Can Arlo Cameras Send an Email Alerts Explained

Yes, Arlo cameras can send email alerts when motion or sound is detected, keeping you instantly informed no matter where you are. With customizable alert settings and easy setup through the Arlo app, you can tailor notifications to match your security needs and avoid unnecessary emails. Stay connected and in control with real-time updates sent straight to your inbox.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, Arlo cameras can send email alerts when motion or sound is detected.
• Enable email notifications in the Arlo app under “Settings > Alerts”.
• Customize alert schedules to avoid unnecessary emails during specific times.
• Link multiple email addresses for shared monitoring with family or team members.
• Check spam folders if alerts don’t arrive; whitelist Arlo’s email domain.
• Use IFTTT integration for advanced email automation beyond default settings.

Can Arlo Cameras Send Email Alerts? Here’s What You Need to Know

Imagine this: You’re sipping coffee on a quiet Sunday morning when your phone buzzes. A motion alert from your Arlo camera—someone’s at your front door. You tap the notification, see a delivery driver leaving a package, and breathe a sigh of relief. But what if your phone’s on silent? Or you’re in a meeting with no push notifications? That’s where email alerts come in. They’re like a backup safety net, ensuring you never miss critical updates—even if your phone is buried in your bag.

Arlo cameras, popular for their sleek design and smart features, have become a go-to for home security. But can they send email alerts? The short answer: **Yes, but with caveats**. Whether you’re a tech newbie or a seasoned pro, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about Arlo’s email alert system. We’ll cover setup steps, troubleshooting tips, and real-world scenarios to help you decide if this feature fits your needs. Let’s dive in!

How Arlo Email Alerts Work (And When They Shine)

The Basics: What Triggers an Email Alert?

Arlo cameras can send email alerts when specific events happen, like motion detection or a person being spotted (if you have AI-powered models). Think of it as your camera’s way of shouting, “Hey, something’s up!” Here’s how it works:

• Motion detection: Your camera senses movement and snaps a photo/video. The Arlo app processes this and sends an email with the clip attached.
• Person/package detection: Advanced models (like Arlo Pro 4 or Ultra 2) use AI to differentiate between people, animals, and packages. You can set alerts to *only* email you when a person is detected—great for reducing false alarms from your neighbor’s cat.
• Low battery or connectivity issues: Some plans let you get emails when a camera’s battery is low or offline, so you’re never caught off guard.

Pro tip: Email alerts are especially useful if you’re away from your phone or in a low-signal area. For example, if you’re hiking with spotty service, an email will still land in your inbox when you reconnect to Wi-Fi.

Email vs. Push Notifications: Which Should You Use?

Email alerts and push notifications (sent directly to your phone) serve different purposes. Here’s a quick comparison:

• Push notifications: Instant, but easy to miss if your phone is on silent or buried in your bag.
• Email alerts: Less immediate, but they’re logged in your inbox, making them easier to search and reference later (e.g., if you need to check if a delivery arrived).

Many users use both. For instance, my neighbor gets a push notification when her camera spots a delivery driver *and* an email with the video attached. That way, she can check the email later if she misses the initial alert.

Setting Up Email Alerts: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Check Your Arlo Subscription Plan

Not all Arlo plans support email alerts. Here’s the breakdown:

• Basic (Free): No email alerts. Only push notifications and 7 days of cloud storage.
• Arlo Secure (Paid): Email alerts included. You also get AI detection, 30-day video history, and emergency response features.
• Arlo Secure Plus: Everything in Secure, plus 4K video and 60-day storage.

Real talk: If you’re on the free plan, you’ll need to upgrade to unlock email alerts. I once tried to set up emails on a Basic plan and wasted 20 minutes before realizing my mistake—don’t be like me!

Step 2: Enable Email Alerts in the Arlo App

Once you’re on a paid plan, here’s how to enable emails:

1. Open the Arlo app and tap Settings (gear icon).
2. Select My Devices > [Your Camera Name].
3. Tap Alerts > Alert Types.
4. Toggle on Email and choose which events trigger emails (e.g., motion, person, package).
5. Customize the email content: You can include a snapshot, video clip, or both.

Pro tip: If you have multiple cameras, repeat this for each one. I once forgot to enable emails on my backyard camera—and missed a raccoon raid on my trash cans! (Lesson learned.)

Step 3: Test the Setup

Don’t skip this! Trigger a test motion event (e.g., wave at the camera) and wait 1–2 minutes. Check your inbox for the alert. If it doesn’t arrive:

• Verify your email address in Settings > Account.
• Check your spam/junk folder.
• Ensure your camera has a strong Wi-Fi connection.

Common Issues (And How to Fix Them)

Problem 1: Delayed or Missing Emails

Email alerts can take 1–3 minutes to arrive—slower than push notifications. If you’re not getting emails at all:

• Check your subscription: Ensure you’re on a paid plan that includes email alerts.
• Review your alert settings: Make sure the email toggle is enabled for the correct event types.
• Verify email filters: Your email provider might be blocking Arlo’s domain. Whitelist @arlo.com emails.

Real-world example: My friend’s emails were delayed because her ISP throttled Arlo’s server. Switching to a different email provider (Gmail to Outlook) fixed it.

Problem 2: Too Many False Alerts

If your inbox is flooded with emails about swaying trees or passing cars:

• Adjust motion sensitivity: In the Arlo app, go to Settings > My Devices > [Camera] > Motion Detection. Lower the sensitivity or draw activity zones to exclude busy areas (e.g., a busy street).
• Use AI detection: Upgrade to a plan with person/package detection. My Arlo Pro 4 now ignores my dog but alerts me when a person approaches.

