Can You Make Arlo Camera Shareable Here Is How

Yes, you can make Arlo cameras shareable by inviting family or friends via the Arlo app, granting them live view, playback, and alert access—no extra hardware needed. Simply use the “Share Access” feature under Settings to send invitations via email or phone number, with customizable permissions for added control.

Key Takeaways

• Enable sharing: Use the Arlo app to grant access to other users easily.
• Customize permissions: Choose between viewer or admin access for shared users.
• Invite via email: Send invites directly from the app for quick setup.
• Revoke anytime: Remove shared access instantly if needed for security.
• Multi-camera support: Share multiple cameras with a single invite link.
• Real-time alerts: Shared users get instant notifications for detected activity.
• No extra cost: Share Arlo cameras without additional subscription fees.

Can You Make Arlo Camera Shareable? Here’s How

Imagine this: You’re on vacation, sipping coffee by the beach, when suddenly your phone buzzes. A motion alert from your Arlo camera shows someone near your front porch. You want to share that clip with your neighbor—maybe they can check on your house. But wait… can you even share your Arlo camera footage with someone else? Or better yet, can you give them access to your camera in real time?

The answer is yes—but it’s not as simple as hitting a “share” button like you would on social media. Arlo cameras are designed with privacy and security in mind, which means sharing isn’t just about convenience. It’s about control, permissions, and trust. Whether you’re a homeowner, a small business owner, or a family member helping watch over an aging parent, knowing how to share your Arlo camera effectively can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about making your Arlo camera shareable—from setup to best practices, common pitfalls, and real-life scenarios.

Understanding Arlo Camera Sharing: What It Means and Why It Matters

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s clarify what “sharing” actually means with an Arlo camera. Unlike simply sending a video clip via text or email, sharing your Arlo camera usually involves granting another person access to your Arlo account or a specific camera. This allows them to view live feeds, receive alerts, review recordings, or even control certain settings—depending on the permissions you grant.

Why Would You Want to Share Your Arlo Camera?

There are plenty of reasons why someone might want to share their Arlo camera:

• Family members: Parents might want grandparents to see when the kids get home from school.
• Roommates or co-tenants: Multiple people in a shared apartment can monitor deliveries or guests.
• Neighbors: During vacations, a trusted neighbor can keep an eye on your property.
• Business owners: Managers or security staff may need access to multiple cameras across locations.
• Caregivers: Adult children can remotely monitor aging parents living alone.

For example, Sarah, a working mom in Denver, shares her backyard camera with her mother so she can check if her toddler is playing safely in the yard. Meanwhile, Mark, a small retail store owner, shares front-door access with his night-shift employee to help manage after-hours deliveries.

The Difference Between Sharing Clips and Sharing Access

It’s important to distinguish between two types of sharing:

• Sharing video clips: You download a recorded event (like a delivery person at the door) and send it via email, text, or social media. This is quick and temporary.
• Sharing camera access: You invite someone to log into your Arlo account and view live or recorded footage directly. This is ongoing and requires setup.

While sharing clips is easy and secure (since the recipient only sees that one moment), sharing access gives more power—and responsibility. That’s why Arlo offers tools to control who sees what, for how long, and with what level of control.

How to Share Your Arlo Camera: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand the “why,” let’s get into the “how.” The good news? Arlo makes sharing relatively straightforward—if you follow the steps carefully. Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide for sharing your Arlo camera with another person.

Step 1: Use the Arlo App (Not the Website)

All sharing functions are managed through the Arlo app, available on iOS and Android. The web portal doesn’t support user invitations or permission settings, so make sure you’re using your phone or tablet.

1. Open the Arlo app and log in to your account.
2. Tap the three-line menu icon (usually top-left).
3. Select “Settings” → “My Devices” → “Users.”
4. Tap “Invite User” or “Add User.”

At this point, you’ll be prompted to enter the email address of the person you want to share with. They must have an active Arlo account (free or paid) to accept the invitation.

Step 2: Choose the Right Access Level

This is where things get interesting. Arlo lets you assign different permission levels:

• Viewer: Can view live feeds and recorded clips but cannot change settings or arm/disarm the system.
• Standard User: Can view, arm/disarm, and manage some settings (like motion detection zones).
• Administrator: Full access, including adding/removing other users and changing account settings.

For most sharing scenarios, Viewer or Standard User is sufficient. For instance, if you’re sharing with a neighbor while you’re away, “Viewer” keeps things simple and safe. But if you’re co-managing a business location, “Standard User” gives them enough flexibility to respond to alerts.

Step 3: Select Which Cameras to Share

You don’t have to share all your cameras. Arlo allows you to pick exactly which ones the new user can access. For example:

• Share only your front door camera with a neighbor.
• Give your spouse access to all cameras, but limit your teenage son to just the garage and backyard.
• Share indoor cameras with a nanny, but keep bedroom and bathroom cameras private.

