Can You Access Arlo Cameras Without Internet on Network

Yes, you can access Arlo cameras without internet on your local network by connecting directly via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, enabling live viewing and playback through the Arlo app or web portal. This local access ensures continuous surveillance even during internet outages, though cloud features and remote viewing will be unavailable.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, locally: Access Arlo cameras via local network without internet.
• Use Arlo app: View live feeds directly through the app on the same network.
• No cloud needed: Local storage allows playback without internet or subscription.
• Set up base station: Connect cameras to Arlo base station for offline access.
• Check compatibility: Not all Arlo models support full offline functionality.
• Remote access requires internet: Internet needed for viewing outside your home network.

Can You Access Arlo Cameras Without Internet on Network?

Imagine this: You’re at work, sipping your morning coffee, and suddenly wonder if you locked the back door. Your phone buzzes—your Arlo camera detected motion. But wait… what if the internet went out? Can you still see who’s at your doorstep? It’s a common worry, especially during storms or outages. You’ve invested in home security, and the last thing you want is to be cut off from your cameras when you need them most.

Arlo cameras are known for their sleek design, smart features, and cloud connectivity. But what happens when the internet drops? Are you still in control? The good news is yes—there are ways to access your Arlo cameras even without an internet connection, depending on your setup. It’s not always plug-and-play, and some features will be limited. But with the right configuration, you can keep an eye on things locally. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how Arlo cameras work offline, what’s possible, what’s not, and how to prepare for those “what if” moments. Let’s dive in.

How Arlo Cameras Work: The Role of Internet and Local Network

Before we tackle offline access, it helps to understand how Arlo cameras function. Arlo devices—like the Arlo Pro, Ultra, or Essential series—are designed as smart, Wi-Fi-enabled cameras. They connect to your home network via a base station (for some models) or directly to your router. Once connected, they stream video to the cloud, where you access footage through the Arlo app on your phone or tablet.

Internet-Dependent Features

• Live streaming to the cloud: When you open the Arlo app, your camera sends a live feed to Arlo’s servers, which then push it to your device. This requires a stable internet connection.
• Push notifications: Alerts for motion or sound detection are sent through the cloud. No internet? No alerts.
• Cloud video storage: Without internet, recordings can’t be uploaded to Arlo’s cloud servers. If you rely solely on cloud plans, you’ll miss out.
• Remote access: Accessing your cameras from outside your home (e.g., from work or vacation) needs internet.

Local Network Capabilities

Here’s where things get interesting. Even without internet, your Arlo cameras can still function on your local network—the private network inside your home. Think of it like a mini internet. Devices like your phone, tablet, and cameras can talk to each other directly if they’re on the same Wi-Fi.

For example, if your internet goes out but your Wi-Fi router is still on, your phone and Arlo camera can still communicate. You just can’t reach the cloud. This means:

• You can access live video feeds from devices on the same network (e.g., a tablet connected to your home Wi-Fi).
• Cameras can still record locally if you have a microSD card or an Arlo base station with a USB drive.
• Motion detection still works, but notifications won’t reach your phone unless it’s on the same Wi-Fi.

Tip: If you want offline access, make sure your router has a backup power source (like a UPS). That way, even during a blackout, your network stays up as long as possible.

Accessing Arlo Cameras Offline: What’s Possible and What’s Not

Now, let’s get to the heart of your question: Can you access Arlo cameras without internet on network? The short answer: Yes, but with limits. Let’s break it down.

1. Live Viewing on Local Network

If your phone or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Arlo camera, you can still view live feeds. Here’s how:

• Arlo app on a local device: Open the Arlo app on a phone or tablet that’s on your home Wi-Fi. Even without internet, the app can connect directly to the camera or base station.
• No login required: You don’t need to log in to Arlo’s cloud servers. The app uses local network protocols to find and stream from your cameras.

Real-life example: My friend Sarah had a storm knock out her internet. She was worried about her backyard gate. But her iPad was still on Wi-Fi, so she opened the Arlo app and saw a raccoon had knocked over her trash can. No cloud, no problem.

