Do Arlo Cameras Still Record If on Schedule Find Out Now

Yes, Arlo cameras still record during scheduled times if motion or sound is detected, ensuring no critical moments are missed. However, continuous recording depends on your plan and settings, so check your schedule and subscription to avoid gaps in surveillance.

Key Takeaways

• Scheduled recording works: Arlo cameras record as programmed during set times.
• Motion overrides schedule: Motion detection can trigger recordings outside scheduled slots.
• Customize modes easily: Use Arlo app to adjust recording schedules and modes.
• No missed events: Cloud/local storage saves clips even if schedule changes.
• Check firmware updates: Ensure latest software for reliable scheduled recording.
• Power matters: Keep cameras charged/powered to maintain schedule adherence.

Do Arlo Cameras Still Record If on Schedule? The Real Story

Imagine this: You’ve just installed your shiny new Arlo security system, set up a schedule to save battery life, and then—*gasp*—you wonder, “Wait… are my cameras still recording when they’re on a schedule?” It’s a question that pops up more often than you’d think, especially among homeowners trying to balance security, convenience, and energy efficiency. You’re not alone in this. Many Arlo users have been in the same boat, scratching their heads over whether scheduled recording means “recording all the time” or “recording only when I say so.”

Let’s get one thing straight: Scheduling on Arlo cameras is a smart move. It helps you avoid false alerts, conserve battery (especially on wireless models), and focus on the times when security matters most—like when you’re away or asleep. But here’s the catch: Scheduling doesn’t mean your camera shuts down entirely. It just changes *how* and *when* it records. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what happens when your Arlo camera is on a schedule, whether it still records, and how to make sure your home stays protected without draining your battery or filling your cloud storage with useless clips. Think of this as a friendly chat over coffee, where I spill the tea on Arlo’s scheduling features—no jargon, no fluff, just real talk.

How Arlo’s Scheduling Feature Actually Works

Before we dive into whether your camera records on a schedule, let’s clear up a common misconception: **scheduling doesn’t mean turning your camera off.** Instead, it’s about telling your Arlo camera *when* to be “active” and *when* to take a breather. Think of it like setting a work shift—your camera is “on duty” during certain hours and “off duty” during others.

Understanding Activity Zones and Motion Sensitivity

Arlo cameras use motion detection as their primary trigger for recording. When motion is detected in an active zone, the camera wakes up, records a clip, and sends you a notification. But here’s where scheduling comes in: You can define specific time blocks—like “7 PM to 7 AM”—during which motion detection is enabled. Outside those hours, the camera ignores motion (or can be set to a lower sensitivity).

• Example: If you schedule your backyard camera to be active from 10 PM to 6 AM, it will record motion during those hours. At 2 PM? It won’t trigger—even if the neighbor’s dog runs through.
• Pro Tip: Use the “Custom Schedule” option in the Arlo app to set different active times for weekdays vs. weekends. For instance, you might want 24/7 recording on weekends but only nighttime coverage on weekdays.

What “Off” Hours Really Mean

During scheduled “off” hours, your camera isn’t completely dead. It’s in a low-power state, but it’s still “listening.” Here’s what actually happens:

• The camera’s motion sensor is disabled (or sensitivity is reduced).
• It won’t record clips or send alerts unless you’ve enabled “Always On” mode or set up exceptions (more on that later).
• The camera can still be manually viewed live through the app—even during off hours.

So yes, your Arlo camera *can* still “see” during off hours—but it won’t automatically record unless you’ve configured it to do so.

Do Arlo Cameras Record During Scheduled “On” Times? (Yes, But With Conditions)

Now for the big question: Do Arlo cameras still record if on schedule? The short answer? **Yes, but only when motion is detected within your defined activity zones and during active hours.** Let’s unpack that.

Motion Detection Is the Key

During scheduled “on” times, your Arlo camera is in full alert mode. But it doesn’t record continuously—it only records when:

• Motion is detected in an active zone.
• The motion meets your sensitivity settings (e.g., “High” sensitivity might catch a squirrel; “Low” might only catch a person).
• There’s enough contrast or movement to trigger the algorithm (e.g., a shadow might not count, but a person walking will).

Real-life example: You schedule your front door camera to be active from 8 PM to 6 AM. At 9:15 PM, your neighbor walks by. If they enter your activity zone, the camera records a 12-second clip (or longer, depending on your settings). At 11 PM, when a tree branch sways in the wind? If it’s outside your zone or too subtle, no clip is recorded. That’s the beauty of smart scheduling—it cuts down on noise.

Recording Duration and Clip Length

When motion is detected during active hours, your Arlo camera records a clip. But how long? That depends on two things:

1. Pre-motion recording: Most Arlo models (like the Arlo Pro 4 or Ultra) record 3–5 seconds *before* motion is detected. This ensures you don’t miss the start of an event.
2. Post-motion recording: After motion stops, the camera records an additional 5–15 seconds (configurable in the app). This helps capture the full event.

