As billions of users worldwide reel from the complete shutdown of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp on Monday, thousands of Jamaicans have been turning to the BiP advanced messenger app to stay connected. Within an hour of the WhatsApp outage shortly before 11am, the BiP app experienced an astonishing 180% increase in downloads as smartphone users searched for a more reliable way to keep in touch for work and personal reasons.

Part of the Digicel family of lifestyle apps, BiP began trending on Twitter – the only major social media site still functioning – as smartphone users rushed to find an alternative to the WhatsApp lockout. Since then, there’s been a steady outpouring of positive comments from Twitter users hailing the usefulness and reliability of BiP.

A tweet from @zofrom876 noted, “Look like mi affi go switch to BiP cuz WhatsApp ain’t it right now.” User, @Mama_Ninetales cheekily remarked, “I be telling y’all bout BiP. No data or WiFi for all you prepaid peeps.”

BiP Messenger allows users to stay in contact with family and friends across the world by sending messages, pictures, videos, documents, or through High-Definition voice and video calls. The app includes exciting features like free group voice and video chats to up to 15 users, secret chat, a built-in translator, in-app games, and the ability to communicate for free with other BiP contacts. BiP Messenger is available for download in the Apple and Google Play stores.