Hi there, @doorbell-backyard. While we recommend subscribing to our Protect Plans for various benefits and features, it is certainly optional. If you would like to proceed unsubscribed, you will still be able to live view your camera at anytime from the Ring app. Also, when you get a Ring event notification on your mobile device, you can tap on that push notification to pull up a live stream of the event.
To save any recordings, you will want to be subscribed to one of our Protect Plans. Learn more about the video recordings here.