Can You Add a 6th Camera to Arlo Pro Here Is How

Yes, you can add a 6th camera to your Arlo Pro system—but only if you’re using the Arlo Pro 2 or later base station, which supports up to 16 cameras. Earlier models max out at 5 cameras, so upgrading hardware may be necessary for seamless expansion and full functionality.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, you can add a 6th camera to Arlo Pro with a compatible hub or base station.
• Upgrade your subscription plan to support more than 5 cameras for cloud storage.
• Use the Arlo app to seamlessly pair and manage the 6th camera in minutes.
• Check Wi-Fi signal strength to ensure stable connectivity for all 6 cameras.
• Local storage options like microSD can bypass cloud limits for extra cameras.
• Power all cameras adequately using adapters or batteries for uninterrupted performance.

Can You Add a 6th Camera to Arlo Pro? Here’s How

So, you’ve got your Arlo Pro system up and running. It’s sleek, it’s smart, and it’s already giving you peace of mind with its crystal-clear video and motion alerts. But now you’re thinking, “What if I want to add a 6th camera?” Maybe there’s a blind spot in the backyard, or you’ve got a new shed that needs monitoring. Or perhaps you just want that extra layer of security for your front porch, garage, and side gate. Whatever the reason, you’re not alone—many Arlo users hit this same wall.

I remember when I first installed my Arlo Pro setup. I started with four cameras, thinking that would cover everything. But then I realized the back fence was out of view, and the side gate was a blind spot. I started Googling: “Can you add a 6th camera to Arlo Pro?” Turns out, the answer isn’t just a simple yes or no—it’s a little more nuanced. And that’s exactly what we’re going to unpack today. Whether you’re a new Arlo user or a long-time fan, this guide will walk you through the how, the why, and the what you need to know to expand your system beyond the standard limit.

Understanding Arlo Pro System Limits

Before we dive into adding that 6th camera, let’s take a step back and talk about what Arlo Pro systems are designed to handle. This is crucial because knowing the limits helps you make smarter decisions—and avoid frustration down the line.

Default Camera Capacity by Base Station

The Arlo Pro (1st and 2nd generation) and Arlo Pro 2 systems use a base station (also called a hub) to connect cameras wirelessly. The base station acts like the brain of your system. It handles video storage (if you’re using local storage via a USB drive), manages Wi-Fi connections, and sends alerts to your phone.

• Arlo Pro (1st gen): Supports up to 5 cameras per base station.
• Arlo Pro 2: Also supports up to 5 cameras per base station.
• Arlo Pro 3/4/Ultra: These newer models support up to 15 cameras per base station (but that’s a different system).

So if you’re using an original Arlo Pro or Pro 2, the default limit is five. That’s why you can’t just add a sixth camera and expect it to work—your base station physically won’t pair with it unless you take specific steps.

Why the 5-Camera Limit?

You might wonder, “Why would Arlo cap it at five?” There are a few technical reasons:

• Wi-Fi bandwidth: Each camera streams data to the base station. More cameras = more strain on the connection.
• Processing power: The base station has limited computing power. Too many cameras can cause lag or dropped feeds.
• Storage management: If you’re using local storage, five cameras already generate a lot of footage. Adding more increases the risk of overwriting important clips.

It’s not that Arlo doesn’t want you to add more cameras—it’s that the original hardware wasn’t built to handle more than five without potential performance issues. But don’t worry: there are workarounds.

How to Add a 6th Camera to Arlo Pro

Now for the good news: yes, you can add a 6th camera to your Arlo Pro system—but it requires a little extra effort and understanding. The key is using a second base station. Think of it like having two brains instead of one. Let’s break it down step by step.

Step 1: Purchase a Second Base Station

The most reliable way to add a 6th camera is to get a second Arlo Pro base station. You don’t need a full second system—just the base station (and power adapter). You can often find used or refurbished ones on eBay, Amazon, or Facebook Marketplace. Or, if you’re upgrading, you might already have an extra from a previous setup.

Pro tip: Make sure the base station is compatible. The Arlo Pro 2 base station works with Arlo Pro and Pro 2 cameras. But it won’t work with Arlo Pro 3 or Ultra cameras. Always check the model number.

Step 2: Set Up the Second Base Station

Here’s how to add the new base station to your Arlo app:

1. Plug in the second base station and wait for it to power on (you’ll see a solid blue LED).
2. Open the Arlo app and go to Settings > My Devices > Add Device.
3. Select “Base Station” and follow the in-app setup process. You’ll need to connect it to your Wi-Fi network.
4. Once added, rename it (e.g., “Backyard Base” or “Garage Hub”) so you can tell it apart from your main one.

The second base station will appear as a separate device in your app, but you’ll manage everything from the same Arlo account. That means you can see feeds, get alerts, and adjust settings for all cameras in one place.

