# UScellular Protect vs Encore Plus

The clearest difference is update cadence: Encore Plus at every 3 days against UScellular Protect's every 5 weeks. Encore Plus also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UScellular Protect ships an update every 5 weeks, Encore Plus every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | UScellular Protect | Encore Plus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (750 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uscellular-protect/id1130523509/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **750** | — |
| Positive reviews | 53.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 116 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [U.S. Cellular](https://appshunter.io/developer/808271927) | [Eneso](https://appshunter.io/developer/1576504759) |

## What reviewers say

### UScellular Protect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uscellular-protect/id1130523509)

This app acts as your personal tech expert for your mobile device, offering troubleshooting guides, device location, and data backup. It also provides access to your coverage information, allows direct communication with tech support, and helps protect your identity online.

**Highlights:** Step-by-step troubleshooting guides, Locate lost or stolen devices, Backup and restore data, Access coverage information and claims, Direct chat with tech pros, Identity and cyber threat protection

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Secure backup
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 100GB free storage
- 🔒 Helpful tech support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Backup issues
- 🐛 Freezing/crashing
- 🐛 Notification problems
- 🐛 Connectivity problems

**Reported bugs**

- Backup never completes
- Backup stops when app is closed
- Unable to create account due to freezing

**Requested features**

- Cellular signal status bar
- Improved backup reliability


### Encore Plus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/encore-plus/id1576504757)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is UScellular Protect free?

UScellular Protect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Encore Plus free?

Encore Plus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do UScellular Protect or Encore Plus have ads?

Neither UScellular Protect nor Encore Plus shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, UScellular Protect or Encore Plus?

UScellular Protect ships an update every 5 weeks, and Encore Plus every 3 days. Most recently, UScellular Protect was updated on October 8, 2026 and Encore Plus on September 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*