Problem 3: Emails With No Video/Photo

If you get an email alert but no media attached:

• Check your cloud storage: Free plans only save videos for 7 days. If the event is older, the video might be gone.
• Verify video length: Arlo’s free plan limits videos to 10 seconds. Paid plans allow longer clips.

Advanced Tips: Getting the Most Out of Email Alerts

Customize Your Alerts for Specific Scenarios

Arlo lets you create “modes” (e.g., Home, Away, Night) with different alert settings. Here’s how to use this for emails:

• Away mode: Enable email alerts for all motion events when you’re on vacation.
• Home mode: Disable emails for backyard motion (to ignore pets) but keep them for front-door activity.

Pro tip: Set up geofencing so your camera switches modes automatically when your phone leaves or enters your home area.

Integrate With Smart Home Systems

Want to go beyond emails? Pair Arlo with tools like IFTTT (If This Then That) to automate actions:

• Get an email + a text message when motion is detected.
• Log alerts in a Google Sheet for a home security journal.
• Turn on Philips Hue lights when an email alert arrives at night.

I use IFTTT to forward Arlo emails to my partner’s inbox—so they’re always in the loop, even if they’re not on the Arlo app.

Optimize for Privacy

Email alerts contain video clips, so security matters. To protect your data:

• Use a dedicated email: Create a separate account (e.g., arloalerts@yourdomain.com) for alerts.
• Enable 2FA: Add two-factor authentication to your Arlo account to prevent unauthorized access.
• Review sharing settings: If you share camera access with family, ensure they don’t disable email alerts.

Arlo Email Alerts: Pros, Cons, and Who Should Use Them

The Good: Why Email Alerts Are Worth It

• Reliability: Works even if your phone dies or loses service.
• Audit trail: Emails create a searchable log of events. Useful for disputes (e.g., a delivery driver claiming they left a package).
• Flexibility: You can set alerts to go to multiple emails (e.g., your work and personal account).

The Not-So-Good: Limitations to Consider

• Speed: Slower than push notifications. Not ideal for real-time emergencies.
• Cost: Requires a paid Arlo Secure plan (starts at $2.99/month per camera).
• Storage limits: Videos in emails depend on your cloud plan. Free plans only store clips for 7 days.

Who Should Use Email Alerts?

Email alerts are ideal if you:

• Want a backup for push notifications.
• Need to track deliveries or visitors over time.
• Share camera access with others (e.g., family, roommates).

They’re less useful if you’re always glued to your phone or want instant alerts for break-ins.

Comparison Table: Arlo Email Alerts vs. Competitors

How does Arlo stack up against other security cameras? Here’s a quick comparison:

Feature	Arlo (Secure Plan)	Ring (Protect Plan)	Google Nest (Nest Aware)
Email Alerts	✅ Yes (with video)	✅ Yes (with video)	❌ No (push only)
AI Detection	✅ Person/package	✅ Person/vehicle	✅ Person/package
Storage Duration	30–60 days	180 days	30–60 days
Cost (Per Camera/Month)	$2.99–$9.99	$3–$10	$6–$30

While Ring offers longer storage, Arlo’s email alerts give it an edge for users who want a paper trail. Nest, however, lacks email alerts entirely—a dealbreaker for some.

Final Thoughts: Should You Use Arlo Email Alerts?

Arlo cameras can send email alerts—and they’re a powerful tool when used right. They’re not perfect (delays and paid plans are downsides), but they fill a crucial gap: keeping you informed even when push notifications fail. Whether you’re monitoring a home, tracking deliveries, or just want peace of mind, email alerts add a layer of security that’s hard to beat.

Here’s my advice: Start with a trial. Upgrade to Arlo Secure for a month, set up email alerts, and see how they fit your routine. If you find yourself checking those emails daily, you’ve found a winner. If not, you can always switch back to push-only mode. Either way, your Arlo camera is more than just a lens—it’s a guardian that can talk to you in more ways than one. And sometimes, an email is exactly the nudge you need to stay safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Arlo cameras send an email when motion is detected?

Yes, Arlo cameras can send email alerts when motion is detected, provided you enable the feature in your Arlo app settings. Navigate to “Notifications” and select “Email” as an alert method for your chosen camera or mode.

How do I set up email alerts on my Arlo camera?

To set up email alerts, open the Arlo app, go to “Settings,” select your camera, and enable “Email Notifications” under the “Alerts” section. Make sure your email address is added to your Arlo account for the alerts to work.

Can Arlo cameras send an email with a video clip attached?

Arlo cameras can send email alerts with a snapshot, but video clips are typically accessed via a link in the email. This link directs you to the Arlo app or cloud storage to view the full video recording.

Why am I not receiving email alerts from my Arlo camera?

If you’re not receiving email alerts, check your spam folder, verify your email address in Arlo settings, and ensure notifications are enabled. Also, confirm that your camera’s motion detection and alert settings are properly configured.

Are email alerts from Arlo cameras free, or do they require a subscription?

Basic email alerts are free with Arlo cameras, but advanced features like extended video storage and AI-based detection require an Arlo Secure subscription. Email notifications remain available without a plan, but functionality may be limited.

Can I customize the email alerts sent by my Arlo camera?

Yes, you can customize email alerts by adjusting motion sensitivity, setting alert schedules, and choosing which activities trigger notifications. These settings are found under “Alerts” in your camera’s settings within the Arlo app.