Essential Wireless Doorbell and 2nd Gen Camera not recording

[ptannie]

I've had 3 Pro 2 cameras since 2018 and have been happy with only 7 days of recordings, no service plan.  I just added an Essential 2nd Gen camera and doorbell camera.  There was a trial plan to capture 30 days of recordings.   Since the trial lapsed, I am only getting the 7 days recordings on my 3 old cameras and none on the new Essential camera or doorbell.  They do notify me of motion, but no recordings.  Is this "normal" behavior?   Was the trial period so I wouldn't catch on that these new cameras don't include the basic functionality of the old cameras or am I missing some setting?

[StephenB]

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@ptannie wrote:

Since the trial lapsed, I am only getting the 7 days recordings on my 3 old cameras and none on the new Essential camera or doorbell.  They do notify me of motion, but no recordings.  Is this "normal" behavior?   

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Yes.  Arlo stopped offering free 7-day cloud recording on new camera models back in 2018, and all currently sold cameras require a subscription to get any cloud recording.

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@ptannie wrote:

Was the trial period so I wouldn't catch on that these new cameras don't include the basic functionality of the old cameras?

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Well, there is text on the packaging, on Arlo's store site, and most other on-line stores that talks about the need for a subscription.  It's not always as prominent as I would like, but it is there.  

Some more details are here:

• https://kb.arlo.com/000062312/What-options-will-I-have-when-the-Arlo-trial-ends

Though one thing missing from the article above - access to Arlo support also requires a subscription (or cameras under warranty).

[ptannie]

Thank you for your reply - had I asked earlier I'd have saved hours of searching and tinkering.  

This is very disappointing.  I had recommended Arlo to others, but can do that no longer.