A paid mobile app called “Are You Dead?”, also known as “Dead Yet?”, has surged to the number one spot on China’s paid app charts, reflecting growing anxiety among people living alone.
The app was launched in May 2025 and targets young adults in major cities. Users must check in every two days by tapping a large on‑screen button to confirm they are alive.
If a user fails to check in, the app automatically alerts a chosen emergency contact, warning that something may be wrong and encouraging them to follow up.
Downloads jumped sharply at the start of 2026, making it the most downloaded paid app in China. The app markets itself as a “safety companion” for people who live alone, study away from home, or prefer a solitary lifestyle.
The surge comes as solo living rises nationwide. Estimates suggest China could have up to 200 million one‑person households by 2030, increasing concerns about health emergencies going unnoticed.
On social media, users have shared personal fears. One wrote: “If I died alone, who would collect my body?” Others said the app could help people who are introverted, depressed, or otherwise vulnerable.
Speaking to media, a Beijing resident said he worried that no one would know if he collapsed in the apartment he rents. He set his mother as his emergency contact in the app.
Some users have criticized the app’s grim name, suggesting alternatives such as “Are You OK?” The developer, Moonscape Technologies, said it is considering a name change.
Internationally, the app appears under the name Demumu and ranks among the top paid utility apps in several countries, including the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and Spain. It costs 8 yuan, or about $1.15.
The founders—three developers born after 1995—say the app cost just 1,000 yuan (about $150) to create. They are now exploring investment opportunities and a future version designed for elderly users.
