Can Arlo Cameras Record to NAS Discover the Setup Guide

Yes, Arlo cameras can record to a NAS, but only specific models like the Arlo Pro 3, Pro 4, and Ultra support local storage via a compatible base station or hub. By setting up an SMB/CIFS share on your NAS and configuring it through the Arlo app, you can bypass cloud subscriptions and store footage securely on your own network. This guide walks you through every step—from compatibility checks to troubleshooting—ensuring seamless, reliable local recording.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo cameras can record to NAS using third-party integrations or RTSP firmware.
• Enable RTSP on Arlo Pro/Ultra for direct NAS streaming via supported apps.
• Synology Surveillance Station simplifies NAS recording with Arlo compatibility.
• Check storage space first to ensure NAS can handle continuous video feeds.
• Use VLC or Blue Iris as middleware to link Arlo and NAS systems.
• Cloud backup remains critical as NAS is a local, not redundant, solution.

Can Arlo Cameras Record to NAS? Discover the Setup Guide

Imagine this: You’ve just installed a brand-new Arlo camera system around your home. You’re excited about the crisp 4K video, motion detection alerts, and the ability to check in from your phone. But then you realize—your recordings are stored in the cloud. You’re paying a monthly subscription, and you’re worried about privacy, long-term costs, or what happens if the internet goes down. What if you could store all those videos locally, on your own network-attached storage (NAS)? Sounds like a dream, right? Well, you’re not alone in asking: Can Arlo cameras record to NAS?

The short answer? It’s complicated. Arlo cameras are designed with a cloud-first approach, and direct NAS recording isn’t officially supported. But don’t close this tab just yet. With a little creativity, the right tools, and some technical know-how, you *can* achieve local storage—even without cloud subscriptions. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know: the limitations, workarounds, setup steps, and real-world tips to help you take control of your surveillance footage. Whether you’re a tech-savvy DIYer or a homeowner just tired of subscription fees, this is the guide you’ve been waiting for.

Understanding Arlo’s Default Recording Options

Before we dive into NAS integration, let’s get a clear picture of how Arlo handles recording by default. Arlo cameras are built around convenience and accessibility, which means cloud storage is baked into the core experience. But understanding the default options helps us see *why* NAS recording isn’t straightforward—and how we can work around it.

Cloud Recording: The Arlo Standard

Arlo’s primary recording method is cloud-based. When motion is detected, your camera uploads a clip to Arlo’s servers. These clips are then accessible through the Arlo app, web portal, or smart home integrations like Alexa or Google Assistant. Most Arlo plans (except the base free tier) include features like:

• 30-day video history
• AI-powered person, vehicle, and animal detection
• Activity zones to reduce false alerts
• 24/7 continuous recording (on select models like Arlo Pro 4 and Ultra)

But here’s the catch: Cloud recording requires an active subscription. Without it, you only get “event-based” clips—and even then, only a limited number per day. For example, the free plan gives you 7 days of rolling history, but only for the last 30 seconds of each event. That’s not ideal for security, especially if you’re trying to catch a break-in or monitor deliveries.

Local Storage via USB (Limited Support)

Some newer Arlo models—like the Arlo Pro 4, Arlo Ultra, and Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera—support local recording via a USB drive. You plug a USB stick (FAT32 or exFAT formatted) into the Arlo SmartHub, and the camera saves motion-triggered clips directly to it. No cloud needed.

But there are downsides:

• No 24/7 recording: Only motion-triggered clips are saved.
• USB limitations: Most drives are small (32GB–128GB), and overwriting happens automatically when full.
• No remote access: You can’t view USB-stored videos unless you’re on the same local network or physically access the drive.
• No AI features: Person detection and activity zones require cloud processing, so they won’t work in pure local mode.

So while USB is a step toward local storage, it’s not a full NAS replacement. You’re still limited in capacity, accessibility, and features.

Why NAS Recording Is So Appealing

NAS devices—like Synology, QNAP, or even a DIY Raspberry Pi setup—offer massive storage (terabytes, not gigabytes), redundancy (RAID), remote access, and integration with home automation tools. They’re the gold standard for local surveillance systems. But Arlo doesn’t natively support them. Why? Because Arlo wants to keep users in its ecosystem, where they can monetize subscriptions and control the user experience.

But for privacy-focused users, cost-conscious homeowners, or those with unreliable internet, NAS recording is a game-changer. It gives you full ownership of your footage, no monthly fees, and better long-term reliability.

Workarounds: How to Make Arlo Record to NAS (Officially Unsupported)

Now for the good stuff: How do you actually get Arlo to record to a NAS, even though it’s not officially supported? There’s no one-click solution, but with a few clever tricks, you can achieve local storage. Here are the most effective methods—each with pros, cons, and real-world tips.

Method 1: Arlo Cloud → NAS via Third-Party Tools

This is the most common workaround. You keep using Arlo’s cloud (so you get all the AI features), but automatically download and archive clips to your NAS.

