Can I Share My Arlo Camera A Complete Guide to Sharing Access

Yes, you can share your Arlo camera access with family, friends, or trusted users through the Arlo app’s user management feature. Simply invite them via email and customize their permissions—view-only or full control—for secure, flexible monitoring. This ensures real-time visibility while maintaining your privacy and system security.

Key Takeaways

• Share via Arlo app: Use the app to invite users with customizable access levels.
• Limit permissions: Grant view-only or full control based on user needs.
• Revoke anytime: Remove access instantly for security or privacy concerns.
• No account needed: Guests can access via shared links without an Arlo account.
• Monitor activity: Track shared access and usage through the app’s logs.
• Two-factor authentication: Enable it to secure shared access further.

Can I Share My Arlo Camera? A Complete Guide to Sharing Access

Imagine this: You’re at work, and you get a notification from your Arlo camera. It’s a delivery person dropping off a package. You want to show your partner or roommate the footage, but you’re not sure how to share access. Or maybe you’re on vacation and want to give your neighbor temporary access to keep an eye on things. The good news? Yes, you can share your Arlo camera—and it’s easier than you think. But like any smart home tech, there are nuances to get right.

Sharing your Arlo camera isn’t just about sending a link or a username. It’s about balancing convenience, privacy, and control. Whether you’re setting up a family group, granting access to a house sitter, or letting a contractor monitor a renovation, the process can be smooth or frustrating depending on your setup. I’ve been there—trying to explain to my parents how to log in while also making sure they don’t accidentally delete critical footage. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about sharing your Arlo camera, from the simplest steps to advanced tips and pitfalls to avoid. Let’s get started.

How Arlo Camera Sharing Works (The Basics)

Understanding Arlo’s Sharing Model

Arlo’s sharing system is built around user accounts and permissions. When you set up your Arlo camera, you’re the “Owner” of the account. This means you have full control: you can add cameras, delete footage, adjust settings, and—most importantly—invite others to access your system. But here’s the key: you’re not sharing the camera itself; you’re sharing access to your Arlo account.

Think of it like a Netflix account. You can share your login with family, but they’re still using your subscription. With Arlo, when you invite someone, they get a login to your account (via the Arlo app or web portal) with specific permissions. They don’t need their own Arlo account—they just need the email address you invite them with.

Types of Access Levels

Arlo offers three main access levels:

• Viewer: Can view live feeds and recorded clips. No access to settings or camera management.
• Standard User: Can view footage, arm/disarm the system, and manage notifications. Still can’t add or remove cameras.
• Administrator: Full access, including adding cameras, changing settings, and inviting others. This is essentially a co-owner.

For most sharing scenarios, “Viewer” or “Standard User” is ideal. For example, your neighbor watching your home while you’re away doesn’t need to tweak motion sensitivity or delete footage. But if you’re sharing with a family member who’s tech-savvy, “Administrator” might make sense.

How to Share Access (Step-by-Step)

1. Open the Arlo app and tap the gear icon (settings) in the top-right.
2. Select “My Devices” > “Share” > “Add User”.
3. Enter the recipient’s email address (must be associated with an Arlo account or create one).
4. Choose their access level (Viewer, Standard, or Admin).
5. Tap “Send Invitation”. They’ll get an email to accept.

Pro Tip: If the person doesn’t have an Arlo account, they’ll be prompted to create one when they accept the invite. This is a one-time setup, and they can use the same account for other Arlo devices later.

Sharing Scenarios: Practical Examples and Tips

Sharing with Family or Roommates

Let’s say you’re setting up a shared home with your spouse, parents, or roommates. You want everyone to see the front door camera but keep the nursery camera private. Here’s how to handle it:

• Use Standard User access for most family members. They can check live feeds, get alerts, and arm/disarm the system.
• Exclude specific cameras by going to “My Devices” > select a camera > “Sharing” > toggle off for that user. For example, turn off the nursery camera for your in-laws.
• Set up a shared “Family” group (if using Arlo Secure) to organize alerts and clips.

