Do Arlo Cameras Continuously Record Find Out Here

Arlo cameras do not continuously record by default—they use motion-activated recording to conserve storage and battery life. However, with a subscription plan and compatible model, you can enable 24/7 continuous video recording (CVR) for round-the-clock surveillance, ensuring no moment is missed.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo cameras don’t record continuously: They use motion-activated recording to save storage and battery.
• Enable 24/7 recording with a subscription: Arlo SmartHub or SmartPlan required for non-stop video capture.
• Adjust motion sensitivity settings: Reduce false alerts by customizing detection zones and sensitivity levels.
• Use local storage for uninterrupted footage: Insert a microSD card to bypass cloud subscription limits.
• Check power sources for constant recording: Wired or solar-powered setups ensure non-stop operation.
• Review recording modes per model: Not all Arlo cameras support 24/7 recording—verify specs before buying.

Do Arlo Cameras Continuously Record? Let’s Set the Record Straight

Imagine this: You’re at work, and a notification pops up—your Arlo camera just caught a delivery person leaving a package at your door. You’re relieved, but a question nags at you: *What if they’d left the package earlier, but the camera wasn’t recording?* It’s a common concern, especially if you’re relying on your Arlo system to monitor your home 24/7. After all, you want to know if your cameras are continuously recording or if they’re just capturing snippets here and there.

The short answer? Arlo cameras don’t record continuously by default. Instead, they use a mix of motion detection, smart alerts, and cloud storage to capture footage. But there’s a lot more to the story. In this post, we’ll break down how Arlo cameras work, when they record, and how to get the most out of your system—whether you’re a busy parent, a pet owner, or just someone who wants to keep their home safe. Let’s dive in!

How Arlo Cameras Work: The Basics of Motion-Activated Recording

Arlo cameras are designed to be smart, not just record everything all the time. Here’s how they handle recording:

Motion Detection Triggers Recording

Most Arlo cameras (like the Pro 4, Ultra, and Essential series) use motion detection to start recording. When the camera’s sensors detect movement—like someone walking into the frame—it triggers a 10- to 30-second clip. This is called a *motion event*. Think of it like a digital “Hey, look over here!”

For example, if your dog runs into the backyard, the camera will start recording as soon as it sees the movement. But if nothing’s moving, the camera stays idle. This saves storage space and reduces unnecessary footage.

Customizable Sensitivity and Zones

Arlo lets you tweak how sensitive the motion detection is. You can adjust it so the camera ignores small movements (like leaves blowing) but still catches people or cars. You can also set up *activity zones*—specific areas where you want the camera to pay attention. For instance, you might want it to ignore the sidewalk but record anyone near your front door.

• Pro tip: If you’re getting too many false alerts, lower the sensitivity or adjust the activity zones. It’s a game-changer for reducing clutter in your notifications!

Smart Alerts and AI Detection

Higher-end Arlo models (like the Pro 4 and Ultra 2) use AI to tell the difference between people, vehicles, animals, and packages. This means you’ll get fewer false alarms from, say, a passing squirrel. You can even set up alerts so you only get notified for specific things (e.g., “Notify me if a person comes near my porch”).

The catch? These features require an Arlo Secure subscription (more on that later).

Continuous Recording: What It Is and How to Get It

So, what if you *do* want 24/7 continuous recording? Here’s what you need to know:

Local Storage vs. Cloud Storage

Arlo cameras can record continuously, but it depends on how you set them up:

• Cloud storage (default): Most Arlo cameras save motion-triggered clips to the cloud. Without continuous recording, you’ll only get clips when motion is detected.
• Local storage (microSD card): Some Arlo models (like the Pro 3, Ultra, and wired Essential cameras) support microSD cards. If you insert a card, you can enable continuous recording, and the camera will save footage directly to it. No cloud subscription needed!

For example, if you have an Arlo Pro 3 and a 256GB microSD card, you can record up to 24/7 footage and review it anytime. But keep in mind: Local storage has limits. A 256GB card might hold a week’s worth of footage, depending on how much activity there is.

Arlo Secure Subscription for Continuous Recording

If you don’t want to deal with microSD cards, Arlo Secure offers a *Continuous Video Recording (CVR)* feature. This saves 24/7 footage to the cloud for a set number of days (usually 7, 14, or 30 days, depending on your plan). The downside? It’s an extra cost on top of your base subscription.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the costs (as of 2024):

• Arlo Secure (basic): $2.99/month per camera for motion alerts and 30-day cloud storage.
• Arlo Secure + CVR: $12.99/month per camera for 24/7 recording and AI detection.

Is it worth it? If you need round-the-clock surveillance (e.g., for a home office or a high-traffic area), CVR is a solid choice. But if you just want occasional clips, the basic plan might suffice.

Pros and Cons of Continuous vs. Motion-Triggered Recording

Both options have trade-offs. Let’s weigh them:

Continuous Recording: The Good and the Bad

Pros:

• You’ll never miss anything. Every second is recorded, so you can review footage even if the camera didn’t detect motion.
• Great for areas with predictable activity (e.g., a driveway where cars come and go at the same times).
• No gaps in coverage—ideal for security-sensitive zones.