Step 3: Pair the 6th Camera to the New Base Station

Now it’s time to add your 6th camera. Here’s the process:

1. Power on the new camera and wait for the LED to flash blue.
2. In the Arlo app, go to Add Device > Camera.
3. Select your new base station as the “parent device” during setup.
4. Follow the prompts to sync the camera to the new base station.

Once paired, the 6th camera will appear under the second base station in your device list. You can now view its live feed, set up motion detection zones, and schedule recording—just like your other cameras.

Real-life example: I added a 6th camera to monitor my detached garage. I used an old Arlo Pro 2 base station I had in storage. I placed it near a window facing the garage and paired the camera to it. Now I get alerts when someone enters the garage—even though it’s 50 feet from my main base station.

Managing Multiple Base Stations in One Arlo Account

One of the best things about Arlo is that you can manage multiple base stations and cameras from a single app. But it does take a little getting used to. Here’s how to keep things organized and functional.

Viewing Feeds from Both Base Stations

When you open the Arlo app, you’ll see a list of your devices. You’ll have:

• Base Station 1 (with Cameras 1–5)
• Base Station 2 (with Camera 6)

Tap on either base station to see its connected cameras. You can also use the “All Devices” view to see every camera at once—perfect for quick checks. But if you want to monitor all six cameras simultaneously, you’ll need to switch between base stations or use the multi-view feature (if your app version supports it).

Syncing Motion Alerts and Notifications

Alerts from both base stations come to the same app, so you won’t miss a thing. But here’s a pro tip: customize your alert settings per camera. For example:

• Front door camera: High sensitivity (you want to know if a package is delivered).
• Backyard camera: Medium sensitivity (to avoid false alarms from birds or leaves).
• Garage camera: Only at night (since it’s rarely used during the day).

You can set these in the app under each camera’s Settings > Motion Detection. This prevents alert fatigue and ensures you only get notified when it matters.

Storage and Subscription Considerations

Here’s where things get a bit tricky. Arlo’s cloud storage (via Arlo Smart) is tied to your account, not the base station. That means:

• If you have an Arlo Smart subscription, all six cameras are covered—no extra cost.
• If you’re using local storage (USB drives), each base station needs its own USB drive. You can’t share one drive between two base stations.

Example: I use a 128GB USB drive in my main base station and a 64GB one in the secondary. The main one stores footage from the front, side, and back yard. The secondary one only has the garage camera, so it doesn’t need as much space. I set both to overwrite after 7 days to avoid filling up.

Alternative Solutions (Without a Second Base Station)

What if you don’t want to buy a second base station? Maybe you’re on a budget, or you don’t have space for another hub. Are there other ways to add a 6th camera? Let’s explore the options—and their limitations.

Use Arlo Pro 3 or Pro 4 Cameras with a Pro 2 Base Station

Here’s a lesser-known trick: Arlo Pro 3 and Pro 4 cameras can connect to an Arlo Pro 2 base station—but only if you’re using local storage (no cloud). This won’t help you add a 6th camera to a 5-camera Pro 2 setup, but it’s useful if you’re upgrading.

For example, if you have five Arlo Pro 2 cameras and one Arlo Pro 3, you can add the Pro 3 to the same base station—but only if you’re not using cloud storage. The Pro 3 will record locally to the USB drive. However, you’ll lose some Pro 3 features (like color night vision in cloud mode).

Upgrade to a Newer Base Station (Arlo Pro 3/4/Ultra)

If you’re open to upgrading, consider switching to an Arlo Pro 3 or Pro 4 base station. These support up to 15 cameras and offer better Wi-Fi range and processing power. You can keep your existing Arlo Pro/Pro 2 cameras and add new ones.

Pros:

• More cameras without extra base stations.
• Better video quality and battery life (with newer cameras).
• Improved app interface and features.

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost.
• You’ll need to re-pair all cameras to the new base station.

Use a Wi-Fi Extender for Camera Range (Not for Adding a 6th)

Some people think a Wi-Fi extender lets them add more cameras. But that’s not true. The base station’s 5-camera limit is hardware-based, not Wi-Fi-based. A Wi-Fi extender might help a camera connect better if it’s out of range, but it won’t let you bypass the 5-camera cap.

So if your 6th camera is in a spot with weak Wi-Fi, use an extender to boost the signal—but you’ll still need a second base station to pair it.

Common Challenges and How to Fix Them

Adding a 6th camera isn’t always smooth sailing. Here are the most common issues I’ve faced (and how to solve them).

Issue 1: Base Station Won’t Pair with the 6th Camera

If the app says “Pairing failed” or “Device not found,” try this:

• Reset the base station (press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds).
• Restart the camera (remove and reinsert batteries).
• Move both devices closer together (within 10 feet) during pairing.
• Ensure the camera is in pairing mode (blue LED flashing).

