Are you dead app goes viral in China
HONG KONG: The Are you dead app, designed as a safety tool for people living alone, has gone viral in China, triggering a sharp rise in downloads and widespread debate across social media platforms, according to Reuters.
The app, known locally as Sileme, bluntly translates to “Are you dead?” and is marketed as a lightweight safety solution for solo dwellers, including students, office workers, and individuals who choose a solitary lifestyle. Users are required to designate one emergency contact, and the app automatically sends alerts if the user fails to check in for several consecutive days.
China is home to an estimated 200 million one-person households, with more than 30 percent of residents living alone, according to state-run newspaper Global Times. This growing demographic has driven strong interest in digital tools aimed at personal safety and reassurance.
Following its rapid rise in popularity, the developers announced changes to the platform, including the introduction of a subscription fee and a global rebrand. In a post on its official Weibo account, the company said the app will soon be released internationally under the name Demumu.
The app is already listed as Demumu on Apple’s paid app chart, where it is currently ranked second, after briefly reaching the top position earlier in the week.
The developers said the project was launched by a small independent team of three individuals born after 1995 and was never expected to attract such widespread attention. On Sunday, they announced an eight-yuan ($1.15) payment model to help cover rising operational and infrastructure costs. On Apple’s App Store in Hong Kong, the app is already priced at HK$8.
The decision to change the app’s name has sparked mixed reactions online. While some users urged the developers to retain the original title, arguing its directness was key to its appeal, others suggested softer alternatives such as “Are you alive?” or “Are you there?”
One social media user commented that while the name may seem harsh to some, the app offers genuine peace of mind. “It helps people like us feel safer living alone,” the user wrote, adding that it addresses a real and growing social concern.
The viral success of the Are you dead app highlights changing social patterns in China, where rising living costs, shifting family structures, and urban lifestyles have led to a sharp increase in solo living — along with new challenges related to personal safety and digital wellbeing.
