How to Set Up Arlo Cameras on Two Phones Easily

Yes, you can set up Arlo cameras on two phones seamlessly using the same account or shared access via the Arlo app. Easily sync multiple devices by logging in with the same credentials or inviting a second user through the “Share Access” feature—ideal for families or co-monitored properties.

Key Takeaways

• Share access easily: Use Arlo’s “Add User” feature to link a second phone to your account.
• Same app, dual control: Both phones use the Arlo app with shared camera access.
• Admin retains control: Primary account manages permissions, ensuring security on both devices.
• Real-time sync: Both phones receive alerts and live feeds simultaneously without delay.
• One-time setup: Complete the process once—no need to reconfigure for future use.
• Works with all models: Compatible with Arlo Pro, Ultra, and other series via the same steps.

Why You Might Want to Set Up Arlo Cameras on Two Phones

Imagine this: you’re on vacation, sipping a cocktail under the palm trees, when your phone buzzes. It’s a motion alert from your Arlo camera back home. You open the app and see your neighbor’s dog has knocked over your trash can—again. You chuckle and show your partner the footage. “Look at that little troublemaker,” you say. But then it hits you: what if only you had access to the camera? What if your partner had their own phone, but couldn’t check the feed? That’s where setting up your Arlo cameras on two phones comes in.

Whether you’re sharing home security duties with a partner, a family member, or a roommate, having multiple people monitor your Arlo system makes sense. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about peace of mind. If one person misses an alert, the other can respond. If you’re busy, someone else can check who’s at the door. And if you’re like me, sometimes you just want to show your kid the video of the raccoon that visits your backyard every night. The good news? It’s easier than you think. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to set up Arlo cameras on two phones—step by step, with real-life tips and a few lessons learned the hard way.

Understanding Arlo’s Multi-User Features

How Arlo Handles User Access

Arlo doesn’t lock you into a single-user model. Instead, it uses a primary account (the one you set up first) and allows you to invite others as secondary users. These secondary users can access live feeds, recordings, and even receive motion alerts—all from their own devices. Think of it like a digital neighborhood watch, where everyone has the same view but their own login.

For example, my husband and I both have access to our Arlo Pro 4 cameras. I’m the primary account holder, but I invited him via email. Now, he can check the backyard camera when he’s at work, and I can peek at the front porch when I’m out running errands. No more “Hey, can you check who’s at the door?” texts.

What Secondary Users Can (and Can’t) Do

Before inviting someone, it’s important to know the limits. Secondary users can:

• View live camera feeds
• Watch recorded clips (if you have an Arlo Secure subscription)
• Receive motion and audio alerts
• Arm and disarm the system
• Access the Arlo app on their phone or tablet

However, they cannot:

• Change camera settings (like sensitivity or recording zones)
• Add or remove cameras
• Manage subscriptions or billing
• Delete recordings

This setup is perfect for sharing access without giving full control. It’s like letting a friend borrow your car—they can drive it, but they can’t change the oil or sell it.

Why This Matters for Families and Roommates

Let’s say you live with roommates. You don’t want everyone tinkering with camera angles or deleting important footage. But you do want them to know when the delivery person arrives or if someone’s lingering near the back gate. Arlo’s secondary access strikes that balance. I once had a roommate who kept “accidentally” turning off the front door camera. After setting up her as a secondary user, she could see the feed but couldn’t disable it. Problem solved.

Step-by-Step: How to Invite a Second User to Your Arlo System

Step 1: Open the Arlo App on Your Primary Device

Make sure you’re logged into your primary Arlo account—the one you used to set up the cameras. Open the Arlo app (iOS or Android) and tap the Settings icon (it looks like a gear) in the top-left corner.

Tip: If you can’t find Settings, try tapping your profile picture or the name of your Arlo system. The menu layout can vary slightly between app versions.

Step 2: Navigate to “Users” and Send an Invite

Under Settings, look for “Users” or “Invite Users.” Tap it, then select “Invite User.” You’ll be prompted to enter the email address of the person you want to invite. This should be the email associated with their Arlo account (if they already have one) or their personal email (if they’re new to Arlo).

Here’s a real-world example: I invited my mom using her Gmail address. She didn’t have an Arlo account, so she got an email with a link to create one. After signing up, she was automatically added to my system.

Step 3: Choose the Access Level

Arlo gives you two options:

• Standard User: Can view feeds, get alerts, and arm/disarm. Cannot change settings.
• Administrator: Can do everything except manage billing or delete the account. (Use this only if you fully trust the person!)

For most cases, Standard User is the way to go. I chose this for my husband and roommate. For my mom, who just wants to check the front porch, it’s perfect.

Step 4: The Second User Accepts the Invite

The person you invited will get an email. They need to:

1. Open the email and tap the invite link.
2. Log in to their Arlo account (or create one).
3. Accept the invitation.

Pro tip: If they don’t see the email, check their spam folder. I once spent 20 minutes troubleshooting only to realize my roommate’s invite was in his spam box. Classic.

Step 5: Install the Arlo App on the Second Phone

Once they accept, they should download the Arlo app (free on iOS and Android) and log in with their Arlo account. Their phone will now show all the cameras you’ve shared.

Note: The second phone doesn’t need to be the same brand or OS. My husband uses an iPhone, I use Android, and both work flawlessly.

Troubleshooting Common Setup Issues

“I Don’t See the Invite in My Email”

This happens more often than you’d think. Here’s what to do:

• Double-check the email address you entered. Typos are sneaky.
• Ask the recipient to search their inbox for “Arlo” or “invite.”
• Resend the invite from the Arlo app. Go to Settings > Users and tap the “Resend” button next to their name.