I once spent an hour trying to pair a camera before realizing the base station’s USB drive was full. Once I cleared some space, pairing worked instantly.

Issue 2: Slow Video Streaming from the 6th Camera

If the 6th camera’s feed is laggy or freezes, it’s likely due to:

• Weak Wi-Fi signal at the camera location.
• Overloaded base station (too many devices on the same network).

Fix: Use a Wi-Fi extender near the camera or switch to a less crowded Wi-Fi channel. You can also reduce the camera’s resolution in the app (Settings > Video Quality > Standard instead of High).

Issue 3: Confusing Device Management

With two base stations, it’s easy to forget which camera belongs to which hub. To avoid confusion:

• Name your cameras descriptively (e.g., “Front Door – Base 1”, “Garage – Base 2”).
• Use the Arlo app’s “Favorites” feature to group key cameras.
• Take screenshots of your setup for reference.

Is Adding a 6th Camera Worth It? A Balanced Look

So, after all this, is it worth the effort? Let’s weigh the pros and cons honestly.

The Pros

• Better coverage: You can eliminate blind spots and monitor more areas.
• Same app, one account: No need to log in to multiple systems.
• Cost-effective: A used base station is cheaper than buying a whole new system.
• Future-proof: You can add more cameras later (up to 10+ with multiple hubs).

The Cons

• Extra hardware: You’ll have two base stations to power and maintain.
• Storage complexity: Managing two USB drives takes more effort.
• Setup time: It takes 30–60 minutes to set up the second base station and camera.
• Not seamless: The two base stations don’t “talk” to each other—so no shared motion zones across hubs.

Final verdict: If you really need that 6th camera (like for a detached structure or high-risk area), it’s absolutely worth it. But if you’re just adding it “because you can,” consider whether the extra hassle is worth the marginal gain.

Data Table: Arlo Pro System Comparison

Feature	Arlo Pro (1st gen)	Arlo Pro 2	Arlo Pro 3/4/Ultra
Max Cameras per Base	5	5	15
Night Vision	Black & White	Black & White	Color (with spotlight)
Video Quality	720p	1080p	2K or 4K
Weather Resistance	IP65	IP65	IP65
Local Storage	USB Drive	USB Drive	USB Drive (Pro 3/4)
Cloud Storage	Arlo Smart (paid)	Arlo Smart (paid)	Arlo Secure (paid)

As you can see, the older Arlo Pro systems are limited by design. But with a second base station, you can still get the job done.

Final Thoughts: Yes, You Can—And Here’s How

So, can you add a 6th camera to Arlo Pro? Absolutely. The original limit of five cameras isn’t a dead end—it’s just a reminder that Arlo designed these systems for simplicity and reliability. But with a second base station, you can break through that limit and build a truly comprehensive security setup.

It’s not magic. It takes a little planning, a few extra steps, and maybe a second power outlet. But the payoff—peace of mind, better coverage, and a system that grows with your needs—is 100% worth it. Whether you’re watching over a shed, a side gate, or a rental property, adding that 6th camera gives you eyes where you need them most.

And remember: you’re not alone. Thousands of Arlo users have done this before you. The tools are there. The steps are clear. All you need is the willingness to try. So go ahead—expand your system, close those blind spots, and keep your home safer than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you add a 6th camera to Arlo Pro systems?

Yes, you can add a 6th camera to most Arlo Pro systems, including the Pro 2, Pro 3, and Pro 4. The base station or hub typically supports up to 15 cameras, so adding a sixth is well within capacity.

How do I add a 6th camera to my Arlo Pro setup?

To add a 6th camera, use the Arlo app to sync the new camera with your existing base station or Wi-Fi network. Follow the in-app prompts to complete pairing—no additional hardware is required if your system already has a hub.

Does Arlo Pro require a subscription to use 6 cameras?

No, a subscription isn’t required to use 6 cameras with Arlo Pro. However, cloud storage and advanced features like activity zones require an Arlo Smart subscription, which supports up to 15 cameras.

Is there a limit to how many cameras I can add to Arlo Pro?

Arlo Pro systems support up to 15 cameras per base station or hub. If you’re adding a 6th camera, you’re still far below this limit, ensuring seamless integration and performance.

Will adding a 6th camera slow down my Arlo Pro system?

Adding a 6th camera shouldn’t slow down your Arlo Pro system, especially if connected via a base station. The hub manages bandwidth efficiently, though Wi-Fi congestion may occur if all cameras stream simultaneously.

Do I need a second base station for a 6th Arlo Pro camera?

No, a second base station isn’t needed for a 6th camera. A single Arlo Pro base station supports up to 15 cameras, so your existing setup can easily handle the expansion.