为什么大家都在买「死了么」App？

In the past two days, the hottest product across the internet is an app called "Are You Dead?" You read that right, and I wrote it correctly. It's really called "Are You Dead?"

This is not a free product. It's priced at 8 yuan.

Currently, this product has ranked first on the paid apps list of the Apple App Store for several consecutive days.

It can be said that this is the first wildly popular app in 2026.

So, what functions does such a popular product have? And what needs does it meet?

I didn't buy it, but many of my friends around me did. At the same time, they also told me not to buy it.

The reason is simple: it's useless.

The function of this app is actually very simple. You enter your name and the email address of your emergency contact, and then sign in every day. If you don't sign in, it will automatically send an alarm email to your emergency contact.

That's it. There's nothing more.

Some netizens said, The pain point scores 99 points, while the function scores only 1 point.

I guess you'll also say, "Is that all?"

Is that all, and it dares to sell for 8 yuan?

Indeed, not only do many people buy it, but there are even investment institutions willing to invest money in it.

This product was developed by three post - 1995 individuals through remote collaboration. The total development time was less than a month, and the cumulative cost was about 1,000 yuan.

Now, they plan to sell 10% of the company's shares for 1 million yuan. That means the valuation of this company is 10 million yuan.

To be honest, I think it's a bit crazy.

Firstly, there's no technological barrier; secondly, no product barrier; thirdly, no user stickiness. Why?

Moreover, this product currently has significant functional flaws and problems in solving users' real - world needs.

For example, currently, the only way to notify emergency contacts is through email. However, email notifications are often delayed, and domestic users don't have good habits or high frequencies of using email.

So, some users who bought the app joked in the App Store review section that by the time their emergency contacts see the email, they'll already be dead and stinking.

In contrast, text messages and phone calls are better than emails in terms of notification timeliness. I heard that the team said they'll upgrade the function later.

So, why are people buying "Are You Dead?"

In my opinion, there are three reasons.

First, a inauspicious but straightforward name.

If I remember correctly, this is the first product that directly includes the word "death" in its name. Although it's inauspicious, it's very straightforward.

This name arouses people's curiosity. Curiosity drives people to take a look, which in turn creates popularity.

This is a way of attracting attention through contrast. Therefore, many people don't download and buy this app because of actual needs, but simply out of curiosity.

Second, the motivation behind the need is fear.

Of course, this product does hit users' needs or pain points to some extent.

The essence of the pain point is fear.

I saw some data that there are 123 million single - living people in China. Every single - living person will be hit by this fear. After all, we don't know whether tomorrow or an accident will come first.

For single - living people, living alone is lonely and insecure. What they need is not companionship but to be noticed.

Although this app has simple functions, the scenario depicted by its functional logic hits this fear well.

Therefore, the real motivation behind the need is fear, a kind of safety net.

Third, remotely filling the family affection for single - living people.

In addition to the real needs triggered by self - fear, there is another group: children who are far away from their parents. They need a way to build a family bond.

This need has existed for a long time. In the past, it was met through WeChat and phone calls, but this app provides a more lightweight way.

Most of the time, what they need is just a confirmation, not a communication.

So, this is a way to remotely fill the family affection for single - living people.

The popularity of the "Are You Dead?" app is not without reason. Behind it is the combination of human nature, needs, and the product.

The product is just a medium that carries users' emotions and problems. Only by understanding people can we make good products.

Finally

The "Are You Dead?" app is just a microcosm, reflecting modern people's lack of security.

In the fast - paced modern society, more and more young people leave their hometowns to work alone. Living alone has become the norm and a source of hidden anxiety.

They're afraid of getting sick at night without anyone knowing and of their relatives finding out too late after an accident. This uneasiness of "having no safety net" always lingers in the minds of single - living people.

Busy work fills our lives. We always keep delaying "contacting our family when we're free" and owe our relatives company and greetings.

Although we care about each other, all that's left are fragmented messages through the screen.

The emergence of the "Are You Dead?" app just fills this gap in emotion and safety. A simple daily sign - in can convey your concern and let your family know you're okay.

Chinese people's emotions often need a delicate and gentle outlet.

This article is from the WeChat official account "Tang Ren" (ID: RyanTang007), written by Tang Ren and published by 36Kr with authorization.