Can the Arlo Doorbell Connect with Arlo Pro Cameras A Complete Guide

Yes, the Arlo Doorbell seamlessly integrates with Arlo Pro cameras when used within the same Arlo ecosystem, enabling synchronized alerts, unified live views, and shared cloud storage via the Arlo app. This compatibility enhances home security by allowing real-time monitoring and event-triggered recordings across devices—simply ensure all devices are linked to the same account and updated to the latest firmware for optimal performance.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, they connect: Arlo Doorbell syncs seamlessly with Arlo Pro cameras via the Arlo app.
• Use the Arlo app: Manage all devices and settings in one centralized hub.
• Enable notifications: Customize alerts to trigger camera recordings when the doorbell rings.
• Check compatibility: Ensure both devices run the latest firmware for optimal performance.
• Shared subscriptions: Arlo Secure plans cover both doorbell and camera recordings together.
• No extra hardware: Connects wirelessly; no need for additional hubs or bridges.

Why Your Home Security Setup Might Need Both Devices

Imagine this: You’re relaxing on your couch when your phone buzzes with a motion alert from your Arlo Pro camera. You open the app and see a delivery person at your front door. But here’s the catch—you can’t hear them, and you don’t have a clear view of their face because the camera is positioned too high. You wish you could see and talk to them, but you don’t have a doorbell camera. Sound familiar?

This is where the idea of connecting your Arlo Doorbell with your Arlo Pro cameras comes in. Many homeowners invest in a mix of Arlo devices, hoping for a seamless, unified security system. The good news? Arlo has designed its ecosystem with integration in mind. But does that mean every device plays nicely together? And more importantly, can your Arlo Doorbell truly connect and collaborate with your Arlo Pro cameras to give you a smarter, more responsive home security experience?

Understanding the Arlo Ecosystem: Doorbell and Pro Cameras

What Are Arlo Doorbell and Arlo Pro Cameras?

The Arlo Doorbell (wired or wireless) is a smart video doorbell that lets you see, hear, and speak to visitors at your door through your smartphone. It features HD video, two-way audio, motion detection, and night vision. Depending on the model (like the Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Gen or Essential), it may also include features like 180-degree field of view, package detection, and pre-roll video.

On the other hand, Arlo Pro cameras (such as the Arlo Pro 3, Pro 4, or Pro 5S) are wireless, weather-resistant outdoor security cameras. They offer 2K or 4K video, color night vision, built-in spotlights, and advanced motion detection with customizable zones. These are typically placed around your property—backyard, driveway, garage—to monitor broader areas.

How They’re Designed to Work Together

Arlo markets its devices as part of a unified smart home security system. The key to this integration is the Arlo Secure app, which serves as the central hub for all compatible devices. When you add both an Arlo Doorbell and Arlo Pro cameras to your account, they appear in the same app interface. This allows you to:

• View live feeds from all cameras in one place
• Receive motion alerts with thumbnails from both doorbell and cameras
• Access recorded footage (with an Arlo Secure subscription)
• Use geofencing to arm/disarm your system when you leave or return home

But here’s the nuance: “connecting” doesn’t mean the doorbell triggers the cameras or vice versa by default. Instead, they share the same ecosystem, allowing for coordinated behavior when properly configured.

Real-World Example: A Day in the Life

Let’s say you’re at work. Your Arlo Doorbell detects motion—a neighbor stops by to drop off a package. You get an alert on your phone, tap it, and see the visitor. You speak through the doorbell to thank them. At the same time, your Arlo Pro camera in the front yard also picks up motion. Because both devices are on the same account and linked to the same Arlo Secure plan, you can:

• Review the doorbell clip and the Pro camera clip side by side
• See if the person walked around the side of the house (captured by the Pro camera)
• Verify no suspicious activity occurred after they left

This kind of layered visibility is exactly why people want these devices to “connect”—not just coexist, but work together intelligently.

How the Arlo Doorbell and Pro Cameras “Connect” (The Real Mechanics)

Same App, Same Account: The Foundation of Integration

The first and most important “connection” is through the Arlo Secure app. As long as both devices are:

• Added to the same Arlo account
• Linked to the same Wi-Fi network (or Arlo SmartHub/Base Station)
• Using compatible firmware versions

They will appear in your app dashboard. You can view, manage, and control both from one place. This is the basic level of connection—and it works reliably.

Shared Motion Detection and Alerts

When motion is detected by either device, you’ll receive a push notification. The alert includes a thumbnail from the triggering camera. If both the doorbell and a Pro camera detect motion at the same time, you’ll get two alerts—but they’ll be clearly labeled so you can distinguish which device triggered it.

