the services and Bluetooth off and on to reconnect to peers. Plus, some other apps (like OpenGarden FireChat) will kick off AdHoc mode and possibly other interference.
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
As a caregiver for a 90 Yr old, this is the easiest to setup and use ap I have found so far. ++++A "no ads that block its usage, and now I can keep in local contact with the others on same network.
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
Great app, works quite well with wifi Bluetooth and hotspot, but ad hoc, when testing for compatibility, it says could not find root shell, but I have both root and busybox (installed to /system/bin). My device is an NVIDIA shield K1 running Android AOSP nougat.
R
by R####:
by R####:
One way to bypass tether restrictions on AT&T phone. Tor proxy is another...
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
I could communicate between my Galaxy S5 phone and my Galaxy Tab A tablet. I did experiments first with Wifi and then with Bluetooth. Very interesting application
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
A must in disaster scenarios or trekking! Good to be used as two way radio
S
by S####:
by S####:
Excellent. May God bless all those who developed this app for the service of humanity. Giving you ten stars **********
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
What that says ↑ :( also, I see you've made a reference to The Matrix in ur screenshots
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
Unable to resolve host "localhost". No address associated with hostname. Is my host file buggered?
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
Great app, but a PTT option would make this awesome.
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
Add loud speaker in calls
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
non funziona in Italia.Provvedere.Dobbiamo liberarci delle catene degli operatori ,dei fottuti operatori sanguisughe.
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
I have this on an old phone setup always ready. This and pirate.box
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
Very essential in emergencies. Thank you for developing and sharing.
J
by J####:
by J####:
Really useful on the tube and for kids with limited talk time in town.
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
I like it....
B
by B####:
by B####:
Freedom. It is for us.
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
good stuff
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
Great app guys! Thanks!
T
by T####:
by T####:
essential app!
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
good job tnks
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
It's amazing
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
Brilliant mesh
W
by W####:
by W####:
Get a cheap android phone that can be rooted, (check online first) use it as your Serval Mesh node allowing full use. Connect your expensive device if required. Share this with friends & family, workmates, church, PTA. ect. The more that have it and use this the better the community. Great app, thanks, keep up the good work.
Q
by Q####:
by Q####:
As a ham radio operator running a mesh node on the ham band plan I really appreciate this app. The potential is boundless. No license required for this particular mesh network. Donate please and Dev's please keep up the outstanding work!
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
Great app. Would do a fantastic job at protests or wherever the communications fell. It should be updated to the material design though. The actual one left me a bit puzzled at first sight. It should be more intuitive using it. Overall it's a great idea but it needs to be perfected
V
by V####:
by V####:
Excellent. May God bless all those who developed this app for the service of humanity. Giving you ten stars **********
N
by N####:
by N####:
It works well on my Samsung s5 & s7 Edge phones, plus an Alps chinese phablet. All without rooting! Great idea in case you are out of network range and need to communicate in the near range. I liked the concept of putting a spare phone up a tree to increase coverage. Instant repeater!!
R
by R####:
by R####:
Great app
N
by N####:
by N####:
Nice idea, maybe, but you can't get an ad hoc WiFi mesh network unless you have root access, and this app requires extensive permissions to work.
N
by N####:
by N####:
This is a great idea, and my phone is rooted so it works. Problem is finding others that are willing or able to root their phones. Wish creating an adhoc network didn't require this. Using a wifi router works, but using hotspot network sorta does although sometimes one caller can't hear the other.
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
Get a cheap android phone that can be rooted, (check online first) use it as your Serval Mesh node allowing full use. Connect your expensive device if required. Share this with friends & family, workmates, church, PTA. ect. The more that have it and use this the better the community. Great app, thanks, keep up the good work.
H
by H####:
by H####:
Can't do ad hoc mesh connections without Root, not going to risk rooting and bricking my phone.
S
by S####:
by S####:
WiFi comms. Only thing is you can't turn it off! Uninstall the only way!
M
by M####:
by M####:
The app has changed a lot and really impressed me with how well it functions in offline mode as a private phone network. I'mo sure that more improvements will happen.
by G####:
I was so excited to try the app out. I don't see any other application claim to do what this does. When I tried to make a call, I received a message that android phones have to be rooted to work.