What happens when a Mist subscription expires?

When a Mist subscription expires, the devices remain operational. This means that while certain features tied to the subscription may be limited or become unavailable, the devices themselves continue to work as they were prior to the expiration. This is important because it ensures that existing networks can maintain basic functionality and do not experience immediate disruptions, allowing network operators to manage the devices even without an active subscription.

The other outcomes suggested by the other choices do not accurately reflect the behavior of Mist devices upon subscription expiration. For example, devices do not immediately shut down or get deactivated, which would disrupt network operation and potentially lead to significant issues for users relying on those devices. Similarly, while data retention policies may change or limit access to certain features, existing data is not simply deleted, as that would pose significant risks to network management. Lastly, while new users may face restrictions on being invited without an active subscription, this does not affect the current operational status of the devices themselves.