Bounce: A New Tool for Migrating Bluesky Followers to Mastodon

Bluesky and Mastodon are both decentralized social media networks that operate on different protocols: ActivityPub and AT Protocol. While the technical details may not be apparent to the average user, they are crucial for those looking to expand their social media presence without starting from scratch. Tools like Bridgy Fed have already been developed to facilitate broadcasting across these two platforms. Recently, A New Social, the nonprofit behind that tool, has introduced a new solution called Bounce, which enables users to migrate their accounts from Bluesky to Mastodon without losing followers or the ability to post on Bluesky. Although the launch date has not been specified, it is expected to be available soon.

How Bounce Works

Bounce is built upon the foundation laid by Bridgy Fed, a tool that makes posts from Bluesky visible on Mastodon and vice versa. By utilizing Bounce, users can bridge their accounts, provided they have not already set up Bridgy Fed. The migration process involves transferring personal data servers and leveraging the native “move” functionality shared by ActivityPub and AT Protocol. Anuj Ahooja, CEO and executive director of A New Social, stated in an interview with The Verge, “Folks on Bluesky will likely never even know you’ve Bounced to Mastodon.” This highlights the seamless nature of the transition.

Benefits of Using Bounce

A New Social describes Bounce as a “moving truck” for Bluesky users, allowing them to transfer their accounts without losing their existing follower base. When Bluesky followers choose to bridge their accounts with Bounce, they will automatically follow the user on Mastodon as well, eliminating the need for them to follow again.

Considerations and Limitations

While Bounce offers significant advantages, there are some limitations to be aware of. A New Social has indicated that if a Bluesky user who is not bridged interacts with a user on Mastodon, that interaction will not be visible on the Mastodon side. However, the team is working on a feature that will notify users of any “off-bridge” interactions. Currently, this beta feature is designed for users migrating from Bluesky to Mastodon only. This limitation arises because Bluesky permits third-party tools like Bounce to “leave” their personal data servers but not to “enter or re-enter,” according to Ahooja. The A New Social team has engaged in discussions with Bluesky, which has indicated that expanding this feature is part of its future roadmap.

Conclusion

The introduction of Bounce represents a significant step forward for users of decentralized social media platforms. By facilitating the migration of followers from Bluesky to Mastodon, it addresses a common challenge faced by users looking to broaden their social media engagement. As the tool approaches its launch, many users are eager to see how it will enhance their experience across these platforms.