“Are You Dead?”: A Surprisingly Popular Life Check-In
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective. “Are You Dead?” does exactly what its eyebrow-raising name suggests: every two days, the app asks you to check in by tapping a very obvious button—just to confirm that yes, you’re still alive. If you miss this digital headcount, the app will reach out to your pre-chosen emergency contact and let them know you might be in trouble. No pressure!
Launched rather quietly last May, “Are You Dead?” didn’t draw much attention at first. But in the past few weeks, it has skyrocketed in popularity, especially among young adults living solo in big Chinese cities—people who, let’s be honest, have probably had ramen alone a few too many nights in a row.
A Safety Net for the Solo Crowd
The app describes itself as a “safety company companion… whether you’re a solo office worker, a student living away from home, or anyone choosing a solitary lifestyle.” That’s a pretty wide net—and it seems to be working.
Social media users in China have chimed in about why tools like this are needed:
“People who live alone at any stage of their life need something like this, as do introverts, those with depression, the unemployed and others in vulnerable situations,”
wrote one user.
“There is a fear that people living alone might die unnoticed, with no one to call for help. I sometimes wonder, if I died alone, who would collect my body?”
added another.
One man who works in Beijing shared his story: although he normally returns home to see his wife and child twice a week, work has him living on-site for now. He admitted,
“I worry that if something happened to me, I could die alone in the place I rent and no one would know. That’s why I downloaded the app and I set my mum as my emergency contact.”
An Unusual Name, a Rapid Rise
You have to admit—the name “Are You Dead?” is hard to ignore. Even so, its creators at Moonscape Technologies say they’re listening to feedback and might consider rebranding. Internationally, the app is listed as “Demumu” and it’s climbing the charts for paid utility apps: top two in the US, Singapore, and Hong Kong, and top four in Australia and Spain. This might be partly thanks to Chinese users living abroad—and perhaps the universal desire to have someone notice if you go suspiciously quiet.
Details about the minds behind “Are You Dead?” are scarce. What we know: it was built by a small team of three, all born after 1995, in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. The company’s valuation story is the kind tech dreams are made of: Mr Guo, one of the founders, told Chinese media they’re aiming to raise funds by selling 10% of the company for one million yuan (roughly $140,000). Not bad, especially since building the app reportedly cost just 1,000 yuan (about $140). Talk about a return on investment!
Expanding the Audience: From Young Urbanites to Seniors
With the app’s growing success, the team’s ambitions are expanding too. They are now exploring a product tailored for elderly people—especially timely in China, where over 20% of the population is over 60. To underline their genuine intent, the company shared an appeal over the weekend:
“We would like to call on more people to pay attention to the elderly who are living at home, to give them more care and understanding. They have dreams, strive to live, and deserve to be seen, respected and protected.”
So whether you’re a young professional binge-watching alone, or a retiree enjoying the quiet, “Are You Dead?” is there to gently—if bluntly—make sure you’re OK. Welcome to the next level of digital check-ins, where being a little morbid might just be a lifesaver.
