On Monday, the nonprofit organization A New Social officially launched Bounce, a groundbreaking migration tool designed to bridge the gap between disparate social media protocols. For the first time, users can transfer their follow graphs from Bluesky to ActivityPub-based networks like Mastodon and Pixelfed, overcoming the technical barriers that previously locked data within specific ecosystems.
Breaking Protocol Silos
Historically, moving social media accounts between platforms has been restricted by incompatible underlying technologies. While Mastodon users can migrate between servers running on the ActivityPub protocol, and Bluesky is developing methods to move data between Personal Data Servers (PDS) on the AT Protocol, cross-protocol migration remained impossible.
Bounce resolves this by utilizing the technology behind Bridgy Fed. The process works by transitioning a user’s Bluesky profile to a bridged account, which then facilitates the transfer of connections to a target Mastodon or Pixelfed account.
Current Migration Capabilities and Limitations
At the current beta stage, the service is strictly one-way. Users can migrate from Bluesky to Mastodon or Pixelfed, but reverse migration is not yet supported. This limitation exists because Bluesky’s current infrastructure allows data exportation but does not provide a mechanism to import accounts back into its network.
Furthermore, developers warn that this is a definitive move. Once a user migrates their account off Bluesky, they lose the ability to use their existing Bluesky credentials to access the app or any other service built on the AT Protocol.
A Timely Tool for Digital Sovereignty
The launch of Bounce arrives amid heightened concerns regarding platform access. On Friday, Bluesky announced it would block access to its service in Mississippi to avoid complying with a new, stringent age-verification law. By providing a path for users to export their social graphs, Bounce offers a vital safety valve for those facing sudden platform restrictions.
A New Social is positioning the beta release for early adopters and enthusiasts eager to contribute feedback. Given the permanent nature of the move, potential users are advised to thoroughly review the migration documentation before initiating the transfer process.