Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Canaro remote monitoring; from setup to subscription.
General
What is Canaro?
Canaro is a plug-and-play remote monitoring platform; our Canaro Hubs have built-in sensors and can also be combined with wireless sensors - all working over WiFi, cellular, or satellite.
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Plug in the hub, connect Add-Ons as needed, and monitor everything from one modular dashboard. There's no network setup; connectivity is handled automatically; so the same system works for a cabin with WiFi, a pipeline on cellular, or a research station running on satellite. Plus, most deployments use Canaro Hub's built-in sensors so there's no need for the complexity of external sensors.
What's the difference between the Canaro Hub and Canaro Hub Pro?
The Canaro Hub supports WiFi and cellular with a 3-day backup battery. The Canaro Hub Pro adds satellite, wired and Long Range Add-Ons, a 5-day backup battery, and external antenna ports.
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Both share the same plug-and-play hardware design and dashboard. The Canaro Hub is the right choice for most monitoring. The Canaro Hub Pro is built for deployments where satellite connectivity, wired sensors, or long-range add-on coverage is required.
Who is Canaro designed for?
Anyone who needs to monitor sensors remote; vacation homes, pipelines, facilities, construction sites, or agricultural operations.
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If it's worth protecting, Canaro can monitor it. The platform scales from a single device watching a single cottage to fleets of thousands across distributed infrastructure.
Where is Canaro available?
Globally. Canaro works in almost every country via cellular (LTE-M / NB-IoT), and the Canaro Hub Pro adds satellite coverage via Skylo for fully off-grid use.
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Cellular coverage depends on local LTE-M or NB-IoT availability, which now spans most of North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For locations without any cellular coverage at all, the Canaro Hub Pro's satellite connectivity works anywhere a Skylo satellite is in view of the sky.
Is there a mobile app?
Yes. Canaro is available today as a Progressive Web App (PWA), with native iOS and Android apps coming soon.
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The PWA installs to your phone's home screen directly from your browser and provides full dashboard access, alerts, and device controls; no app store required. Native apps will offer additional platform integrations and offline features.
Setup & Installation
How do I set up Canaro?
Plug in the hub, activate it, and pair your Add-Ons (optional). Setup takes about 2 minutes. The only tool you'll need is a screwdriver if you're using the included wall-mount.
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Once powered on, the hub connects automatically. Activate it on your account, then power on each Add-On to pair it with the hub. You can configure thresholds, alerts, and reporting intervals from the dashboard at any time.
Do I need WiFi at my property?
No. The Canaro Hub works on cellular alone, and the Canaro Hub Pro adds satellite for locations with no cell coverage.
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WiFi is supported but optional. If you have it, Canaro will use it as the primary connection and fall back to cellular or satellite if it drops.
How do I add sensors to my system?
Power on the Add-On; it pairs automatically with your nearby Canaro. Then activate and configure it in the dashboard.
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As soon as they're powered on, Add-Ons begin broadcasting data. Once paired, the dashboard lets your Canaro Hub access the data, name the sensor, set reporting intervals, configure alert thresholds, and monitor its battery and signal strength.
Can I relocate my Canaro to a different property?
Yes. Canaro is fully portable; unplug, move, plug back in, and it stays connected.
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Canaro is entirely portable; the location can be easily updated in your dashboard so alerts and data reflect the new site. Additionally, Canaro supports easy decommissioning and decommissioning of devices for project-based usage. If you're moving across regions, confirm that your model's cellular coverage is supported at the new location.
Does the hub need to be plugged into power?
Canaro Hubs run on a standard wall outlet, but have built-in backup battery. They also supports solar via 5V USB-C.
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No - but they should be connected to 5V USB-C power in normal operation. Battery runtime during outages can also be extended significantly using power-saving settings; see the battery life FAQ.
Can I use Canaro outdoors?
The Canaro hub itself is designed for indoor use, but it can be installed outdoors in a weatherproof enclosure.
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Check the spec sheet for your device before installing it outside. Outdoor enclosures should provide weather and UV protection while still allowing the antennas to function. The external cellular and satellite antenna for Canaro Hub Pro is rated for outdoor use.
What's the operating temperature range? Will Canaro work in winter?
