A safety app from China titled “Are You Dead?” has drawn global attention for its unusual but straightforward purpose. The app alerts a user’s chosen emergency contact if they remain inactive for two consecutive days.
The app has recently surged in popularity, particularly among people living alone, and has sparked conversations about personal safety, isolation, and digital wellbeing in modern cities.
How the App Functions
The app is built around a simple check-in system. Users are required to confirm their safety by tapping a button within the app.
If a user does not check in for two days, the app automatically sends a notification to their designated emergency contact on the third day. The alert only indicates prolonged inactivity and does not make any assumption about the user’s condition.
Rising Use Among Young Urban Residents
Launched in May last year, the app has seen a sharp increase in downloads in recent months. Media reports and app store data indicate that it is especially popular among young people living alone in large Chinese cities.
Many users cite long work hours, limited daily social contact, and physical distance from family as reasons for using a tool that provides passive reassurance without constant communication.
Strong App Store Performance and Global Reach
The app has topped paid app rankings on Apple App Store in China and is also trending in several other regions, including the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and Spain.
Much of the overseas interest appears to be driven by Chinese users living abroad, who use the app to maintain a basic safety link with family members or trusted contacts.
Why Users Say the App Helps
Many users describe the app as reassuring rather than alarming. Online comments suggest it appeals to people who live alone, introverts, those dealing with depression, individuals without stable employment, and elderly users who may not have regular check-ins.
For these users, the app offers peace of mind by ensuring that someone will be alerted if they go unresponsive for an extended period.
A Sign of Changing Safety Needs
The growing popularity of the app reflects broader changes in how people approach personal safety and emotional reassurance in urban environments. As more individuals live alone, simple digital tools are increasingly being used to fill gaps once covered by family or community networks.
While opinions vary on the app’s name, its adoption highlights a demand for low-effort ways to signal wellbeing without intrusive monitoring.
