(Yicai) Jan. 14 -- The developers of hit Chinese mobile app Sileme, meaning "Are You Dead," which prompts users to confirm that they are safe every 48 hours or it will automatically notify an emergency contact, will change its name before its global release.

After a careful assessment, Sileme will be renamed to Demumu in the next update, the development team announced yesterday. The app will continue to adhere to its safety principles and promote its original services to overseas users to serve more people living alone, it added.

Sileme was developed by Moonscape Technologies, which was set up last March, and costs CNY8 (USD1.14). Due to its functions hitting the pain points of many young people living alone and its controversial name, it went viral on Chinese social media, topping the paid download charts for Chinese apps on the App Store for five straight days since last week.

Sileme was reportedly made by a team of just three developers for less than CNY1,500 (USD215). After becoming a hit, the team said that many investors have expressed interest in the firm, with the price of a 10 percent stake jumping to nearly CNY10 million (USD1.4 million).

However, many industry insiders warned that Sileme's technical threshold is very low and it is easy to replicate, so it will be difficult for the app to have a long life cycle and create commercial value.

An app developer with 10 years of experience told Yicai that he is able to build an app with similar functions using Google's AI tool Gemini in just one night, without even needing to code manually.

Most users download Sileme mainly for "memes" and will probably not use the app for long, the developer noted. In addition, major apps, such as Tencent Holdings' instant messaging app WeChat, can replace it by simply adding a similar check-in function, the person added.

But if the team can identify further highlights and develop valuable features that can create an emotional connection with users in the future, Sileme might be able to extend its life cycle, the developer said.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Martin Kadiev