This article explains why you are prompted to activate a subscription when setting up a new Furbo camera, even if you already have an active Furbo Nanny plan. This information is intended for users adding new Furbo camea but do not know if they have Subscription-Required or Subscription-Optional Furbo.
Differences between Subscription-Optional and Subscription-Required models
To understand why your camera is prompting for a subscription, it is helpful to identify which model type you are setting up.
Subscription-Required Cameras
- Usage: Requires a new Furbo Nanny subscription activation to function, even if you have an existing plan on another camera.
- Pricing: Sold at a lower upfront hardware cost because it is bundled with a service plan.
- Setup: During the initial setup, Subscription-Required models display a subscription activation prompt that locks the live view, this will require users to activate and link a new subscription plan before setup can be completed.
Subscription-Optional Cameras
- Usage: Can be used with or without a Furbo Nanny subscription.
- Core Features: Includes Live View, 2-way audio, treat tossing, and basic alerts without a paid plan.
- Setup: Usually comes with a free trial, but no immediate payment or plan activation is required to complete the initial setup.
Understanding why a subscription is required for Subscription-Required Furbo
When you set up a Subscription-Required Furbo model, the app prompts you to activate a plan because these specific cameras are sold as a bundled hardware and service package.
- Hardware and Service Link: Unlike Subscription-Optional cameras, these models are offered at a lower upfront price in exchange for a mandatory service commitment.
- Mandatory Activation: To complete the initial setup, a new subscription must be activated and tied to that specific new camera.
- Existing Plans: An existing subscription already on your account cannot bypass this initial activation step because the hardware requires its own specific service link to function.
How existing Furbo Nanny plans work with new Subscription-Required cameras
If you are setting up a Subscription-Required Furbo while you already have an active Furbo Nanny plan, you will not lose your existing service. Instead, the Furbo system merges the two plans, so you receive the full value of both.
The Plan Merger Process
When you activate the required subscription for your new Furbo camera, the following happens automatically:
- Activation: During setup, you'll be prompted to activate the required subscription for your new Furbo camera.
- Detection: Furbo automatically detects any existing active subscription on your account and prepares to merge your plans into a single subscription.
- Subscription Merge: Instead of purchasing a completely separate subscription, your plans are merged into one. Depending on your current subscription status, your total charge may include the following:
Top-Up Fee: If you still have time remaining on your current subscription, you'll only pay for the additional camera coverage for the rest of your existing billing period.
This prorated charge is called the Top-Up Fee and allows your new camera to be protected immediately without restarting your current subscription.
Commitment Fee: When adding a new Furbo camera, a Commitment Fee may also apply.
The Commitment Fee provides prepaid subscription coverage for your newly added camera(s) and extends the renewal date for all cameras under your account. The length of the commitment depends on the number of cameras being added.
- Renewal Date Adjustment: Your renewal date may move further into the future because the Commitment Fee adds prepaid subscription time to your account. Once your subscriptions are merged, all cameras under the same account will share a single renewal date, making future renewals simpler and easier to manage.
How existing Furbo Nanny plans work with new Subscription-Optional cameras
Once activated, these Furbo cameras will automatically be an additional camera to your current subscription.
Important Notes and Limitations for Subscription Activation
Before setting up your new camera and activating a plan, please note the following:
- Upfront Cost: Activating the new plan during setup may involve a cost depending on the specific plan duration (such as Monthly or Annual) that you choose.
- Additional Camera Cost: Your Furbo Nanny plan covers one camera. If you activate more than one camera, a $2/month fee will apply for each additional camera.
- Automatic Merging: The extension of your subscription days happens automatically once the new activation is complete. You do not need to manually transfer days.
- Account Matching: You must be logged into the same Furbo account used for your existing subscription to ensure the plans merge correctly.
If you have any questions or if the activation setup is not ideal for you, please chat with us by clicking the button below. We’ll review your Furbo Nanny plan and help guide you through other options for activating your new Furbo.