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Frequently asked questions about Trellis, mesh networking, privacy, security, and enterprise deployment.

General

What is Trellis?
Trellis is a crisis-proof communication platform that combines mesh networking, end-to-end encrypted messaging, stealth VPN, and emergency tools into one app. It's designed to work when nothing else does — no cell towers, no internet, no infrastructure required. Every phone becomes a relay node, creating a decentralized communication network that's resilient to outages, censorship, and natural disasters.
Is Trellis free?
Core safety features are always free — including mesh messaging, emergency SOS, and basic encrypted chat. Premium features like the stealth VPN, advanced traffic obfuscation, priority mesh relay, and satellite fallback are available for $9.99/month. Enterprise and school deployments have custom pricing with volume discounts.
What platforms does Trellis support?
Trellis is available on Android, iOS, and Windows (desktop coming soon). Enterprise administrators also have access to a web dashboard for roll call monitoring, device management, and compliance reporting. We're building with Flutter for cross-platform consistency, with native platform channels for hardware-level features like Bluetooth mesh and NFC.
Do I need an internet connection?
No. Trellis works completely offline via Bluetooth mesh networking. When phones are nearby, they automatically relay messages from device to device until they reach the recipient. If any phone in the mesh has internet access, it can bridge messages to the wider network. This makes Trellis ideal for areas with no connectivity, during natural disasters, or in countries experiencing internet shutdowns.
Is Trellis available in my country?
Trellis is available worldwide and is specifically designed for use in countries with internet censorship. The app supports 26 languages including Farsi, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Burmese, Turkmen, Ukrainian, and more. Our stealth mode makes Trellis invisible to Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) systems used by authoritarian governments, and the app can be installed without an app store using direct APK download.

Privacy & Security

Does Trellis log my data?
Zero-knowledge architecture. We cannot read your messages, access your location, or see your VPN traffic. All encryption keys are generated and stored on your device. Messages are encrypted end-to-end before they leave your phone, and we have no ability to decrypt them on our servers. We don't store metadata, IP addresses, or browsing history. Our privacy model is simple: if we don't have it, we can't hand it over.
What encryption does Trellis use?
Trellis uses multiple encryption layers: AES-256 for data at rest, ChaCha20-Poly1305 for high-speed stream encryption, the Signal Protocol (Double Ratchet) for end-to-end messaging with perfect forward secrecy, and WireGuard for VPN tunneling. Our ARTA security engine dynamically selects the optimal encryption method based on your device capabilities and threat environment.
Can the government see my Trellis traffic?
Trellis Stealth Mode disguises VPN traffic as normal HTTPS web browsing. There is no detectable protocol fingerprint. We support four traffic mimicry types: HTTPS (TLS 1.3 camouflage), WebSocket, video streaming, and gaming traffic. Even sophisticated Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) systems used by countries like Iran, China, and Russia cannot distinguish Trellis traffic from regular web browsing.
What is ARTA?
ARTA stands for Adaptive Real-Time Threat Architecture — our 7-layer security engine that continuously adapts to your environment. It monitors network conditions, detects DPI probes, automatically escalates encryption and obfuscation levels, manages connection fallbacks, and coordinates between mesh, VPN, and satellite channels. ARTA is the intelligence layer that makes all of Trellis's security features work together seamlessly.

Mesh Networking

How does mesh networking work?
Every phone running Trellis becomes a relay node. Messages hop from device to device via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and WiFi Direct until they reach the intended recipient. No central server or internet connection is needed. If your message's recipient is 10 hops away, it will chain through 10 different phones automatically. Messages are encrypted end-to-end, so relay nodes cannot read the content they're forwarding.
What's the range of mesh?
Each hop covers approximately 100 meters via Bluetooth (more in open areas, less in dense buildings). The key advantage is that messages can chain through unlimited hops — so a message can travel across an entire campus, neighborhood, or even a city as long as there are Trellis devices along the path. WiFi Direct extends individual hop range to approximately 200 meters with line of sight.
Does mesh use my battery?
Active mesh relaying uses approximately 3-5% battery per hour. Background relay mode (when your phone is relaying messages for others while in your pocket) uses less than 1% per hour. Trellis uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to minimize power consumption, and ARTA dynamically adjusts relay behavior based on your battery level. When your battery drops below 20%, relay duties are automatically reduced.

Enterprise

What is Roll Call?
Roll Call is Trellis's mass accountability system. During an emergency, administrators can trigger a roll call that accounts for every person on campus in under 60 seconds via mesh networking. Each person's device automatically responds with their status and location — no manual check-in required. The web dashboard shows real-time results with missing persons highlighted. Traditional roll call methods take 45+ minutes; Trellis does it in under a minute.
Can Trellis integrate with our directory?
Yes. Trellis supports Google Workspace, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), LDAP, and SCIM 2.0 for automated user provisioning. Your existing directory becomes the source of truth — new employees or students are automatically added, and departing members are automatically deprovisioned. Single sign-on (SSO) via SAML 2.0 and OIDC is also supported.
How do we deploy Trellis for our school or organization?
Contact us for an enterprise demo and deployment plan. Typical deployment takes 2-4 weeks and includes directory integration, device enrollment, administrator training, and a live drill. We offer MDM (Mobile Device Management) integration, custom branding for white-label deployments, and dedicated support channels. Trellis qualifies for multiple federal grant programs including ESSA Title IV-A, FEMA BRIC, and the STOP School Violence Act.

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