China’s ‘Are You Dead?’ App becomes hit among people living alone

A new Chinese app, “Are You Dead?”, is gaining rapid popularity, particularly among individuals living alone, offering a unique way to ensure their safety, 24NewsHD TV reported on Monday. 

Launched in May 2025, the app requires users to tap a large button every two days to confirm they are alive.

If the user fails to check in within the set time, the app automatically alerts their designated emergency contacts, signaling that something may be wrong.

A Chinese app called "Are You Dead," or "死了么" in Chinese, has attracted widespread attention online after topping the paid chart on the App Store in China. Designed for people living alone, the app automatically sends an email to notify users' emergency contacts if they fail… pic.twitter.com/9hzYfdh0bX

— Yicai 第一财经 (@yicaichina) January 12, 2026

Designed as a safety companion for students, office workers, and others living in isolation, the app has become China’s most downloaded paid application in recent weeks.

Its popularity is partly fueled by demographic trends; according to the state-run Global Times, China is expected to have 20 million single-person households by 2030.

Initially free, the app now offers a paid version priced at 8 yuan (around 320 Pakistan rupees) for a one-time purchase.

Users have praised it as a necessary tool for those living alone, providing peace of mind in everyday life.