Can You Manually Arm and Disarm Certain Arlo Cameras Here Is How

Yes, you can manually arm and disarm certain Arlo cameras directly through the Arlo app or web dashboard, giving you instant control over your home security. This feature is available on most Arlo Pro, Ultra, and Essential models, allowing users to toggle between armed (alerts on) and disarmed (alerts off) modes with just a tap—ideal for temporary adjustments or scheduled monitoring.

Key Takeaways

• Manual arming works: Most Arlo cameras allow manual arming via the app or base station.
• Disarm instantly: Tap “Disarm” in the Arlo app to disable recording and alerts immediately.
• Geofencing alternative: Use location-based rules to auto arm/disarm when you leave or arrive.
• Custom modes help: Create modes to arm specific cameras while leaving others off as needed.
• Base station required: Older Arlo models need a base station for full manual control functionality.
• Schedule overrides: Manually toggle cameras anytime, even if they’re set to a schedule.
• Guest access: Grant trusted users temporary manual control via the app’s sharing settings.

Can You Manually Arm and Disarm Certain Arlo Cameras? Here’s How

Imagine this: You’re rushing out the door for work, and your toddler suddenly starts crying in the next room. You pause your morning routine to check on them—only to realize you’ve forgotten to arm your Arlo camera in the living room. By the time you grab your phone and open the app, precious seconds have passed. Or maybe you’ve just returned home, and the last thing you want is to trigger a false alarm because your camera’s still in “armed” mode. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever wondered whether you can manually control specific Arlo cameras, you’re not alone. The good news? Yes, you can—and it’s easier than you think.

Arlo’s ecosystem of smart cameras is designed for flexibility, whether you’re a tech newbie or a security enthusiast. But let’s be real: No one wants to sift through endless menus or accidentally disarm the wrong camera. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to manually arm and disarm individual Arlo cameras (yes, even if you have 10+ devices), share practical tips to avoid common pitfalls, and even troubleshoot quirks that might catch you off guard. Whether you’re using a basic Arlo Pro 4 or the advanced Arlo Ultra 2, this is your go-to resource for taking full control of your home security—without the guesswork.

Why Manual Arming and Disarming Matters

Tailored Security for Your Lifestyle

Not every room or camera needs the same level of monitoring. For example, you might want your front door camera armed 24/7 but keep the backyard camera disarmed during family barbecues. Or perhaps you have a pet-friendly zone where motion alerts are more nuisance than help. Manual control lets you adapt your system to your daily routine—no rigid schedules required.

Take Sarah, a busy mom from Austin, who uses her Arlo cameras to monitor her kids’ playroom. “I manually disarm the playroom camera when my kids are building forts,” she shares. “But I keep the garage camera armed so I get alerts if the dog escapes. It’s all about balancing safety and sanity.”

The Problem With “All-or-Nothing” Systems

Many smart security systems force you to arm/disarm all cameras at once. This creates two headaches:

• False Alarms: A cat jumping on a kitchen counter triggers an alert, even though your living room camera is the one you care about.
• Missed Alerts: Forgetting to re-arm a critical camera (like your front door) leaves a security gap.

Arlo’s granular control solves this. You can arm your driveway camera while leaving the nursery disarmed—perfect for parents who don’t want alerts every time their baby rolls over.

When Automation Falls Short

Automated modes (like “Away” or “Home”) are great… until they’re not. Maybe you’re working from home and only want the backyard camera armed. Or you’re hosting a party and need to temporarily disable indoor cameras. Manual adjustments give you the flexibility to override automation when life throws curveballs.

How to Manually Arm/Disarm Cameras (Step-by-Step)

Using the Arlo Mobile App (iOS/Android)

The Arlo app is your command center. Here’s how to take manual control:

1. Open the app and tap your camera’s name (e.g., “Front Door”).
2. Look for the “Mode” toggle (usually a shield icon). Tap it.
3. Select “Arm” (for full monitoring) or “Disarm” (to disable alerts).
4. For advanced users: Tap the “Settings” gear to customize motion zones, sensitivity, or notification preferences for that specific camera.

Pro Tip: Long-press a camera’s thumbnail in the home screen to jump straight to its mode settings—no digging through menus!

Via the Web Portal (For Desktop Users)

If you prefer a bigger screen:

1. Go to arlo.netgear.com and log in.
2. Click “Cameras” in the left sidebar.
3. Hover over your target camera and click the mode dropdown (it might say “Disarmed” or “Armed”).
4. Choose your desired mode. The change applies instantly.

Note: The web portal lacks some app features (like geofencing), but it’s perfect for quick adjustments.

Quick Actions for Frequent Users

Save time with these shortcuts:

• Create “Favorite” cameras: Star your most-used cameras (e.g., front door, garage) for one-tap access.
• Use Siri/Google Assistant: Say, “Hey Siri, arm the backyard Arlo” or “OK Google, disarm the kitchen camera.”
• Schedule manual overrides: Pair manual control with automation. For example, “Arm the basement camera at 9 PM daily, but let me manually disarm it if needed.”

Advanced Tips for Power Users

Custom Modes for Granular Control

Beyond “Armed” and “Disarmed,” Arlo lets you create custom modes tailored to specific scenarios:

• “Pet Mode”: Disarm cameras in pet zones but keep others active.
• “Party Mode”: Disable indoor cameras but monitor entry points.
• “Vacation Mode”: Arm all cameras with heightened motion sensitivity.