Hubs operate reliably down to −20°C. The backup battery will not charge below 0°C, which prevents damage and fire risk from charging lithium cells in freezing conditions.
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Each hub monitors the temperature at its battery. The hub continues operating normally on wall power even when battery charging is paused. During a power outage in sub-zero conditions, the backup battery will discharge but cannot recharge until temperatures rise above 0°C; plan accordingly for cold-weather deployments where extended outages are possible.
Connectivity
What connectivity plans are available?
Three plans with automatic failover: WiFi (with cellular backup), Cellular (with satellite backup on Canaro Hub Pro), and Satellite (full triple-mode).
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- WiFi: for sites with reliable WiFi. Includes up to 12 hours of cellular backup if WiFi drops.
- Cellular: for sites without reliable WiFi. Uses WiFi when available and cellular otherwise. On Canaro Hub Pro, includes up to 12 hours of satellite (NTN) backup if cellular drops.
- Satellite: for fully off-grid sites. Includes WiFi, cellular, and satellite, with up to 200 actions (alerts, instant updates, etc.) sent over NTN.
If your primary connection drops, the next layer kicks in automatically; failover backup is included at no extra cost.
What happens if the internet or power goes down?
Canaro has an up-to 3-day backup battery; Canaro Hub Pro has up to 5 days. The hub stays connected via cellular or satellite during outages and syncs buffered data once power returns.
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Battery runtime can be extended significantly using power-saving settings - the hub's low-power mode (which limits the device to reporting intervals and critical interrupts and disables Add-Ons) can stretch backup runtime well beyond the defaults.
What are Long Range Add-Ons and how do they work?
Wireless sensors for Canaro Hub Pro that communicate with the hub from over 10 km away; ideal for outbuildings, water tanks, or remote infrastructure without their own connectivity.
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Long Range Add-Ons use long-range technology to communicate with the hub. They require the Long Range Add-On antenna plugged into Canaro Hub Pro. Range depends on terrain, antenna placement, and regional regulations; see the regional FAQ below for details on how Long Range Add-Ons behave in different parts of the world.
Can I use Canaro internationally?
Yes. Canaro works in many countries globally via LTE-M or NB-IoT cellular networks, with Canaro Hub Pro adding satellite via Skylo.
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Cellular coverage and frequency bands vary by region, so verify support at your specific location before deployment. Long Range Add-Ons are subject to additional regional regulations; see the regional FAQ below.
Do I need an external antenna for satellite?
Highly recommended, but not strictly required. Canaro Hub Pro can connect over satellite without an external antenna if positioned with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky; but performance and reliability are significantly better with one.
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An external satellite/cellular antenna connects to an SMA port on Canaro Hub Pro. It's designed to be mounted where it has clear sky visibility. Beyond improving satellite performance, the same antenna also boosts cellular reception, making it worthwhile even on cellular-only plans with weak signal. For most real-world deployments where you plan to have satellite, especially indoor or enclosed installations, count on using the external antenna.
What about the Long Range Add-On antenna?
Required if you want to use Long Range Add-Ons with Canaro Hub Pro. It plugs into an SMA port on the device; no outdoor mounting needed.
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The Long Range Add-On antenna is only compatible with Canaro Hub Pro. Region-specific behavior; including which antenna ships in your box and which frequency band the hub operates on; is covered in the regional FAQ below.
How do Long Range Add-Ons work in different regions?
Long Range Add-Ons are a single product sold worldwide with identical core hardware. Every Add-On now requires an external LoRa antenna, and one is included in the box. Frequency band and antenna handling are set automatically by your hub's region, in compliance with local radio regulations.
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LoRa frequency bands and antenna rules differ by jurisdiction, so the Add-On adapts at runtime based on the Hub it pairs with. An external antenna is now required in every region. Three regional configurations cover supported markets:
International (902–928 MHz): Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Southeast Asia. External 902–928 MHz antenna required and included in box. The SMA port is accessible; you can swap to a different antenna within the regional gain limit for more range.
Europe & Africa (868 MHz): EU, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, India, parts of the Middle East and Africa. External 868 MHz antenna required and included in box. The SMA port is accessible.