Pro tip: Use the “Activity Zones” feature in the Arlo app to reduce false alerts. For example, set your doorbell to ignore motion from the sidewalk (if it’s too far) and your Pro camera to ignore swaying tree branches. This helps ensure alerts are meaningful and coordinated.

Event-Based Recording and Cloud Sync

If you have an Arlo Secure subscription (Basic, Standard, or Premium), both devices record motion events to the cloud. This means:

• You can access doorbell clips and Pro camera clips in the same timeline
• You can search for events across all devices (e.g., “motion between 3:00–3:15 PM”)
• You can download or share clips from either device

Without a subscription, you’ll still get live views and motion alerts, but recordings are limited (e.g., 3 seconds of pre-roll on the doorbell, no cloud storage for Pro cameras).

Cross-Device Automation (With Limitations)

Here’s where things get interesting—and a bit tricky. Arlo doesn’t offer direct device-to-device triggering (like “when doorbell rings, turn on Pro camera spotlight”). But you can achieve similar results using Smart Home Integrations:

• IFTTT (If This Then That): Create an applet that turns on your Pro camera’s spotlight when the doorbell detects motion. (Note: IFTTT support may vary by model.)
• Home Assistant: For tech-savvy users, Home Assistant can pull data from Arlo and create complex automations (e.g., “If doorbell rings and backyard Pro camera detects motion, send a custom alert”).
• Arlo Secure Rules (Beta): Some users report limited automation options in the app, like turning on lights when motion is detected. These are expanding but not yet fully cross-device.

While not as seamless as a built-in feature, these workarounds show that the devices can be made to interact beyond basic coexistence.

Setting Up Your Arlo Doorbell and Pro Cameras to Work in Sync

Step-by-Step: Adding Both Devices to Your Arlo Account

1. Download the Arlo Secure app (iOS or Android).
2. Create or log in to your Arlo account.
3. Add the Arlo Doorbell:
   • Tap “Add Device” > “Video Doorbell” > follow setup wizard (scan QR code, connect to Wi-Fi, etc.).
   • Mount the doorbell and test two-way audio.
4. Add Arlo Pro Cameras:
   • Tap “Add Device” > “Wireless Camera” > select your Pro model.
   • Follow pairing instructions (usually involves syncing with a Base Station or SmartHub).
   • Position and test each camera.
5. Verify both devices appear in the app dashboard.

Configuring Shared Settings for Better Coordination

Once both devices are set up, optimize them to work together:

• Use the same Wi-Fi network: Ensures consistent connectivity and faster response times.
• Sync motion sensitivity: Adjust detection sensitivity so the doorbell and Pro cameras trigger around the same time (e.g., medium-high).
• Enable Smart Notifications: In the app, turn on “Smart Alerts” to get person, package, or vehicle detection (requires subscription). This helps you quickly identify if a person at the door is also seen by the Pro camera.
• Set up Activity Zones: Prevent overlapping alerts. For example, set the Pro camera to ignore the front porch (covered by the doorbell) and focus on the side yard.

Creating a Unified View: Timeline and Multi-Camera Playback

The Arlo app’s Timeline feature is your best friend for seeing how devices interact. After a motion event:

1. Open the app and go to “Timeline.”
2. Tap on the event (e.g., “Front Doorbell – Person Detected”).
3. Scroll to see if a Pro camera also recorded around the same time.
4. Tap the Pro camera clip to compare angles—this is crucial for verifying if someone lingered after ringing the doorbell.

Real-life tip: I once saw a delivery person on my doorbell. The clip ended when they left the porch. But the Pro camera in my front yard showed them walking to their truck—and then circling back to check the garage door. Having both feeds in the timeline helped me realize they were acting suspiciously.

Limitations and Workarounds You Should Know

No Native Device Triggering (Yet)

One major limitation: Arlo doesn’t allow the doorbell to directly trigger the Pro cameras (or vice versa). For example, you can’t set it up so that when the doorbell rings, the Pro camera automatically starts recording or turns on its spotlight.

This is a common complaint among users who expect deeper integration. Arlo’s ecosystem is more about centralized monitoring than automated responses between devices.

Subscription Required for Full Functionality

While you can use both devices without a subscription, you’ll miss out on:

• Cloud recording (only doorbell has 3 seconds of pre-roll)
• Person, package, and vehicle detection
• 30-day video history
• Advanced alert filtering

Without these, the “connection” between devices feels more like parallel operation than true synergy. The Arlo Secure subscription (starting at $2.99/month per camera) is almost essential for meaningful integration.