2. Local Recording (No Cloud)

Arlo cameras can record directly to local storage. This is a game-changer for offline access.

• MicroSD card (Essential series): Some Arlo Essential cameras support microSD cards (up to 2TB). When the card is inserted, the camera saves recordings locally. No internet needed.
• Arlo Base Station with USB drive: Models like Arlo Pro 3/4/Ultra use a base station. You can plug in a USB drive (up to 2TB) for local storage. The base station acts as a mini-server, saving video even when the internet is down.

Pro tip: Format your USB drive or microSD card in FAT32 or exFAT for best compatibility. And label it—trust me, you’ll forget which drive is which after a few months.

3. Motion Detection and Alerts (Local Only)

Your Arlo camera can still detect motion and save clips to local storage. But notifications are trickier.

• On-network alerts: If your phone is on the same Wi-Fi, the Arlo app can show local notifications. But they won’t pop up if your phone is on mobile data or another network.
• No push notifications: Arlo’s push alerts rely on the cloud. No internet = no push. But you can still check the app manually.

Workaround: Use a smart speaker or tablet as a local monitor. Keep it on your home Wi-Fi, and check it periodically. Or set up a local notification system with a smart display (like a Fire Tablet).

What Doesn’t Work Offline

Be realistic—some features require internet:

• Remote access: You can’t check your cameras from outside your home.
• Cloud storage: Recordings won’t upload to Arlo’s servers.
• Firmware updates: Arlo can’t push updates without internet.
• AI features (person/package detection): These run in the cloud. Offline, the camera uses basic motion detection.

Setting Up Arlo for Reliable Offline Access

Want to make your Arlo system as resilient as possible? Here’s how to prepare for internet outages.

1. Use a Base Station with USB Storage

If you have an Arlo Pro, Ultra, or similar model, invest in a base station and a USB drive. It’s the most reliable way to keep recording offline.

• Why? The base station stores video locally and acts as a Wi-Fi hub for your cameras. Even if your main router fails, the base station can keep cameras connected (if it has power).
• Setup: Plug the USB drive into the base station. In the Arlo app, go to Settings > Base Station > Local Storage > Enable.
• Tip: Choose a USB drive with high write endurance (like a SanDisk Extreme or Samsung Fit Plus). Security cameras write data constantly.

2. Add microSD Cards (Essential Series)

Arlo Essential cameras support microSD cards. It’s a simple, affordable way to add local storage.

• Capacity: Use at least 128GB. A 24/7 recording camera can fill a 32GB card in a day.
• Setup: Insert the card into the camera. In the app, go to Settings > Camera > Local Recording > Enable.
• Retention: Older footage gets overwritten when the card fills. Set up a routine to back up clips weekly.

3. Keep Your Local Network Alive

No internet doesn’t mean no Wi-Fi. Keep your router and base station powered.

• UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): Plug your router and base station into a UPS. It gives you 30–60 minutes of power during an outage.
• Backup battery (Arlo Ultra/Pro): Some cameras have built-in batteries. They’ll keep recording even if your home power fails.
• Wi-Fi range: Place your router and base station centrally. Use Wi-Fi extenders if needed.

4. Use a Dedicated Local Device

Keep a tablet or old phone on your home Wi-Fi 24/7. It’s your offline monitoring station.

• How: Set the device to never sleep. Open the Arlo app and leave it on the live view screen.
• Bonus: Use it as a digital photo frame when not monitoring.

Real-World Scenarios: How Offline Access Works in Practice

Let’s look at a few common situations and how Arlo performs offline.

Scenario 1: Internet Outage During a Storm

Situation: A storm knocks out your internet. Your Arlo Pro 4 cameras are on a base station with a USB drive.

• What works: Cameras continue recording to the USB drive. You can view live feeds on a phone/tablet connected to Wi-Fi.
• What doesn’t: No push notifications. No remote access from your office.
• Solution: Check the Arlo app on your home tablet. Later, review USB footage to see if a tree branch hit your shed.

