Against the backdrop of restrictions on Telegram, which has effectively already been blocked, and WhatsApp in Russia, the Turkish messenger BiP has unexpectedly become one of the most downloaded apps. BiP took second place in the “Social Networks” category of the Russian App Store, trailing only the Max messenger. Let’s figure out what it can do, how secure it is, and whether it’s worth installing on your iPhone.
BiP Messenger: How to use the Turkish alternative to Telegram and WhatsApp
Why BiP Became Popular in Russia in 2026
The BiP messenger is gaining popularity in Russia — this is happening against the backdrop of restrictions on the familiar Telegram and WhatsApp. By early April, according to OONI data, Telegram availability had dropped to 20%, and last week all 100% of requests to servers were ending in errors. Using the messenger without a VPN in the country effectively became impossible.
Against this backdrop, users began massively searching for alternatives. In March 2026, BiP was already appearing in the top free social networks in the Russian App Store, and as of April 7 it held second place, trailing only Max. In the Russian app store RuStore, BiP has 300 thousand downloads.
The service isn’t new — it’s been around for over ten years and previously remained a local product with an audience in the Middle East. But in 2026, it suddenly “took off” in the Russian market. The reason is the operator infrastructure: the system easily handles the influx of users and maintains a stable connection.
What Features BiP Has
BiP is a standard messenger with all the basic capabilities: direct and group chats, audio and video calls, voice messages. You can share files, contacts, and location, send stickers, and add reactions. There are self-destructing messages for files that can only be viewed once.
There’s an option to send messages to yourself
Among the useful small features — turning messages into reminders. Just long-press the text, choose a date and time, and the app will remind you automatically. There are starred favorite messages — both as a general folder and as separate favorites for each chat.
A built-in message translator is available right in the chat for one of 106 available languages. There are stories, public channels, and even a section with mini-games — mostly clones of well-known projects like Fruit Ninja.
You can even play games without leaving the messenger
What’s missing compared to Telegram:
- no scheduled message sending
- no video circles
- no custom sticker creation
- no usernames — users can only find each other by phone number, and messaging without access to the contact list isn’t possible
- no groups with several thousand users
Overall, in terms of feature set, BiP is closer to WhatsApp than to Telegram. For simple messaging and calls, it’s sufficient, but the familiar Telegram experience with channels and bots isn’t here.
How to Download BiP on iPhone
The messenger is officially available in Russia for iOS, Android (via Google Play and RuStore), and desktop versions — for Windows and macOS. There’s also a full web version with QR code authorization through the mobile app.
On iPhone, the app can be downloaded from the App Store for free, no subscription required. The desktop version can be downloaded from the official website bip.com.
Just sign in with your phone number, and that’s it
To register, you need to enter a phone number and confirm it with an SMS code. Russian numbers are accepted. There’s no need to create a username — just enter your name, and optionally upload a photo and profile description.
An important point during registration: by default, the checkbox to notify contacts that you’re now on BiP is enabled. If you don’t want automatic messages sent to everyone in your phone book — uncheck this box before completing registration.
How Secure Is the BiP Messenger
At the basic level, BiP is excellent with security: end-to-end encryption is enabled by default for chats and calls, and backup data is stored in encrypted form. Encrypted user data is stored on servers in Turkey.
In the privacy settings, you can block messages from strangers, hide your “online” status, and protect your IP address during calls (though this may reduce call quality). The app can be protected with a PIN code, Face ID, or Touch ID. Locking individual chats is not available.
The Turkish BiP is not included in Roskomnadzor’s registry of information dissemination organizers, so it is not required to store user data or provide it upon request. This is one of the factors attracting users. But this also means that authorities could have a formal reason to raise claims against the service if they choose.
The messenger may collect service information about app performance and account activity — this is stated in the privacy policy. So complete anonymity should not be expected.
What Drawbacks BiP Has
The most common complaint is that registration codes don’t arrive. Phone verification is required, and the messenger cannot be used without it. Some users request the code so many times that the system refuses to send new ones, and the SMS never arrives. There’s no reliable way to solve the problem — some people have to register with a different number.
There are complaints about web version sync issues
Other common complaints:
- difficult channel navigation — finding the right content through search is hard; to subscribe to a channel, you need to find a link to it
- the app may not work through VPN and blocking circumvention tools
- small gray font that cannot be changed
- the desktop version for PC doesn’t always sync via QR code
Based on App Store reviews, the picture is mixed: some praise the call quality, while others can’t even register.
Is It Worth Switching to BiP from Telegram or WhatsApp
BiP is a viable backup option for when Telegram and WhatsApp are working unstably or not working at all. For basic tasks — messaging, calls, file sharing — it’s sufficient. The app is free, ad-free, and has encryption enabled by default.
But it won’t become a full replacement for Telegram. There are no channels in the familiar sense, no convenient content search, no usernames, no bots. The audience in Russia is still small, which means the main question is — are your contacts there.
