Camera sessions and sensors-only sessions
Updated
Every session watches with the device’s built-in sensors. The camera is the part you choose.
On the Protect screen, the tiles across the top are what you’re arming with: Camera, Microphone, and AI Watchdog. Turn the camera off and you get a sensors-only session.
What a sensors-only session notices
Quite a lot, and it’s the same on every plan:
- The device being moved or picked up.
- The device being unplugged, powered off, or losing its connection.
- The battery running low.
It still shows the armed cover, still sounds the alarm when it’s disturbed, and still sends alerts to the device you kept with you. What it doesn’t do is see anything — so it can tell you your laptop was moved, but not someone is reaching for your bag.
What the camera adds
With the camera on, the session can also:
- Show you a live view from the device you kept with you.
- Record the session so you can watch it back.
- Run AI Watchdog, which watches your belongings rather than just the device.
These are the parts that depend on your plan. If yours doesn’t include them, Stealward says so when you arm and offers to start with sensors only. See plans and pricing.
Which to pick
Sensors-only is the right call when the device itself is the thing you’re protecting — a laptop on a desk you can half-see, a short trip to the counter. It’s also much easier on the battery.
Camera on is the right call when the things around the device matter: a bag on the next chair, a camera bag under the table, a table you want to keep. It’s also what gives you something to look at when an alert arrives.
If you’re not sure, arm with the camera. You can always turn it off next time.
The microphone
The microphone adds sound to the live view and the recording. It’s independent of AI Watchdog, which works from what it sees. Turning the microphone off is a reasonable choice in a quiet shared space — see Bystander privacy for why audio deserves a little extra thought.