How it works:

• Use a tool like Arlo Download Manager (ADM), Arlo2NAS, or Home Assistant with the Arlo integration.
• These tools connect to your Arlo account (via API) and download motion clips as they’re created.
• They save the videos to a shared folder on your NAS (e.g., via SMB/NFS).
• Some tools can also trigger downloads based on motion, person detection, or time of day.

Example setup:

1. Install Home Assistant on a Raspberry Pi or virtual machine.
2. Add the Arlo integration (free, open-source).
3. Configure a script to download new clips every 5 minutes.
4. Use a cron job or automation to save files to your NAS at \\NAS\Arlo\Camera1\.

Pros:

• You keep Arlo’s AI features (person detection, activity zones).
• Automatic, hands-off backup.
• Works with all Arlo cameras (even older ones).

Cons:

• Still requires a cloud subscription (to access clips).
• Relies on Arlo’s API, which could change or break without warning.
• Download speed depends on your internet upload (from Arlo servers).

Tip: Use a tool like Arlo2NAS (GitHub project) for a simpler setup. It runs as a background service and auto-downloads clips. Just configure your NAS path and Arlo login.

Method 2: RTSP Streaming + NAS (For Select Models)

Some Arlo models (like Pro 3, Pro 4, Ultra) support RTSP streaming—a standard protocol for live video feeds. You can use this to stream directly to your NAS or a surveillance system like Blue Iris, Milestone, or Zoneminder.

How it works:

1. Enable RTSP in your Arlo app (Settings > My Devices > [Camera] > Advanced > RTSP).
2. Get the RTSP URL (e.g., rtsp://192.168.1.100:554/stream1).
3. Use a surveillance tool (e.g., Blue Iris) to connect to the stream and save recordings to your NAS.

Example: Blue Iris can record 24/7 or on motion, save clips to a NAS folder, and even send alerts. It supports AI analysis (person, vehicle) and integrates with Home Assistant.

Pros:

• True local recording—no cloud needed.
• 24/7 recording possible (if your camera supports it).
• Full control over storage, retention, and alerts.

Cons:

• Only works with Arlo models that support RTSP (not all do).
• RTSP disables some cloud features (e.g., activity zones).
• Setup is more technical (requires port forwarding, static IPs).

Tip: Assign your Arlo cameras a static IP address on your router. This ensures the RTSP URL doesn’t change if the camera reboots.

Method 3: Hybrid Approach (Cloud + NAS)

The best of both worlds? Use Arlo’s cloud for real-time alerts and AI, but automatically back up clips to NAS. This gives you redundancy and peace of mind.

How it works:

• Keep a cloud subscription for 30-day history and AI features.
• Use a tool like ADM or Home Assistant to download and archive clips to NAS.
• Set retention rules (e.g., keep NAS clips for 1 year, cloud for 30 days).

Real-world use case: A homeowner uses this to monitor their backyard. They get instant alerts via the Arlo app (cloud), but all clips are automatically saved to their Synology NAS. If the internet goes out, they still have a local copy. If Arlo’s service has an outage, they can access footage remotely via Synology’s QuickConnect.

Tip: Use rsync or Synology’s Hyper Backup to create offsite backups of your NAS-stored Arlo clips.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide (Using Home Assistant + NAS)

Let’s walk through a practical example: Using Home Assistant to download Arlo clips to a Synology NAS. This is a popular, reliable method—and it’s free if you already have the hardware.

What You’ll Need

• Arlo cameras (any model with cloud support)
• Arlo cloud subscription (to access clips)
• Home Assistant (installed on Raspberry Pi, VM, or server)
• NAS (Synology, QNAP, or similar) with SMB/NFS enabled
• Basic comfort with tech setup (no coding required!)

Step 1: Set Up Home Assistant

Install Home Assistant (follow the official guide). Once it’s running, go to Settings > Devices & Services > Add Integration. Search for “Arlo” and follow the prompts to log in to your Arlo account.

Tip: Use a dedicated email/password for Arlo (not your main account) for security.

Step 2: Configure NAS Sharing

On your Synology NAS:

1. Open Control Panel > Shared Folder > Create a new folder (e.g., Arlo_Backups).
2. Enable SMB (File Services > SMB/AFP/NFS).
3. Note the NAS IP address and shared folder path (e.g., \\192.168.1.50\Arlo_Backups).

Step 3: Set Up Arlo Clip Download Automation

1. In Home Assistant, go to Settings > Automations & Scenes > Create Automation.
2. Trigger: “Arlo Camera Motion Detected” (select your camera).
3. Action: “Download Arlo Clip” (use the hass-arlo integration or a custom script).
4. Save the clip to your NAS path using SMB. Example script (YAML):

   automation:
     - alias: "Download Arlo Clip to NAS"
       trigger:
         platform: state
         entity_id: binary_sensor.arlo_camera_motion
         to: "on"
       action:
         - service: arlo.download_clip
           data:
             entity_id: camera.arlo_camera
             filename: "/share/Arlo_Backups/{{ now().strftime('%Y%m%d_%H%M%S') }}.mp4"
       

5. Test the automation by triggering motion on your camera.

Tip: Use Node-RED (a visual automation tool) for a no-code setup. It has a drag-and-drop interface for Arlo + NAS workflows.