USA (902–928 MHz): United States only. External 902–928 MHz antenna required and shipped pre-attached. The antenna is permanently affixed and the SMA connector is sealed under a non-removable cover, so it cannot be removed or replaced per FCC Part 15.203.
Outside supported regions: In regions whose LoRa allocation falls outside 902–928 MHz or 868 MHz (for example, China's CN470 band at 470–510 MHz), the LoRa radio is disabled and the Add-On falls back to standard range operation, with the same range and behavior as the Standard variant. The external antenna is unused in this mode. Add-Ons are not certified for sale in these regions, and use is at the user's own discretion and regulatory responsibility.
Portability: The Add-On sets its frequency automatically based on the Hub it pairs with, so the same physical device can move between regions. Because operation now always uses the external antenna, the antenna must match the band in use: on non-US units the SMA port is accessible, so moving between an 868 MHz region and a 902–928 MHz region means fitting the matching-band antenna (the frequency itself switches automatically). US-fulfilled units are the exception; their permanently attached 902–928 MHz antenna and sealed connector limit them to 902–928 MHz regions only. That sealed, antenna-bearing port is the single physical, irreversible difference between US and non-US units.
It is the user's responsibility to ensure operation in any given location complies with local radio regulations. Frequency allocations, antenna gain limits, transmit power caps, and licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Sensors & Add-Ons
What sensors and Add-Ons are available?
Temperature & humidity, water leak, dry contact & relay, 4-20mA and more. Canaro Hub Pro additionally supports wired and Long Range Add-Ons.
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The Add-On catalog is growing; see the full list for current options and specifications. The number of Add-Ons supported per hub depends on your account type (3 on Standard, 12 on Advanced and up to 30 on our Enterprise plans); see the Plans & Pricing section below.
How long do sensor and hub batteries last?
Highly variable based on settings. Add-Ons reporting infrequently can last years; the hub's backup battery 3 to 5 days by default and can be extended with power-saving modes.
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Add-Ons run in low-power mode by default, only waking to send heartbeats at your configured reporting interval or when a sensor event is triggered. A sensor reporting every 24 hours can last for 5+ years without changing the battery, while the same sensor reporting every 5 minutes will drain considerably faster.
The hub's backup battery follows the same principle. Enabling the hub's low-power mode; which limits the hub to reporting intervals and critical interrupts (temperature, power) and disables Add-Ons; can extend backup runtime by months.
The dashboard shows live battery levels for the hub and every sensor, and sends an alert before any battery runs low.
Does Canaro work with Alexa, Google Home, or other smart home systems?
No direct integration with Alexa or Google Home. The API on Advanced and Enterprise accounts can be used with Home Assistant, IFTTT, or custom automations.
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Canaro is built for remote monitoring rather than smart home automation, so we don't focus on consumer voice-assistant integrations. For users who want to bridge Canaro into a smart home ecosystem, the API gives you programmatic access to sensor data, device management, and alerts. We make the API available to consumers via our Advanced account plan, and for all of our Enterprise customers.
Plans & Pricing
How does Canaro pricing work?
There are two line items per device; connectivity (WiFi, Cellular, or Satellite) and an account plan (Standard free, or Advanced at $5/month per device). Mix and match connectivity per device; the account plan applies account-wide.
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- Connectivity: keeps your device online with automatic failover. Includes the dashboard, text and email alerts, and core monitoring.
- Account plan: Standard (free) or Advanced (+$5/month per device), account-wide, which determines your dashboard features and Add-On capacity.
You choose connectivity independently for each device, so you can mix connectivity across your fleet. The account plan applies to your entire account.
What's the difference between a device plan and an account plan?
Your device plan determines the connectivity of your hub; whether that's WiFi with cellular backup, or satellite. Your account plan is an optional upgrade that extends capabilities for organizations and individuals with more advanced needs; things like more frequent data logging, support for more Add-Ons, and advanced features like API access.
What's the difference between Standard and Advanced?
Standard (free) covers core monitoring with text and email alerts and 3 Add-Ons per device. Advanced (+$5/month per device) adds phone call alerts, automations, AI features, API access, unlimited data, and 12 Add-Ons per device.
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- Standard (free): text and email alerts (up to 6 recipients), data export up to 12 months, and up to 3 Add-Ons per device.
