Key Takeaways
- Use geofencing to automatically arm and disarm your Arlo system based on your smartphone’s location. No more manual arming every time you leave the house.
- Customize your notifications by creating activity zones or adjusting motion sensitivity. Only get notified when motion is in specific areas or ignore small movements.
- Upgrade to an Arlo Secure subscription for advanced features like person, animal, vehicle, and package recognition. Get smarter alerts and prevent false notifications from things like swaying tree branches.
Arlo is a well-known name for doorbell cameras and security cameras, but the line of security devices can do more than just show who’s at the front door. Arlo can sound a siren or create a motion trigger to activate other smart home devices like lights. But, equally important is what Arlo is not doing — if you don’t want to be inundated with a constant barrage of notifications, Arlo has settings for that too.
If you just pull the Arlo out of the box, mount it, and walk through the app setup, you may be missing out on some of the biggest features. These Arlo tips and tricks can help you get the most out of your doorbell or camera, integrate Arlo into your smart home system, and more.
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Arlo security cameras are great devices, but how much do you really get if you don’t want to pay a monthly fee for the Secure subscription service?
1 Turn on geofencing
So your own motion doesn’t trigger notifications
While you can arm your system manually every time you leave the house, Arlo can also do it for you automatically using geofencing. With geofencing turned on, Arlo will automatically start sending notifications when your smartphone leaves home. This can be set to just one phone, or even be tuned to the entire family’s devices. The feature can also be set up the opposite way — sending notifications when you are home but stopping them when you are away.
To turn on geofencing, tap on the routines tab in the Arlo app, then select Automations at the top. Tap on the plus icon at the top, then “Add Arrive/Leave.” Choose when — either when everyone arrives, one or two people arrive, or when you leave. Then tap save, then add action. Under the change mode, choose whether to enter standby mode (no notifications), Arm Home, or Arm Away modes. Tap next. If needed, tap on the map to adjust your home’s location, then hit Save.
2 Use motion detection sensitivity and activity zones
To reduce unwanted notifications
An Arlo camera with the Arlo app
If you don’t want to give Arlo access to your smartphone’s location, there are other options for reducing the number of unwanted notifications. Activity zones allow you to only receive notifications when motion is in a specific area. However, this feature does require an Arlo Secure subscription or a continuous power source. Activity zones determine whether or not to send a notification, but because the camera still looks for motion across the frame, frequent movement outside of Activity Zones will still cause the battery to drain faster.
To create activity zones on compatible cameras, Tap Devices > Settings > Activity Zones. Another option is to adjust the motion sensitivity inside the device settings. This allows you to trigger notifications with large motions but ignore small movements.
3 Try Arlo Secure’s person, animal, vehicle, and package recognition
Get smarter alerts
Arlo
An Arlo Secure subscription includes object recognition. The Arlo can differentiate between people, animals, and vehicles so you can determine if you want the motion of your dog to trigger an alert or not. The cameras can also detect packages for notifications as well. Smart notifications also include a setting for all other motion — you can turn this off to prevent things like swaying tree branches from triggering a notification.
Find Arlo’s Smart Notifications in the user (person icon) menu > Locations and Plans.
4 Don’t forget smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
Alert yourself to a potential danger
Arlo
Arlo’s Smart Notifications will also listen for the sound of a smoke detector or CO2 alarm, which alerts you to a potential danger even if you aren’t home. This feature does require a subscription. The settings can be found in the user menu (person icon) > Locations and Plans > Smart Notifications.
5 Create custom modes
For different scenarios
An Arlo camera with the Arlo app
Arlo’s modes are designed to customize your notifications for different scenarios. Arlo cameras come with four modes built-in:
- Armed: Cameras are triggered by motion (and on some models, sound) and record video when it’s detected.
- Disarmed: The cameras are not looking for sound or motion. Videos are not recorded and no notifications are sent.
- Schedule: Choose whether the cameras are armed or disarmed by setting a schedule.
- Geofencing: This option automatically switches the mode when your smartphone leaves or arrives home.
