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    Using Eufy Security Cameras Without a Monthly Fee

    Eufy cameras store footage locally for free. Learn how to set up the HomeBase, add cameras, enable person detection, and keep your footage private.

    4 min read 5 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026
    1

    Set up the HomeBase

    ~25s
    Connect the HomeBase to your router using the included Ethernet cable — this is a cable that carries your internet connection directly, like a digital phone cord. Then plug the HomeBase into a wall outlet. Download the "eufy Security" app from the App Store or Google Play and create a free account. In the app, tap "Add Device" and select "HomeBase." The app will find it on your network automatically and walk you through the setup.
    2

    Add your Eufy camera

    ~33s
    In the eufy Security app, tap "+" then select your specific camera model. For battery cameras, insert the batteries or charge the camera using the magnetic charging cable included in the box before you start. The app will ask you to hold down the Sync button on the camera until you hear a voice prompt, then scan the QR code displayed in the app. The camera will confirm it's connected with a voice notification.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: Charge the camera to 100% before installation, then mount it. Climbing back up to recharge shortly after mounting is frustrating — a full charge first saves you the trip.

    3

    Position the camera and set motion zones

    ~24s
    Mount the camera 7 to 10 feet high, pointing toward the area you want to monitor. In the app, open your camera's settings and find "Activity Zone." Draw a box or polygon around the specific area — like the front path or porch — where you want to detect motion. Anything outside the zone (like a busy street) will be ignored, which means fewer unnecessary alerts and longer battery life.
    4

    Enable AI person detection

    ~29s
    In the app, go to your camera settings and tap "Motion Detection Type." Select "Human Only" (the exact label may vary by model — look for options like "All Motion" vs "Human Only" or "Smart Detection"). With this setting active, the camera will only record and send you an alert when it detects a human shape — not a dog walking through the yard or a tree branch moving. This AI detection works locally on the HomeBase, so it does not require an internet connection or a subscription to function.
    5

    Enable end-to-end encryption for maximum privacy

    ~34s
    In the eufy Security app, go to "Security" in the settings menu and look for "End-to-End Encryption." Turn it on and follow the prompts to set an encryption key — this is a private password that scrambles your video so only devices you authorize can view it. Keep this key written down somewhere safe. If you lose it and need to reset, you will lose access to previously recorded footage stored on the HomeBase.

    Warning

    End-to-end encryption means even Eufy's own customer support cannot access your footage if you forget your encryption key. Store it somewhere safe — a piece of paper in a secure location works perfectly.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: Using Eufy Security Cameras Without a Monthly Fee

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Eufy, made by Anker, stands out from most home security cameras because it does not require a monthly subscription to store your footage. Instead of sending video to a cloud server owned by the company, Eufy stores recordings locally on the HomeBase — a device that sits in your home and holds up to 16GB of storage internally. That is enough space for weeks of motion-triggered clips. Your footage stays in your home, not on someone else's server.

    The HomeBase is a small white box about the size of a paperback book. It plugs into your router with a network cable and into a wall outlet for power. Your Eufy cameras connect wirelessly to the HomeBase, which acts as the hub for the whole system. Most Eufy cameras are battery-powered and weather-resistant for outdoor use, though Eufy also sells wired cameras for areas where you want continuous power.

    The eufy Security app (free, for iPhone and Android) is where you see live video, review clips, adjust settings, and receive motion alerts. Eufy's AI (artificial intelligence — a computer program that learns to recognize patterns) can distinguish between people, pets, and vehicles, so you get an alert when a person approaches your door rather than every time a car drives by in the background.

    Eufy also supports end-to-end encryption — meaning the video is scrambled before it leaves your camera and can only be unscrambled on your phone. Even Eufy itself cannot see your footage. This guide walks through the full setup process.

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    Using Eufy Security Cameras Without a Monthly Fee — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure