"Are you dead?" – Grim yet crucial app climbs to the top of China’s iOS charts

The name may sound like a dark joke, but its success is no laughing matter. Sileme – which translates to “Are you dead?” – has climbed to the top of China’s iOS charts within just a few days, according to reports. The app appears to tap into a deep-seated fear – the prospect of living alone and facing a medical emergency or worse without anyone noticing.

The app’s concept is as simple as it is effective. Users press a button once a day to confirm they are okay. If no response is recorded, an emergency contact is automatically notified by email after two days. An SMS alert feature is reportedly in development. That is essentially all the app does – and this simplicity appears to be central to its success. Downloads have reportedly increased by a factor of 100 within just a few days, with more than 12,000 users now registered. The app is also beginning to attract international attention, appearing in the US under the name Demumu.

A well-established solution for people living alone is the traditional home emergency call system, which typically involves wearing a button around the neck or wrist to trigger an alert in case of emergency. These services, however, usually come with a monthly fee. Sileme, by contrast, is less focused on immediate emergencies but offers a far more affordable alternative. The app initially launched at just one yuan – less than $0.14 – although the price has since increased to around one US dollar.

Wordplay fails to resonate, while Reddit proves unexpectedly empathetic

The name Sileme is no coincidence – it is a play on the name of the Chinese delivery service Eleme, which means “Are you hungry?”. Not everyone, however, appreciates the dark humor. In Chinese culture, direct references to death are often considered inappropriate or unsettling. Many users have suggested softer alternatives such as “Are you alive?”. In response to the criticism, the developers are reportedly considering a name change.

On Reddit – specifically the humor-themed yet news-oriented subreddit r/nottheonion – reactions to Sileme have been unexpectedly serious. Rather than making dark jokes, many users have shared real-life stories of people who went unnoticed in their homes for days or even weeks. For many commenters, the app’s sudden rise in popularity is viewed as a quiet but powerful reflection of growing social isolation.