How To Use Vivint Cameras And Equipment Without Service

Although it greatly limits the features, you still can technically use Vivint alarm equipment without paying for the monthly service. Whether you’re thinking about canceling your Vivint subscription or you’ve moved into a home with an existing system and want to see what it can do without the extra cost, this article breaks down everything you need to know.

I’ll break down below what can and can’t be used. Let’s start with the cameras first.

TL;DR Yes, you can use Vivint cameras and equipment without the service, but you won’t have access to the app and the system won’t be monitored.

How to Use Vivint Cameras without the Service

You can use the Vivint cameras even without paying for the service. The catch is that they will only record locally to your panel. This means that you will not be able to use the app to watch video in real time or download video clips.

To view what the cameras have recorded, you will need to be at the panel and click on the camera icon. From there you can see what the cameras see in real time and any previously recorded clips by clicking on the “Events” button.

If you want to use the cameras from your phone then you’ll need to pay for the service. There isn’t a work around.

The good news is that if you have a system installed already, you can use the service month-to-month (no contract) and you’ll have a lower cost than if you were to sign up brand new. It costs $29 per month for only monitoring with the app and $49 per month for monitoring, access cameras on the app, and smart home.

To talk to the system activations team call 833-606-2573 or visit their website.

Does Vivint Alarm Work Without a Subscription Service?

You can still arm and disarm the alarm even without the subscription service. The alarm will still sound if it were tripped while armed, it just won’t call notify Vivint’s monitoring department. This means nobody is calling police, fire, or medical.

Some home owners choose to use it without the monitoring service because having the alarm siren sound if someone tries to break in still is helpful. The sound reaches up to 95 decibels. So it will surely wake you up in the middle of the night and hopefully scare off the burglar.

How do I get the pin code to arm the system?

If you don’t have the PIN code to arm or disarm the system and can’t get it from the previous owner, the only way to have a new one created is by signing up for Vivint service.

The nice part about having the equipment installed already is that the service will be month to month and you can start it for as low as $29 per month. There is no other set up fee other than your first month.

To get started call 833-606-2573 or visit their website.

Will the Doorlock and Thermostat work without the Service?

Both the doorlock and thermostat will work without the service too. You just wont’ be able to control it from the app or have any automations set up. For example, if you plug in the code to unlock your door it won’t automatically disarm the alarm.

You can still use the keypad on the doorlock to lock and unlock the door. The same goes for the thermostat. It will now work like a traditional thermostat where you will have to manually go up to the device to change the temperature.

The doorlock and thermostat can still be controlled from panel.

What Should I do with Old Vivint Equipment?

If you moved into a place that has the existing equipment then you can do whatever you want with it. Some people chose to activate it, other will just throw it away. It’s up to you at that point.

Why We Recommend the Monitoring Service for Vivint

If you have an alarm system installed, it is always worth getting as much as you can from the system. While having an alarm system is a good deterrent, there are some people who won’t be deterred simply by the sight of an alarm. They will try and get into your property. It is rare, but it can happen. So, why not give yourself peace of mind knowing that if something does happen to your property while the system is armed, the police will be informed? Your property will be safe.

We also think you’ll enjoy the amount of remote control you get over your property’s monitoring. With the app installed, you can control the whole system, or even check in on things from time to time. It even makes viewing recorded video a lot easier. Perfect if you’re out for hours at a time, or even heading out on a vacation.

The best part is that the monitoring service isn’t that expensive. The monitoring starts from $29.99 per month, with no long-term contracts (cancel whenever you want). You can even get your service activated remotely. Just call 833-606-2573 or visit the Vivint website for more information.