Can You Geofence Just One Camera on Arlo Pro A Complete Guide

No, you cannot geofence just one camera on the Arlo Pro system—geofencing applies to your entire Arlo account, not individual cameras. This means all cameras in your setup will arm or disarm simultaneously based on your phone’s location, so customized per-camera geofencing isn’t currently supported.

Key Takeaways

• Geofencing is all-or-nothing: Arlo Pro applies geofencing to all cameras, not individually.
• Use modes to customize: Create modes to simulate single-camera geofencing via rules.
• Smart notifications help: Enable alerts for specific cameras to mimic geofenced behavior.
• Manual control is key: Toggle cameras on/off manually when precise geofencing is needed.
• Check firmware updates: Arlo may add per-camera geofencing in future updates.
• Third-party apps: Use IFTTT or Alexa for advanced, camera-specific automation workarounds.

Understanding Arlo Pro Geofencing: The Basics

Let’s talk about Arlo Pro—the sleek, reliable, and often life-saving home security system that’s become a favorite among homeowners and renters alike. If you’ve got an Arlo Pro system, you probably appreciate its crisp 1080p video, two-way audio, night vision, and the peace of mind it brings. But one feature that’s often misunderstood—especially by newer users—is geofencing. You’ve probably seen the term in your Arlo app, maybe even tried it, but here’s the real question: Can you geofence just one camera on Arlo Pro?

Imagine this: You’ve got three Arlo Pro cameras. One watches your front door, another the backyard gate, and the third the garage. You want the front door camera to arm when you leave, but the backyard camera—maybe it’s facing a shared space or a neighbor’s yard—you’d rather keep it on 24/7. Or perhaps you’re working from home and want to disable motion alerts from the front camera while keeping the others active. That’s where geofencing gets tricky. It’s not just about turning cameras on and off; it’s about control, privacy, and personalization. So, can you apply geofencing to just one camera? Let’s dig in.

What Is Geofencing and How Does It Work on Arlo Pro?

Defining Geofencing in Smart Home Terms

Geofencing uses your smartphone’s GPS and Wi-Fi signals to create a virtual boundary—a “fence”—around a physical location, like your home. When your phone enters or leaves that boundary, your Arlo system can automatically respond. For example, when you drive away from home, your phone leaves the geofence, and your Arlo cameras arm (go into “Away” mode). When you return, they disarm (go into “Home” mode). It’s like having a personal security assistant that knows when you’re home or away.

The magic happens through the Arlo app. You set up the geofence radius (usually 50–500 meters), enable the feature, and let your phone do the rest. The app constantly checks your phone’s location and communicates with your Arlo base station or directly with the cameras via Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

How Arlo Pro Handles Geofencing by Default

Here’s the catch: Arlo Pro’s geofencing operates at the system level, not the camera level. That means when you enable geofencing, it affects all cameras in your account. If you have three cameras, they all arm when you leave and disarm when you return. There’s no built-in option in the Arlo app to say, “Only arm Camera 1 when I leave.”

This is a common source of frustration. Think of it like having a smart thermostat that controls every room—even the ones you don’t care about. Arlo treats your entire system as one unit. While this works well for most users, it falls short for those who need granular control. For instance:

• You work from home and want to disable the front camera’s alerts during work hours, but keep the garage camera active.
• You rent out a basement unit and want the outdoor camera to stay armed 24/7, but the front door camera to follow your geofence.
• You have a pet in the backyard and don’t want motion alerts from that area when you’re home.

So, while geofencing is powerful, its one-size-fits-all approach leaves room for improvement—especially for users with diverse needs.

Can You Geofence Just One Camera? The Short Answer and Workarounds

The Official Arlo Limitation

Straight up: No, Arlo Pro does not natively support geofencing for individual cameras. The geofencing feature in the Arlo app is tied to your entire account, not individual devices. If you enable it, all cameras follow the same rules. This limitation has been consistent across Arlo Pro 2, Arlo Pro 3, Arlo Pro 4, and even newer models like the Arlo Pro 5S. Arlo’s design philosophy prioritizes simplicity and system-wide automation, which works great for basic setups but not for advanced customization.

Arlo’s support documentation and community forums confirm this. If you search for “geofence one camera Arlo Pro,” you’ll find hundreds of user complaints and questions—many from 2020, 2021, and even 2023. Arlo’s official response? “Geofencing applies to all cameras in your account.” No exceptions.

Workaround 1: Use Scheduling Instead of Geofencing

Here’s a practical fix: Use the scheduling feature to mimic individual geofencing. The Arlo app lets you create custom schedules for each camera. For example:

• Front Door Camera: Schedule it to arm from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays (when you’re likely away) and disarm at other times.
• Backyard Camera: Set it to arm 24/7, regardless of your location.