Real-life example: My parents visit often but don’t need to see the backyard camera (where my dog barks constantly). I shared access as a “Viewer” and excluded that camera. No more “Why is the dog barking at nothing?” texts!

Granting Temporary Access (e.g., House Sitters)

Need to let a neighbor watch your home while you’re on vacation? Temporary access is key. Here’s how to do it right:

• Use Viewer access to limit their actions. They can’t arm/disarm the system or change settings.
• Set a clear end date. When you return, remove their access: go to “Sharing” > select their email > “Remove”.
• Communicate expectations. Tell them what to watch for (e.g., “If the front door camera detects motion between 2-5 AM, call me”).

Pro Tip: For longer trips, consider a “Standard User” access so they can arm the system if needed. Just remember to remove them afterward.

Sharing with Contractors or Service Providers

Contractors (e.g., landscapers, repair technicians) often need to access your property. Sharing camera access can help you monitor their work without being there. Here’s how:

• Create a temporary “Contractor” account (if they don’t have one) and invite them as a “Viewer”.
• Limit camera access to only the area they’re working on (e.g., backyard camera for landscapers).
• Use geofencing (if available) to automatically arm/disarm cameras when they arrive/leave.
• Revoke access immediately after work. No need for them to keep access once the job is done.

Example: When a roofer was fixing my roof, I shared the backyard camera as a “Viewer”. I could check progress without calling them daily. Once the job was done, I removed their access in 10 seconds.

Privacy and Security: What You Need to Know

Who Can See Your Footage?

When you share your Arlo camera, you’re trusting the recipient with your privacy. Here’s what to consider:

• Arlo’s encryption: Footage is encrypted in transit and at rest. Even Arlo can’t access it without your account credentials.
• Recipient’s device security: If their phone or tablet is lost/stolen, someone else could access your cameras. Encourage them to use strong passwords and biometric locks.
• Shared account risks: If you share your primary Arlo login (not via the invite system), you’re bypassing Arlo’s security. Avoid this—always use the official sharing feature.

Managing Permissions: Avoiding Common Mistakes

Over-sharing is a common pitfall. Here’s how to stay in control:

• Don’t make everyone an Administrator. Only grant “Admin” to people you trust with full control (e.g., a spouse or tech-savvy family member).
• Audit access regularly. Check who has access monthly: go to “Sharing” and review the list. Remove old house sitters or contractors.
• Use camera-specific sharing. Not all cameras need to be shared with everyone. For example, your basement camera might only need to be shared with a plumber.

Real-life mistake: I once gave a “Standard User” access to a friend helping me move. They accidentally deleted a critical clip of a delivery. Lesson learned: use “Viewer” for non-essential tasks!

What Happens If Someone Misuses Access?

While rare, misuse can happen. Arlo’s system has safeguards:

• No remote deletion: Only the Owner or Administrator can delete clips. “Viewers” and “Standard Users” can’t.
• Activity logs: You can see who viewed what (via the “Activity” tab in the app). If something looks suspicious, act fast.
• Revoke access immediately: If you suspect misuse, remove their access and change your Arlo account password.

Advanced Features: Customizing Shared Access

Using Arlo Secure for Enhanced Sharing

If you have an Arlo Secure subscription (or trial), you get extra sharing tools:

• Custom alerts: Set specific motion zones for shared cameras. For example, your neighbor only gets alerts for the front door, not the backyard.
• Clip tagging: When a shared user saves a clip, you’ll see it in your library with their name. Great for tracking who found what.
• Cloud storage sharing: If you have 24/7 recording, you can let others download clips (with your permission).

Example: With Arlo Secure, I set up a “Front Door Only” alert for my neighbor. They get notified if someone approaches, but not for backyard activity. Less noise, more relevance.

Geofencing and Automation

Geofencing uses the recipient’s phone location to automate camera access:

• Auto-arm/disarm: When a shared user leaves the area, their cameras automatically arm. When they return, they disarm.
• Location-based alerts: If a shared user is near the house, they get priority alerts. If they’re far away, alerts go to you first.