Wi-Fi and Bandwidth Considerations

Running multiple HD or 2K cameras and a doorbell can strain your Wi-Fi. Here’s how to avoid lag or dropped connections:

• Use a strong 2.4 GHz network: Arlo devices don’t support 5 GHz, so ensure your 2.4 GHz band is stable.
• Consider an Arlo SmartHub: It creates a dedicated mesh network for Arlo devices, reducing Wi-Fi congestion.
• Limit simultaneous live views: Only stream one camera at a time if your network is slow.

Workaround: Use Third-Party Tools for Advanced Automation

If you’re tech-inclined, tools like Home Assistant or SmartThings can bridge the gap. For example:

• Use the Arlo integration in Home Assistant to detect a doorbell ring.
• Trigger an automation to turn on a smart light connected to a Pro camera’s spotlight.
• Send a custom notification with clips from both devices.

It’s not plug-and-play, but it gives you the deep integration many users crave.

Data Table: Arlo Doorbell + Pro Camera Integration Features

Feature	Arlo Doorbell	Arlo Pro Cameras	Can They Work Together?
Same App Dashboard	Yes	Yes	Yes
Shared Motion Alerts	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cloud Recording (Subscription)	Yes (with pre-roll)	Yes (2K/4K)	Yes
Live View Side-by-Side	Yes	Yes	Yes
Direct Device Triggering	No	No	No (without IFTTT/Home Assistant)
Smart Alerts (Person/Package)	Yes (with subscription)	Yes (with subscription)	Yes
Night Vision Sync	Yes	Yes	Yes (both support color night vision)
Geofencing	Yes	Yes	Yes (arm/disarm together)

Final Thoughts: Should You Combine Them?

So, can the Arlo Doorbell connect with Arlo Pro cameras? The short answer is: Yes—but not in the way you might expect.

They don’t “talk” to each other like smart devices in a sci-fi movie. But they do live in the same digital world. With the Arlo Secure app, shared subscriptions, and smart configurations, you can create a highly effective, layered security system. You’ll see who’s at the door, where they go afterward, and whether anything suspicious happens—all from one app.

The real value comes from context. A doorbell alert is just the beginning. Pairing it with Pro cameras gives you the full story. Did the visitor stay too long? Did someone sneak in the back? Did a package get stolen? These are the questions a unified Arlo setup helps you answer.

Is there room for improvement? Absolutely. Native cross-device automation would be a game-changer. A “security mode” that arms all cameras when the doorbell is pressed would be amazing. But even as-is, the integration is strong enough for most homeowners.

If you’re building a smart home security system, combining the Arlo Doorbell with Arlo Pro cameras is not just possible—it’s highly recommended. Just remember: the magic isn’t in the hardware alone. It’s in how you set it up, how you use the app, and how you interpret the data from both devices working in harmony.

So go ahead—add that doorbell. Keep your Pro cameras. And rest easy knowing your home is being watched from every angle, all connected through one powerful ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Arlo Doorbell connect with Arlo Pro cameras for a unified security system?

Yes, the Arlo Doorbell can seamlessly connect with Arlo Pro cameras when both are linked to the same Arlo account. This integration allows you to manage all devices through the Arlo app, creating a cohesive smart home security setup.

Do I need a separate hub to connect my Arlo Doorbell with Arlo Pro cameras?

No, you don’t need an additional hub if you’re using the Arlo SmartHub or base station. Both the Arlo Doorbell and Arlo Pro cameras can connect directly to the same hub for reliable communication and enhanced features.

How do I link my Arlo Doorbell to existing Arlo Pro cameras?

To connect them, simply add the Arlo Doorbell to your account via the Arlo app—it will automatically sync with other Arlo Pro cameras on the same account. Ensure all devices are connected to the same network for optimal performance.

Can I view my Arlo Doorbell and Arlo Pro cameras together in the Arlo app?

Absolutely. The Arlo app displays all your devices, including the doorbell and cameras, in one dashboard. You can live-stream, review recordings, and adjust settings for all devices from a single interface.

Does the Arlo Doorbell trigger alerts on Arlo Pro cameras when someone rings it?

Yes, you can enable cross-device notifications in the Arlo app. When the doorbell detects motion or is pressed, it can activate alerts or recording on your Arlo Pro cameras, ensuring full coverage.

Are there any compatibility issues between older Arlo Pro cameras and the latest Arlo Doorbell?

Most Arlo Pro cameras (Pro 2, Pro 3, Pro 4) work with the latest Arlo Doorbell models. However, check Arlo’s official compatibility list to confirm, as firmware updates may be required for older devices to integrate smoothly.