Can Two Different People View Arlo Cameras at Same Time

Yes, two different people can view Arlo cameras at the same time using the same account via the Arlo app or web portal, allowing real-time shared access to live feeds and recordings. Multiple users can stream simultaneously without interference, making it ideal for families, roommates, or security teams needing collaborative monitoring.

Key Takeaways

• Multiple users can view Arlo cameras simultaneously with shared access via the Arlo app.
• Set up user roles first to control who sees what on shared accounts.
• Use Arlo Secure for extra privacy when sharing camera feeds with family or team.
• Real-time streaming works best with strong Wi-Fi and stable internet connections.
• Enable notifications separately so each user gets alerts on their device.
• Guest access is limited but useful for temporary, view-only permissions.

Can Two Different People View Arlo Cameras at the Same Time?

Imagine this: You’re at work, and your partner is out running errands. Suddenly, the doorbell rings, and your Arlo camera sends an alert. You want to check who’s at the door, but so does your partner. Can both of you view the live feed simultaneously? It’s a common scenario for many Arlo users, especially in households with multiple caregivers, roommates, or family members sharing security responsibilities. The good news is that Arlo has designed its system with shared access in mind, but there are nuances to how it works—and a few things you should know to avoid frustration.

If you’ve ever tried to access your Arlo camera feed at the same time as someone else and noticed lag, delays, or even login issues, you’re not alone. Whether you’re managing a home security system with a partner, coordinating childcare, or just want peace of mind when multiple people need to monitor the same space, understanding how Arlo handles concurrent viewing is essential. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about whether two (or more) people can view Arlo cameras at the same time, how to set it up smoothly, and what limitations or tips you should keep in mind.

How Arlo’s Multi-User Access Works

Primary vs. Secondary Accounts: The Key Difference

Arlo’s system revolves around a primary account—the one used to set up and own the cameras and subscription plan. Only one person can have the primary account, but you can invite others as secondary users. Think of it like a landlord (primary) giving trusted tenants (secondary) access to the building’s security system. The primary user has full control: they can add or remove cameras, change settings, manage subscriptions, and even delete the account. Secondary users, on the other hand, can view live feeds, receive alerts, and control cameras (like turning lights on or off), but they can’t modify core settings or billing.

For example, if you’re the primary account holder, you can invite your spouse, a nanny, or even a trusted neighbor as a secondary user. Each secondary user gets their own login credentials and can access the cameras through the Arlo app on their smartphone or tablet. This means two different people—say, you and your partner—can open the Arlo app at the same time and view the same camera feed, no problem.

How to Add a Secondary User (Step-by-Step)

1. Open the Arlo app and log in to your primary account.
2. Go to Settings > Account > Users & Permissions.
3. Tap Add User and enter the email address of the person you want to invite.
4. Choose their access level: “View Only” (can see live feeds and recordings) or “Full Access” (can also control cameras, like turning on lights or adjusting motion zones).
5. Send the invite. The recipient will get an email with a link to accept and create their own Arlo account.

Once accepted, the secondary user can log in to the Arlo app using their own email and password. They’ll see the shared cameras in their app, just like you do. No need to share your primary login—this keeps your account secure while allowing collaboration.

Real-World Example: A Family with Young Kids

Let’s say you and your partner both work from home but have different schedules. You’re in a meeting, and your partner is cooking dinner. The nanny texts that the baby just woke up and is crying. Your partner wants to check the nursery camera, while you also want to see if it’s a false alarm. With secondary access, both of you can open the Arlo app, navigate to the nursery camera, and view the live feed simultaneously. No waiting, no logging each other out—just real-time, shared monitoring.

Technical Limits: How Many People Can View at Once?

Arlo’s Official Stance on Concurrent Viewers

Arlo doesn’t publish a hard limit on how many people can view a single camera feed at the same time, but based on user reports and technical analysis, the system supports multiple concurrent viewers without major issues. Most users report that 2–5 people can watch the same camera feed simultaneously without lag or disconnections. However, performance depends on a few factors:

• Internet bandwidth: If your home Wi-Fi is already strained (e.g., during video calls or streaming), adding multiple camera streams can slow things down.
• Camera resolution: Higher-resolution cameras (like 4K models) use more data, which can affect stream quality when multiple people are viewing.
• Device performance: Older smartphones or tablets may struggle to load multiple high-quality streams smoothly.

What Happens When You Hit the Limit?

In rare cases, if too many people try to view the same camera at once—especially on older Arlo models—you might experience:

• Buffering or frozen frames: The video stream pauses or stutters.
• Delayed notifications: Alerts arrive later than usual.
• App crashes: The Arlo app closes unexpectedly on one or more devices.

For example, if your entire extended family (10+ people) tries to watch a doorbell camera during a holiday party, you might hit a bottleneck. But for everyday use—like two parents, a nanny, and a babysitter—Arlo handles it just fine.

Pro Tip: Optimize for Smooth Streaming

• Use Wi-Fi 5/6: If your router supports it, ensure your cameras and viewing devices are on a 5GHz band for faster speeds.
• Lower resolution temporarily: In the Arlo app, you can switch a camera to “Standard” (720p) instead of “High” (1080p or 4K) during peak viewing times.
• Update firmware: Arlo regularly releases updates to improve streaming performance. Check for updates in Settings > My Devices.

Sharing Access Without Compromising Security

Why Sharing Login Credentials Is a Bad Idea

You might be tempted to just share your primary login with your partner or roommate—but don’t. Here’s why:

• Security risks: If someone loses their phone, your entire account is exposed.
• No accountability: You can’t tell who made changes (e.g., disabled a camera or deleted a recording).
• Arlo’s terms violation: Sharing primary logins may violate Arlo’s user agreement, risking account suspension.

