Can You Rewind Arlo Cameras Here Is What You Need to Know

Yes, you can rewind Arlo cameras—but only if you have a subscription plan that supports cloud recording. Without an active Arlo Secure plan, your camera only provides live viewing and motion-triggered recordings, not playback of past footage. Rewind and review features are exclusive to paid tiers, which offer 30-day video history and smart detection.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo cameras support rewind via cloud or local storage subscriptions.
• Enable continuous recording for seamless playback and rewind features.
• Check subscription plans—basic plans may limit rewind duration.
• Use the Arlo app to access and rewind footage effortlessly.
• Local storage offers rewind without a subscription but requires a base station.
• Motion-triggered clips can be rewound manually in the event history.

Understanding Arlo Camera Playback and the Myth of “Rewinding”

Imagine this: You just got home from work, and your neighbor mentions they saw something suspicious near your front door earlier. Your first instinct? Check your Arlo camera. You pull out your phone, open the app, and… wait. Can you actually “rewind” through your footage to see what happened? It’s a question I’ve asked myself more than once, and I’ve heard it from plenty of other Arlo users too.

Arlo cameras are some of the most popular smart security systems out there—and for good reason. They’re sleek, easy to install, and offer solid video quality. But one thing that trips up new (and even experienced) users is how playback works. Unlike a VCR or even a DVR from years ago, you can’t just press a rewind button and go back in time freely. Instead, Arlo uses cloud-based or local storage with motion-triggered recording, which changes how we think about reviewing past events.

So, can you rewind Arlo cameras? The short answer is: not in the traditional sense. But don’t worry—there are smarter, more effective ways to access your footage when you need it most. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how Arlo handles playback, what options you have, and how to make the most of your system so you never miss a critical moment again.

How Arlo Cameras Record and Store Footage

Cloud vs. Local Storage: The Two Main Paths

To understand why “rewinding” isn’t as simple as pressing a button, we need to look at how Arlo records and stores your video. There are two primary methods: cloud storage and local storage, each with its own pros, cons, and playback capabilities.

Cloud Storage: This is what most Arlo users rely on. When motion is detected, your camera uploads a clip to Arlo’s secure cloud servers. These clips are then accessible through the Arlo app or web portal. You don’t need to manage physical storage, and your videos are protected even if the camera is damaged or stolen. However, cloud storage usually requires a subscription plan (more on that later).

Local Storage: Some Arlo models—like the Arlo Pro 3, Arlo Ultra, and newer Arlo Essential variants—support local storage via a microSD card inserted directly into the base station (hub). With local storage, videos are saved on the card and don’t rely on an internet connection. This means no monthly fees, but it also means your footage is only available if you can access the hub physically or remotely through the app (if set up).

Motion-Triggered Recording: Why Continuous Footage Isn’t Default

Here’s the kicker: Arlo cameras don’t record 24/7 by default. Instead, they use motion detection to start recording. When the camera senses movement—based on heat, motion, or both—it starts capturing video, typically 15–30 seconds before the event (thanks to pre-roll buffering) and continues for 10–60 seconds after, depending on settings.

This motion-triggered approach saves bandwidth, storage space, and battery life (especially for wireless models). But it also means there are gaps in coverage. If no motion is detected, nothing gets recorded. So if you’re looking for something that happened between events—say, someone sneaking in while the camera was idle—you might be out of luck unless you have continuous recording enabled (more on that below).

Tip: If you want smoother playback and fewer gaps, consider enabling continuous recording (if your model supports it). But be aware: this uses significantly more storage and may require a higher-tier subscription or larger microSD card.

Pre-Roll Buffering: The Secret to “Rewinding” Slightly

One feature that helps mimic the idea of “rewinding” is pre-roll buffering. Most Arlo cameras with motion detection save 15–30 seconds of video before the motion trigger activates. So if someone walks into view, the camera actually captures them approaching from off-screen.

For example, let’s say your camera detects motion at 3:00 PM. The clip might show footage starting at 2:59:45—giving you context about who was approaching and how they got there. This isn’t true rewind, but it’s close enough for many situations.

Pro tip: Adjust your pre-roll duration in the Arlo app under Device Settings > Video Settings > Pre-Roll. Longer pre-roll = better context, but slightly higher battery usage (for wireless models).

Accessing Past Footage: The Real Way to “Rewind”

Using the Arlo App Timeline View

The closest thing to “rewinding” your Arlo camera is using the Timeline View in the Arlo app. Here’s how it works:

• Open the Arlo app and tap on your camera.
• Tap the Timeline icon (usually looks like a clock or calendar).
• You’ll see a timeline of all recorded events, marked by colored bars (green for motion, blue for audio, etc.).
• Tap any bar to jump directly to that clip.
• Use the calendar at the top to switch between days.