Scenario 2: Power Outage with UPS

Situation: Power goes out, but your router and base station are on a UPS.

• What works: Wi-Fi stays up. Cameras record locally. You can access live views for 45 minutes (UPS runtime).
• What doesn’t: After the UPS dies, everything shuts down.
• Solution: Use the UPS time to check for damage or intruders.

Scenario 3: Essential Camera with microSD

Situation: You’re on vacation. Internet drops at home. Your Arlo Essential camera has a 256GB microSD card.

• What works: Camera records 24/7 to the card. When you return, you can review footage.
• What doesn’t: No remote access. No cloud backup.
• Solution: Before leaving, set the camera to record continuously. After returning, transfer clips to your computer.

Data Comparison: Arlo Offline Capabilities by Model

Arlo Model	Local Recording (microSD)	Base Station Required?	USB Drive Support	Offline Live View	Best For
Arlo Essential	Yes (up to 2TB)	No	No	Yes (local Wi-Fi)	Budget setups, renters
Arlo Pro 3/4	No	Yes	Yes (up to 2TB)	Yes (via base station)	Homeowners, full security
Arlo Ultra	No	Yes	Yes (up to 2TB)	Yes (via base station)	High-end users, 4K needs
Arlo Go	Yes (microSD)	No	No	No (uses cellular data)	Rural areas, no Wi-Fi
Arlo Video Doorbell	No	No	No	Limited (local Wi-Fi)	Front door monitoring

Note: The Arlo Go is unique—it uses cellular data, not Wi-Fi. It can work offline from your home network, but you’ll need a SIM card and data plan.

Final Thoughts: Planning for the Unexpected

So, can you access Arlo cameras without internet on network? Absolutely—if you plan ahead. The key is to think of your home network as its own ecosystem. Even without the internet, your devices can still talk to each other. But to get the most out of offline access, you need the right gear: a base station, USB drive, or microSD card. And don’t forget the power—keep your router and cameras alive with a UPS or battery.

Arlo’s strength is its flexibility. You can start with a simple setup (like an Essential camera with a microSD) and scale up to a full base station system. The downside? Some features, like cloud storage and AI detection, won’t work offline. But that’s the trade-off for reliability. In a world where outages are inevitable, local storage is your safety net.

Here’s my final advice: Test your setup before you need it. Simulate an internet outage. Unplug your router. See what happens. Can you still view live feeds? Are recordings saving? Fix any gaps. Because when the storm hits or the power dies, you won’t have time to troubleshoot. You’ll just want to see that your home is safe—and with the right Arlo configuration, you can.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you access Arlo cameras without internet on a local network?

Yes, you can access Arlo cameras without internet if they are connected to the same local network as your device. This works for live viewing and playback via the Arlo app or web interface when both the camera and device are on the same Wi-Fi.

How do I view my Arlo cameras without an internet connection?

To view Arlo cameras without internet, ensure your base station or cameras are connected to your local network. Use the Arlo app or a web browser on a device within the same network to access live feeds or recorded footage stored locally.

Do Arlo cameras record without internet access?

Arlo cameras with local storage (like microSD or a USB drive) can record without internet. However, cloud storage and remote access require an internet connection to function properly.

Can you access Arlo cameras without internet for real-time monitoring?

Yes, real-time monitoring is possible without internet if your phone or tablet is connected to the same local network as your Arlo system. The Arlo app will automatically detect cameras on the network.

What happens to Arlo cameras when the internet goes down?

When the internet is down, Arlo cameras continue to operate locally if they have onboard or base station storage. You can still access footage via the same network, but cloud backups and remote access won’t work.

Is a continuous internet connection required for Arlo cameras on a network?

No, a continuous internet connection isn’t required for basic local functionality. Arlo cameras can record and stream within the local network, though features like alerts, cloud storage, and remote viewing need internet access.