China’s ‘Are You Dead?’ App Becomes Top Paid Download, Checks if You’re Alive

A new app called “Are You Dead?” has become the most downloaded paid app in China. Designed for people living alone or far from home, the app requires users to prove they are alive every two days by pressing a button. If a user fails to respond, the app sends an alert to a pre-set emergency contact, indicating that the person may be in trouble.

How the App Works
Launched in May 2025, the app costs 8 yuan (approximately ₹75). Users must press the “I’m Alive” button at least once every two days. Failure to do so triggers an automatic alert to a chosen contact, helping ensure that someone can check on them if needed. The app aims to address concerns such as loneliness and the fear of unnoticed emergencies for people living alone.

Target Audience and Popularity
According to reports from Global Times, research suggests that by 2030, China could have up to 200 million single-person households. The app is particularly useful for students living away from home, people working long hours, or those in solitary apartments. Wilson, a 38-year-old resident of Beijing, shared that he immediately downloaded the app and set his mother as his emergency contact, explaining, “If something happens to me, who will know?”

Mixed Reactions Online
The app has received mixed reviews online. Some users praise it for its utility, while others mock it. One user joked, “If I’m alive, I don’t need this. If I’m dead, I’ll have too many things to worry about anyway.” Another compared it to Singapore’s IRAS system, which conducts annual checks.

Rising Loneliness Drives Adoption
The app’s popularity stems from China’s increasing number of people living alone. By 2030, single-person households may reach 200 million, with many residents living in small apartments and going days without in-person interaction.

Low-Cost Creation, High-Value Potential
The app was developed by three young developers born after 1995, who created it for just ₹10,000. They are now attempting to sell a 10% stake in the app for ₹1 crore and plan to develop new versions aimed at elderly users. The provocative name, “Are You Dead?”, was deliberately chosen to grab attention, similar to how “Are You Hungry?” works for a food delivery app. Developers may consider renaming it to “Are You Okay?” to make it less ominous. Internationally, the app is known as Demumu.