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Can I use wifi or Bluetooth to broadcast a message containing plaintext (like “How are you?”), so any device nearby can receive it, even they are not mutually connected (authenticated)?

--I know normally devices need to be connected/paired before they can exchange or share information. Here I am curious if there's a way to broadcast through wifi or Bluetooth hardware, in the old way like a radio station. So one device sends out information, and any nearby device can read it.

Appreciate any feedback.

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    Yes, but it will not achieve much. For example, you can set your SSID to "How are you?". People trying to connect to a wifi network may see yours in the list of networks if they are close. Max length is 32 chars tho.
    – Gantendo
    Commented Jun 20, 2022 at 1:28
  • You can configure AirDrop so that anyone can AirDrop you anything without prior authentication IIRC. Quite a few people do.
    – Gantendo
    Commented Jun 20, 2022 at 1:34
  • @Gantendo: thank you. Sorry I didn't make this clear: what I meant is like peer-to-peer: e.g. from one cellphone to another that both have wifi hardware, or even between two computers, but not through a router.
    – Sung T
    Commented Jun 20, 2022 at 3:28
  • You can set the SSID of the wifi hotspot on your cellphone. If you are near me, my phone can see the SSIDs of the available wifi networks, including yours. I can configure my laptop to be a mobile hotspot, and if yours is near mine then you'll see my SSID in the list of available wifi networks. No external router required.
    – Gantendo
    Commented Jun 20, 2022 at 3:38
  • makeuseof.com/tag/…
    – Gantendo
    Commented Jun 20, 2022 at 3:47

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