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‘Are You Dead?’ iOS App Becomes China’s Top Paid Download as Minimalist Safety Check-In Goes Viral

The surge highlights China’s growing ranks of people living alone, raising questions about the app’s blunt name.

Overview

  • Developed by Moonscape Technologies, the paid tool prompts a daily check-in and emails a designated contact on the third day if the user has been inactive for two consecutive days.
  • The app is available only on iOS and costs 8 yuan (about $1.10), drawing criticism over price, accessibility and real-world usefulness.
  • Hu Xijin, the former Global Times editor, praised its potential for older users and suggested a softer name, and the app’s account said it would seriously consider a rename.
  • The developer defended its deliberately minimalist design even as users questioned reliance on manual check-ins and email alerts that may be too slow in emergencies.
  • Its rise comes as official figures count more than 92 million people living alone in China, with Beike Research projecting 150–200 million by 2030.