Can a Ring camera work without a subscription

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Ring cameras have redefined home monitoring, providing live feeds and motion alerts that add a layer of security to your property. But does a Ring camera work without a subscription?

Thankfully, yes. But they do have some limitations.

But Ring’s decision in March 2023 to place several key features behind a paywall has left many users wondering about the value of the Protect subscription.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the specifics of what you can do with your Ring camera without subscribing and what you might be missing out on.

Understanding the Changes

The shift in March 2023 saw features such as recorded video history and alarm arming/disarming move into the subscription-only side of things.

But what does that mean for the average Ring user? Let’s find out.

Navigating Ring Without a Subscription:

Even without a subscription, there are several useful features that remain accessible to Ring users. Here are some of them that you can count on to keep your home secure.

• Staying Alert: Even without a subscription, your Ring camera keeps you informed about activity around your home, sending alerts to your phone or smart home device whenever it detects motion.
• The Community’s Watchdog: The Neighbors app by Ring, which is free to use even if you don’t own a Ring device, offers a way to stay informed about security matters in your neighborhood.

The Fine Print

Before we move on to subscription plans, let’s discuss some key features and protections that Ring offers, subscription or not. These may impact your decision on whether a subscription is necessary for your needs:

• Warranty Woes: Ring has a one-year limited warranty that covers any manufacturing defect. Subscription or not, if your Ring device malfunctions within this period, Ring commits to repairing or replacing it.
• Alerts on the Go: Motion-activated notifications are a valuable tool for monitoring activity around your home.
• Peering Through the Lens: Live View allows you to access real-time video footage from your Ring camera.
• Theft Protection: If your Ring outdoor camera gets stolen, Ring will replace it free of charge, provided you have a valid police report.

Decoding Subscription Plans

There are several Ring Protect subscription plans available, each with its own set of features and benefits.

The Basic plan covers one device, while the Plus plan extends coverage to all devices at a single location.

The Pro plan offers the same device coverage as Plus but includes 24/7 professional monitoring for Ring Alarm security systems.

For an in-depth comparison of these plans, refer to the comprehensive guide on Ring’s subscription plans.

Does Ring Camera work without a subscription?

Your Ring camera is a powerful tool, even without a subscription. But to unlock its full potential, a subscription might be worth considering.

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve assembled a toolkit of resources to navigate this crossroad, including a downloadable decision guide.

Features	Description
Video Recording	Your Ring camera will record all events triggered by motion.
Video History for up to 180 Days	You can access and review up to 180 days of video history stored in the app.
Video Saving and Sharing	This feature allows your camera to take periodic photo snapshots, giving you a snapshot history of the day’s events, filling in the gaps between motion-activated recordings. These snapshots are stored for 7 days.
Snapshot Capture	You can set the camera to send notifications specifically when it spots a person.
Person Alerts	This feature allows your camera to take periodic photo snapshots, giving you a snapshot history of the day’s events, and filling in the gaps between motion-activated recordings. These snapshots are stored for 7 days.
Package Alerts	The camera alerts specifically when a package is delivered to your doorstep.
Rich Notifications	This feature shows you a photo preview right in the alert. You can quickly see what triggered the motion without opening the app.
Camera Home and Away Modes	Toggle between Home and Away Modes through the Ring app. (Previously a free feature)
Arm and Disarm Ring Alarm Digitally	You can arm and disarm your Ring Alarm and the subsequent recording on Ring cameras digitally through the Ring app or Alexa
10% Discount on Select Ring Products	This one is pretty obvious. Just remember the ‘Select’ part.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.