Can You Share Arlo Access to Just One Camera A Complete Guide

Yes, you can share Arlo access to just one camera using the “Share Access” feature in the Arlo app, allowing you to grant specific users control over a single camera without exposing your entire system. This is ideal for privacy and security, whether you’re sharing with family, a neighbor, or a pet sitter—simply select the camera, assign permissions, and send an invitation via email.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, you can share Arlo access to a single camera via the “Share Access” feature.
• Use email invites to grant specific camera access without sharing full account control.
• Customize permissions to limit users to live view, recordings, or alerts only.
• Revoke access anytime through the Arlo app’s “Shared Access” settings menu.
• No extra hardware needed—sharing works directly from your existing Arlo account.
• Ideal for families or roommates who need privacy for certain cameras.

Can You Share Arlo Access to Just One Camera? A Complete Guide

Imagine this: You’ve got a smart home setup with multiple Arlo cameras, each watching over different parts of your property. Your front yard, backyard, garage, and even the side gate are all under surveillance. Now, you’re hosting a weekend get-together and want to share live access to just the backyard camera with your neighbor so they can keep an eye on the kids playing outside. But you don’t want to give them full access to your entire security system. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever wondered, “Can you share Arlo access to just one camera?”—you’re not alone. Many Arlo users face this exact dilemma.

Arlo’s ecosystem is powerful, sleek, and user-friendly, but when it comes to granular access control, things can get a little tricky. Unlike some competitors that allow per-camera sharing right out of the box, Arlo’s permission model works a bit differently. This guide is here to walk you through the ins and outs of sharing access to a single Arlo camera—what’s possible, what’s not, and how to work around limitations with practical tips. Whether you’re a parent sharing a nursery cam with a babysitter, a homeowner letting a contractor monitor a work zone, or a landlord giving a tenant access to a specific area, this guide has you covered. Let’s dive in and uncover the truth behind Arlo’s sharing features.

How Arlo’s Access Sharing Works (The Basics)

Understanding Arlo’s Account Hierarchy

Before we tackle the “one camera” question, it helps to understand how Arlo structures access. At its core, Arlo uses a hub-and-spoke model. The main account (the “hub”) is the owner’s account—the one that purchased the cameras, set up the network, and holds full control. When you add a “user,” you’re inviting someone to be a “spoke” in your network. But here’s the catch: Arlo does not natively allow per-camera sharing through its standard user invitation system.

When you invite someone to your Arlo account, they gain access to all cameras linked to that account. This is great if you want to share everything with a spouse or roommate, but not ideal if you’re trying to limit access. For example, if you have five cameras and only want to share two, the default sharing method won’t let you pick and choose.

What You Can Share: User Roles and Permissions

While you can’t pick individual cameras, Arlo does offer two main user roles:

• Viewer: Can view live feeds, recordings, and alerts. Cannot change settings, delete clips, or add new devices.
• Admin: Full access—can manage cameras, change settings, add users, and delete content.

These roles apply to the entire account, not specific devices. So, if you invite a babysitter as a Viewer, they’ll see every camera you own. This is the core limitation we’re addressing in this guide.

Real-world example: Sarah has Arlo cameras in her kitchen, nursery, and front door. She hires a nanny and wants her to only see the nursery cam. But when she invites the nanny as a Viewer, the nanny also sees the kitchen and front door feeds. Not ideal for privacy.

Workarounds for Sharing Just One Camera

Option 1: Create a Separate Arlo Account (Best for Long-Term Sharing)

The most reliable way to share access to just one camera is to create a second Arlo account and move the desired camera to that account. Here’s how:

1. Set up a new email address (e.g., backyardcam@yourdomain.com).
2. Download the Arlo app on a separate device or use a different phone number.
3. Factory reset the camera you want to share (press and hold the sync button for 10+ seconds).
4. Pair the camera with the new account using the Arlo app.
5. Invite the person (e.g., your neighbor) to this new account as a Viewer.

This method gives them access to only that camera. The downside? You now manage two accounts, and the camera won’t appear in your primary Arlo app. But for long-term sharing (e.g., a rental property or shared driveway), it’s the cleanest solution.

Pro tip: Use a free email service like Gmail or Outlook for the secondary account. Just remember to check it occasionally for password resets or notifications.

Option 2: Use Arlo Secure App Sharing (Short-Term & Limited)

Arlo introduced a feature called “Secure Sharing” in 2022, which allows you to share clips or live views via a temporary link. While it’s not permanent access, it’s perfect for short-term needs:

• Open the Arlo app and go to the camera you want to share.
• Tap the “Share” icon (usually a paper airplane or “+” symbol).
• Choose “Share Live View” or “Share Clip.”
• Set an expiration time (1 hour, 1 day, etc.).
• Send the link via email, text, or messaging app.

The recipient can view the feed or clip without logging in. But—and this is important—they can’t access recordings, change settings, or see other cameras. It’s like giving someone a “guest pass” to one camera for a limited time.

Use case: You’re away on vacation and want your friend to check on your pet using the indoor camera. Share a 24-hour live view link. When it expires, they lose access automatically.

Option 3: Third-Party Automation (Advanced Users)

If you’re tech-savvy, you can use IFTTT (If This Then That) or Home Assistant to create custom sharing rules. For example:

• Set up an IFTTT applet that sends a notification to a specific phone number only when the backyard camera detects motion.
• Use Home Assistant to create a dashboard with just one camera feed, then share that dashboard link.

This requires extra setup but offers flexibility. However, it’s not a native Arlo feature and may break if Arlo changes its API. Best for users comfortable with smart home automation.

