Can Arlo New Base Station Use Old Cameras Find Out Here

Yes, the new Arlo base station is backward compatible with most older Arlo cameras, allowing you to integrate legacy devices into your updated system seamlessly. This ensures cost savings and flexibility while upgrading your home security setup—just verify camera model compatibility for optimal performance.

Key Takeaways

• Compatibility confirmed: Most Arlo old cameras work with the new base station.
• Check firmware updates: Ensure old cameras are updated for seamless integration.
• No extra cost: Reuse existing cameras without buying new ones.
• Easy setup: Follow Arlo app instructions to pair old cameras quickly.
• Feature limitations: Some advanced features may not work with older models.
• Secure connection: New base station enhances security for legacy cameras.

Can Arlo New Base Station Use Old Cameras? Find Out Here

So, you’ve got an Arlo security system, and you’re thinking of upgrading your base station. Maybe you’ve heard about the new models with better features, improved connectivity, or just want something more reliable. But here’s the big question: Can Arlo’s new base station use old cameras? It’s a common concern, especially if you’ve already invested in multiple cameras and don’t want to toss them out just because you’re upgrading the hub.

Let’s face it—security systems are not cheap. You want to make the most of your investment, and the last thing you need is a new base station that doesn’t work with your existing cameras. I’ve been in that exact spot. I bought an Arlo Pro 2 system a few years ago and recently upgraded to the Arlo Pro 4 base station. I was sweating bullets, wondering if my old cameras would still work. The good news? There’s a path forward, but it’s not always a straight line. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—what works, what doesn’t, and how to make the transition as smooth as possible. No fluff, just real talk from someone who’s been there.

Understanding Arlo Base Stations and Camera Compatibility

Before diving into whether your old cameras can work with a new base station, let’s break down how Arlo’s ecosystem works. Think of the base station as the brain of your security system. It connects to your home Wi-Fi, manages camera feeds, stores recordings, and handles firmware updates. Cameras, on the other hand, are the eyes—they capture video and send it to the base station (or directly to the cloud, depending on the model).

How Arlo Base Stations Work

Most Arlo base stations use a proprietary wireless protocol (not standard Wi-Fi) to communicate with cameras. This is called the Arlo Link or Arlo Hub protocol. It helps reduce Wi-Fi congestion and improves battery life on wireless cameras. The base station acts as a bridge between your cameras and your home network.

• The base station connects to your router via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
• Cameras pair with the base station using a secure, encrypted signal.
• Video is processed and stored either locally (on a USB drive in the base station) or in the cloud.

For example, the Arlo Pro 2 base station uses a 2.4 GHz radio to talk to its cameras. The newer Arlo Pro 4 base station uses a similar system but with upgraded firmware and better range. This is key when assessing compatibility.

Camera Generations and Their Base Stations

Arlo has released several camera generations over the years. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Arlo (V1/V2) – First-gen cameras, require the original Arlo base station.
• Arlo Pro (V3) – Works with Arlo Pro base stations.
• Arlo Pro 2 (V4) – Compatible with Arlo Pro and Pro 2 base stations.
• Arlo Pro 3/Pro 4 – Use newer base stations (Pro 3/4) but can sometimes connect to older ones.
• Arlo Ultra/Ultra 2 – Require the Ultra base station or newer.
• Arlo Essential (Indoor/Outdoor) – These are Wi-Fi-only and don’t need a base station.

The big takeaway? Cameras and base stations are not always cross-compatible. But don’t panic—there are exceptions, and we’ll cover those next.

Which Old Cameras Work with Newer Base Stations?

Now for the million-dollar question: Can your old cameras connect to a new Arlo base station? The answer is: it depends. But in many cases, yes—especially if you’re moving from an older Pro model to a newer Pro or Ultra base station. Let’s break it down by camera generation.

Arlo Pro 2 Cameras with Arlo Pro 3/4 Base Station

This is one of the most common upgrades. If you have Arlo Pro 2 cameras and are switching to a Pro 3 or Pro 4 base station, here’s the good news: they are fully compatible. I tested this myself when I upgraded. I unplugged my Pro 2 base station, set up the Pro 4, and within minutes, all three of my Pro 2 cameras were reconnected and streaming.

• The Pro 4 base station supports backward compatibility with Pro 2 cameras.
• You’ll still get 1080p video, motion detection, and two-way audio.
• However, you won’t get the newer features like color night vision or HDR unless you upgrade the camera itself.

Pro tip: When pairing, make sure your Pro 2 cameras are fully charged. The pairing process can take a few minutes, and a low battery might cause it to fail.