I once invited my sister using an old email she hadn’t used in years. No wonder she didn’t get it! Lesson learned: always confirm the email first.

“The Second Phone Can’t Connect to the Cameras”

If the second user opens the app but sees a blank screen or error message, try these fixes:

• Restart the app and phone. Simple, but effective.
• Check Wi-Fi or cellular data. The Arlo app needs internet to load feeds.
• Log out and back into the Arlo account. Sometimes the session gets stuck.
• Reinstall the Arlo app. Delete it, then download it fresh from the app store.

One time, my husband’s phone kept showing “No cameras found” even though he’d accepted the invite. We fixed it by reinstalling the app and logging in again. It took five minutes—no tech support needed.

“I Accidentally Invited the Wrong Person”

Don’t panic. You can revoke access anytime:

1. Go to Settings > Users in your primary account.
2. Find the person’s name and tap the “Remove” or “Revoke” button.
3. Confirm. Their access is gone immediately.

I once invited a neighbor by mistake (wrong email auto-fill). I revoked it within a minute, and they never even knew. Crisis averted.

“The Camera Feed Is Laggy on the Second Phone”

This isn’t usually an Arlo issue—it’s more about the phone’s internet speed or processing power. Try:

• Switching from Wi-Fi to cellular data (or vice versa).
• Closing other apps running in the background.
• Lowering the video quality in Settings > Camera Settings > Video Quality (set to “Standard” instead of “HD”).

My roommate’s old Android phone struggled with HD feeds, but switching to Standard made it smooth. Not perfect, but functional.

Advanced Tips for Managing Multiple Phones and Users

Use Custom Alerts for Different Users

Arlo lets you customize alerts per user. For example:

• You can get alerts for all motion events.
• Your partner can get alerts only for the front door and driveway.

To set this up:

1. Go to Settings > Users and select the person.
2. Tap “Alert Preferences.”
3. Choose which cameras trigger alerts for them.

I use this for my mom—she only gets alerts from the front porch camera. No more “Why is my phone buzzing at 3 a.m.?” texts from her.

Set Up Geofencing for Auto-Arming

Arlo’s geofencing feature uses your phone’s location to arm/disarm the system when you leave or return home. But here’s the catch: only the primary account can enable geofencing. Secondary users can’t turn it on or off.

However, once it’s enabled, both phones will trigger it. So if you and your partner leave the house, the system will arm automatically. When either of you returns, it disarms. Handy, right?

Create a “Family” Group (For Multiple Users)

If you have more than two people (like kids or roommates), consider creating a group in the Arlo app:

1. Go to Settings > Groups.
2. Create a group (e.g., “Family” or “Roommates”).
3. Add users to the group.

Now, you can send alerts or messages to the whole group at once. I use this to say, “Hey, the trash needs to be taken out,” or “The raccoon’s back!”

Sync with Smart Home Devices

Both phones can control Arlo’s smart home integrations. For example:

• Link Arlo to Alexa. Say, “Alexa, show me the front door,” on any Echo device.
• Use Google Assistant to check camera feeds.
• Sync with smart locks or lights. If motion is detected, turn on the porch light.

My husband uses Alexa to check the backyard when he’s cooking dinner. I use Google Assistant to peek at the front door when I’m folding laundry. It’s seamless.

Data Table: Arlo Multi-User Feature Comparison

Feature	Primary User	Secondary User (Standard)	Secondary User (Administrator)
View live feeds	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Receive motion alerts	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Arm/disarm system	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Change camera settings	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes
Add/remove cameras	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes
Manage billing/subscriptions	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Delete recordings	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes
Customize alert preferences	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

Final Thoughts: Sharing Security, Not Stress

Setting up Arlo cameras on two phones isn’t just about convenience—it’s about creating a shared sense of safety. I’ll never forget the time my husband got an alert while I was at the grocery store. A delivery driver left a package on our porch, and he was able to tell the kids to bring it inside. No missed deliveries, no stolen packages. Just teamwork.

Yes, there are a few quirks. Secondary users can’t tweak camera settings, and geofencing is primary-user-only. But for most families, roommates, or couples, the benefits far outweigh the limits. And the setup? Honestly, it takes less time than making a cup of coffee.

So if you’ve been hesitating to share your Arlo system, don’t. Invite that second phone, send the link, and breathe easier knowing someone else has your back. After all, security is better when it’s shared—not just the cameras, but the peace of mind that comes with them. Now go ahead: show your partner the raccoon footage. They’ll thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up Arlo cameras on two phones at the same time?

Yes, you can set up Arlo cameras on two phones by sharing access through the Arlo app. Both users need to log in to the same Arlo account or be added as authorized users via the “Add User” feature in the app settings.

How do I share my Arlo camera feed with another phone?

Open the Arlo app, go to “Settings,” select “Grant Access,” and invite the second user via email. Once accepted, they can view and manage the cameras linked to your account from their phone.

Is it possible to set up Arlo cameras on two phones without sharing login details?

Absolutely. Instead of sharing your login, use the “Add User” option in the Arlo app to grant controlled access. This keeps your credentials private while allowing the second phone to monitor the cameras.

Why can’t I see my Arlo cameras on the second phone after setup?

Ensure both phones are logged into the same Arlo account or the second user has accepted the access invite. Check internet connectivity and app permissions if the cameras still don’t appear.

Can multiple users receive Arlo camera alerts on two different phones?

Yes, once both phones have access to the Arlo account, they can enable push notifications for motion or audio alerts. Customize alert settings individually under each device’s notification preferences.

Does setting up Arlo cameras on two phones require a subscription?

No, sharing camera access between phones doesn’t require a subscription. However, features like cloud storage or advanced AI detection need an active Arlo Secure plan on the primary account.