A mobile application with a morbidly direct name is gaining significant traction among UK users, particularly those living solitary lives. The app, called 'Are You Dead?' (also known as 'Si Le Ma?' or 'Demumu' in the UK), provides a simple digital check-in system to alert loved ones if a user might be in trouble.
How the 99p Safety Net Works
Priced at just 99p on the Apple App Store, the app's premise is straightforward. Users are required to tap a large green button featuring a cartoon ghost every two days. This action confirms they are safe and active.
If a user misses this check-in, the app automatically sends a notification to a pre-selected emergency contact. The message states: 'An important notice. I'm [name]. I've been inactive for multiple consecutive days. Come check my physical condition.' Notably, the app requires no account creation, phone number, or email address to function.
Originally launched in China in June 2025 with little initial attention, 'Are You Dead?' has since gone viral. It is currently the second-most downloaded utility app on the UK Apple App Store. The store description targets solo travellers, international students, and individuals leading 'solitary lifestyles', with the tagline: 'Alone but not lonely, safety by your side.'
Taboo Name and Soaring Demand
The app's blunt name directly challenges cultural taboos, particularly in China where discussion of death is often considered unlucky. Some users on Weibo have criticised the name, with one suggesting 'Are You Alive?' would be more palatable.
However, the founder, identified only as Lü, told the Guangzhou Daily the name will not change. 'Death is something everyone must face,' Lü said. 'Perhaps only when people know the point of their own death can they better face the present.' The development team consists of just three people born in the 1990s.
The app's concept was born from online conversations about the fear of dying alone and unnoticed. One poignant Weibo post asked: 'If I suddenly die one day, will anyone remember me?' This resonates with users like Wilson Hou, 38, who told the BBC he added his mother as his contact because he worries about dying alone in his rented accommodation without anyone knowing.
A Response to a Growing Solitary Population
The app's relevance is underscored by stark demographic trends. In the UK, 8.4 million people lived alone in 2025, an 11% annual increase driven largely by an ageing population. Nearly half of solo dwellers are over 65.
Globally, the picture is similar. Chinese state media predicts up to 200 million people will live alone in China by 2030. Lü cited worries about older people falling ill with no one to notice as a key driver for creating the app.
The surge in interest has overwhelmed the small team. The app's Weibo account posted that they are 'flooded with interview requests and calls from investors,' admitting the founder is under 'immense mental pressure.' Despite its simple premise and provocative name, 'Are You Dead?' taps into a profound and growing modern anxiety, offering a digital solution for an increasingly disconnected world.