This is where many people get stuck. If you’re trying to find something specific—like “when did the dog walker come?”—you can’t just scrub through a continuous video stream. Instead, you have to scan through individual motion events.

But here’s a trick: filter by event type. In the app, you can filter clips by:

• Motion detected
• Person detected (with AI person detection enabled)
• Vehicle detected
• Animal detected
• Custom zones (e.g., only show motion in the backyard)

This helps narrow down your search and makes finding the right clip much faster.

Searching by Date, Time, and Event Type

Need to find footage from last Tuesday at 10 AM? No problem. The Arlo app lets you:

• Jump to any date using the calendar
• Zoom in on specific times of day (morning, afternoon, evening)
• Search within a custom time range (e.g., 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM)

Example: Let’s say your package was stolen. You know it arrived around 10:15 AM. Instead of scrolling through every motion event, use the date picker to go to that day, zoom into the 10–11 AM range, and watch only the clips during that window. Much more efficient!

And if you have a subscription with Smart AI Detection, you can search specifically for “person,” “package,” or even “face” (if facial recognition is enabled). This turns your Arlo system into a powerful investigative tool.

Downloading and Sharing Clips for Later Use

Once you find the clip you want, you can download it to your phone or tablet. Just tap the clip, then tap the download icon (downward arrow). The video saves to your device’s gallery and can be shared via email, text, or social media.

Why this matters: If you’re filing a police report or showing footage to your HOA, having a downloaded clip makes the process easier. You won’t have to stream it live or risk losing access if your subscription lapses.

Tip: Label your downloads clearly—e.g., “Package theft – May 5 – 10:15 AM”—so you can find them later without opening each one.

Subscription Plans and Their Impact on Playback

Free vs. Paid: What You Get (and What You Don’t)

Arlo’s free tier is surprisingly generous, but it has limitations that affect your ability to “rewind” effectively:

Feature	Free Plan	Arlo Secure (Paid Plans)
Cloud Storage	7 days (rolling)	30 days (rolling)
Number of Cameras Supported	Up to 5	Up to 10 (varies by plan)
AI Detection (Person, Vehicle, etc.)	❌ No	✅ Yes
Activity Zones	❌ No	✅ Yes
Continuous Recording	❌ No	✅ Yes (on select models)
Video Quality	Up to 1080p	Up to 4K (Ultra models)
Clip Length	Max 120 seconds	Max 300 seconds (5 minutes)

As you can see, the free plan gives you basic access but lacks advanced features. Without AI detection, you’re left scrolling through every motion event—even false alarms like blowing leaves. And without activity zones, your camera records motion everywhere, making it harder to find relevant clips.

My experience: I started with the free plan and found myself spending 10–15 minutes just to find a 30-second clip of my kids playing in the yard. After upgrading to Arlo Secure, I could filter by “person” and “backyard zone,” cutting my search time to under 30 seconds. Worth it for peace of mind.

Why Upgrading Can Feel Like Getting a “Rewind” Button

While no plan gives you a literal rewind button, a paid Arlo Secure plan dramatically improves your ability to access past footage quickly. Here’s how:

• Longer cloud storage (30 days): You’re not limited to just one week. Need to check something from three weeks ago? No problem.
• AI-powered search: Type “person” or “dog” and instantly see all relevant clips.
• Custom activity zones: Ignore motion in the street or trees, and focus only on your driveway or porch.
• Longer clip durations: Capture full events, not cut-off moments.
• 4K video (on compatible models): See faces, license plates, and small details clearly.

It’s not magic—but it’s the closest thing to having a true “rewind” feature in a smart camera system.

Local Storage Options: When You Want Full Control

Using microSD Cards with Arlo Base Stations

If you prefer not to pay a monthly fee or want backup storage, local recording via microSD card is a great option. Here’s what you need to know:

• Only certain Arlo models support local storage (check compatibility first).
• Insert a microSD card (up to 2TB) into the base station (hub).
• Enable local recording in the app under Settings > Local Storage.
• Footage is stored on the card and accessible via the app (even offline).
• No subscription needed—ever.

Example: I use a 512GB microSD card with my Arlo Pro 3 setup. It holds about 14 days of motion-triggered 1080p footage. When I need to check something, I open the app and browse the local timeline—no internet required.