Instead, always use the secondary user feature. It’s designed for this exact purpose: secure, traceable, and hassle-free sharing.

Customizing Permissions for Different Needs

Arlo lets you tailor access levels to fit different roles:

• View Only: Ideal for kids, grandparents, or neighbors who just need to check in occasionally.
• Full Access: Best for partners, caregivers, or housemates who need to control lights, sirens, or motion zones.
• Time-Limited Access: You can set access to expire (e.g., for a temporary babysitter or contractor).

For example, a nanny might get “Full Access” during work hours but lose access at night. A neighbor might get “View Only” for the driveway camera during your vacation.

Emergency Situations: What If the Primary User Is Unavailable?

Life happens—what if the primary account holder is traveling, in an emergency, or their phone dies? Secondary users with “Full Access” can still:

• View live feeds and recordings.
• Turn on/off cameras, lights, or sirens.
• Review motion alerts and saved clips.

However, they can’t:

• Change Wi-Fi settings for the cameras.
• Cancel or modify the subscription.
• Remove cameras from the account.

To avoid being locked out, ensure at least one secondary user has “Full Access” and keep their contact info handy. You can also save your Arlo login details in a secure password manager (like Bitwarden or 1Password) for emergencies.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

“Why Can’t I See the Camera in My App?”

If a secondary user can’t see shared cameras, try these fixes:

1. Check the invite status: In the primary account, go to Users & Permissions and confirm the invite was accepted.
2. Restart the app: Close and reopen the Arlo app on the secondary user’s device.
3. Re-sync the account: In the Arlo app, go to Settings > Account > Sign Out, then sign back in.
4. Verify permissions: Ensure the secondary user was granted access to the specific camera (not just the account).

“The Video Is Lagging or Buffering”

When multiple people are viewing, stream quality can degrade. Try:

• Reduce resolution: In the camera’s settings, switch to 720p.
• Limit viewers: Ask one person to wait 30 seconds before joining.
• Check Wi-Fi: Move the camera closer to the router or add a Wi-Fi extender.

“I Accidentally Removed a User—How Do I Add Them Back?”

No worries! Just re-invite them through Users & Permissions. They’ll need to accept the invite again, but their previous access settings (like “Full Access”) can be restored.

Arlo’s Multi-User Features vs. Competitors

How does Arlo stack up against other smart security brands like Ring, Nest, or Eufy? Here’s a quick comparison:

Feature	Arlo	Ring	Google Nest	Eufy
Concurrent Viewers	2–5+ (no hard limit)	2–4 (varies by plan)	2–3 (limited by Nest app)	1–2 (basic models)
User Roles	Primary + Secondary (custom permissions)	Owner + Shared Users (fixed permissions)	Primary + Guest (limited control)	Admin + Member (basic access)
Time-Limited Access	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes (Pro models)
No Monthly Fee for Sharing	✅ Yes	❌ No (requires Ring Protect)	❌ No (requires Nest Aware)	✅ Yes

Arlo stands out for its flexible, free multi-user access. Unlike Ring or Nest, you don’t need a paid subscription to share cameras with others. This makes it ideal for households on a budget or those who want to avoid recurring fees. However, Ring and Nest offer tighter integration with their ecosystems (like Alexa or Google Assistant), which some users prefer.

Final Thoughts: Sharing Arlo Cameras with Confidence

So, can two different people view Arlo cameras at the same time? Absolutely—and it’s one of Arlo’s strongest features. Whether you’re sharing access with a partner, caregiver, or neighbor, the system is built for collaboration. By using secondary accounts, customizing permissions, and optimizing your setup, you can ensure smooth, secure, and stress-free monitoring for everyone involved.

But remember: the key is how you share. Avoid the temptation to share your primary login. Instead, take 5 minutes to set up a secondary user—it’s safer, more reliable, and gives you peace of mind. And if you ever run into issues (like lag or missing cameras), don’t panic. Most problems are fixable with a quick restart, a resolution tweak, or a Wi-Fi check.

Ultimately, Arlo’s multi-user capability reflects a modern reality: home security isn’t just one person’s responsibility. It’s a team effort. With the right setup, you and your household can stay connected, informed, and in control—no matter where you are or who’s watching the cameras. So go ahead, invite that trusted friend or family member, and enjoy the freedom of shared peace of mind. After all, the best security system is one that works for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can two different people view Arlo cameras at the same time?

Yes, multiple users can view Arlo cameras simultaneously through the Arlo app or web portal. Each user must have their own Arlo account with shared access to the camera(s).

How many people can access my Arlo camera feed at once?

Arlo allows up to **five users** to view live feeds or recordings concurrently, depending on your subscription plan. Higher-tier plans (like Arlo Secure Plus) may offer expanded multi-user support.

Do both users need the Arlo app to view cameras together?

Yes, both users must install the Arlo app (iOS/Android) or log in via the Arlo website to stream live footage. Guest access can be enabled via shared login credentials or temporary permissions.

Can two different people view Arlo cameras if they’re on different Wi-Fi networks?

Absolutely! Arlo cameras stream securely to the cloud, so users can access feeds from any location with internet connectivity. Just ensure both accounts have permission to view the cameras.

Is there a limit to how many devices can monitor Arlo cameras simultaneously?

While five users can view feeds at once, each user can monitor on up to three devices (e.g., phone, tablet, PC) simultaneously. Performance may vary based on internet speed and camera resolution.

How do I share Arlo camera access with another person?

Open the Arlo app, go to **Settings > Share Access**, and enter the recipient’s email. They’ll receive an invitation to view your cameras without sharing your password. Customize permissions (live view, recordings, etc.) as needed.