A bluntly named smartphone tool is climbing app charts in China and it is forcing a real conversation about what it means to live alone.

The Are You Dead app is built around one simple habit: check in, or someone gets notified. For many users, that tiny tap is less about technology and more about peace of mind.

What the Are You Dead App Actually Does

Users tap a bright green check-in button each day. If they do not check in for two consecutive days, the app automatically sends an email alert to the emergency contact the user chose. The app is marketed as a lightweight safety tool for people living alone.

It costs 8 yuan (about $1.15) to download and recently surged to the top of Apple’s paid downloads chart in China.

Why it is Going Viral Now

The app’s popularity has landed because solo living is rising fast. Projections cited in reports suggest China could have up to 200 million one-person households by 2030. A 2021 government survey also found that nearly 60% of people aged 60 and older lived alone or only with a spouse.

Online reactions have been split: some people call it comforting, others think the name is too dark. Either way, it has become a lightning rod for anxiety about being isolated and having emergencies go unnoticed.

Who it is Built for and What Comes Next

The developers describe themselves as a small team of three co-founders born after 1995. One co-founder said the target audience is young people living alone in major cities, especially women around age 25 who worry about something going wrong with no one noticing.

The team has said it plans to add new features, including tools that are more friendly for older users and it is also considering a name change.