- Advanced (+$5/month per device): adds phone call alerts and alert escalation (up to 12 recipients), automations and custom rules, advanced AI features, API access, unlimited data storage and export, and up to 12 Add-Ons per device.
Your account tier applies to all devices on an account.
What's available for larger fleets (Enterprise)?
Fleets of 25+ devices qualify for bulk pricing; and our Enterprise plans add volume rates, SSO, role-based access, audit logs, dedicated support, and custom integrations.
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Enterprise includes everything in Advanced, plus volume pricing on connectivity and platform, single sign-on (SSO), role-based access control, audit logs, an SLA-backed support tier with a dedicated success engineer, and custom integrations or private deployments. Talk to sales to scope a deployment.
Are there long-term contracts?
Monthly, annual, or 3-year terms. Longer terms offer significant savings, and there are no cancellation fees on monthly plans.
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Most customers pick annual or 3-year for the savings, but monthly is a good fit for short-term projects, seasonal sites, or evaluating Canaro before committing.
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
Your device stops transmitting at the end of your billing period. Historical data may be retained for up to 90 days before permanent deletion.
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You can reactivate within the 90-day retention window and your historical data will still be available. After 90 days, data is permanently deleted.
Is there a free trial?
No free trial, but every Canaro purchase includes a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
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You can also buy the device first and activate it with a subscription plan later when you're ready; no obligation to start a subscription at purchase.
Features & Monitoring
Can I monitor multiple properties?
Yes, on any plan.
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Your dashboard shows location, current status, active alerts, and battery levels across every device in your account. Consumer account tiers include up to 5 hubs per account; there is no limit to the number of devices on an Enterprise plan. Enterprise plans also add advanced fleet management tools, team access controls, and volume pricing.
What types of alerts can I receive?
SMS, email, and phone call alerts (phone is on select plans). Custom thresholds for temperature, humidity, water leaks, power loss, and more.
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Alerts are instant and fully configurable per Add-On. You can set escalation paths, multi-recipient delivery, and quiet hours, and route different alert types to different channels.
Is there an API?
Yes; RESTful API for custom integrations, available on Advanced and Enterprise.
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The API supports pulling sensor data, managing devices, and configuring alerts programmatically. Documentation is available in the dashboard once you're on a plan that includes API access.
Can I share access with other people?
Standard supports multi-device login on a single account. Advanced and Enterprise support multi-user with permissions.
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Advanced lets you invite additional users with configurable permissions. Enterprise adds organization-level role-based access control, SSO, and audit logs; designed for teams and operations groups managing fleets.
Data & Security
Is my data secure?
Yes. TLS encryption in transit, encrypted at rest, mandatory two-factor authentication on all accounts. Full details at canaro.ca/trust.
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Two-factor authentication is required on all Canaro accounts; there's no opt-out. The Trust Centre provides comprehensive information on our security and privacy practices, certifications, and data handling.
Where is my data stored?
Exclusively in Canadian data centres. No customer data is stored outside of Canada.
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Canaro uses AWS infrastructure located in Canada for all customer data, with no replication or backup outside Canadian borders. This applies to all customers regardless of where they're located.
How long is historical data retained, and can I export it?
Depends on your account plan. Higher tiers get longer retention and broader export capabilities. Canceled accounts may have data retained for up to 90 days before permanent deletion.
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Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise each have different retention windows and export options. Enterprise plans support custom retention policies. See the Trust Centre for current specifics on retention and export by plan.
Support & Warranty
What's covered under warranty?
Every Canaro device comes with a 12-month limited hardware warranty plus a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Keep your subscription active without interruption and the warranty extends automatically, up to 3 years.
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The warranty covers manufacturing defects on the hub hardware for 12 months from purchase. As long as your subscription remains active without interruption, the warranty extends automatically, up to a maximum of 3 years. The 30-day satisfaction guarantee covers returns for any reason within the first 30 days of purchase.
How do I get help?
Email and live chat for all customers. Faster response times on Advanced; priority support and a dedicated account contact on Enterprise.
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Live chat hours are 9am–5pm CST. Outside those hours, email support is available. Enterprise customers receive enhanced support with extended hours.
Still have questions?
Our team is here to help you find the right monitoring solution.