Jan 13, 2026 16:00:00

'Shilei (Died?),' an app that tells single people if they've died alone, is now the top paid app on China's App Store.

A Chinese app called '

Shi Le Yi (Died?)' has attracted a lot of attention after reaching the top of the paid app rankings on the Chinese App Store. It's said that people in China, where the number of single-person households is expected to reach 200 million by 2030, are starting to use the app because they fear dying alone.

'Are You Dead?' is now the top paid App Store app in China - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/12/are-you-dead-is-now-the-top-paid-app-store-app-in-china/

“Are You Dead?” app designed for people living alone surges to number 1 in China - Dexerto
https://www.dexerto.com/tech/are-you-dead-app-designed-for-people-living-alone-surges-to-number-1-in-china-3303478/

Viral Chinese app 'Sileme' responds to rising public attention, possible rebranding - Global Times
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1352833.shtml

Shilyou is an app that allows users to confirm their survival by pressing a large button displayed on the screen. If the user does not press the button for two consecutive days, the app will send an email to the registered emergency contacts.

The app was released in May 2025 and was not initially popular, but from the beginning of 2026, the number of downloads increased dramatically and it rose to the top of the paid app rankings.

The app has attracted so much attention that its developers have even issued a statement. According to the developers, the app was jointly developed by three people born after 1995, took less than a month to develop, and cost just over 1,000 yuan (approximately $230). The number of downloads is expected to skyrocket more than 100-fold from 2026, resulting in increased server load and operational costs. The developers plan to raise the price from the current $8 (approximately $180) to $15 (approximately $340).

Chinese app Are You Dead is considering raising USD500,000, its developer told Southern Metropolis Daily, adding the price per download will be increased to up to CNY15 from CNY8 (USD2.15 from USD1.15), as it is the only way to turn a profit. https://t.co/iepMBsDTKI

— Yicai First Purchase (@yicaichina) January 12, 2026

The name 'Si-le-ma' is reportedly a play on the Chinese food delivery service 'E-le-ma (Are you hungry?).'

The app is also popular outside of China, with the international version, named ' Demumu ,' ranking highly among paid apps in the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and Spain. This suggests that it is being used by Chinese users living outside of China.

Wilson Hou, a 38-year-old Beijing resident who uses the app, said, 'I'm worried that if something were to happen to me, I'd die alone in a rented apartment with no one to know about it,' and revealed that he has registered his mother as an emergency contact.

Some people also say, 'Dead?' is bad luck. It should be 'Alive?'. Users have also suggested new features to further enhance the app's functionality.

In response to these comments, the development team stated, 'Going forward, we will focus on improving the product, including enhancing the SMS notification function, considering adding a messaging function, and exploring ways to make the product more elderly-friendly. We also appreciate the suggestions for a new name that you all provided, and will carefully consider and review them. We are honored and deeply grateful to have received such widespread attention.'