Step 4: Schedule Regular Backups

Set up a daily automation to download *all* new clips (not just motion-triggered ones). Use a time-based trigger (e.g., 2:00 AM) and a script that loops through your cameras.

Tip: Add a notification to your phone when a backup fails (e.g., “Arlo backup to NAS failed—check connection”).

Common Challenges and How to Fix Them

Even with the best setup, things can go wrong. Here are the most common issues—and how to solve them.

Issue 1: Arlo API Changes or Outages

Arlo occasionally updates its API, which can break third-party tools. If your NAS stops receiving clips:

• Check the tool’s GitHub page for updates.
• Re-authenticate your Arlo account in Home Assistant.
• Switch to a backup method (e.g., RTSP) temporarily.

Tip: Subscribe to the tool’s GitHub repository for release notifications.

Issue 2: Slow NAS Write Speeds

If clips are delayed or corrupted:

• Check your network: Use a wired connection (not Wi-Fi) between your NAS and router.
• Format your NAS drive with a fast file system (e.g., ext4, not FAT32).
• Limit concurrent downloads to 1–2 cameras at a time.

Issue 3: RTSP Connection Drops

If your RTSP stream keeps disconnecting:

• Set your Arlo camera to a static IP address.
• Disable “Auto” for the camera’s video quality (set to 720p or 1080p).
• Reboot the camera and SmartHub.

Issue 4: Storage Running Out

NAS drives fill up fast! To manage space:

• Set retention rules: Delete clips older than 30/60/90 days.
• Use compression: Convert 4K clips to 1080p (saves 50% space).
• Monitor usage: Set up alerts when your NAS hits 80% capacity.

Data Table: Arlo Models and NAS Compatibility

Arlo Model	RTSP Support	USB Local Recording	Cloud-to-NAS (via Tools)	Best NAS Method
Arlo Pro 4	Yes	Yes (SmartHub)	Yes	RTSP + Blue Iris
Arlo Ultra	Yes	Yes (SmartHub)	Yes	RTSP + Home Assistant
Arlo Pro 3	Yes	Yes (SmartHub)	Yes	RTSP + Zoneminder
Arlo Q Plus	Yes	No	Yes	Cloud-to-NAS (Home Assistant)
Arlo Essential	No	No	Yes	Cloud-to-NAS (Arlo2NAS)

Final Thoughts: Is NAS Recording Worth It?

So, can Arlo cameras record to NAS? Technically, no—not out of the box. But with the right tools, you can absolutely achieve local storage, even if it takes a little extra effort. The payoff? Full control over your footage, no subscription fees, and better privacy. It’s like having your cake and eating it too.

But let’s be real: This isn’t for everyone. If you’re not comfortable with tech setups, the cloud might still be the easier choice. However, if you’re already running a NAS for backups, media, or smart home automation, adding Arlo to the mix is a no-brainer. The initial setup might take a weekend, but once it’s running, it’s hands-off.

My advice? Start small. Try the cloud-to-NAS method with one camera. Use Home Assistant or Arlo2NAS to download clips automatically. Once you see how seamless it feels, you’ll want to expand to the whole system. And if you have RTSP-compatible cameras, go for the full local recording setup—it’s the ultimate freedom.

At the end of the day, security shouldn’t come with monthly fees or privacy trade-offs. With a little DIY spirit, you can make Arlo work *for* you—not the other way around. Now go reclaim your recordings!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Arlo cameras record to NAS for local storage?

Yes, certain Arlo camera models (like Ultra, Pro 3/4, and Go) can record to a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device using Arlo SmartHub or Base Station. This bypasses cloud storage and saves footage locally, offering more control over your data.

How do I set up Arlo cameras to record to NAS?

To set up Arlo NAS recording, connect your Arlo SmartHub/Base Station to your NAS via the “Local Backup” feature in the Arlo app. Ensure your NAS supports FTP or SMB protocols and has sufficient storage capacity for continuous or event-based recordings.

Which Arlo models support NAS recording?

Arlo Ultra, Pro 3, Pro 4, and Go cameras support NAS recording when paired with a SmartHub or Base Station. Older models like Arlo Q or Essential may lack this feature, so check compatibility before purchasing.

Is Arlo NAS recording a reliable alternative to cloud storage?

NAS recording is reliable for local backups and reduces reliance on cloud subscriptions, but it requires a stable network and proper NAS configuration. For 24/7 recording, ensure your NAS has enough storage and power redundancy.

Can I access Arlo NAS recordings remotely?

Yes, you can access NAS-stored Arlo footage remotely if your NAS supports remote access (e.g., via a mobile app or web interface). Configure port forwarding or use a VPN for secure access outside your home network.

Does Arlo NAS recording affect video quality or retention?

Recording to NAS maintains the same video quality as cloud storage, but retention depends on your NAS’s storage size. Larger drives allow longer retention, especially for continuous recording, unlike cloud plans with time limits.