Setup
Is Canary hard to set up?
Just download the Canary app, set Canary on a flat surface, plug it in, connect it to the internet, and you’re ready to go.
Do I need to assemble anything when setting up my Canary?
Canary comes completely assembled. No tools or installation required.
Where should I set up my Canary?
We recommend placing Canary in a central, high-traffic area of your home. In larger homes, we recommend setting up a Canary near each main entrance.
Do I need to mount Canary on a wall or ceiling?
Canary was designed to be placed on flat surfaces. Suggested locations include countertops, tables, bookshelves, end tables, and credenzas.
Where can I view the user manual?
To view the user guide, visit Canary User Guide.
Hardware
Is Canary a standalone device?
Yes. All features (including the HD camera, siren, and temperature, humidity, and air quality detectors) are contained within the unit.
How is Canary powered?
Canary plugs into the wall using a micro-USB cable connected to an AC power adapter. It's an international switching power supply capable of 100-240v (50/60Hz).
Do I need an internet connection to use Canary?
Yes. Canary must be connected to the internet either via Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) or wired Ethernet (cable not included).
Is there a minimum internet connection speed required to use Canary?
While some Canary features may work with slower network upload speeds, Canary requires a network upload speed of at least one megabit per second (1 Mbps) for an optimal experience.
Visit www.speedtest.net to run a speed test on your network to determine if it meets the minimum requirements. If the results show that your upload speed is below 1 Mbps or if your ping is above 180 ms, you may experience inconsistent service.
Does Canary record video?
Canary features motion-activated video recording. This means that the device doesn't capture endless hours of footage of an empty room; instead, it only records video when it detects activity. The recorded video is stored in the Canary Cloud, and it’s easy to watch on the app. Canary devices capture 24 hours of Video Previews, and you can bookmark an unlimited number of videos.
Canary Premium Service (Membership) comes with Full-length Videos and an extended timeline of 30 days. Members also receive Two-way Canary Talk and Desktop Streaming. Learn more and find out about other great benefits of Premium Service (Membership) here: https://canary.is/membership/
Does Canary rotate, pan, or tilt?
Canary is a stationary unit, and does not mechanically rotate, pan, or tilt. However, it features a wide-angle field of view which covers a large area without the need to pan, and up to 3x digital zoom.
Does Canary provide environmental monitoring in addition to video monitoring?
Yes. In addition to video and audio, Canary features HomeHealth Technology which monitors temperature, humidity, and air quality. You can use this information to get a more complete picture of your home.
Does Canary have an audible alarm or siren? When/how is it activated?
Canary features a 90+ dB siren that you can activate remotely from the Canary app.
Does Canary communicate with my other smart home devices?
Canary currently integrates with Wink.
Why doesn't Canary offer additional external sensors that can connect to my Canary device?
Our approach to security is to simplify and remove all the extra hubs, tags, sensors, and keypads that complicate the installation and daily use of most security products. We believe that a standalone device with the right combination of features and advanced intelligence can provide all the information necessary to understand and secure your home.
Where is the video stored?
Video recordings captured by your Canary are encrypted and sent to the Canary Cloud where they are temporarily stored. You can easily access these videos in the Canary app where they're securely streamed from the cloud.
App
What smartphone platforms does Canary support? Can I access Canary through a web app?
Canary is currently designed for iOS and Android, with native apps for each. On iOS, Canary supports iOS devices running iOS 10 and above. For Android, Canary supports devices running 4.4 and above.
You can also log into my.canary.is from any browser to upgrade or change your Canary Premium Service (Membership), use Desktop Streaming, or view HomeHealth information.
Can more than one user connect to a single Canary device through the app?
Canary is designed to accommodate everyone from individuals to roommates and families. Use the Canary app to add multiple members to a location and keep everyone informed and connected.
How does Canary know when I'm home or away?
When you set up your Canary, the system will automatically create a geofence (or a virtual boundary) around your location. The app on your smartphone communicates with Canary to detect when you enter or leave the geofence. Based on this, Canary can automatically switch to home mode when you arrive home. When you leave the geofence, Canary will detect this and switch to away mode. You can also manually change Canary's mode in the Canary app.
Can I view a live video feed through the app?
You can securely stream live video from your Canary with the iOS or Android app.
When Canary senses motion how will it notify me?
Canary sends push notifications to your smartphone to alert you to unexpected activity and events.
What are the differences between away, home, and night modes?
In away mode, Canary monitors your home for activity and sends you a push notification with a video when it detects movement.
In home mode, you can configure Canary to monitor your home and record video when it detects movement or set it to private. You can also choose whether or not you want to receive motion notifications for movement detected. If you have more than one device, you can customize their settings individually.
In night mode, you can set a schedule for when you want your Canary to monitor your home for activity with or without sending you notifications. Alternatively, you can schedule your Canary to private. Like in home mode, you can customize the settings for individual devices if you have more than one Canary.
Whenever the Canary is set to record, you can stream real-time video, view and save video events in your location timeline, and check your home’s air quality, humidity and temperature.
When set to private, Canary’s camera, microphone, and motion detection capabilities are fully disabled. Only temperature, humidity, and air quality information are uploaded to the Canary Cloud.
Note: Recording and alerting in home and night modes is restricted to Canary Members. To learn more about Canary Premium Service (Membership), visit canary.is/membership/.
Payments
What is the refund/return policy?
You can find all the details about our return and refund policy here.
General
How many Canary devices do I need in my home?
It’s entirely dependent on your house or apartment, but we usually recommend one per floor, and one per entryway. Our system supports up to four devices in one location, so you can easily start with one Canary and add more later.
Does this replace my existing security system?
That’s totally up to you. It's a standalone system so it works by itself, but if you want to keep what you have, then Canary can be a good complement. With Canary, you’ll be able to know what’s happening inside your home directly from your smartphone without any complicated keypads or middlemen.
If I purchase more than one Canary, can I set them up in different locations?
You can set them up wherever you want, and if you set them up in different locations, you can easily access both locations with the Canary app.
How secure is it?
We use bank-level security, and any data that Canary generates is immediately encrypted. All communication between your Canary device, the Canary Cloud, and your smartphone is encrypted over TLS/SSL (HTTPS). Video and audio are stored and encrypted using AES-256 bit encryption and you can decide if you want to store the data over time. Read more about our security infrastructure and practices here.
What if someone steals or smashes my Canary?
Because Canary has a 147° wide-angle lens, it should detect and record anyone who approaches it. This footage will be saved and accessible to you in the Canary app.
Are options available for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing?
This is something we are considering and hope to address more fully in the future. As the system is designed now, alerts are sent directly to your smartphone via push notification and do not rely on sound. The device itself has a subtle LED light that indicates if its recording. The siren, which can be triggered remotely from the app, serves as an intruder deterrent if you choose to use it. We welcome feedback, feature requests, and insights that might help us make Canary more universally accessible and usable for those with hearing difficulties. Please don't hesitate to get in touch.
I’m having issues with my Canary, what can I do?
For any support or troubleshooting issues, you can visit our Help Center, or email us at support@canary.is.
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