You can also create your own modes or edit existing ones by setting up rules that dictate what the cameras should do in that mode. For example, you can create a mode that will record video but won’t send notifications. Modes and Rules are found in the Arlo app under the Routines tab.
6 Schedule your cameras
When to turn on and off
The Routines tab also houses a scheduling feature, which allows you to turn different modes on at a set time every day or week. Routines also allow you to change camera settings automatically, such as setting the camera to record for longer stretches overnight.
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8 Use the Arlo motion sensor for smart home routines
Automatically trigger
An Arlo camera with an Amazon Echo Show
Because Arlo cameras and doorbells are designed to detect motion, the devices can also be used to trigger smart home routines. Arlo works with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, If This Then That, and Samsung SmartThings. Paired with one of these systems, Arlo can be used to trigger a routine. For example, paired with Alexa, motion on Arlo can trigger a smart light to turn on. Check which devices are compatible on Arlo’s complete list.
9 Use Arlo night vision
Some models even have color night vision
Arlo
Some Arlo cameras feature a built-in spotlight — which allows them to stream and record color night vision. But, in some cases, the Arlo defaults to the black and white infrared-enabled night mode. To change the night mode, tap on the camera feed in the Arlo app, tap settings, then select Low Light Settings.
10 Activate an alarm
Sirens can also be activated
An Arlo camera with the Arlo app
In the Arlo app, the Emergency tab includes the option to swipe to sound an alarm. Subscribers can also quickly phone a friend in the emergency options. Sirens can also be activated automatically using rules or routines, but use this with caution as any movement brings an alarm.
With a SmartHub or Base Station
Arlo
Arlo has option SmartHub and Base Station accessories that are sold separately. While these increase the cost of the security system, they allow you to store videos locally rather than on the cloud, even if you don’t have an Arlo Secure subscription. The accessories can also increase the resolution of live streams and improve connectivity by using a separate frequency. Apple HomeKit compatibility also requires the use of an external hub.
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FAQ
Q: Does Arlo charge a monthly fee?
It is possible to use Arlo cameras without a subscription. However, the free plans are limited to live-streaming and Arlo no longer includes free cloud storage. With a free plan, videos are not saved or accessible for review unless you use local storage on a SmartHub. The most beneficial tools come with a subscription, including smart notifications.
Q: How much is an Arlo subscription?
Arlo has two different subscription programs, Arlo Secure, and Arlo Safe.
Arlo Secure starts at $4.99 a month for a single camera and includes interactive notifications and up to 4K resolution. Secure Plus adds 24/7 emergency response for $17.99 a month, while Safe & Secure Pro includes 24/7 professional monitoring and Arlo Safe.Arlo Safe works outside the home with emergency buttons, family location sharing, and car crash detection. Options range between $4.99 a month and $24.99 a month.
Q: Do Arlo cameras record without a subscription?
Newer Arlo camera models require a subscription in order to save videos to the cloud. Without a subscription, the cameras are limited to viewing live footage. However, if you purchase a SmartHub, you can set up local storage, which allows you to store recordings without a subscription.
Q: Will Arlo work if the Wi-Fi goes out?
On most models, Wi-Fi is required for Arlo’s cloud storage to save videos. Local storage through a SmartHub or models that offer a microSD card slot or USB slot can still save footage without Wi-Fi, though you won’t receive a notification if the SmartHub isn’t connected to Wi-Fi.
The Arlo Go is a security camera that connects with 4G LTE through a phone provider like T-Mobile or Verizon. These cameras work without a Wi-Fi connection, such as if you want to outfit an RV with a security camera.
Q: How can I improve Arlo battery life?
One of the biggest culprits for a quickly drained battery is excessive motion. If the Arlo motion sensor is working constantly, it’s going to drain the battery quickly. Battery life can be improved by lowering the motion detection sensitivity in the device settings under Default Mode Settings. Adjusting the angle of view so the camera doesn’t see constant sources of motion, like trees swaying in the wind or traffic on a road, will also help.
Another way to improve battery life is to put the cameras in standby mode when you don’t need them. For example, you can turn off indoor cameras when you are home by using geofencing, scheduling, or selecting different modes through the Arlo app. Reducing the video quality will also help conserve the battery.
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