# Upgrade U — user reviews > 64 indexed App Store user reviews of Upgrade U by Jon Phillips, rated 3.20/5 from 141 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upgrade-u/id673638351/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upgrade-u/id673638351.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 52 · 4★ 26 · 3★ 6 · 2★ 9 · 1★ 48 ## Newest reviews (19 of 64) ### 3/5 — Best Supporting app for test *2023-08-22, version 2.4.2* This app helped me pass my exams, please Make This app payable instead of free. It’s worth it. It’s been glitching so I’d be happy to pay to keep it updated! Get this one people ! ### 3/5 — Wrong answers *2023-08-10, version 2.4.2* Is it just me, or are some of these questions wrong? Does anyone else notice this? ### 4/5 — Incorrect answer *2023-07-12* I have found an incorrect answer in one of the questions given by the app. The app states you show the day shape ,diamond ,regardless of the length of tow, yet the USCG nav law book states it is only shown if the length of the tow exceeds 200meters. Am I just not understanding something? ### 4/5 — Love the app *2023-03-31, version 2.4.2* I love this app I have used it for years but they need to update the question bank to the new 2019 questions. ### 1/5 — Shuts down every time I open it. *2023-02-07, version 2.4.2* Will not stay open. ### 1/5 — Used to be a great app *2022-12-29, version 2.4.2* Opens for 30 seconds and crashes, this is a real bummer! It’s pretty much useless…. ### 1/5 — Useless after iOS 16.1.1 update *2022-12-08, version 2.4.2* App has no function after update. Crashes every time you try to test or study. Developer needs to fix sonic will work with current version of iOS. BEWARE. DO NOT BUY FOR IOS UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS CORRECTED. ### 1/5 — Broken App *2022-07-29, version 2.4.2* I have been using this for about six months. About a month ago, whenever I click on the study tab at the bottom of the Home Screen it closes the app out. Making this completely useless. ### 1/5 — App is dead. No longer works. *2021-01-20, version 2.4.2* As my title says. App no longer works. Very disappointing. Used to be a good resource. ### 1/5 — Hasn’t been updated *2020-11-27, version 2.4.2* It used to work great, no updates and no responses from developer, don’t waste your money ### 4/5 — Great app!... BUT! *2020-10-26, version 2.4.2* For the second time now It keeps crashing out of the app when you hit ‘study’, please fix it, other than that... it’s a great app. ### 1/5 — Terrible App *2020-10-26, version 2.4.2* First, this App hasn’t been updated in 3 years. It has outdated questions and doesn’t work on any device IOS 13+. Second, the developer didn’t respond to my refund request after spending $30 on a broken app which doesn’t work with ANY of my devices! Third, I found a much cheaper and up-to-date App - Sea Trials - I would suggest you download this App before wasting your money on Upgrade U. ### 1/5 — Needs an update. *2020-10-22, version 2.4.2* Cancels out of app when you tap study. ### 1/5 — No support *2020-10-01, version 2.4.2* Downloaded to help my son on his 100 ton USCG class, realized it wouldn’t be helpful, asked for a refund within minutes, got a auto reply and nothing since, been over 2 weeks. I have several USCG Licenses and don’t find it useful. Would like my money back, Save your money don’t buy ### 1/5 — Need Updating Crashes. Waste of Money *2020-05-03, version 2.4.2* App does not work on iPhone 11 Pro Max running iOS 13.3.1. Shows up blank when hit test and main tabs. Study tab crashes the app. ### 1/5 — Can’t install on iPhone 7 *2020-04-17, version 2.4.2* I paid money for this and can’t even install it. Pity, since it looks like a really useful resource. ### 1/5 — Needs an update for newer IPhones and iOS *2020-02-01, version 2.4.2* Please update the app so that we can continue to study for upgrades. This is a fantastic app but it does not work well currently. ### 4/5 — Great app but... *2020-01-02, version 2.4.2* Great app, but the question bank needs to be updated with the new questions. I use lapware and this app to study. Lapware has the new bank but this app offers easier to understand solutions. Giving it 4 stars for that reason. ### 4/5 — Update please *2019-08-22, version 2.4.2* Would give 5 stars if the swing ship deviation table values were complete. Can’t work the problems otherwise. Everything else is great. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Crash *2025-08-21, version 2.4.2* App crashes when i select study, waiting for fix ### 1/5 — Hasn’t been updated for 8 years *2024-09-21, version 2.4.2* These are the old USCG questions. You might see a few on the test but I’d rather use lapware. This app is great for the chart plot practice tests though. As of 07/2024 the App is no longer working. ### 1/5 — Rip Off *2024-08-22, version 2.4.2* I paid for this app and when you open it it kicks me off and will not let me go to anything to study or test. Everyone here at my place of employment had it and it’s done the same for everyone else as well. Probably worth suing to get everyone’s money back ### 1/5 — App keeps crashing *2024-06-20, version 2.4.2* As of June 18th 2024 the app keeps crashing when trying to use study mode, making the app pointless. This was great for Rules of the Road, but it needs to be updated! ### 1/5 — App keeps crashing *2024-04-11, version 2.4.2* Keeps crashing when trying to take a test ### 1/5 — Was great now not functional *2024-01-02, version 2.4.2* App closes soon after opening or whenever you hit the practice tab. Definitely needs to be updated or removed from the AppStore. ### 1/5 — App close automatically *2023-12-20, version 2.4.2* Ive tried reinstalling the app but still the same it would automatically closed when i try to study any materials. Im trying to study for third mate but I’ve mistakenly checked the captain, however, it was working before until recently. Please advise ### 1/5 — App does not work *2023-10-14* I just recently purchased this App, after downloading I tried to use it, it once it opens a test it shows the test for a second then crashes, if I try to choose something besides the Master Unlimited test it crashes, I have deleted the app and reinstalled it, a couple times, each time the same results, I have sent email stating this to Phillips Apps, it said to wait 48 hours for a reply, it’s been 3 days no reply yet. I would really like the App to work, I hope there is something they can do, if not refund my money, at least contact me and let me know they are aware of my situation and are working on it. As of now, I would not recommend this to anyone, if the App maker contacts me and works with me to get this App working and it works properly, I would recommend it ### 1/5 — NO UPDTES - DO NOT BUY *2023-07-08, version 2.4.2* Don’t waste your money, app has none of the new questions. ### 1/5 — No longer functional *2023-04-01, version 2.4.2* I used this app extensively in the past and it was great. It has bot been updated in 7 years now (?) and is no longer functional. Constantly crashes and cannot be used to study or take practice exams. Hopefully it will be updated and some point in the future but avoid it for now. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great app *2020-11-09, version 2.4.2* Easy to use. Offline which is great for studying offshore. One thing that would be great is if they had a few more problems solutions for ones that require maths but thats all in bowditch anyways. A few nav rules questions are incorrect but only in nav rules. Recommend. ### 5/5 — Great work *2019-05-11, version 2.4.2* This is exactly what I needed when I was studying. I used a combination of this app, Murphy’s books, Lapware, and the knowledge of shipmates to hawsepipe from AB to 3rd Mate Unl. I especially liked the rules of the road practice exams, it’s just very convenient to have all of this in your pocket. I recommend Upgrade-U to people I meet who are taking classes with me and shipmates who want to advance constantly. The only issue I have with the software is it won’t run in my new IPhone XS Max and I was hoping to use it to study for a job application screening Coldegs simulator I’ll need to take next month. I’ll just end up using my retired iPhone 6+ but if you can update for compatibility before I start studying for celestial that would be awesome. Many thanks! ### 5/5 — Great app for preparing for chief mates/masters *2018-04-25, version 2.4.2* This app was great to supplement lap ware. I used this to prepare for all exams except stability. Solutions provided were well written and provided reference to which exam material you could find the formulas in. It included digital copies reference material which you can access offline. I used this while onboard my vessel without internet and had no problems. The only thing is they need to add stability solutions. Otherwise this is a great cheap way to help prepare for your exams. ### 5/5 — Great job *2017-09-12, version 2.4.2* This is an excellent study tool. The questions are sorted and organized as well as any USCG exam prep app that I have used. Keep up the good work. ### 5/5 — A great study tool *2017-06-01, version 2.4.2* Could this program be more encompassing? Yes. If you devote yourself to using all of the study tools this program offers will it get you a passing score on the dreaded USCG exams? Absolutely. There is always room for improvement, but this program already provides the tools needed to pass the CG exams at a fraction of the cost of competitors, i.e. Lapware, study classes. This is an affordable way to study for your exams in the palms of your hands. I would recommend using this app in conjunction with a study course, but if you seriously devote yourself and use all the tools it offers, it's all you need. ### 5/5 — Super helpful *2017-05-07, version 2.4.2* Great for studying for 3rd mate unlimited as a college student, I used it in conjunction with lapware. Worked out for me beautifully ### 5/5 — Great resource for studying! *2017-02-04, version 2.4.2* I used this app as a supplement study guide for both my mate and master exams. Easy to use and the fact that you don't need internet makes it priceless for studying while offshore. ### 5/5 — 1600 ton Master GL/INL *2016-08-13, version 2.4.2* This app was the only thing I used to study for my 1600 ton Master GL/INL test which I passed with ease. I would use it again and highly recommend it. ### 5/5 — Great Value!!! *2016-04-19, version 2.3.1* I have used this app to study for all of my upper level licensing exams. It is much cheaper and more convenient than Lapware, while offering essentially the same functions. It is especially useful for Mariners studying at sea who may lack a reliable internet connection. The lack of some solutions is not a serious impediment. ### 5/5 — As good as lap ware but in your pocket *2016-02-22, version 2.4.2* Love it --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*