To do this, after selecting the user type, scroll down and toggle on/off each camera you want to include. This granular control is one of Arlo’s biggest strengths—it respects privacy while enabling collaboration.

Step 4: Send the Invitation

Once you’ve set permissions and selected cameras, tap “Send Invite.” The recipient will receive an email with a link to accept. They’ll need to:

• Open the email on their phone or tablet.
• Tap the link and log in to their Arlo account (or create one if they don’t have it).
• Accept the invitation.

After acceptance, they’ll see your shared cameras in their Arlo app under a separate “Shared” tab. No need for them to log into your account—everything happens securely through their own login.

Pro Tip: Test the Setup First

Before relying on shared access, test it! Have the recipient try viewing live footage, checking recordings, and receiving alerts (if enabled). You can also temporarily set up a dummy camera or use a test motion event to verify everything works.

Best Practices for Secure and Effective Arlo Camera Sharing

Sharing your Arlo camera isn’t just about technical steps—it’s also about security, trust, and communication. Just because you can share doesn’t mean you should do it recklessly. Here are some best practices to ensure your sharing experience is smooth and safe.

1. Always Use Strong, Unique Passwords

This might sound basic, but it’s crucial. Both you and the person you’re sharing with should use strong, unique passwords for your Arlo accounts. Avoid reusing passwords from other sites. Consider using a password manager (like Bitwarden or 1Password) to generate and store secure credentials.

Also, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Arlo account. Go to Settings → Account → Two-Factor Authentication. This adds an extra layer of security—even if someone steals your password, they can’t log in without the second factor (usually a code sent to your phone).

2. Limit Permissions to the Bare Minimum

Follow the principle of least privilege: give people only the access they absolutely need. For example:

• A babysitter doesn’t need to adjust motion zones—just view the feed.
• A neighbor watching your house during vacation doesn’t need to disarm the system—just see who’s at the door.

Over-permissioning increases the risk of accidental changes (like turning off motion detection) or intentional misuse (rare, but possible).

3. Communicate Expectations Clearly

Talk to the person you’re sharing with. Set ground rules, such as:

• “Please don’t share the login with anyone else.”
• “Only check the camera if there’s an alert or you’re expecting a visitor.”
• “Don’t record or screenshot footage without asking.”

This builds trust and prevents misunderstandings. For families, it’s especially helpful to discuss privacy boundaries—like not watching indoor cameras unnecessarily.

4. Monitor Activity Logs (If Available)

Some Arlo plans (like Arlo Secure Plus) include activity logs that show who accessed the camera, when, and what actions they took. While not available on all plans, this feature is invaluable for accountability. If you notice unusual activity (like someone logging in at 3 AM), you can investigate and adjust permissions accordingly.

5. Revoke Access When It’s No Longer Needed

Sharing isn’t forever. When your vacation ends, your babysitter quits, or your tenant moves out, remove their access immediately. To do this:

1. Go to Settings → Users.
2. Find the user and tap “Remove User.”
3. Confirm the action.

This prevents lingering access and keeps your system secure.

Common Challenges and How to Solve Them

Even with clear steps and good intentions, things can go wrong when sharing Arlo cameras. Here are some common issues—and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The Invitation Doesn’t Arrive

Sometimes, the invite email ends up in spam, or the recipient never sees it. To troubleshoot:

• Check your sent folder to confirm the invite was sent.
• Ask the recipient to check spam/junk folders.
• Resend the invite (you can do this up to three times).
• Double-check the email address—typos happen!

Pro tip: Instead of relying on email, send the invite link via a secure messaging app (like Signal or WhatsApp) so they know to look for it.

Problem 2: The Recipient Can’t See Any Cameras

After accepting the invite, the shared cameras don’t appear in their app. Possible causes:

• The recipient hasn’t updated their Arlo app (update to the latest version).
• The shared cameras are offline (check your Wi-Fi and power supply).
• The recipient is logged into the wrong Arlo account (have them log out and back in).
• You accidentally selected “No Cameras” during setup (go back and edit the user settings).

Problem 3: Motion Alerts Go to the Wrong Person

By default, motion alerts go to the primary account holder. But you can customize this. In the Arlo app:

1. Go to Settings → Alerts.
2. Select the camera and alert type (e.g., “Person Detected”).
3. Toggle on “Send to Shared Users” or manually select which users receive alerts.

This ensures your neighbor knows about a delivery, even if you’re asleep.

Problem 4: Privacy Concerns with Indoor Cameras

Sharing indoor cameras (like in a living room or nursery) can feel intrusive. To maintain privacy:

• Use privacy zones to block sensitive areas (e.g., a bedroom door).
• Schedule “Do Not Disturb” times when cameras are disabled for shared users.
• Physically cover the camera lens when not in use (many Arlo models have built-in shutters).

