New tool bridges incompatible protocols to let users carry their social graphs across the open web — starting with Bluesky to Mastodon and Pixelfed
A Cross-Protocol Migration Tool for the Open Social Web
Bounce, a new service built for the open social web, officially launched Monday with a mission to make account migration possible between networks like Bluesky, Mastodon, and Pixelfed, even though they use different underlying protocols.
- Bluesky runs on the AT Protocol, while Mastodon and Pixelfed run on ActivityPub.
- Until now, users had no way to move their social connections (or “follow graph”) between these platforms.
- Bounce fills that gap, allowing users to seamlessly migrate their accounts and communities from Bluesky to Mastodon or Pixelfed.
How Bounce Works
To make this migration possible, Bounce leverages technology first introduced by Bridgy Fed, a project that connects users across different decentralized platforms.
- Bounce works by first transferring a user’s Bluesky account to a bridged profile that exists on both protocols.
- From there, it moves the user’s follow graph and connections into a Mastodon or Pixelfed account.
- While it currently only supports one-way migration (Bluesky → Mastodon/Pixelfed), the reverse will be possible once Bluesky enables full data portability.
“This is a major step toward a truly interoperable social web,” said the team behind Bounce.
Limitations and Considerations
Early adopters should proceed with caution and awareness:
- Once a user migrates away from Bluesky, they will no longer be able to use their Bluesky credentials to access the app or any AT Protocol services.
- Bounce is currently in beta, and users are encouraged to review the process carefully before committing.
- Migration from Mastodon to Bluesky is not yet possible due to infrastructure limitations on Bluesky’s side.
Why Now? Mississippi Ban Underscores Need
The timing of Bounce’s launch is especially relevant for Bluesky users in Mississippi, where the platform recently blocked access entirely due to a new age verification law the company views as overly invasive.
- With no access to the Bluesky app in the state, affected users are now cut off from their social connections.
- Bounce provides them with an immediate way to preserve their social graph and continue engaging in the decentralized social ecosystem via Mastodon or Pixelfed.
Built by the Makers of Bridgy Fed
Bounce was developed by A New Social, the nonprofit behind Bridgy Fed, a widely used bridge between ActivityPub and AT Protocol services.
- The team is committed to open web interoperability, offering users more control and ownership over their digital identities.
- The beta is now open to enthusiasts and early adopters who are comfortable with some technical steps and eager to provide feedback.
“We’re trying to make the social web portable, decentralized, and user-controlled,” said the nonprofit.