This isn’t true geofencing—it won’t respond to your phone’s location—but it gives you control over when each camera is active. It’s like having a timer for your security system. The downside? You have to manually adjust the schedule if your routine changes (e.g., a vacation, work-from-home days). But for predictable routines, it’s a solid workaround.

Workaround 2: Create Separate Arlo Accounts (Yes, Really)

For true one-camera geofencing, some users go nuclear: Create a second Arlo account. Here’s how it works:

1. Set up your primary account with two cameras (e.g., front door and garage).
2. Create a second account for the third camera (e.g., backyard).
3. Enable geofencing only on the primary account. The second account stays armed 24/7.

This method gives you full control. The front door and garage cameras follow your geofence, while the backyard camera ignores it. But there are trade-offs:

• You’ll need to log in and out of two Arlo apps (or use two devices).
• Cloud storage and subscriptions are separate—double the cost.
• No unified view: You can’t see all cameras in one dashboard.

It’s a hassle, but for users who need precision, it’s the only way to achieve true single-camera geofencing with Arlo Pro.

Workaround 3: Use IFTTT or SmartThings for Advanced Automation

If you’re tech-savvy, IFTTT (If This Then That) or Samsung SmartThings can bridge the gap. These platforms let you create custom automations based on location, time, and device status. Here’s an example:

• When your phone leaves your home’s geofence, IFTTT sends a command to arm only Camera 1.
• When you return, it disarms Camera 1 but leaves Camera 2 and 3 active.

To set this up, you’ll need:

• An IFTTT or SmartThings account.
• Arlo’s IFTTT integration enabled (available in the Arlo app).
• Custom applets (IFTTT) or routines (SmartThings) that target specific cameras.

The benefit? You can create complex rules like “Arm Camera 1 if I leave AND it’s after 8:00 AM.” The downside? IFTTT can be slow (delays of 1–2 minutes), and SmartThings requires a hub. Also, Arlo’s API doesn’t support direct camera-level geofencing, so you’re limited to what IFTTT/SmartThings can do.

Real-World Scenarios: When Single-Camera Geofencing Makes Sense

Scenario 1: The Work-From-Home Professional

Meet Sarah. She works from home three days a week. Her front door Arlo Pro camera is great for catching package deliveries, but it keeps alerting her when she walks to the mailbox or lets her dog out. She wants the camera to stay active when she’s away but silent when she’s home.

Her solution: She uses the scheduling feature to arm the front camera only from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (her office days). On other days, the camera disarms at 8:00 AM and arms again at 6:00 PM. She also disables motion notifications during work hours. It’s not perfect—she has to remember to adjust the schedule if she works from home unexpectedly—but it cuts down on false alarms by 80%.

Scenario 2: The Landlord with a Rental Unit

Meet Mark. He owns a duplex. The front camera covers his unit, while the backyard camera faces the shared yard and his tenant’s unit. He wants the front camera to follow his geofence (arm when he leaves), but the backyard camera to stay armed 24/7 for tenant safety.

His solution: He creates a second Arlo account for the backyard camera. The front camera stays on the primary account with geofencing enabled. The backyard camera, on the second account, is always armed. He checks both apps daily. It’s a bit of extra work, but he says, “It’s worth it for peace of mind.”

Scenario 3: The Pet Owner

Meet Lisa. Her backyard Arlo Pro camera keeps alerting her when her dog runs around. She wants the camera to record (for security) but disable notifications when she’s home.

Her solution: She uses IFTTT. When her phone enters the home geofence, IFTTT disables notifications for the backyard camera. When she leaves, notifications resume. She still gets video recordings, but no annoying alerts during playtime. “It’s like the camera knows when I’m home,” she laughs.

These real-life examples show that while Arlo Pro’s native geofencing is limited, creative workarounds can deliver the control you need. The key is understanding your priorities: convenience, cost, or precision.

Comparing Arlo Pro to Other Systems: How Do Competitors Handle This?

Ring: More Flexible, But Still Limited

Ring’s geofencing (called “Home and Away” modes) is similar to Arlo’s—system-wide. However, Ring allows per-device motion sensitivity and alert settings. You can’t geofence one camera, but you can:

• Disable motion alerts for specific cameras when in “Home” mode.
• Adjust motion zones to reduce false alerts (e.g., ignore your dog’s area).

For example, you can set your backyard camera to record but not notify when you’re home. It’s not true single-camera geofencing, but it’s closer than Arlo.

Google Nest: The Gold Standard for Granular Control

Google Nest Cam and Nest Aware offer camera-level geofencing. In the Nest app, you can:

• Set individual cameras to “Away” or “Home” mode based on your location.
• Create custom automations (e.g., “Arm the garage camera when I leave, but keep the front door camera in ‘Home’ mode”).

It’s the most flexible option on the market. If granular control is your top priority, Nest is worth considering. The downside? Nest cameras require a subscription for cloud storage, and they’re pricier than Arlo Pro.

