How to Set Arlo Security Cameras

Arlo'southward security cameras are some of the best in the concern, and setting them up is a breeze. Here are vii easy steps to aid you fix your new Arlo camera like a pro.

i. Download the Arlo app

The Arlo app walks you through the setup procedure and allows you to conform photographic camera settings. Y'all can't install a camera without the app. Once you download the app, create an business relationship and start calculation your first camera by choosing your model from the list.

Stay Safe! Sign upwards for SafeWise's weekly newsletter.

Get updates on the latest safety news, production releases, and deals.

2. Turn on your Arlo camera

Wire-complimentary models: Insert and accuse battery

Inserting battery in Arlo Pro 4

Image: John Carlsen, SafeWise

When you beginning the setup process on a wire-free Arlo camera, follow the instructions for installing the battery in the camera housing. The battery has grooves on the bottom to prevent you lot from installing information technology upside down.

After inserting the battery, close up the camera's case and check the LED on the front. If the low-cal is an amber color, connect it to the included charging cable. If information technology's flashing blueish, you lot tin can skip charging and motility on to the next step.

Wired models: Notice an outlet

Wired Arlo cameras need to be within 6 feet of an outlet. Y'all can buy optional ability cables for wireless models in lengths of viii and 25 feet. Arlo also sells solar panel chargers that work with its outdoor cameras.

3. Connect your Arlo camera to Wi-Fi

Arlo App Wi-Fi Disclaimer

Image: John Carlsen, SafeWise

Once your camera has power, follow the Arlo app's instructions for connecting information technology to your Wi-Fi network. Enter the proper noun and password for your wireless network, and the app will create a QR lawmaking for the camera to scan. Look for the camera to chime after scanning the code. Exist enlightened that Arlo cameras do not work with 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks. Instead, you'll need a 2.four GHz network.

4. Place your Arlo camera

Choose your mount

Install your Arlo camera around 6 to 7 feet above the footing. This is the best vantage point for capturing video footage and motion detection without existence too difficult to reach.

Shelf

The Arlo Essential Indoor and the Arlo Q (its predecessor) are the but Arlo cameras with built-in stands that piece of work well when placing the cameras on a shelf. While about other Arlo cameras can rest on a shelf, yous won't have many choices for pointing them towards the action without a mount.

Magnetic mount

Arlo Pro 4 with magnetic mount

Prototype: John Carlsen, SafeWise

You can use a magnetic mount with any Arlo Ultra or Arlo Pro camera. This mountain attaches to the wall with a unmarried screw, a drywall anchor, and a plastic stopper that clips into the back.

Outdoor mountain

Employ one of Arlo's outdoor mounts for better security if y'all're placing a photographic camera outdoors. These mounts employ a spiral to secure the photographic camera in identify. They're not easy to have off the wall compared to magnetic mounts. Arlo also recommends using these mounts if you need to identify a camera higher than 6.v feet.

5. Adapt your Arlo camera's view

Although well-nigh Arlo cameras have a wide field of view to capture tons of activity, y'all tin adjust the camera for a meliorate view, allowing for more accurate motion detection, notifications, and recording.

Camera positioning

Arlo App Camera Positioning

Image: John Carlsen, SafeWise

Using Arlo's Photographic camera Positioning setting, you tin can adjust the camera's view in near real-time with very little lag. This setting tells the camera to send video speedily (commonly at a lower quality) so you don't need to wait equally long for the alive view to catch upwards with your adjustments.

  1. Navigate to the Settings carte in the Arlo app.
  2. Select My Devices and choose the camera you want to adjust.
  3. Select Device Utilities and and then Camera Positioning.
  4. Adjust the camera while looking at the Arlo app to ensure it sees all the areas you lot want.

Field of view

Arlo app video mode

Image: John Carlsen, SafeWise

Like the Arlo Pro 4, some Arlo cameras let you alter the field of view or how wide an expanse in front of the camera is. Generally, you lot want a wider view outdoors, where in that location aren't walls blocking your view. In dissimilarity, cull a narrower view indoors, where it'due south unnecessary to record wider than your walls allow, which saves video bandwidth.

  1. Navigate to the Settings card in the Arlo app.
  2. Select My Devices and choose the photographic camera you want to suit.
  3. Choose Video Settings and and so Video Mode.
  4. Find a fashion that fits your camera's surroundings.

Motion zones

Movement zones tell Arlo security cameras what to ignore when deciding to record. Arlo employs motion zones in two ways: passive and adjustable.

Passive motion zones

The motion sensor on many Arlo cameras has two zones past default. The lesser zone takes up two-thirds of the video and is more sensitive, while the smaller acme zone is less sensitive overall. You tin can see the top zone as a greyed-out area in the camera positioning menu.

