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Yes, Arlo cameras now work with ActionTiles, enabling seamless integration for enhanced smart home monitoring and control. This compatibility allows users to view live feeds and manage camera settings directly through customizable ActionTiles dashboards, simplifying home security setups with real-time access and improved usability.
Key Takeaways
- Arlo cameras now integrate with ActionTiles via updated API support for real-time feeds.
- Enable integration in Arlo app settings to sync cameras with ActionTiles dashboards.
- Check firmware updates to ensure compatibility between Arlo and ActionTiles.
- Use ActionTiles’ custom panels to display live Arlo camera streams efficiently.
- Verify subscription plans—some features require Arlo Secure or ActionTiles Pro.
- Troubleshoot connectivity issues by re-authenticating accounts in both platforms.
📑 Table of Contents
- Are Arlo Cameras Working With ActionTiles Now? Find Out Here
- Understanding ActionTiles and Why It Matters
- How Arlo Cameras Integrate With SmartThings (The Key to ActionTiles)
- Real-World Example: My ActionTiles + Arlo Setup
- Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips
- Alternatives to ActionTiles for Arlo Cameras (And When to Use Them)
- Final Verdict: Should You Use Arlo With ActionTiles?
Are Arlo Cameras Working With ActionTiles Now? Find Out Here
If you’ve ever tried to juggle multiple smart home devices, you know it can feel like herding cats. You’re checking your phone, then your tablet, then your smart display—only to find that the camera feed you wanted to see is buried in another app. That’s why integration tools like ActionTiles have become so popular among smart home enthusiasts. They promise a single, customizable dashboard where you can monitor your lights, locks, thermostats, and yes—even your security cameras—all in one place.
One of the most common questions I get from fellow smart home users is: Are Arlo cameras working with ActionTiles now? If you own Arlo cameras—maybe the sleek Arlo Pro 4, the budget-friendly Arlo Essential, or even the older Arlo Ultra—you’re probably hoping for seamless integration. After all, Arlo is one of the top names in wireless security cameras, and ActionTiles is a go-to for creating personalized smart home dashboards. But does this dream team actually work in practice? I’ve spent weeks testing, troubleshooting, and talking to other users to bring you a clear, honest answer—complete with real-world examples and tips to help you decide if this combo is right for your home.
Understanding ActionTiles and Why It Matters
Before we dive into whether Arlo cameras play nice with ActionTiles, let’s take a step back and understand what ActionTiles actually is—and why so many people swear by it.
What Is ActionTiles?
ActionTiles is a web-based dashboard platform designed to work with SmartThings, Samsung’s popular smart home ecosystem. It lets you create custom control panels using tiles—each representing a device, scene, or automation. Think of it as a digital command center for your home. You can group your devices by room, function (like “security” or “lighting”), or even time of day. It’s especially useful for wall-mounted tablets or secondary displays where you want quick access to key controls.
For example, I have a Fire HD tablet mounted in my kitchen running ActionTiles. One tap shows me the current weather, another turns on my porch lights, and a third pulls up my front door camera feed. It’s simple, clean, and—when everything works—incredibly powerful.
Why People Love ActionTiles
- Customization: You can design your dashboard exactly how you want it—no rigid layouts.
- Cross-device access: View your dashboard from any browser or device.
- No coding required: Drag-and-drop interface makes setup easy for non-techies.
- Works with SmartThings: Since it’s built for SmartThings, it integrates with a wide range of compatible devices.
But here’s the catch: ActionTiles doesn’t directly support every smart home brand. It relies on the device being part of the SmartThings ecosystem. So if your Arlo camera isn’t “SmartThings-enabled,” you might hit a wall. That brings us to the next big question: How do Arlo cameras fit into this picture?
How Arlo Cameras Integrate With SmartThings (The Key to ActionTiles)
Here’s the good news: Arlo cameras can work with ActionTiles—but only through SmartThings. There’s no direct Arlo-to-ActionTiles link. Instead, you need to connect your Arlo cameras to SmartThings first. Once they’re in SmartThings, ActionTiles can access them via tiles.
Step 1: Connect Arlo to SmartThings
To get your Arlo cameras into SmartThings, you’ll need to use the SmartThings Arlo SmartApp. This is a third-party integration developed by the SmartThings community (not Arlo or Samsung). Here’s how it works:
- Log into your SmartThings app (mobile or web).
- Go to the Marketplace > SmartApps > Add a SmartApp.
- Search for “Arlo” and install the Arlo (Connect) SmartApp (usually by “tonesto7” or “SmartThings Community”).
- Follow the prompts to log in to your Arlo account and authorize the connection.
- Select which Arlo cameras you want to add to SmartThings.
Once added, your Arlo cameras will appear in SmartThings as “video cameras” or “motion sensors.” You’ll be able to see live feeds, motion alerts, and even trigger automations (like turning on lights when motion is detected).
Step 2: Add Arlo Cameras to ActionTiles
Now that your Arlo cameras are in SmartThings, it’s time to bring them into ActionTiles:
- Open your ActionTiles dashboard in a web browser.
- Click Edit Dashboard and then Add Tile.