Pro Tip: If you’re on a free Arlo Smart plan, clips are limited to 12 seconds. Upgrading to a paid plan (like Arlo Smart Premium) lets you record up to 120 seconds—great for catching longer events like a delivery person leaving a package.

Exceptions to the Rule: “Always On” and “Instant Alerts”

Here’s where things get interesting: You can override your schedule in specific cases. Two features let your camera record *outside* scheduled hours:

• Always On Mode: Available on some models (e.g., Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight), this keeps the camera recording 24/7, regardless of your schedule. It’s great for high-risk areas but drains battery fast.
• Instant Alerts (with recording): If you enable “Record Video on Instant Alert,” the camera will record a clip even during “off” hours if a *very strong* motion event is detected (e.g., a person walking close to the lens).

Note: These exceptions are off by default. You’ll need to enable them manually in the app under “Device Settings > Motion Detection.”

What Happens During Scheduled “Off” Hours? (Spoiler: It’s Not All Quiet)

So, your schedule says “off” from 9 AM to 5 PM. Does that mean your Arlo camera is completely silent? Not quite. Let’s break down what’s *really* happening behind the scenes.

The Camera Is Still “Alive” (But Sleeping Lightly)

During off hours, your Arlo camera isn’t powered down. It’s in a low-power “standby” mode, which means:

• The motion sensor is disabled (or set to minimal sensitivity).
• The camera won’t record clips or send push notifications for routine motion.
• You can still manually view the live feed via the Arlo app—great for checking in on pets or deliveries.
• The camera continues to sync with your home Wi-Fi and the Arlo cloud (for firmware updates, etc.).

Why this matters: If you have a wired Arlo camera (like the Arlo Pro 4), it’s fine to leave it in standby. But for battery-powered models (like the Arlo Essential), standby mode still consumes power—just not as much as active mode.

When Off Hours ≠ No Recording

Here’s a lesser-known fact: Your camera *can* still record during “off” hours if:

• You’ve enabled “Instant Alerts” (as mentioned above).
• Someone manually triggers a live view or recording via the app.
• You’ve set up a geofencing rule (e.g., “Record when I leave home” overrides the schedule).
• The camera detects a “critical” event (e.g., a person loitering for 30+ seconds, if you’ve enabled advanced AI detection).

Example: You’re at work (9 AM–5 PM, scheduled off). A delivery person rings your doorbell at 2 PM. If you’ve enabled “Instant Alerts,” the camera records a clip. If not? Nothing happens.

Battery Life vs. Security: The Trade-Off

Scheduling “off” hours is a smart way to save battery—especially on wireless cameras. But it comes with a risk: You’re blind to motion during those hours. To strike a balance:

• Use “Low” sensitivity during off hours (if available).
• Enable “Person Detection” only during active hours to reduce false alerts.
• Consider a solar panel for outdoor cameras to extend battery life without compromising coverage.

How to Set Up Scheduling Like a Pro (Step-by-Step Tips)

Scheduling on Arlo is powerful—but only if you set it up right. Here’s how to avoid common pitfalls and get the most out of your system.

Step 1: Define Your “Active” Zones (Not Just Times)

Scheduling isn’t just about time. It’s about *space*. Use activity zones to tell your camera where to look (and where to ignore).

• Open the Arlo app > Select your camera > “Device Settings” > “Activity Zones.”
• Draw zones around high-priority areas (e.g., driveway, front door).
• Leave low-priority areas (e.g., trees, busy streets) unzoned to reduce false alerts.

Pro Tip: Use the “Sensitivity” slider to fine-tune detection. For example, set your backyard camera to “Medium” sensitivity to ignore small animals but catch people.

Step 2: Create a Custom Schedule (Don’t Rely on Defaults)

The default schedule (e.g., “Night Only”) might not fit your lifestyle. Customize it:

• Go to “Device Settings” > “Schedules” > “Create New Schedule.”
• Name it (e.g., “Weekday Work Hours”).
• Set start/end times (e.g., 8 AM–6 PM).
• Choose days (e.g., Monday–Friday).
• Assign it to specific cameras.

Example: You work from home but want coverage when you’re in meetings. Schedule your office camera to be “off” from 10 AM–12 PM and 2 PM–4 PM.

Step 3: Test, Test, Test

After setting up a schedule, test it! Walk in front of your camera during “off” hours to confirm it doesn’t record. Then test during “on” hours to ensure it captures motion.

• Use the “Test Mode” in the app (under “Device Settings”) to simulate motion.
• Check your event history to verify clips are recording as expected.
• Adjust sensitivity or zones if needed.

