Does SimpliSafe Offer Continuous 24/7 Recording?
When choosing a home security system, understanding how video recording works is crucial. Many potential and new SimpliSafe users ask whether their SimpliCam or Video Doorbell Pro can record footage continuously, 24/7, a feature often referred to as CVR (Continuous Video Recording).
The short answer is no, SimpliSafe cameras do not offer continuous video recording. Instead, the system is designed around event-based recording. This article explains how SimpliSafe's recording philosophy works, what your subscription plan includes, and why this method is used.
## How SimpliSafe's Event-Based Recording Works
Rather than recording an uninterrupted stream of video, SimpliSafe cameras are designed to activate and record only when something important happens. This approach is built to be efficient and to focus your attention on the moments that matter for security.
### What Triggers a Recording?
Your SimpliSafe camera will automatically record a video clip when one of the following events occurs:
- Motion Detection: The camera's primary trigger. When it detects movement, it records a clip.
- Alarm Events: If your SimpliSafe alarm system is triggered (e.g., by a door sensor or glass break sensor), all cameras on your system will start recording immediately.
- System Disarming: A recording is triggered when someone disarms the system, allowing you to see who is entering the property.
- User-Initiated Recording: You can manually start a recording at any time through the SimpliSafe app.
- Secret Alarms: If you have a duress PIN or panic button, cameras will record silently without alerting an intruder.
These recorded clips are then uploaded to the cloud, where you can view, share, and download them for up to 30 days, provided you have the necessary subscription plan.
## Understanding the Subscription Plan Requirement
To enable and store any video recordings, you must have a compatible SimpliSafe monitoring subscription.
- No Subscription: Without a subscription, you can only view the live feed from your cameras. No recordings will be saved.
- Fast Protect™ Plan (formerly Interactive Monitoring): This is the top-tier plan and is required to unlock video recording features. It includes unlimited camera recording for up to 10 cameras, along with professional monitoring and other smart home integrations.
If your camera is not recording, the first thing you should do is log in to your SimpliSafe account and confirm that you have an active subscription that supports camera recording.
## Why Doesn't SimpliSafe Use Continuous Recording?
SimpliSafe has chosen an event-based model for several practical reasons, which align with the overall design of their system.
### 1. Battery Life
For wireless cameras like the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera, continuously recording and streaming video would drain the battery in a matter of hours, not weeks or months. Event-based recording allows these cameras to remain in a low-power state until they are needed, dramatically extending battery life.
### 2. Internet Bandwidth
Streaming high-definition video 24/7 from multiple cameras would consume a significant amount of your home's internet upload bandwidth. This could slow down other activities on your network, such as video calls, streaming services, and online gaming. Event-based recording only uses bandwidth when necessary.
### 3. Focus on Key Events
The primary purpose of a security system is to alert you to potential threats. By only recording when there is an event, SimpliSafe ensures that you are reviewing meaningful footage rather than sifting through hours of inactivity to find a few seconds of motion.
While some users may prefer the total coverage of CVR, SimpliSafe's event-based system is a deliberate design choice that balances security, efficiency, and practicality for the average user.