Do Arlo Cameras Record All the Time Find Out Here

Arlo cameras do not record continuously by default, but instead use motion-activated recording to conserve storage and battery life. You can enable 24/7 recording on select Arlo models with a continuous video recording (CVR) subscription, ensuring no moment is missed.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo cameras don’t record 24/7: They use motion-activated or scheduled recording to save storage and power.
• Enable Always-On mode: Some models support continuous recording via subscription or local storage settings.
• Check subscription plans: Cloud storage options affect recording length and retention periods.
• Customize motion zones: Reduce false alerts and focus recording on important areas.
• Review local storage: Use microSD or USB for continuous recording without a subscription.
• Adjust sensitivity settings: Fine-tune motion detection to optimize recording triggers.

Do Arlo Cameras Record All the Time? The Real Story Behind Your Home Security Footage

Imagine this: you come home after a long day, unlock your front door, and immediately check your phone to see if your Arlo camera caught anything interesting while you were away. Maybe it was a delivery person dropping off a package, a neighbor walking their dog, or—worst-case scenario—a suspicious figure lurking near your porch. You expect a full timeline of events, but instead, you find gaps in your footage. That’s when the question hits you: do Arlo cameras record all the time?

If you’re like most homeowners using Arlo for security, you want peace of mind without the hassle of managing hours of unnecessary video. You don’t want to miss critical moments, but you also don’t want to sift through 24/7 footage of your cat sleeping on the couch. The good news? Arlo cameras are designed with flexibility in mind. But the answer to whether they record continuously isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends on your settings, subscription plan, and what you’re trying to achieve. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how Arlo handles recording, what options you have, and how to get the most out of your system—without overpaying or over-recording.

How Arlo Cameras Work: The Basics of Recording

Before we dive into whether Arlo cameras record all the time, let’s get a clear picture of how they actually function. Arlo cameras are smart, wireless security devices that rely on motion detection, cloud storage, and user-defined settings to capture video. They’re built for convenience, not constant surveillance—and that’s actually a good thing.

Motion-Activated vs. Continuous Recording

Most Arlo cameras default to motion-activated recording. That means they only start recording when they detect movement—like a person walking by, a car pulling into the driveway, or even a squirrel running across your yard. This is the most common mode because it saves battery life (especially on wireless models), reduces unnecessary footage, and focuses on events that matter.

For example, if you have an Arlo Pro 4 mounted on your front porch, it won’t record every second of the day. Instead, it’ll wake up when someone approaches, capture 10–30 seconds of footage (depending on your settings), and then go back to sleep. This is ideal for most users who want to monitor activity without drowning in video files.

But what if you want continuous recording? Some Arlo models support it, but it comes with trade-offs—more on that later. The key takeaway: Arlo isn’t designed to record 24/7 by default. It’s built to be smart, not obsessive.

Cloud vs. Local Storage

Arlo offers two main ways to store your videos: cloud storage and local storage. Cloud storage requires a subscription (like Arlo Secure or Secure Plus), while local storage lets you save clips directly to a microSD card or a base station with a hard drive.

Here’s the catch: continuous recording only works reliably with local storage. Why? Because cloud plans have limits on how much footage they can store. For example, the standard Arlo Secure plan saves motion-triggered videos for 30 days, but it doesn’t support 24/7 uploads due to bandwidth and cost constraints. If you want to record all the time, you’ll need a local setup—like the Arlo SmartHub or a compatible base station with a USB drive.

Tip: If you’re using a wireless camera (like the Arlo Essential), continuous recording will drain the battery fast. You’ll likely need to plug it in or swap batteries more often.

Do Arlo Cameras Record All the Time? It Depends on Your Setup

Now, let’s answer the big question: do Arlo cameras record all the time? The short answer: not unless you specifically set them up to do so. But the long answer is more nuanced—and it depends on your hardware, software, and subscription choices.

Which Arlo Models Support Continuous Recording?

Not all Arlo cameras can record continuously. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Arlo Pro 5S, Pro 4, Pro 3, Ultra 2, and Ultra: Support continuous recording when connected to a SmartHub or base station with USB storage.
• Arlo Essential (Indoor and Outdoor): Limited to motion-activated recording. Continuous recording is not officially supported due to battery constraints.
• Arlo Wire-Free (older models): Motion-only, unless hardwired and paired with a base station.
• Arlo Floodlight Cameras: Motion-triggered by default, but some models can support 24/7 with a power source and local storage.

