• A Chinese app achieves wide popularity and attracts millions of downloads
• It relies on an emergency contact and sends alerts if the user is inactive

A Chinese app designed for people living alone achieved widespread attention online, with a significant surge in downloads and interaction on social media platforms, prompting the developing company to introduce a subscription fee and change the app’s name for a global audience.

The app is known as "Sileme" in Chinese, which translates to "Are you dead?" in English, and it is described by the development team as "a lightweight safety tool for solo dwellers," targeting everyone from students to solo workers and anyone choosing a solitary lifestyle.

The app relies on assigning a single emergency contact and sends automatic notifications if the user has not checked in via the app for several consecutive days.

Local media indicate that China may have around 200 million single-person households, with a solo living rate exceeding 30%.

The development company announced on its official account that it will launch the new global brand name "Demumu" in the upcoming version of the app.

The app already appears under the name "Demumu" on Apple’s paid apps chart, where it currently ranks second after previously topping the list earlier in the week.

The company added that it will introduce a payment system of 8 Chinese yuan (about $1.15) to cover rising operating costs.

Some users on social media platforms have urged the company not to change the app’s name, while others suggested alternative names such as "Are you alive?", "Are you online?" or "Are you there?".