Canary - Smart Home Security 4+

Really useful, but recent app changes are horrible

We agree with previous reviewers. We’ve used Canary without problem for a number of years and find it highly useful. However, the latest software upgrade has been horrible. The app very to difficult access with video loading painfully slow, the dashboard is confusing, we’re having difficulty setting home/away mode (keeps reverting to home when we’re away) and it is definitely not as user friendly as it was.

For an upgrade that was supposed to fix bugs it made more problems than the previous perfectly functioning version. The optics are pleasing but difficult to navigate.

If this continues we will need to consider switching to another system to ensure our peace of mind. Sometimes things that are functioning well should be left alone.

Paying for free features

Ive had my Canary for probably over 5 years and generally got along with it. There have been minor issues with it delaying sending motion notifications or going offline (things that can be explained by internet or phone issues), but generally it has worked well. When I first bought it, you had access to everything you needed- live time viewing, motion notifications and 24 hours worth of recordings. It then changed so you only had a few seconds worth of footage recorded- enough for you to check whether the motion was a threat or an error. Now, however, since the most recent update there are no recordings kept- so any motion detected needs you to view the live camera straight away (when it connects properly....) the notification settings appear to have changed so that you are notified more frequently (I have had three notifications in the last hour for motion, whereas before it would only send them for what it believed were people) and the app has become so delayed that just using it for live viewing has become a chore.

Picture quality is fine, nightvision works well, two way audio works on the camera fairly well.

I really used to rate this camera, but I will not be buying another Canary product. I understand their desire to make more profit, but punishing people who have bought the early versions of the camera by introducing new terms well post purchase has made me look elsewhere.

Developer Response ,

Hi there, we are sorry to see that you are not happy with the new Basic Service plan. For a long time, we offered many of our advanced features for free. Now, due to market changes, and consistent with our competitor’s offerings, we have adjusted our plans. As you are a loyal customer, we want to make this process as easy and affordable as possible for you. Should you wish to sign up for Premium Service, please send us an email at support@canary.is so that we can reach out to you with a special offer. Thank you!

If I could give it zero I would!

Can’t navigate between apps while using as it buffers and cuts out! Ads have now been introduced! Why do I need to see ads whilst watching someone burgle my home? Takes too long to load. Between the time I get a notification to the time I can load the app up the intruder could be gone with all my stuff! If your are too poor to pay for their subscription but weren’t too poor to pay for the equipment when they said you’d have access to footage then surprise! You can keep the equipment but no longer have access to the footage! Don’t be sucked into the fact they let you see recordings of activity whilst away for a while but soon as you’ve had the equipment long enough you can’t return it the footage is no longer available, unless you pay a monthly fee!! Also why after all these years of having the same WiFi provider is my connection now unreliable and I have so go to my setting and “allow unsecured access”. I would not recommend this security system in the slightest! Horrible, bad, not good, terrible, unreliable, unresponsive, slow, bad customer service.

Developer Response ,

Hi there, we are sorry that you feel this way and we would like to set things right. Please email us at support@canary.is so we can closely examine what is causing the app issue. We'd be happy to share a special offer so you can enjoy all the benefits of Premium Service at a low cost as well. If you wish to take advantage of this offer, please let us know at support@canary.is. Thank you!