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 a Subscription-Required camera model to their account.
Understanding why a subscription is required for new camera setup
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 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 mandatory subscription for your new camera, the following steps occur automatically:
- Activation: You select and activate the new plan as prompted during the setup of the Subscription-Required camera.
- Detection: The Furbo system automatically detects the existing active plan on your account.
- Extension: Your remaining subscription time from your old plan is added to the duration of the new plan.
Example of a Plan Merger: If you have 3 months remaining on your current plan and activate a 1-year plan with your new camera, your account will show a total combined service period of 1 year and 3 months.
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-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.
Subscription-Required Cameras
- Usage: Requires an active Furbo Nanny subscription to function.
- Pricing: Sold at a lower upfront hardware cost because it is bundled with a service plan.
- Setup: You must activate and link the new subscription plan during the initial setup process, even if you have an existing plan on another camera.
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.