The Chinese app “Are You Dead?”, designed for people who live alone, has become one of the country’s top-selling paid apps. Developed by Moonscape Technologies, the app promotes itself as a “safety tool crafted for solo dwellers… to make solitary life more reassuring.” Although the app was released in May 2025, it has only recently skyrocketed to the top of the Chinese iOS store’s list of paid apps. This trend coincides with a rise in single-person households in China, declining marriage rates, and an increasing number of elderly empty-nesters. The app, known internationally as Demumu, prompts users to check in every two days by clicking a large button to confirm they are alive. "If you haven't checked in for two days, the system will send an email to your emergency contact," an internationally available version of the app tells users. Research institutions estimate that by 2030, China could have as many as 200 million one-person households, according to the Chinese state media outlet Global Times. Designed for these users, the app brands 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.” With rising app downloads in China and internationally, Moonscape Technologies is considering a rebrand in response to criticism of the app’s name.