Pro Tip: Enable geofencing in the Arlo app under “Automation”. Works best with “Standard User” or “Admin” access.

Multi-Home Sharing (For Property Managers)

If you manage multiple properties, Arlo’s “Multi-Home” feature is a game-changer:

• Group cameras by location (e.g., “Beach House” vs. “City Apartment”).
• Share entire homes with tenants or managers, not just individual cameras.
• Customize access per home. For example, your beach house cleaner gets access to that location only.

Note: Multi-Home requires an Arlo Secure subscription and is ideal for landlords or Airbnb hosts.

Troubleshooting Common Sharing Issues

Invitation Not Received?

If the recipient didn’t get the invite:

• Check spam/junk folders. Arlo emails can get filtered.
• Resend the invite. Go to “Sharing” > select their email > “Resend”.
• Verify the email address. Typos happen. Double-check before sending.
• Ask them to check their Arlo app (if they already have an account). Invites sometimes appear in-app, not email.

Recipient Can’t Access a Camera?

If they see a camera but can’t view it:

• Confirm their access level. “Viewers” can’t see live feeds if the camera is offline.
• Check camera-specific sharing. Go to the camera’s settings > “Sharing” > ensure it’s enabled for them.
• Restart their app/device. Glitches happen. A quick restart often fixes it.

Sharing with Non-Tech-Savvy Users

Helping older relatives or friends? Simplify the process:

• Pre-install the Arlo app on their device and log them in.
• Create a cheat sheet with screenshots of how to check alerts or view clips.
• Use voice commands (if they have Alexa/Google Home). “Alexa, show me the front door camera” works without the app.

Data Table: Arlo Camera Sharing Features Comparison

Feature	Viewer Access	Standard User	Administrator
View live feeds	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
View recorded clips	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Arm/disarm system	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Change camera settings	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes
Add/remove cameras	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes
Invite others	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes
Delete clips	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes
Best for	Guests, house sitters	Family, roommates	Co-owners, tech-savvy users

Final Thoughts: Sharing Your Arlo Camera with Confidence

Sharing your Arlo camera doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re giving access to a neighbor, a contractor, or your entire family, the key is planning ahead. Start with the right access level (Viewer, Standard, or Admin), limit camera access when possible, and always revoke permissions when they’re no longer needed. Remember: just because you can share doesn’t mean you should share everything. Think about privacy, security, and convenience—and adjust as needed.

Over time, you’ll find a rhythm. Maybe you’ll set up a “Family” group for daily checks, or a “Vacation” template for house sitters. The flexibility of Arlo’s sharing system means you can tailor it to your life. And if you ever run into issues, the troubleshooting tips above (or Arlo’s customer support) will help you get back on track. So go ahead—share that camera, but do it wisely. Your home (and your peace of mind) will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Arlo camera with family or friends?

Yes, you can easily share your Arlo camera with others using the “Share” feature in the Arlo app. This allows trusted users to view live footage, receive alerts, and access recordings without needing your login credentials.

How do I share access to my Arlo camera securely?

To share your Arlo camera securely, go to the Arlo app, select your camera, tap “Share,” and enter the recipient’s email. You can customize their access level (e.g., live view only or full controls) to maintain privacy.

Is there a limit to how many people I can share my Arlo camera with?

Arlo allows you to share your camera with up to 10 users per account. This makes it ideal for families, roommates, or small teams who need shared access to surveillance.

Can I revoke access to my shared Arlo camera later?

Yes, you can remove shared access anytime through the Arlo app. Navigate to “Settings,” select “Share,” and tap the “X” next to the user you wish to revoke access from.

Do shared users need an Arlo account to view my camera?

Yes, recipients must have an Arlo account (free or paid) to access your shared camera. They’ll receive an invitation via email and must accept it to gain access.

What features can shared users control on my Arlo camera?

Shared users can view live feeds, playback recordings, and adjust motion alerts based on the permissions you set. Admins retain full control over advanced settings like camera sensitivity and recording modes.