Understanding How Canary Camera Storage Works
If you're a Canary camera user, you might be concerned about your device's storage becoming full and preventing it from recording new events. However, Canary's storage system works differently from traditional security systems that use a physical hard drive. Instead of a fixed storage capacity (like gigabytes), Canary's storage is based on a time-based video history.
This means your camera records events and stores them in the cloud for a specific period. After this period, the oldest clips are automatically and permanently deleted to make way for new ones. You will never encounter a "storage full" error that stops recording. The key difference lies in how long your videos are saved, which depends entirely on your subscription plan.
- Canary Basic (Free): Includes a 24-hour video history. Any clip older than 24 hours is automatically deleted.
- Canary Premium: Includes a 30-day video history, giving you a much longer window to review past events.
The challenge isn't about freeing up space, but rather about managing your timeline to save important clips before they expire.
How to Manage Your Canary Video Timeline
Since you cannot manually delete clips to "free up space," managing your storage is all about identifying and preserving the footage you need before the automatic deletion process removes it.
1. Bookmarking Important Events
Bookmarking is the primary way to save a crucial video clip indefinitely. A bookmarked event is protected from the automatic deletion process.
- Find the Event: Scroll through your timeline to locate the motion event you want to save.
- Tap the Bookmark Icon: On the event details screen, you will see a bookmark icon (it looks like a ribbon). Tap this icon.
- Access Bookmarked Videos: Your saved clip will now be moved to the 'Bookmarked' section, accessible from your timeline view. It will remain here until you choose to un-bookmark it.
It's crucial to get into the habit of bookmarking any significant event as soon as you review it, especially if you are on the free 24-hour plan.
2. Downloading Clips to Your Device
If you want a physical copy of the video file to share with family or law enforcement, you should download it directly to your smartphone or tablet.
- Select the Event: Find the clip in your timeline or in your bookmarked events.
- Use the Share/Download Function: Look for the share or download icon (often an arrow pointing out of a box).
- Save to Your Device: Follow the prompts to save the video file to your device's photo library or files. Once downloaded, you have a permanent copy that is independent of your Canary account.
3. Upgrading to Canary Premium
If you consistently find that 24 hours is not enough time to review and save your videos, the most effective solution is to upgrade your subscription.
- Extend Your History: Upgrading to Canary Premium expands your video history to 30 days. This provides a significantly larger buffer, reducing the pressure to immediately review every notification.
- Additional Features: A premium subscription also unlocks other valuable features like two-way talk, person detection, and a longer warranty, enhancing the overall value of your camera.
Key Takeaways for Canary Storage Management
- No "Storage Full" Errors: Your Canary camera will always record new events by deleting the oldest ones. It will never stop recording due to a lack of space.
- Time is the Limit: Your storage is defined by time (24 hours or 30 days), not by gigabytes.
- Bookmark and Download: These are the essential tools for preserving important footage. Make it a routine to bookmark or download any event you might need later.
- Consider Upgrading: If the 24-hour window on the free plan feels too restrictive, the 30-day history offered by Canary Premium is a worthwhile investment for peace of mind.
By understanding this time-based system and actively managing your timeline, you can ensure you never lose a critical piece of footage from your Canary camera.