So, if you’re using a battery-powered Arlo Essential, you won’t get non-stop recording. But if you have a Pro 4 hardwired to your porch and connected to a SmartHub with a 1TB USB drive, yes—you can record all the time.

How to Enable Continuous Recording (Step-by-Step)

If your camera supports it, here’s how to set up continuous recording:

1. Connect your camera to a SmartHub or base station via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
2. Insert a USB drive (at least 32GB, formatted as FAT32 or exFAT) into the hub.
3. Open the Arlo app, go to Settings > Camera Settings > Recording.
4. Toggle on Continuous Recording.
5. Set a retention period (e.g., keep footage for 7 days, then overwrite).

Note: Continuous recording uses a lot of storage. A single 1080p camera can fill a 128GB drive in about 5–7 days. Plan accordingly.

Why Continuous Recording Isn’t Always the Best Choice

While it sounds great to have every second captured, continuous recording has downsides:

• Storage overload: You’ll need large, reliable drives—and possibly multiple backups.
• Power drain: Hardwired cameras are fine, but wireless ones will need frequent charging.
• Bandwidth issues: Uploading 24/7 video to the cloud isn’t feasible without a massive data plan.
• Reviewing footage takes forever: Sifting through 12 hours of empty driveway footage is frustrating.

For most people, motion-activated recording is more practical. It gives you the highlights without the hassle.

The Role of Arlo Subscriptions: What You Get (and What You Don’t)

Arlo’s subscription plans play a huge role in how your cameras record. Without a plan, you’re limited to live viewing and 3 seconds of pre-recorded motion clips. With a plan, you unlock longer recordings, AI-powered alerts, and cloud storage. But here’s the thing: subscriptions don’t enable continuous recording. They enhance motion-based recording.

Arlo Secure vs. Secure Plus: What’s the Difference?

Let’s compare the two main paid plans:

Feature	Arlo Secure (Basic)	Arlo Secure Plus
Price (per camera/month)	$2.99	$14.99
Cloud Storage	30 days of motion recordings	60 days of motion recordings
Continuous Recording Support	❌ No (cloud only)	❌ No (cloud only)
Smart Notifications	Person, vehicle, animal, package	All of the above + face recognition (if supported)
Local Recording	Available (via USB drive)	Available (via USB drive)
Video Quality	Up to 1080p	Up to 4K (Ultra models)

As you can see, neither plan supports continuous cloud recording. Even the premium Secure Plus plan is designed for motion-triggered events. If you want 24/7 footage, you’ll need local storage—regardless of your subscription level.

Free Tier Limitations

Without any subscription, your Arlo camera can:

• Send motion alerts with a 3-second pre-roll clip.
• Stream live video to your phone.
• Save clips locally (if you have a USB drive).

But you won’t get extended cloud storage, AI detection, or long recording times. For example, motion clips are capped at 10 seconds in the free plan. That’s not enough if a delivery person drops off a package and leaves in 15 seconds.

Is a Subscription Worth It?

It depends on your needs:

• Yes, if you want smart alerts (e.g., “person detected” instead of “motion detected”), cloud backup, and longer retention.
• No, if you’re using local storage and don’t care about AI features. You can still get full control over continuous recording without paying a dime.

Tip: If you’re on a budget, consider buying a SmartHub and USB drive instead of paying for a subscription. You’ll save money in the long run.

Pros and Cons of 24/7 Recording with Arlo

So, should you set your Arlo cameras to record all the time? Let’s weigh the benefits and drawbacks with real-world scenarios.

The Pros: Why Continuous Recording Makes Sense

• No missed events: If your camera misses motion detection (e.g., due to a glitch or slow trigger), you’ll still have footage from the continuous stream.
• Context for incidents: Say a package was stolen. With 24/7 recording, you can see exactly when it was delivered, who took it, and what happened before/after.
• Evidence for insurance: In case of vandalism or property damage, having a full timeline helps when filing claims.
• Monitoring pets or kids: If you have a pet that gets into mischief or a child who sneaks out, continuous recording gives you a complete record.

Example: One Arlo user in Texas set up continuous recording on their backyard camera after a raccoon kept knocking over their trash cans. With 24/7 footage, they were able to see the raccoon’s entire routine—and install a motion-activated light to scare it away.

The Cons: The Downsides You Should Know

• High storage costs: A 1TB drive costs $50–$100 and lasts about 2–3 weeks with two cameras. You’ll need multiple drives for long-term storage.
• Wasted footage: Most of your recordings will be empty scenes. Reviewing them is time-consuming.
• Power requirements: Battery-powered cameras aren’t suitable for 24/7 use unless you’re okay with daily charging.
• False sense of security: Continuous recording doesn’t guarantee quality. Poor lighting, camera angles, or network issues can still leave gaps.