To create a custom mode:

1. Go to Settings > Modes & Rules > Add Mode.
2. Name your mode (e.g., “Movie Night”).
3. Select which cameras to arm/disarm and set rules (e.g., “No alerts between 7–11 PM”).
4. Switch to this mode manually whenever needed.

Grouping Cameras for Efficiency

Own multiple Arlo cameras? Group them to manage them together:

1. Navigate to Settings > Cameras > Camera Groups.
2. Create groups like “Exterior” (front door, driveway, backyard) or “Kids’ Zone” (nursery, playroom).
3. Now, you can arm/disarm the entire group with one tap—but still adjust individual cameras within the group.

Example: During a backyard BBQ, disarm the “Exterior” group but keep the front door camera armed for deliveries.

Troubleshooting Common Hiccups

Even the best systems have quirks. Watch out for:

• Delayed updates: If a camera’s status doesn’t change immediately, force-close and reopen the app.
• Sync errors: Cameras stuck in “Armed” mode? Reboot the base station (if applicable) and check Wi-Fi strength.
• False arming: Ensure your phone’s GPS is on if using geofencing. A weak signal can cause cameras to arm/disarm unpredictably.

Real-World Scenarios: When Manual Control Saves the Day

Scenario 1: The “I’m Home Early” Dilemma

You leave work early and want to surprise your kids—but don’t want the garage camera to trigger an alert when you pull in. Instead of disabling all cameras:

1. Open the Arlo app on your commute.
2. Manually disarm the garage camera.
3. Keep the front door and backyard cameras armed to monitor deliveries or intruders.

Result: A happy family reunion with zero false alarms.

Scenario 2: Home Renovation Chaos

Contractors are working in your living room. You need to:

• Disarm the living room camera to avoid constant motion alerts.
• Arm the basement camera to watch for tools being stolen.
• Keep the front door camera active for deliveries.

Manual control lets you toggle each camera independently—no need to reconfigure your entire system.

Scenario 3: Pet Parents’ Night Out

Leaving your dog alone for the first time? You might:

• Disarm the kitchen camera (where the dog eats) to avoid food-related alerts.
• Arm the living room camera with motion zones focused on entry points (in case the dog escapes).
• Keep the backyard camera disarmed (your dog’s play zone).

This balances pet safety with peace of mind.

Comparing Arlo Models: Manual Control Features at a Glance

Which Cameras Support Individual Arming?

Good news: All modern Arlo cameras (Pro 4, Ultra 2, Essential, etc.) support manual arming/disarming. But there are nuances:

Camera Model	Manual Arming?	Key Features	Limitations
Arlo Pro 4	Yes	Wire-free, 2K HDR, color night vision	Requires Arlo Smart subscription for cloud storage
Arlo Ultra 2	Yes	4K HDR, spotlight, 180° field of view	Bulkier design; shorter battery life
Arlo Essential	Yes	Budget-friendly, 1080p, indoor/outdoor	No local storage option
Arlo Video Doorbell	Yes	180° field of view, package detection	Wired-only (no battery option)

Special Cases: Base Stations and Hubs

If you use an Arlo Base Station (like with older Pro 3 cameras), manual control works slightly differently:

• Cameras sync to the base station’s mode (e.g., “Armed”).
• To manually adjust one camera, you must override the base station’s mode—a minor inconvenience but still doable.

Newer models (Pro 4, Ultra 2) are Wi-Fi-only, so each camera operates independently—making manual control even more seamless.

Final Thoughts: Master Your Arlo Cameras with Confidence

Manual arming and disarming isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s essential for a security system that adapts to your life, not the other way around. Whether you’re disarming the playroom camera for family time or keeping the garage armed during a vacation, Arlo gives you the tools to customize your setup. The key takeaways?

• Individual control is 100% possible across all modern Arlo models.
• Use the app or web portal for quick adjustments, and leverage custom modes for complex scenarios.
• Group cameras to save time, but don’t forget the power of fine-tuning each one.
• Troubleshoot proactively—a quick reboot or Wi-Fi check can resolve most hiccups.

Remember, no system is perfect. Arlo’s occasional sync delays or geofencing glitches are trade-offs for its flexibility. But once you master manual control, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. So go ahead—experiment, tweak, and find the setup that works for you. After all, your home’s security should feel empowering, not overwhelming. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to disarm my backyard camera before my dog’s next squirrel-chasing session…

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you manually arm and disarm certain Arlo cameras?

Yes, you can manually arm and disarm specific Arlo cameras using the Arlo app or web portal. This allows you to customize which cameras are active based on your needs.

How do I manually arm or disarm an individual Arlo camera?

Open the Arlo app, select the camera you want to adjust, and toggle the “Arm” or “Disarm” switch. You can also do this from the Devices tab in the web interface.

Is it possible to arm only certain Arlo cameras while leaving others off?

Absolutely. The Arlo system lets you manually arm or disarm each camera independently, giving you full control over which ones are monitoring at any time.

Can you manually arm and disarm Arlo cameras without using schedules?

Yes, manual arming and disarming bypasses any pre-set schedules. This is useful for temporary adjustments, like turning off indoor cameras when you’re home.

Does manually arming Arlo cameras affect motion detection settings?

No, manually arming a camera activates its motion detection and recording as per your default settings. Disarming simply pauses these features until you re-enable them.

Can I remotely arm or disarm Arlo cameras while away from home?

Yes, as long as you have internet access, you can manually arm and disarm Arlo cameras from anywhere using the Arlo app or web dashboard.