The concept is interesting, but a problem is communicating with others who use iOS/iPadOS devices. They typically can't use this kind of app, because of limitations imposed by the OS[1]. Then, because of networking effects, it becomes very difficult for most people to use.
Of course it has issues running the in the background, but there are possible solutions to this, like having Reticulum run entirely on an RNode, and it is being worked on somewhat actively.
[1] https://forums.developer.apple.com/forums/thread/685525