Limitations and Privacy Considerations

Arlo’s Privacy Gaps (And How to Close Them)

Even with workarounds, Arlo has some privacy blind spots:

• No per-camera user roles: All users see all cameras in the account. This can’t be changed without splitting accounts.
• Shared login risks: If you share your main account credentials (e.g., email/password), the recipient can access everything—including billing info and device settings.
• Notification leaks: Viewers get alerts for all cameras, which might include sensitive areas (e.g., a bedroom cam).

To protect privacy:

• Never share your primary account login.
• Use the “Separate Account” method for sensitive cameras (e.g., nursery, home office).
• Regularly audit shared access—remove users when they no longer need it.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on both accounts to prevent unauthorized access.

Legal and Ethical Sharing

Sharing camera access isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a legal one. In many regions (e.g., the U.S., EU), you must inform people if they’re being recorded. For example:

• If you share a camera in a rental unit, tenants may have a right to know who can view the footage.
• In public areas (e.g., a shared driveway), check local laws about surveillance.

Tip: Add a small “Camera in Use” sign near shared cameras to stay compliant. It’s a simple step that avoids legal headaches.

Comparing Arlo to Other Brands

How Arlo Stacks Up Against Competitors

How does Arlo’s sharing model compare to other security cameras? Let’s look at the data:

Brand	Per-Camera Sharing	User Roles	Temporary Access
Arlo	❌ No (workarounds required)	Viewer, Admin (account-wide)	✅ Yes (Secure Sharing)
Ring	✅ Yes (per-device access)	Owner, Admin, Guest (per device)	✅ Yes (temporary links)
Google Nest	✅ Yes (per-camera sharing)	Owner, Manager, Viewer (per device)	✅ Yes (guest access)
Eufy	✅ Yes (via “Shared Devices”)	Owner, Shared User (per device)	❌ Limited (no temporary links)

The table says it all: Arlo lags behind competitors in granular access control. Ring and Nest allow you to share one camera without workarounds. Eufy lets you share individual devices but lacks temporary links. Arlo’s only native per-camera sharing tool is Secure Sharing—which is temporary.

Why does Arlo do this? Likely for simplicity. Managing per-device permissions adds complexity to the app. But for power users, it’s a frustrating limitation.

Step-by-Step: Sharing a Camera in 3 Real Scenarios

Scenario 1: Sharing a Nursery Cam with a Babysitter

Goal: Let the babysitter see the nursery cam only.

Solution: Separate account method.

1. Create a new Gmail account (e.g., nurserycam123@gmail.com).
2. Reset the nursery camera and pair it with the new account.
3. Invite the babysitter to this account as a Viewer.
4. Remove them after the job ends.

Bonus: Use a tablet in the nursery as a dedicated viewing station. The babysitter never needs to touch their phone.

Scenario 2: Letting a Contractor Monitor a Work Zone

Goal: Share the backyard cam with a landscaper for one week.

Solution: Secure Sharing.

1. In the Arlo app, go to the backyard camera.
2. Tap “Share” > “Share Live View” > Set expiration to 7 days.
3. Send the link via text.

The contractor can check the camera anytime—no login required. After 7 days, access expires automatically.

Scenario 3: Landlord Sharing a Common Area Cam with a Tenant

Goal: Share the lobby camera with a tenant long-term.

Solution: Separate account + 2FA.

1. Create a dedicated account for the lobby cam.
2. Invite the tenant as a Viewer.
3. Enable 2FA on both accounts.
4. Add a sign: “Lobby under video surveillance.”

This keeps the tenant informed and maintains privacy for other cameras.

Final Thoughts: Is Arlo Right for Granular Sharing?

So, can you share Arlo access to just one camera? Yes—but not easily. Arlo’s native tools don’t support per-camera sharing, but with workarounds (separate accounts, Secure Sharing, or third-party tools), you can achieve the goal. The key is choosing the right method for your needs:

• Use separate accounts for long-term, sensitive sharing.
• Use Secure Sharing for short-term, temporary access.
• Use automation if you’re comfortable with tech.

Arlo’s ecosystem is still one of the best for video quality, battery life, and smart alerts. But if granular access is your top priority, competitors like Ring or Nest might be better fits. That said, if you’re already invested in Arlo, these workarounds let you keep your system while sharing access on your terms.

At the end of the day, smart home security is about balancing convenience and privacy. Whether you’re sharing a camera with a neighbor, babysitter, or contractor, take the time to set it up right. A little extra effort now can save you headaches (and awkward conversations) later. And hey—if Arlo ever adds native per-camera sharing, we’ll be the first to celebrate. Until then, you’ve got this guide to keep you covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you share Arlo access to just one camera with another user?

Yes, Arlo allows you to share access to a single camera without giving full account control. Use the “Share Access” feature in the Arlo app to grant permissions for just one camera.

How do I share Arlo camera access with family or roommates?

Go to Settings > Grant Access in the Arlo app, select the specific camera, and invite the person via email. They’ll receive limited access to only that camera’s live feed and recordings.

Is it possible to restrict Arlo access to only one camera for security purposes?

Absolutely. Arlo’s granular sharing settings let you assign access to a single camera while keeping other devices private. This is ideal for shared spaces or rental properties.

Can I share Arlo access to just one camera with multiple people?

Yes, you can invite multiple users to access the same camera individually. Each person will need a unique Arlo account and will only see the camera(s) you explicitly share.

What permissions can I set when sharing Arlo access to a single camera?

You can customize permissions to allow viewing live feeds, accessing recordings, or receiving alerts—all while restricting access to other cameras or account settings.

Does sharing Arlo access to just one camera require a subscription?

No, basic sharing doesn’t require a subscription, but advanced features like cloud storage or AI detection may need an Arlo Secure plan for the shared camera.