For example, a nanny might have access during work hours but not at night.

Arlo Sharing Features Compared: A Quick Data Table

Not all Arlo plans are created equal. Depending on your subscription, you’ll have different sharing capabilities. Below is a comparison of key features across Arlo’s main plans.

Feature	Arlo Secure (Free)	Arlo Secure (Paid)	Arlo Secure Plus
Number of Users You Can Share With	1	3	5
Custom Permission Levels	No (only Viewer)	Yes (Viewer, Standard, Admin)	Yes (Full customization)
Per-Camera Sharing	Limited	Yes	Yes
Activity Logs	No	Basic (last 7 days)	Detailed (30+ days)
Alert Forwarding to Shared Users	No	Yes	Yes (with customization)
Cloud Recording Retention	None	30 days	60 days

As you can see, upgrading to Arlo Secure (Paid) unlocks most essential sharing features. If you’re sharing with multiple people or need detailed logs, Arlo Secure Plus is worth the extra cost. But for basic sharing (like with a single neighbor), the free plan may suffice.

Note: These features apply to Arlo SmartHub and newer camera models. Older models (like Arlo Pro 2) may have limited sharing options even with a subscription.

Real-Life Scenarios: How People Use Arlo Camera Sharing

To bring this all to life, let’s look at real-world examples of how people share their Arlo cameras—and the lessons they’ve learned.

Case 1: The Vacationing Couple

Lisa and Tom from Seattle use their front porch camera to watch for deliveries and visitors. When they go on vacation, they share the camera with their next-door neighbor, Mike. They set Mike as a Viewer with access only to the front door camera. They also enable alerts so Mike gets notified if someone approaches.

During their trip, Mike sees a delivery person and brings the package inside. He also notices a suspicious figure lingering—so he calls the police. Lisa and Tom return home to a safe house and a thank-you note from Mike. The key takeaway? Simple sharing can prevent big problems.

Case 2: The Multi-Family Home

The Chen family lives in a duplex with their in-laws. They install two Arlo cameras: one at the shared front door and one in the backyard. They create a shared account and invite both families as Standard Users so everyone can arm/disarm the system and view footage.

They use privacy zones to block views of private entrances and schedule alerts only during nighttime hours. This balances convenience with respect for personal space. The key takeaway? Clear communication and smart settings prevent conflicts.

Case 3: The Small Business Owner

Raj runs a small bakery. He uses three Arlo cameras to monitor the storefront, back kitchen, and storage room. He shares access with his two managers as Standard Users and gives his security company Viewer access to all cameras.

One night, an alert shows someone trying to break in. The security team responds immediately, and Raj reviews the footage the next day. The key takeaway? Shared access improves response time and accountability.

These stories show that Arlo camera sharing isn’t just a technical feature—it’s a tool for peace of mind, safety, and collaboration.

Final Thoughts: Sharing Your Arlo Camera—Worth It?

So, can you make your Arlo camera shareable? Absolutely. And in most cases, it’s worth doing—as long as you do it thoughtfully.

Arlo’s sharing system is well-designed, offering granular control, strong security, and flexibility. Whether you’re helping a neighbor, protecting your business, or staying connected with family, sharing your camera can enhance safety and convenience. But remember: with great power comes great responsibility. Always:

• Limit access to only who needs it.
• Set clear boundaries and expectations.
• Monitor usage and revoke access when done.
• Keep your account secure with 2FA and strong passwords.

At the end of the day, sharing your Arlo camera isn’t just about technology—it’s about trust. And when used wisely, it’s one of the smartest ways to make your home or business safer, smarter, and more connected.

Now go ahead—share that camera, but do it right. Your future self (and your neighbor) will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make Arlo camera shareable with family or friends?

Yes, you can make your Arlo camera shareable using the “Share Access” feature in the Arlo app. This allows trusted users to view live feeds and recordings with customizable permissions.

How do I share my Arlo camera feed with another person?

Open the Arlo app, go to Settings > Grant Access, and enter the recipient’s email address. They’ll receive an invitation to access your camera via their own Arlo account.

Is it safe to make an Arlo camera shareable?

Yes, sharing is secure as it requires invite acceptance and lets you set viewing-only or full-access permissions. You can also revoke access anytime for added control.

Can multiple people view an Arlo camera at the same time?

Yes, once you make your Arlo camera shareable, multiple users can stream live footage simultaneously, depending on your subscription plan’s device limits.

Does sharing an Arlo camera require a subscription?

No, sharing doesn’t require a subscription, but shared users will only see live feeds without cloud storage unless you have an active Arlo Secure plan.

Can I share specific cameras instead of my entire Arlo system?

Absolutely! When you make your Arlo camera shareable, you can select individual cameras to share, keeping others private within your account.