Eufy: Local Storage, But No Geofencing

Eufy cameras store footage locally (no subscription), but they don’t have geofencing at all. You have to manually arm/disarm cameras or use schedules. It’s a trade-off: privacy and cost savings vs. automation.

Data Table: Geofencing Features Comparison

System	System-Wide Geofencing	Camera-Level Geofencing	Workarounds Available	Best For
Arlo Pro	Yes	No	Scheduling, IFTTT, multiple accounts	Users who want simplicity and reliability
Ring	Yes	No	Per-device alerts, motion zones	Users who want Alexa integration
Google Nest	Yes	Yes	Custom automations	Users who want maximum control
Eufy	No	No	Scheduling only	Users who prioritize privacy and local storage

This table shows that Arlo Pro is solid for basic needs but lags behind Nest in advanced customization. If you’re set on Arlo, the workarounds we’ve discussed are your best bet.

Tips to Maximize Geofencing (Even With Limitations)

1. Optimize Your Geofence Radius

Set the geofence radius too small (e.g., 50 meters), and your phone might leave the boundary while you’re still in the driveway. Too large (e.g., 500 meters), and your cameras might arm before you’ve fully left. A good starting point: 150–200 meters. Test it over a week and adjust as needed.

2. Use Scheduling for “Always-On” Cameras

For cameras you want armed 24/7 (e.g., backyard, garage), set them to “Always On” in the Arlo app. This overrides geofencing. For others, create custom schedules to match your routine.

3. Leverage Motion Zones to Reduce False Alerts

Even if you can’t geofence one camera, you can reduce noise. Use motion zones to ignore areas like trees, pets, or busy streets. In the Arlo app, go to Camera Settings > Motion Detection > Motion Zones and draw boxes over areas you want to ignore.

4. Combine Geofencing with Smart Home Routines

Use IFTTT or SmartThings to create routines like:

• “When I leave, arm Camera 1 and turn off my smart lights.”
• “When I arrive, disarm Camera 1 and turn on the porch light.”

This adds layers of automation, even if geofencing is system-wide.

5. Consider a Hybrid Approach

For example:

• Use geofencing for your primary cameras (front door, garage).
• Use a separate account or scheduling for the camera that needs 24/7 coverage (backyard, rental unit).

It’s not elegant, but it works.

Remember: Geofencing is a tool, not a rule. The goal is security and convenience, not perfection. Use what Arlo gives you, and fill the gaps with creativity.

Final Thoughts: Should You Upgrade or Stick With Workarounds?

So, can you geofence just one camera on Arlo Pro? The short answer: not natively. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. With scheduling, multiple accounts, or smart home integrations, you can achieve similar results—sometimes even better.

Arlo Pro is still a fantastic system. It’s reliable, easy to use, and offers great video quality. The geofencing limitation is a trade-off for that simplicity. If you need absolute control, consider Google Nest. But if you’re happy with Arlo’s core features and willing to get creative, the workarounds we’ve covered can give you the flexibility you need.

Think of it like cooking. Arlo gives you a great recipe, but you can tweak the ingredients. Maybe you add a pinch of IFTTT, a dash of scheduling, and a side of multiple accounts. The result? A security system that works for you, not just with you.

At the end of the day, home security isn’t about having every feature. It’s about feeling safe, in control, and at peace. Whether you stick with Arlo or explore other options, that’s the goal. And now, armed with these tips, you’re one step closer to achieving it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you geofence just one camera on Arlo Pro?

No, Arlo Pro’s geofencing feature operates at the system level, meaning it applies to all cameras linked to your account. You cannot enable geofencing for a single camera while excluding others.

How does geofencing work with multiple Arlo Pro cameras?

Geofencing uses your smartphone’s location to arm or disarm your entire Arlo Pro system. When you leave or enter the geofenced radius, all connected cameras follow the same mode—you can’t customize this per camera.

Is there a way to customize geofencing for individual Arlo Pro cameras?

Unfortunately, Arlo’s current geofencing settings don’t support individual camera customization. However, you can manually set different modes (e.g., “Home” or “Away”) for specific cameras via the app, bypassing geofencing for those devices.

Why would someone want to geofence just one camera on Arlo Pro?

Users may want this to control indoor vs. outdoor cameras differently—for example, keeping an indoor camera disarmed while geofencing triggers outdoor cameras. Arlo’s system-wide geofencing limits this flexibility.

Does Arlo Pro offer alternatives to single-camera geofencing?

Yes, you can schedule cameras to arm/disarm at specific times or use motion detection zones to limit activity. These workarounds offer partial control but lack the convenience of true single-camera geofencing.

Will Arlo add single-camera geofencing in future updates?

Arlo hasn’t announced plans for this feature, but user feedback often drives updates. For now, consider using modes, schedules, or third-party integrations (like IFTTT) to achieve similar results.