Bounce has launched a tool that enables seamless account migration between Bluesky and Mastodon, two prominent decentralized social networks. Developed by the nonprofit A New Social, this innovative service allows users to transfer their social graphs—followers and following lists—across platforms that operate on different protocols, marking a significant step toward an open social web. This article explores the functionality, impact, and future potential of Bounce’s cross-platform migration tool.
What Is Bounce?
A New Social’s Vision for an Open Web
Bounce is a project spearheaded by A New Social, the creators of Bridgy Fed, a tool that connects decentralized social networks like Mastodon and Bluesky. Unlike traditional social media platforms that lock users into walled gardens, Bounce empowers users by offering the freedom to move their accounts and social connections between platforms without losing their community. The tool was unveiled at the FediForum conference in June 2025, highlighting its role in advancing the open social web.
Bridging Different Protocols
Mastodon operates on the ActivityPub protocol, while Bluesky uses the AT Protocol, creating a technical barrier that previously prevented users from migrating their accounts across these networks. Bounce overcomes this challenge by leveraging Bridgy Fed’s technology, which creates a bridged account that syncs posts and interactions across both platforms. This allows users to maintain their social presence while transitioning from one network to another.
How Bounce Works
The Migration Process
Bounce’s migration process is designed to be user-friendly, though it currently targets early adopters familiar with decentralized platforms. Here’s how it works:
-
Bridged Account Creation: Bounce creates a bridged account that acts as an intermediary, mirroring a user’s Bluesky posts and followers on Mastodon, or vice versa.
-
Social Graph Transfer: The tool transfers the user’s followers and following lists, preserving their social connections.
-
Platform Transition: Users can move their account from Bluesky to Mastodon (and potentially Pixelfed, an ActivityPub-based photo-sharing app), with plans to support reverse migration once Bluesky’s infrastructure allows it.
Currently, Bounce supports migrations from Bluesky to Mastodon or Pixelfed but not the reverse due to Bluesky’s infrastructure limitations. Once a user migrates off Bluesky, they cannot use their Bluesky credentials to log back into AT Protocol-based services, a factor early adopters should consider.
Technical Underpinnings
Bounce builds on Bridgy Fed’s technology, which enables cross-platform visibility by syncing posts and replies. The tool uses open social web protocols rather than platform-specific APIs, ensuring scalability and interoperability. This approach allows Bounce to replicate a user’s social graph across networks, making it possible to engage with followers on either platform without starting from scratch.
Why Bounce Matters
Empowering User Choice
Bounce’s launch addresses a critical pain point in social media: the lack of user agency. Traditional platforms like Meta, Google, or TikTok often trap users within their ecosystems, where exporting data doesn’t equate to transferring an account or community. Bounce’s tool challenges this model by enabling true account mobility, allowing users to switch platforms without losing their social capital. This is particularly relevant for users in regions like Mississippi, where Bluesky recently blocked access due to privacy concerns over a new age assurance law, leaving users in need of migration options.
Advancing the Open Social Web
The open social web envisions a decentralized, user-controlled internet where individuals can choose platforms that align with their values. Bounce’s ability to bridge ActivityPub and AT Protocol networks is a significant step toward this vision. By supporting platforms like Mastodon, Bluesky, and Pixelfed, and with plans to include others like Ghost, Nostr, and Farcaster, Bounce aims to create a seamless ecosystem where users can freely move without fragmentation.
Challenges and Future Potential
Current Limitations
While Bounce is a pioneering tool, it’s not without challenges. The inability to migrate back to Bluesky due to its current infrastructure is a notable limitation. Additionally, interactions from unbridged Bluesky users may not be visible on Mastodon after migration, though A New Social is developing features to address this. The tool’s beta phase targets technically adept users, suggesting that the interface may need refinement for broader adoption.
The Road Ahead
A New Social envisions Bounce as a cornerstone of the open social web, with plans to simplify the migration process for mainstream users. The long-term goal is to support any open social platform, from blogging services like Ghost to emerging networks like Nostr and Farcaster. By streamlining account transfers and enhancing interoperability, Bounce could pressure traditional platforms to prioritize user autonomy, potentially reshaping the social media landscape.
Optimizing Your Social Media Experience with Bounce
Why Migrate?
Users may choose to migrate for various reasons: dissatisfaction with a platform’s policies, preference for a different community, or a desire to explore new features. Bounce ensures that these transitions don’t come at the cost of losing followers or rebuilding connections, making it easier to experiment with decentralized platforms.
Tips for a Smooth Migration
-
Understand the Process: Familiarize yourself with Bounce’s migration steps, as the process is irreversible for Bluesky accounts at this stage.
-
Check Bridged Connections: Bounce notifies users about unbridged followers, allowing you to reconnect with them manually if needed.
-
Stay Informed: As Bounce evolves, keep an eye on updates from A New Social for new features and reverse migration support.
