Sentinel Cloud is the optional hosted service for your Sentinel server: a permanent remote address, push alerts and offsite backup. Turn it on in Sentinel Admin → Sentinel Cloud (or the Mac app's Management window) with one sign-in; you can also subscribe here. Sentinel itself stays free: every camera, every feature, on your own network.
Use the same free Sentinel account you downloaded the app with.
Enter the code shown by your server.
Most servers need no code: open Sentinel Admin → Sentinel Cloud (on a Mac: the Management window, Sentinel Cloud), sign in and choose Turn on Sentinel Cloud. If your server shows a code instead, enter it here. Codes last 10 minutes.
Same service, bigger quotas. Turn it on in Sentinel Admin → Sentinel Cloud (or the Mac app's Management window); you can also subscribe here. Cancel any time: your cameras keep working on your network, exactly as they do for free.
Servers linked to your account. Unlinking stops remote access, push and backup for that server; its backup is deleted after 7 days.
Yes. The server, unlimited cameras, recording, every detector, the Admin and Operator apps, and the iPhone and Apple TV apps on your network are free and stay free. Sentinel Cloud is an optional extra for the things only a hosted service can do.
Open Sentinel Admin on your server and choose Sentinel Cloud (on a Mac: the Management window, Sentinel Cloud). Sign in with your Sentinel account, or create one right there, and choose Turn on Sentinel Cloud. The server links itself in a few seconds: no code to copy, nothing to install. Subscribe from the same card, or here on this page.
No. Your server can still set up its own remote connection for free: no port forwarding, but it needs a small helper installed on the server and its address changes whenever the server restarts. Sentinel Cloud gives you a permanent address with nothing to install.
Your server goes back to working on your own network, exactly like the free version. If a payment fails, the cloud features keep working for 7 days after the end of your billing period while you fix it. Backups are kept for 7 days after the cloud features turn off, then deleted.
Live and recorded video is relayed to your devices without being stored. Offsite backup stores only alarm snapshots, alarm details and alarm clips, for 30 days (90 on Business), and only while backup is turned on in Sentinel Admin.
No. The app only shows whether your server is linked. You turn Sentinel Cloud on in Sentinel Admin or the Mac app's Management window, and subscribe there or here.