Past positioning the camera with the top 3rd covering the street, you can prevent passing vehicles from setting off the sensor as often. This setting works without an Arlo Secure cloud subscription and doesn't crave a continuous ability supply.

Adjustable motion zones

Arlo app activity zones

Image: John Carlsen, SafeWise

If yous pay for an Arlo Secure Plan and connect your photographic camera to a power outlet, yous can create custom motion zones that record activity in those areas.

  1. Go to the Settings menu in the Arlo app.
    1. Consider logging in on a web browser instead, since adjusting the zones can be harder on a small smartphone screen.
  2. Select My Devices and choose the camera you want to adjust.
  3. Choose Activeness Zones.
  4. Hit the plus sign + to add a zone.
  5. Adjust the zone to cover an expanse (like a window or stairway).
  6. Proper noun the zone for time to come reference.

6. Test your Arlo camera's motility detection

Arlo cameras rely exclusively on motion detection to know when to start recording a video clip. You lot can test the motion detection's effectiveness and conform its sensitivity using the Arlo app:

  1. Navigate to the Settings carte du jour in the Arlo app.
  2. Select My Devices and choose the camera you're testing.
  3. Select Device Utilities then Motility Detection Test.
  4. This mode tells the photographic camera's LED light to glimmer bister when at that place'south motion.
  5. Move around the area you want the camera to monitor to encounter if it catches all your activity.
  6. Adjust the motion sensitivity slider if the camera is too sensitive or not sensitive enough.
    • The sensitivity setting isn't universal—accommodate your arming modes to match as needed.

7. Arm your Arlo

Arming an Arlo camera tells it to start sending notifications and recording video clips (if you lot have an Arlo Secure subscription or set upward local storage). It's as well an excellent way to protect your privacy. We recommend arming your camera whenever yous exit the firm or go to bed.

Arlo offers v arming modes:

My Arlo Arming Modes

Epitome: John Carlsen, SafeWise

  • Disarmed: no recording or notifications
  • Armed: you manually arm using the app
  • Schedule: set specific times for the camera to record—especially helpful at night
  • Geofencing: camera arms and disarms based on your location
  • Custom fashion: you can adjust how the photographic camera reacts when armed

Camera Safety: Assist Prevent Your Cameras from Beingness Hacked

Subscribe to our Youtube channel, and learn how to protect your domicile, loved ones, and belongings.

FAQ

Newer Arlo security cameras like Arlo Essential, Arlo Pro 4, and Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight don't require a base station. All the same, you need a base station on 4K models similar Arlo Ultra 2 and older models similar Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Pro 2. Y'all can use a base station with whatsoever Arlo cam to add local video storage.

Yes, you can use Arlo cameras without a subscription. These features are complimentary:

  • Viewing live video (only no cloud storage)
  • Two-way audio
  • Notifications (merely no smart notifications)
  • Local storage (if using a base of operations station)

You tin add other users through the Arlo app:

  1. From the Settings carte: choose Grant Access and tap the Add together option.
  2. Enter the name and email accost of the person you want to add to your Arlo camera.
  3. The new user volition receive an email to verify their account admission in the Arlo app.
    • You can adjust permissions to adapt each user's needs and responsibilities.
    • If you have multiple cameras, you can limit access to specific cameras.

Arlo cameras fail to connect for various reasons:

  • The camera is also far from your wireless router.
  • The camera isn't on the same network as your mobile device during setup.
  • The camera is incompatible with your 5 GHz wireless network. Make sure you lot're using a 2.four GHz wireless network.
  • The camera doesn't take your network's current login credentials. Check that you used the correct network name and password.
  • The camera didn't scan the QR lawmaking correctly when setting upwardly Wi-Fi. Re-scan the code and listen for an audible chime.
  • The camera timed out before connecting to your network. Printing the sync push button to start the sync procedure again.

What you tin can't do without internet

  • View live video
  • Use two-way audio
  • Adjust camera settings
  • Save videos to cloud storage

What you tin do without internet

  • Record videos using local storage (if yous set it up using a base station).
  • View footage on when your phone's on the same network. But you need to plough on Directly Storage Access in the Arlo app kickoff.

Yep, you must use an Ethernet cable to connect your Arlo base station to your router. There should be one in the box.

Related manufactures on SafeWise

John Carlsen

Written by

John Carlsen

John is a engineering journalist specializing in smart habitation devices, security cameras, and home security systems. He has over nine years of experience researching, testing, and reviewing the latest tech—he was the Smart Home Editor for Superlative Ten Reviews and wrote for ASecureLife earlier joining SafeWise as a Staff Writer in 2020. John holds a Bachelor'south degree in Communications, Journalism emphasis from Utah Valley University. In his spare fourth dimension, he enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and starting countless DIY projects he has yet to complete.

Recent Articles

Woman using computer at home

The All-time VPN Service

VPNs increase your online privacy, and NordVPN is our top option. We tested tiptop VPNs...