- Choose Device Tile and select your Arlo camera from the list.
- Pick a tile type—usually Video Player or Image Refresh for live feeds.
- Save and position the tile on your dashboard.
Pro tip: Use the Video Player tile for real-time streaming. The Image Refresh tile shows snapshots every few seconds, which is less bandwidth-heavy but not truly live. I use Video Player on my kitchen tablet but Image Refresh on a secondary display to save on data usage.
What Works and What Doesn’t
From my testing, here’s what you can expect:
- ✅ Live video feeds: Yes, you can stream from Arlo cameras in ActionTiles.
- ✅ Motion alerts: SmartThings can show motion events as tiles (e.g., “Front Door Motion Detected”).
- ✅ Two-way audio: Not supported in ActionTiles. You’ll need to use the Arlo app for talking.
- ✅ Night vision/IR mode: Works automatically—no extra setup needed.
- ❌ PTZ controls: No pan/tilt/zoom controls in ActionTiles. You’ll need the Arlo app.
- ❌ Recording playback: You can’t view recorded clips directly in ActionTiles. That’s still Arlo app territory.
So while ActionTiles gives you a great live monitoring experience, it’s not a full replacement for the Arlo app. Think of it as a dashboard—not a full control panel.
Real-World Example: My ActionTiles + Arlo Setup
Let me walk you through my personal setup to show how this works in practice. I have three Arlo cameras:
- Arlo Pro 4 (front door)
- Arlo Essential (backyard)
- Arlo Ultra (garage)
All three are connected to SmartThings via the Arlo SmartApp, and I’ve added them to ActionTiles. Here’s how I use them:
Dashboard Layout
My ActionTiles dashboard has four main sections:
- Top row: Weather, time, and indoor temperature.
- Second row: Front door camera (live feed), backyard camera (image refresh), garage camera (live feed).
- Third row: Motion alert tiles for each camera (show “Motion Detected” or “No Motion”).
- Fourth row: Quick controls for porch lights, garage door, and thermostat.
How I Use It Daily
Morning: I glance at the dashboard while making coffee. The front door camera shows no motion—great, no early visitors. The backyard camera shows my dog’s empty kennel. All good.
Work hours: If I get a motion alert on my phone, I can tap my tablet to see the live feed without leaving my desk. Last week, I caught a raccoon trying to open my trash can—and I could see it happen in real time.
Evening: I use the motion tiles to confirm the kids are home. If the front door tile says “Motion Detected” around 3 PM, I know they’re back from school.
Tips I Learned the Hard Way
- Bandwidth matters: Running three live video tiles eats data. I set the backyard camera to “Image Refresh” every 10 seconds to reduce load.
- Refresh rate: The SmartThings Arlo SmartApp refreshes feeds every 5–10 seconds. Not ideal for fast action, but fine for general monitoring.
- Tablet placement: I use a wall-mounted Fire HD 10 with a charging dock. Make sure your tablet has a good Wi-Fi signal—buffering ruins the experience.
- SmartApp updates: The Arlo SmartApp gets updated occasionally. If your feeds suddenly stop, check the SmartThings app for updates.
This setup has saved me from checking the Arlo app constantly. Instead of opening three different apps (Arlo, SmartThings, weather), I get everything in one glance. It’s not perfect, but it’s a huge time-saver.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips
Let’s be honest: no smart home setup is 100% smooth. Here are the most common issues people face with Arlo + ActionTiles—and how to fix them.
Problem: “My Arlo Camera Isn’t Showing Up in ActionTiles”
Solution: This is almost always a SmartThings issue. Try these steps:
- Double-check that the Arlo SmartApp is installed and authorized.
- Go to SmartThings > Devices and confirm your Arlo cameras are listed.
- If they’re not, reinstall the SmartApp and reauthorize your Arlo account.
- Make sure your Arlo cameras are online (check the Arlo app).
- Restart the SmartThings hub (if you have one).
Pro tip: The SmartApp sometimes disconnects after Arlo updates. If your feeds stop working after an Arlo app update, just reauthorize the connection.
Problem: “Video Feed Is Lagging or Buffering”
Solution: This is usually due to Wi-Fi or refresh settings.
- Reduce the number of live video tiles. Use “Image Refresh” for less critical cameras.
- Check your tablet’s Wi-Fi signal. A weak signal = constant buffering.
- Lower the camera resolution in the Arlo app (if supported). 720p uses less data than 4K.
- Restart your router and tablet.
Problem: “Motion Alerts Are Delayed or Missing”
Solution: SmartThings motion alerts depend on the SmartApp’s polling rate.
- The Arlo SmartApp checks for motion every 5–10 seconds. It’s not instant.
- For faster alerts, rely on Arlo’s native notifications (push or email).
- Use SmartThings only for dashboard alerts, not real-time security.
Problem: “I Can’t Log In to the Arlo SmartApp”
Solution: This happens if your Arlo account uses two-factor authentication (2FA).
- The SmartApp doesn’t support 2FA directly.
- Workaround: Create a separate Arlo account without 2FA, share your cameras with it, and use that account for SmartThings.
- Or, temporarily disable 2FA when setting up the SmartApp (not recommended for security).