Example: A homeowner in Seattle set up continuous recording on their front door camera. A few weeks later, they discovered the camera had been offline for two days due to a Wi-Fi outage—meaning they had a 48-hour gap in their “full” timeline.

Best of Both Worlds: A Hybrid Approach

Many Arlo users find success with a hybrid strategy:

• Use motion-activated recording for everyday monitoring.
• Enable continuous recording on one or two key cameras (e.g., front door, garage) with local storage.
• Use cloud storage for motion clips from all cameras (via a subscription).

This way, you get the benefits of both systems without overloading your storage or budget.

Tips to Maximize Your Arlo Recording (Without Going Crazy)

Whether you’re recording all the time or just on motion, here are some practical tips to get the most out of your Arlo cameras.

Optimize Motion Detection Settings

Arlo’s motion detection isn’t perfect. It can be triggered by leaves blowing in the wind or a car’s headlights at night. To reduce false alarms:

• Adjust the motion sensitivity in the app (lower for outdoor cameras).
• Use activity zones to ignore areas like busy streets or trees.
• Enable smart detection (with a subscription) to filter out animals and vehicles.

Example: A user in Florida reduced false alerts by 70% after setting up activity zones to ignore their neighbor’s driveway.

Manage Storage Like a Pro

If you’re using continuous recording:

• Use a high-endurance microSD card (rated for 24/7 use).
• Set a retention policy (e.g., overwrite footage after 7 days).
• Back up important clips to an external drive or cloud service.

Keep Your Cameras Online

Nothing’s worse than missing a break-in because your camera was offline. To prevent this:

• Use a reliable Wi-Fi connection or connect the SmartHub via Ethernet.
• Check the camera’s battery level regularly (if wireless).
• Enable push notifications for connectivity alerts.

Use Night Vision and Audio Wisely

Arlo cameras have excellent night vision, but it’s not magic. To improve low-light footage:

• Install outdoor lighting near the camera.
• Adjust the night vision mode (color vs. infrared).
• Use the two-way audio feature to deter intruders (but avoid yelling—it scares neighbors).

Conclusion: Arlo Cameras Don’t Record All the Time—And That’s Okay

So, do Arlo cameras record all the time? The answer is a resounding it depends. By default, they’re designed for motion-activated recording—and for most users, that’s exactly what they need. It’s efficient, cost-effective, and smart. But if you want 24/7 coverage, Arlo gives you the tools to make it happen—with local storage and compatible hardware.

The key is to match your recording strategy to your goals. If you’re protecting your home from break-ins, motion detection with a good subscription plan is probably enough. If you’re monitoring a construction site or need full accountability, continuous recording with local storage makes sense. And if you’re somewhere in between, a hybrid approach might be your best bet.

At the end of the day, Arlo’s strength isn’t in non-stop recording—it’s in flexibility. You can tailor your system to fit your lifestyle, budget, and security needs. Whether you record all the time or just when something happens, Arlo gives you the control to see what matters, when it matters.

So, take a look at your setup. Adjust your settings. Maybe try continuous recording on one camera for a week. See how it feels. And remember: more footage isn’t always better. Sometimes, the smartest security is knowing exactly what you need—and letting your Arlo camera do the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Arlo cameras record all the time by default?

No, Arlo cameras do not record continuously by default. They use motion-activated recording to conserve storage and battery life, capturing footage only when activity is detected.

Can I set my Arlo camera to record 24/7?

Yes, select Arlo models (like Ultra, Pro 3/4, and wired Floodlight) support continuous recording with an Arlo SmartHub and a subscription plan. This feature requires additional storage and power.

How does Arlo’s motion detection affect recording?

Arlo cameras use PIR sensors and AI-powered motion detection to start recording only when relevant movement is detected. This reduces false alerts and saves storage compared to constant recording.

Do Arlo cameras record all the time if plugged in?

Being plugged in enables continuous recording for compatible models, but it still requires enabling the “Always Recording” mode in settings and an active subscription for cloud storage.

What happens to Arlo recordings when motion stops?

After motion stops, the camera saves the clip (typically 10-15 seconds pre- and post-event) to your cloud or local storage. Without motion, no new recording starts until activity resumes.

Does Arlo offer local storage for 24/7 recording?

Yes, with a SmartHub or base station and a microSD card, you can store continuous recordings locally. However, this requires compatible cameras and manual management of storage space.