The app alerts a chosen contact if a user fails to check in for two consecutive days.
Launched in May 2025, it is now the top paid app on China’s Apple App Store.
Its blunt name has sparked debate, even as demand grows among solo urban residents.
A recently launched iPhone application with an unusually blunt name has climbed to the top of Apple’s App Store charts in China. The app, called Sileme, translated as Are You Dead, has been drawing attention for its simple but striking approach to personal safety. The description of the app says, it is designed for the people who live alone and its core function is straightforward: users are required to check in on the app regularly, and if they fail to do so for two consecutive days, the app automatically alerts a pre-selected emergency contact that something may be wrong.
SurveyIntroduced in May 2025, the app has steadily gained traction and now ranks on the top of the paid app edition on the Chinese App Store. As per the official website, it has over 12,000 users. Interestingly, the application is priced at 8 yuan, or roughly Rs 103, and is not available for free.
Talking about the interface, it is intentionally minimal, featuring a large green button that users must tap on to confirm that they are safe. Missing two check-ins triggers a notification to a trusted contact, giving the app as a digital safety net rather than a health tracker.
Why is it going viral?
The Are You Dead app presents itself as a safety comparison for people who live alone because of their jobs, studies, or personal preferences. Students, young professionals, and senior citizens are the target audience, especially in cities where living alone is becoming more prevalent. The app seems to have connected with a growing demographic in China, where one-person households are predicted to rise sharply in the upcoming years.
The app has been published by Moonscape Technologies Inc and was created by a small independent team of three founders, all born after 1995. Following the application’s viral rise, the developers said they plan to improve the product, including adding SMS alerts and customised versions for elderly users.
Despite its popularity, the app’s name has sparked debate online. While the developers initially chose it for its memorability and wordplay, some users have suggested a softer name such as “Are You Alive?” or “Are You Okay?” would be more appropriate.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