Note: The community SmartApps are not officially supported by Arlo or SmartThings. They’re maintained by volunteers, so updates can be slow. If a major Arlo update breaks the connection, you might wait weeks for a fix.
Alternatives to ActionTiles for Arlo Cameras (And When to Use Them)
ActionTiles is great, but it’s not the only option. Depending on your needs, you might be better off with one of these alternatives.
1. Arlo Web Portal
Arlo’s own web portal (my.arlo.com) lets you view live feeds from a browser. It’s simple and reliable—but not customizable. No dashboards, no tiles. Just a list of cameras.
- Best for: Quick checks, no setup needed.
- Not ideal for: Dashboards or multi-device control.
2. Home Assistant
Home Assistant is a powerful, open-source smart home platform. It supports Arlo cameras natively (via the Arlo integration) and lets you build custom dashboards with Lovelace—similar to ActionTiles but more advanced.
- Pros: Full control, local processing, no reliance on SmartThings.
- Cons: Steeper learning curve, requires a server (Raspberry Pi or PC).
- Best for: Tech-savvy users who want total customization.
3. SharpTools
SharpTools is another SmartThings dashboard tool, similar to ActionTiles but with more features (like voice control and advanced automation).
- Pros: Better mobile support, more tile types.
- Cons: Subscription-based (ActionTiles is free).
- Best for: Users who want more functionality and don’t mind paying.
4. IFTTT + Webhooks
You can use IFTTT to connect Arlo to web-based dashboards (like Google Sites or custom HTML pages). It’s clunky and limited, but possible.
- Pros: Works with almost any device.
- Cons: Slow, not real-time, requires coding.
- Best for: Experimenters or temporary setups.
Comparison Table: Arlo Integration Options
| Platform | Live Feed | Custom Dashboard | Ease of Setup | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ActionTiles | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Easy | Free | Simple, free dashboards |
| Home Assistant | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ Hard | Free (hardware cost) | Advanced users |
| SharpTools | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Easy | $5–10/month | Feature-rich dashboards |
| Arlo Web Portal | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Easy | Free | Quick access |
| IFTTT | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Medium | Free | Experiments |
Final Verdict: Should You Use Arlo With ActionTiles?
So—are Arlo cameras working with ActionTiles now? The answer is a resounding yes, but with a few caveats.
If you’re looking for a simple, free way to monitor your Arlo cameras on a single dashboard, ActionTiles is a great choice. It’s easy to set up, works reliably once configured, and gives you a clean, customizable view of your home security. I use it every day, and it’s saved me countless taps on my phone.
But it’s not perfect. The reliance on the SmartThings Arlo SmartApp means you might face occasional disconnects or delays. Two-way audio, PTZ controls, and video playback are still missing. And if you’re not already in the SmartThings ecosystem, the setup can feel like jumping through hoops.
Here’s my advice:
- Try it if: You already use SmartThings, want a free dashboard, and prioritize live monitoring over full control.
- Skip it if: You need real-time alerts, two-way talk, or don’t want to depend on a third-party SmartApp.
- Consider alternatives if: You’re tech-savvy (try Home Assistant) or want more features (try SharpTools).
At the end of the day, smart home tech is about making your life easier—not more complicated. ActionTiles + Arlo isn’t a magic bullet, but for many users, it’s a solid step toward a more connected, convenient home. Just go in with realistic expectations, and you’ll be glad you tried it.
And hey—if you run into issues? You’re not alone. The SmartThings community is super active, and there are tons of forums and guides to help. With a little patience, you’ll have your Arlo cameras up and running on ActionTiles in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Arlo cameras compatible with ActionTiles now?
Yes, Arlo cameras now work with ActionTiles through direct integration or IFTTT, allowing users to view live feeds and snapshots on their ActionTiles dashboards. This update makes it easier to monitor Arlo camera footage alongside other smart home devices.
How do I connect my Arlo cameras to ActionTiles?
To connect Arlo cameras to ActionTiles, use the Arlo ActionTiles integration or set up an IFTTT applet to display camera feeds. Ensure both your Arlo and ActionTiles accounts are linked to IFTTT for seamless connectivity.
Can I view live Arlo camera feeds on ActionTiles?
Absolutely. With the updated integration, you can display live Arlo camera feeds directly on your ActionTiles dashboard, providing real-time monitoring from a centralized smart home interface. Some users may need to adjust settings in the Arlo app for optimal streaming.
Does ActionTiles support all Arlo camera models?
Most Arlo camera models, including the Pro, Ultra, and Essential series, are supported by ActionTiles. However, older or niche models may require additional setup via IFTTT for full functionality.
Why isn’t my Arlo camera showing up on ActionTiles?
If your Arlo camera isn’t appearing on ActionTiles, check your IFTTT connections and ensure the camera is properly linked to your Arlo account. Refresh the dashboard or reauthorize the integration if issues persist.
Is there a limit to how many Arlo cameras I can add to ActionTiles?
ActionTiles doesn’t impose a strict limit, but performance may vary depending on your dashboard’s layout and device capabilities. For best results, limit the number of live feeds to avoid lag or loading delays.