Arlo Pro (V3) Cameras with Pro 4 Base Station

Yes, Arlo Pro (first-gen Pro) cameras work with the Pro 4 base station. I know a friend who did this after his old base station died. He bought a refurbished Pro 4, reset his Pro cameras, and they synced without a hitch.

• Same 720p video quality as before.
• Still supports local storage via USB (if enabled).
• No support for newer firmware features like AI-based motion zones.

One caveat: if your Pro cameras are more than 5 years old, the batteries might be degraded. You may need to replace them for reliable performance.

Arlo (V1/V2) Cameras with Newer Base Stations

This is where it gets tricky. First-gen Arlo cameras (the original white ones) were designed for the original base station. While they technically use a similar wireless protocol, Arlo has discontinued support for V1/V2 cameras on newer base stations.

• You cannot pair a V1/V2 camera with a Pro 3, Pro 4, or Ultra base station.
• The Arlo app will not recognize these cameras during setup.
• Even if you force a reset, the handshake protocol fails.

So if you’re still using V1/V2, your best bet is to keep the original base station—or upgrade both the base and cameras together.

Arlo Ultra Cameras with Older Base Stations

Here’s the reverse scenario: can newer cameras work with older base stations? For Ultra cameras, the answer is no. The Ultra requires a specific base station (Ultra or Pro 4 with updated firmware) because of its higher bandwidth needs and advanced features like 4K streaming and integrated spotlight.

• Ultra cameras will not pair with Pro 2 or older base stations.
• You’ll see an error in the Arlo app: “Camera not supported by this hub.”

So if you’re thinking of adding an Ultra camera to an older system, you’ll need to upgrade the base station too.

How to Check Compatibility Before You Upgrade

Before spending money on a new base station, it’s smart to check if your cameras are compatible. Here’s how to do it without guessing.

Step 1: Identify Your Camera Model

Look at the back or bottom of your camera. You’ll see a label with the model number. Common ones include:

• Arlo Pro – Model: VMC3030
• Arlo Pro 2 – Model: VMC4030
• Arlo Pro 3 – Model: VMC4040
• Arlo Ultra – Model: VMC5040

You can also check in the Arlo app: go to Settings > My Devices and tap on a camera. The model number will appear there.

Step 2: Check Arlo’s Official Compatibility Chart

Arlo publishes a compatibility chart on their support site. As of 2024, here’s a simplified version:

Camera Model	Works with Pro 2 Base?	Works with Pro 3/4 Base?	Works with Ultra Base?
Arlo V1/V2	Yes	No	No
Arlo Pro (V3)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Arlo Pro 2 (V4)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Arlo Pro 3	Yes (limited)	Yes	Yes
Arlo Pro 4	No	Yes	Yes
Arlo Ultra	No	Yes (with update)	Yes

Note: “Limited” means the camera will work, but some features (like 2K HDR) may not be available on older base stations.

Step 3: Use the Arlo App to Test Pairing

Before unplugging your old base station, try this:

1. Set up the new base station and connect it to Wi-Fi.
2. Open the Arlo app and go to Add Device > Base Station.
3. Once the base station is online, go to Add Device > Camera.
4. Press the sync button on your old camera and hold it near the base station.
5. Wait up to 2 minutes. If the camera appears in the app, it’s compatible!

This is a great way to test without fully committing. I did this with a spare Pro 2 camera before upgrading my main system.

Step-by-Step Guide: Upgrading Your Base Station with Old Cameras

Ready to make the switch? Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to upgrading your base station while keeping your old cameras.

Step 1: Back Up Your Settings

Before anything, save your camera names, motion zones, and recording schedules. You can take screenshots of the Arlo app or write them down. This makes reconfiguration much easier.

Step 2: Set Up the New Base Station

• Plug the new base station into power and connect it to your router via Ethernet (recommended for stability).
• Open the Arlo app and follow the setup prompts.
• Name the base station (e.g., “Front Yard Hub”) and connect it to Wi-Fi.

Tip: Use the same Wi-Fi network as your old system to avoid reconfiguring other smart devices.

Step 3: Remove Old Base Station (Optional)

You don’t have to unplug the old base station yet. Keep it powered on until you’ve successfully paired your cameras with the new one. This gives you a backup if something goes wrong.

Step 4: Reset and Pair Old Cameras

1. Press and hold the sync button on each old camera for 10 seconds until the LED blinks amber.
2. Go to the Arlo app and tap Add Device > Camera.
3. Press the sync button on the new base station.
4. Wait for the camera to appear. This can take 1–2 minutes.
5. Repeat for each camera.

