NearThread

Cross paths. Share a few words.

Around your usual corner, on a trip, or in an ordinary moment, a small conversation can begin with someone nearby.

NearThread is a place for these chance conversations. Share a thought with someone whose name you don't yet know, even if your paths may never cross again.

What you can do
• Boards: create or join a board to share news with nearby users.
• Chat: talk one-to-one after your friend request is accepted.
• Files: send and receive files with directly connected friends. The recipient approves first.
• Your profile and choices: set a name and picture, block users and report problems.
• Optional extras: notifications, spoken posts, floating posts over other apps and background connections.

Made for people in reach
No NearThread account to create. Exchange with nearby devices, rather than contacting people far away.

Privacy and responsible sharing
No NearThread account registration is required. Messages are not delivered through a central server operated by the developer. However, profile information and board posts may be shared with or relayed by other users' devices.
One-to-one message bodies receive additional encryption within the app. This does not promise the same protection for board posts or files.
NearThread uses Google AdMob for ads; Google may process device and related information. This is not a promise of anonymity or zero data collection. Complete deletion of information already shared with other devices cannot be guaranteed. Avoid sharing sensitive information.
Reporting opens a draft in your email app. Review it and send it yourself.

Permissions and requirements
Bluetooth and nearby-device permissions are used to discover and connect to nearby devices. Depending on your Android version, location permission and location settings may also be required for discovery; this is not a map-based location-sharing feature.
Notifications require notification permission. Floating posts require permission to display over other apps. Optional background connections show a persistent notification and may prompt you to adjust battery optimization. Power-saving settings can interrupt connections.
You must accept the terms of use. Choose English in Settings. Some screens, reporting options, notifications, privacy settings and linked policy pages may appear in Japanese or English rather than your selected language.

Privacy policy:
https://nikukoppun.github.io/nearthread/privacy-policy.html

Local connections, not an internet chat service
Boards, chats and file transfers use Nearby Connections over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. These device-to-device exchanges do not require internet access. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi still need to be available, even without mobile reception.
You need another compatible Android device running NearThread nearby. Board posts and chats may travel through other connected devices; file transfers require a direct connection to the recipient.
Range and reliability depend on devices, obstacles, terrain and the available connections. NearThread does not provide internet messaging to distant contacts or guaranteed emergency communication.
Internet access is needed for ads, ad-consent updates, external pages such as the terms and privacy policy, and sending report emails. Text-to-speech availability and offline use depend on your device's speech engine and installed voices.

When compatible devices connect nearby, their conversations need neither internet nor a SIM card. With Bluetooth and Wi-Fi available, you can share a moment even outside mobile coverage.