Warning: If the base station loses power or the card fails, you lose access. Always back up important clips by downloading them to your phone or computer.

Continuous Local Recording: The Ultimate “Rewind” Experience?

If your Arlo model supports it (like the Arlo Pro 4 or Ultra), you can enable continuous local recording. This means the camera records non-stop to the microSD card, creating a true 24/7 video stream.

Now, this is where things get interesting. With continuous recording, you can:

• Scrub through a timeline like a DVR
• Find footage from any time, even if no motion was detected
• See everything that happened—not just the highlights

It’s not a literal rewind button, but it’s the next best thing. The downside? Huge storage needs. A single camera in 1080p can use 1–2GB per day. So a 128GB card lasts only a week or two. You’ll need a large card and possibly multiple backups.

Tip: Use motion-triggered recording during the day and switch to continuous at night (when activity is lower). This balances storage use and coverage.

Tips and Tricks to Maximize Your “Rewind” Capabilities

Optimize Motion Detection Settings

Nothing kills the “rewind” experience faster than too many false alarms or missed events. Here’s how to fine-tune your setup:

• Adjust motion sensitivity: Lower sensitivity reduces false triggers (like moving shadows). Raise it if you’re missing real events.
• Set activity zones: Tell the camera to ignore motion in the street or trees, and focus only on your porch, driveway, or backyard.
• Use AI detection (if available): Filter out animals, vehicles, or people automatically.
• Schedule recording times: Turn off motion detection during known quiet periods (e.g., 2–6 AM).

Real-world fix: My Arlo kept triggering every time the neighbor’s cat walked by. By setting an activity zone that excluded the sidewalk, false alerts dropped by 80%. Now, when I “rewind,” I see only what matters.

Sync Multiple Cameras for Full Coverage

One camera rarely sees everything. Use multiple Arlo units to cover different angles. For example:

• One camera facing the front door
• Another covering the side gate
• A third watching the backyard

When you review footage, switch between cameras in the app to piece together the full story. It’s like having your own security team.

Regular Maintenance for Smooth Playback

Don’t overlook the basics:

• Check battery levels weekly (for wireless models)
• Clean camera lenses to avoid blurry footage
• Update firmware regularly (Arlo sends alerts in the app)
• Test local storage by reviewing a random clip each week

A well-maintained system means fewer surprises when you need to “rewind” in an emergency.

Conclusion: You Can’t Rewind—But You Can Work Smarter

So, can you rewind Arlo cameras? Not like a VCR. But with the right setup, tools, and habits, you can access your footage faster, more accurately, and with far less frustration than you might expect.

Think of it this way: Arlo doesn’t give you a time machine. But it gives you a smart detective—one that learns your patterns, filters out the noise, and stores the important moments in a way that’s easy to find when you need them.

Whether you’re using cloud storage, local microSD cards, or a mix of both, the key is planning ahead. Choose the right storage method for your needs. Use activity zones and AI detection to reduce clutter. And don’t underestimate the power of a good subscription plan—it’s not just about saving videos, it’s about finding them.

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to rewind. It’s to have peace of mind. And with Arlo, that’s absolutely possible—once you know how the system really works.

So next time you hear a strange noise at night or want to check on the kids playing outside, open the app, use the timeline, filter by event, and find exactly what you’re looking for. No rewinding required. Just smart, simple, effective security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you rewind Arlo cameras to view past footage?

Yes, you can rewind Arlo cameras if you have an active Arlo Smart subscription or local storage. Footage can be rewound and reviewed in the Arlo app under the “Library” or “Timeline” section.

How far back can I rewatch recorded videos on Arlo cameras?

The rewind duration depends on your subscription or storage type. Cloud storage allows up to 60 days of rolling history (Arlo Smart Premier/Elite), while local storage depends on the SD card capacity.

Do all Arlo cameras support rewind functionality?

Most Arlo cameras support rewind, but only with a subscription (Arlo Smart) or local storage (microSD card). Basic free cloud storage (7-day history) also allows limited rewind access.

Can you rewind Arlo cameras without a subscription?

Yes, but only if you use local storage (microSD card). Without a subscription or SD card, you’ll lose access to recorded footage after 7 days (basic cloud plan).

Why can’t I rewind my Arlo camera footage in real-time?

Rewind requires pre-recorded footage, so live streaming won’t allow playback. Ensure motion detection or continuous recording is enabled to capture and rewind events later.

How do I rewind Arlo cameras with the Arlo app?

Open the Arlo app, tap the camera, and use the “Timeline” slider to rewind. For older footage, check the “Library” tab and select the desired date and time.