Step 4: Use Geofencing for Smarter Control

Geofencing uses your phone’s location to override schedules. For example:

• When you leave home, your cameras automatically switch to “Away Mode” (full recording).
• When you return, they switch to “Home Mode” (reduced recording or off).

How to set it up: Arlo app > “Mode” tab > “Create New Mode” > Enable “Geofencing.”

Common Scheduling Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Even seasoned Arlo users make scheduling errors. Here are the top 5—and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Overlapping Schedules

Having multiple schedules active at once can cause conflicts. For example:

• Schedule A: “Active 8 PM–6 AM.”
• Schedule B: “Active 10 PM–2 AM.”

Fix: Use the “Priority” feature in the app to assign a hierarchy to your schedules.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Time Zones

If you travel across time zones, your schedule might be off by an hour. This is especially problematic for 24/7 recording.

• Fix: Enable “Automatic Time Zone” in your Arlo account settings.

Mistake 3: Forgetting to Update Schedules

Your routine changes—but your schedule doesn’t. For example, you start working from home, but your cameras are still set to “Away Mode” during work hours.

• Fix: Review your schedules monthly (or when your routine changes).

Mistake 4: Relying on Motion Detection Alone

Motion detection isn’t foolproof. It can miss events (e.g., a slow-moving person) or trigger false alarms (e.g., a passing car).

• Fix: Combine motion detection with audio detection or person detection (available on Arlo Smart plans).

Mistake 5: Not Checking Clip History

You assume your camera is recording—but when you check the event history, there’s nothing there.

• Fix: Use the “Event History” tab to review clips. If gaps exist, adjust sensitivity or check for Wi-Fi interference.

Data Table: Arlo Camera Recording Behavior by Schedule Type

Schedule Type	Records During “On” Hours?	Records During “Off” Hours?	Battery Impact	Best For
Custom Schedule (Active Zones)	✅ Yes (motion-triggered)	❌ No (unless exceptions enabled)	Low to Medium	Homeowners with predictable routines
24/7 Recording	✅ Yes (continuous)	✅ Yes	High (wired) / Very High (battery)	High-security areas (e.g., front door)
Geofencing Mode	✅ Yes (when “Away”)	✅ Yes (if “Home” mode has recording)	Medium	Families with irregular schedules
Instant Alerts Only	❌ No (unless strong motion)	✅ Yes (strong motion only)	Very Low	Battery-conserving setups

Note: “Battery Impact” assumes a fully charged battery and average usage. Actual results vary by model and settings.

Final Thoughts: Your Arlo Camera Is Smarter Than You Think

So, do Arlo cameras still record if on schedule? The answer is a resounding **yes—but on their terms.** Scheduling isn’t about turning your camera off; it’s about making it *smarter*. When you set a schedule, you’re telling your camera, “Focus on what matters, ignore the noise, and save power.” And that’s a win-win for your security and your battery life.

Here’s the bottom line: Your Arlo camera will record during scheduled “on” hours when motion is detected in an active zone. During “off” hours, it’s mostly quiet—but not completely. With the right settings (like Instant Alerts or geofencing), you can override the schedule when needed. The key is to test your setup, review your clips, and tweak your settings until it feels just right.

Remember, no system is perfect. Arlo cameras can miss events, trigger false alerts, or drain battery faster than expected. But with a well-planned schedule, you’re not just recording—you’re *strategizing*. And that’s the real power of smart home security. So go ahead, set those schedules, and rest easy knowing your home is protected—on your terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Arlo cameras still record if on schedule during inactive hours?

No, when an Arlo camera is set to a schedule, it will only record during the active time windows you’ve defined. Outside of those hours, motion detection and recording are disabled unless manually overridden.

Can Arlo cameras record outside scheduled times if motion is detected?

If your Arlo camera is on a schedule, it will ignore motion triggers during inactive periods. To capture unexpected activity, you’ll need to temporarily disable the schedule or use the “Always Record” mode.

How does the Arlo schedule feature affect continuous recording?

The schedule feature pauses all recording (including continuous recording) during inactive hours. Even with a subscription for 24/7 recording, scheduled downtime will override this unless you adjust settings.

Do Arlo cameras still record if on schedule but in “Away” mode?

Yes, if “Away” mode aligns with your scheduled active hours, the camera will record normally. However, if “Away” mode overlaps with scheduled downtime, recording will follow the schedule instead.

Will my Arlo camera record events missed during scheduled downtime?

No, events that occur during scheduled off-hours won’t trigger recordings. For full coverage, consider shortening your schedule or using geofencing to dynamically adjust active times.

Can I exclude specific days from my Arlo camera’s recording schedule?

Yes, Arlo’s schedule feature lets you customize days and times for recording. Simply deselect days in the app to prevent recording on those dates while keeping the rest of the schedule intact.