Subscription Plan for model Pro 3

[Jflood]

For the first time since purchasing my system, I am discovering that a subscription plan is required to receive video recordings when the camera is activated. We use our Arlo when we go away for 6 months every year. I don't want to subscribe during the 6 months that the cameras are in the box. Does anyone know whether you can suspend/ terminate your subscription and reactivate/resubscribe 6 months later. It is impossible to get ahold of anyone from customer service.

[StephenB]

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@Jflood wrote:
For the first time since purchasing my system, I am discovering that a subscription plan is required to receive video recordings when the camera is activated.

Can you confirm that you have Pro 3 cameras?

Also, what base/smarthub do you own?  Look for a VMBxxxx label on it.

[Jflood]

Thanks for helping. Yes, I have 4 Pro 3 cameras. The base/smarthub has VMB4540

[StephenB]

That does require a subscription for cloud storage. However, many people do use local storage instead. https://kb.arlo.com/000062337/What-is-Direct-Storage-Access-and-how-do-I-use-it There are disadvantages, it does not offer as good an experience as the subscription does. (a) recordings can only be seen in the app, not the web browser. (b) recordings can only be seen from the primary account, not friend accounts (c) no thumbnails, so all videos need to be downloaded to your phone before you can see anything (d) remote access requires router setting changes that many find difficult (and which do not work with some internet service providers).

[Jflood]

I appreciate your insight. That is beyond my capabilities. Circling back to my question on Arlo subscription plans. Can i choose one for the 6 months per year that I'm not home, and then cancel it for the next 6 months? Repeating that every year. Thanks

[StephenB]

You can cancel - when you do that the subscription will run until the end of the billing period. Arlo doesn't refund. So make sure you get the monthly subscription, and not annual.