Arlo Essential not saving to cloud

[jimsz]

I have 2 Arlo Essentials and 3 old Arlo 2's. The older cameras save all movement to the cloud and I can access from my phone app.

The Essentials worked great until the free trial ended. Now all I can do is access them for a live feed not accessing past history of movement.

What gives? There is nothing in the package stating that the essential operates differently from the old cameras. Do I really need to pay $120 a year in order to have my cameras record again?

[jguerdat · Accepted solution]

As noted in the various docs, web sites, etc., any camera newer than the Pro 2 needs a subscription for cloud recordings. You can record locally on a USB drive set up on your base but you'd need to safely eject the drive to view on a computer. The newer hubs (VMB4540 and 5000) can use the app to directly view the local recordings but older ones don't support that.

The trial was included with the cameras to get you started and was your first clue that you need that sub. Without it only local recordings are available.

[jimsz]

I pulled out the boxes for these cameras and there is NOTHING stating a subscription is required for cloud viewing. In the arlo listing on amazon it states just the opposite.

What a bait and switch.