Cons:

• Uses a lot of storage (cloud or local). A single camera can fill up a 256GB microSD card in days.
• More expensive if using cloud-based CVR.
• Can feel like “overkill” if you don’t need constant monitoring.

Motion-Triggered Recording: The Good and the Bad

Pros:

• More affordable (no extra subscription fees for CVR).
• Saves storage space—only records when something happens.
• Fewer notifications to sift through (if you’ve set up smart alerts).

Cons:

• Risk of missing footage if motion isn’t detected (e.g., someone standing still).
• Can be frustrating if you get too many false alerts.
• Not ideal for high-risk areas where every second counts.

Real-life example: A friend of mine uses motion-triggered recording for her front porch but continuous recording for her garage. Why? Because the porch gets a lot of foot traffic (deliveries, neighbors), but the garage is rarely used—so she wants to know *exactly* what happens there.

How to Set Up Continuous Recording on Your Arlo Camera

Ready to enable 24/7 recording? Here’s how:

Option 1: Use a microSD Card (Local Storage)

1. Insert a microSD card into your Arlo camera (check compatibility—not all models support it).
2. Open the Arlo app and go to Settings > Device Settings > Storage Settings.
3. Toggle on *Continuous Recording*.
4. Set the retention period (how many days of footage to keep before overwriting).

Pro tip: Format the card using the Arlo app to avoid errors. Also, buy a high-endurance microSD card (like Samsung PRO Endurance)—it’s designed to handle constant writing.

Option 2: Subscribe to Arlo Secure + CVR (Cloud Storage)

1. Open the Arlo app and go to Settings > Subscription.
2. Upgrade to Arlo Secure + CVR.
3. Select the cameras you want to enable CVR for.
4. Choose your retention period (7, 14, or 30 days).

Note: CVR only works with compatible cameras (e.g., Pro 4, Ultra 2, wired Essential). Battery-powered cameras can’t use CVR due to power constraints.

Troubleshooting Tips

• If your microSD card isn’t working, try reformatting it or swapping it with another card.
• If CVR isn’t showing up in your subscription options, double-check your camera model.
• For battery-powered cameras, continuous recording will drain the battery faster—consider a solar panel or frequent charging.

Arlo Camera Models: Which Ones Support Continuous Recording?

Not all Arlo cameras are created equal. Here’s a quick guide to which models can record continuously:

Camera Model	Continuous Recording (Local)	Continuous Recording (Cloud CVR)	Battery-Powered
Arlo Pro 4	Yes (microSD)	Yes (with subscription)	Yes
Arlo Ultra 2	Yes (microSD)	Yes (with subscription)	Yes
Arlo Essential (Wired)	Yes (microSD)	Yes (with subscription)	No
Arlo Essential (Battery)	No	No	Yes
Arlo Go 2	No	No	Yes (LTE)

Key takeaway: If you want continuous recording, go for a wired camera or one with microSD support. Battery-powered cameras are great for flexibility, but they’re limited to motion-triggered recording.

Final Thoughts: Is Continuous Recording Right for You?

So, do Arlo cameras continuously record? The answer is: *It depends.* By default, they don’t—but with the right setup (or subscription), you can absolutely get 24/7 coverage.

Here’s how to decide what’s best for you:

• Choose motion-triggered recording if: You want to save money, reduce storage clutter, and don’t mind occasional gaps in coverage.
• Choose continuous recording if: You need total peace of mind, have high-traffic areas, or want to monitor something critical (like a home office).

And remember: Your Arlo system is flexible. You can mix and match! For example, use continuous recording for your garage and motion-triggered for your backyard. The key is to tailor it to your needs.

At the end of the day, Arlo cameras are designed to be smart, not just record everything. Whether you opt for continuous recording or stick with motion alerts, you’re getting a reliable, user-friendly system that’s easy to customize. So go ahead—set up your cameras, tweak the settings, and rest easy knowing your home is in good hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Arlo cameras continuously record 24/7?

No, most Arlo cameras do not continuously record 24/7. They operate on motion-activated recording by default, capturing footage only when triggered to conserve storage and battery life.

Can I set my Arlo cameras to record continuously?

Yes, select Arlo models (like Pro 3, Ultra, or wired versions) support continuous recording, but only when connected to an Arlo SmartHub or base station with a compatible subscription plan.

How does continuous recording work with Arlo’s subscription plans?

Arlo’s continuous recording requires an Arlo Secure subscription and a SmartHub/base station. The subscription enables 24/7 local storage on a microSD card, but cloud storage remains motion-triggered only.

Do Arlo cameras record continuously if I don’t have a subscription?

Without a subscription, Arlo cameras only support motion-triggered recording. Continuous recording is unavailable unless you have an Arlo Secure plan and a SmartHub/base station setup.

Which Arlo cameras support continuous recording?

Wired models like Arlo Pro 3, Ultra, and Essential Wired support continuous recording when paired with a SmartHub/base station and subscription. Battery-powered models rely on motion detection.

Does continuous recording drain Arlo camera batteries faster?

Yes, continuous recording significantly reduces battery life. It’s recommended for wired or plugged-in Arlo cameras, as battery-powered models are optimized for motion-activated recording.