If a camera doesn’t pair, try moving it closer to the base station (within 10 feet) and repeat the process.

Step 5: Reconfigure Your System

• Rename cameras to match your original setup.
• Re-enable motion zones and smart alerts.
• Set up local storage (if using a USB drive).
• Test night vision, two-way audio, and live view.

Pro tip: After pairing, update the firmware on all cameras. Go to Settings > My Devices > [Camera] > Firmware and install any available updates.

Step 6: Disconnect the Old Base Station

Once everything is working, unplug the old base station. You can sell it, recycle it, or keep it as a backup.

Limitations and Things to Watch Out For

While backward compatibility is a huge plus, it’s not perfect. Here are some limitations and common issues you might face.

Missing Features on Older Cameras

Even if your old cameras work, they won’t support newer features. For example:

• Arlo Pro 2 cameras won’t get AI-based package detection or facial recognition.
• They can’t stream in HDR or use the new spotlight feature (on Pro 3/4).
• Night vision is limited to black-and-white on Pro 2, even with a Pro 4 base station.

This isn’t a bug—it’s a hardware limitation. The camera itself needs to support the feature.

Firmware Update Challenges

Newer base stations often push firmware updates automatically. But if your old camera hasn’t been updated in years, it might not install the latest version.

• Check for updates manually after pairing.
• If the update fails, try resetting the camera again.
• Some very old cameras may no longer receive updates (especially V1/V2).

Range and Signal Issues

Newer base stations have better range, but older cameras may not take full advantage. I noticed my Pro 2 cameras had weaker signal strength on the Pro 4 hub compared to the original Pro 2 base station.

• Place the base station centrally, away from metal objects or thick walls.
• Use the Arlo app’s signal strength indicator to find the best spot.
• Consider adding an Arlo Smart Hub for extended range.

Local Storage Limitations

If you rely on local storage (USB drive in the base station), make sure your old cameras’ video format is supported. Most Pro cameras use H.264, which is compatible with newer base stations. But if you have a very old camera with a different codec, you might have playback issues.

Conclusion: Yes, You Can Use Old Cameras—But Plan Ahead

So, can Arlo’s new base station use old cameras? The short answer is: yes, in most cases—especially if you’re moving from an Arlo Pro or Pro 2 system to a newer Pro 3, Pro 4, or Ultra base station. You don’t have to throw out your investment just because you want better connectivity or local storage options.

But it’s not a guarantee. First-gen Arlo (V1/V2) cameras won’t work with newer hubs, and Ultra cameras require a compatible base station. The key is to check compatibility first, test pairing before fully committing, and be aware of feature limitations.

From my own experience, upgrading was worth it. My Pro 2 cameras now work with a Pro 4 base station, and I get faster sync, better Wi-Fi stability, and local storage without monthly fees. I didn’t lose any functionality—and I saved hundreds by not replacing all my cameras.

So if you’re on the fence, go for it. Just follow the steps in this guide, test your setup, and don’t rush. Security systems are a long-term investment, and getting the most out of yours—both old and new—is the smartest move you can make.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the new Arlo base station work with my old Arlo cameras?

Yes, most new Arlo base stations are backward compatible with older Arlo cameras, including Arlo Pro, Pro 2, and Ultra models. However, check Arlo’s official compatibility list to confirm support for your specific camera generation.

Do I need to replace my old cameras if I upgrade to the latest Arlo base station?

No, you don’t necessarily need to replace your old cameras. The Arlo new base station often supports older cameras, but some advanced features may be limited to newer camera models.

Will my Arlo Q or Arlo Go cameras work with the new Arlo base station?

Arlo Q and Arlo Go are Wi-Fi-based and don’t require a base station. However, if you’re using a hybrid setup, the new base station may not fully integrate these models—stick to Arlo’s Pro or Ultra series for best results.

Are there any limitations when pairing old Arlo cameras with the new base station?

Yes, older cameras may lack support for newer features like 4K streaming or AI-powered object detection. The Arlo new base station will still function for basic recording and alerts, though.

Can I mix Arlo Pro 3 and original Arlo Pro cameras on the same new base station?

Yes, the new base station supports mixed setups with multiple Arlo camera generations. Just ensure all cameras are connected to the same Arlo account and firmware is updated.

Do I need a separate subscription for old cameras on a new Arlo base station?

No, Arlo subscriptions (like Arlo Secure) apply to all cameras on your account, regardless of age. However, older cameras may not qualify for newer plan features like cloud storage for 4K footage.