An app by Offline Circuits
Groundwaves
Offline group comms for anyone off the network.
No internet. No hardware. Just your phones.
Groundwaves turns nearby phones into a local group intercom — no cellular data, no accounts, no server. Built for any group that needs to talk when the network isn't there: riders and hiking crews, festival and event teams, remote worksites, basecamps, and anywhere the signal runs out.
What it does
- Group voice chat over a direct local connection — no internet required
- Push-to-talk or voice-activated (VOX) modes
- Video calls between group members, over the same local connection
- Typed messages for when speaking out loud isn't an option
- Connectivity profiles tuned for moving groups, walking groups, or stationary use
- Quick-phrases for fast, low-key updates ("stopping," "regroup," "all clear")
- Local group alert broadcast for getting your group's attention fast
- Optional relative position/bearing sharing between group members
- Optional local-only recording, with a clear on-screen notice to everyone in the group whenever it's active
- No accounts, no ads, no data sent to any server
About the alert feature. The Groundwaves alert/SOS feature notifies the members of your local group only. It does not contact emergency services, police, or any external responder. Always use your phone's actual emergency calling function or local emergency number for real emergencies.
Built for groups that stay close
Groundwaves uses your phones' own short-range wireless connection, so real-world range depends on distance, obstructions, and terrain — similar to any direct device-to-device connection. It is not designed to replace long-range dedicated radio hardware for groups spread far apart.
Documents
Published compliance documents for Groundwaves, hosted here at stable public URLs.