Does SmartThings Control Arlo Camera A Complete Guide

SmartThings does not natively support direct control of Arlo cameras, but integration is possible using third-party tools like IFTTT or webhooks for limited automation. Users can trigger Arlo actions via SmartThings routines, though advanced features like live view or motion alerts require workarounds and may lack seamless functionality.

Key Takeaways

• SmartThings doesn’t natively support Arlo cameras without third-party integrations or custom setups.
• Use IFTTT as a bridge to link Arlo cameras with SmartThings for basic automation tasks.
• Arlo’s API limitations restrict full control in SmartThings, reducing functionality compared to native devices.
• Manual syncing is often required to maintain stable connections between Arlo and SmartThings platforms.
• Consider Home Assistant for advanced integration if seamless control is a priority for your setup.
• Check firmware updates regularly to ensure compatibility between Arlo and SmartThings integrations.

Understanding SmartThings and Arlo: A Smart Home Match Made in Heaven?

Imagine walking into your home after a long day, and the lights gently turn on, the thermostat adjusts to your preferred temperature, and your security cameras activate automatically—all without lifting a finger. That’s the dream of a smart home, and platforms like Samsung’s SmartThings and camera systems like Arlo are key players in making it a reality. But here’s the big question: does SmartThings control Arlo camera? If you’re like me, juggling multiple smart devices from different brands, you’ve probably wondered whether these two giants can work together seamlessly. I’ve been there—setting up my Arlo Pro 4 cameras and hoping they’d play nice with my SmartThings hub, only to face a few hiccups along the way. Let’s explore this together, like two friends troubleshooting over coffee, and uncover the truth about SmartThings and Arlo compatibility.

The idea of a unified smart home is incredibly appealing. No more switching between five different apps just to check your front door camera or arm your security system. But achieving that harmony often feels like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. SmartThings, with its open ecosystem, promises to bring together devices from countless brands, while Arlo, known for its high-quality wireless cameras and cloud-based features, has its own dedicated app. So, can they coexist? And more importantly, can SmartThings truly control Arlo cameras—not just view them, but automate them? Let’s dive into the details, from basic connectivity to advanced automation, so you can decide if this duo fits your smart home setup.

How SmartThings and Arlo Work Together: The Basics

The Role of the Arlo SmartThings Integration

To answer the core question—does SmartThings control Arlo camera—we need to start with the foundation: integration. SmartThings supports a wide range of smart devices through official and community-driven integrations. Arlo, being a popular security brand, has a dedicated integration within the SmartThings ecosystem, but it’s not as straightforward as plug-and-play. Here’s how it works:

• Official Arlo SmartApp: SmartThings offers an official Arlo SmartApp, which acts as a bridge between your Arlo account and the SmartThings platform. You’ll need to install this SmartApp from the SmartThings app’s “Marketplace” section and log in with your Arlo credentials.
• Device Discovery: Once installed, the SmartApp pulls your Arlo cameras into SmartThings as “virtual devices.” These appear in your SmartThings dashboard, allowing you to view live feeds, check motion status, and arm/disarm the system.
• Limited Control: Here’s the catch: while SmartThings can *see* your Arlo cameras, the level of control is more observational than interactive. You can trigger actions *based on* Arlo events (like motion detection), but direct control (e.g., manually starting a recording or adjusting camera settings) still requires the Arlo app.

Think of it like this: SmartThings is the conductor, and Arlo is the violinist. The conductor can cue the violin to play (trigger actions), but the violinist still needs their own sheet music (the Arlo app) for fine-tuning. For example, if your Arlo camera detects motion, SmartThings can automatically turn on a smart light or send a notification. But if you want to manually pan the camera or change its sensitivity, you’ll need to open the Arlo app.

What You Can (and Can’t) Control

Let’s break down the practical capabilities:

• What SmartThings CAN do with Arlo:
  • View live camera feeds within the SmartThings app (with a slight delay).
  • Use Arlo’s motion detection as a trigger for other smart devices (e.g., turn on lights, send alerts).
  • Arm/disarm the Arlo system from SmartThings (if you’ve set up Arlo’s “Away” or “Home” modes).
  • Create routines that include Arlo events (e.g., “When I leave, arm Arlo and lock the door”).
• What SmartThings CAN’T do with Arlo:
  • Manually start/stop recordings.
  • Adjust camera settings (resolution, night vision, motion zones).
  • Access advanced features like person detection or package detection without Arlo’s subscription.
  • View recorded clips stored in Arlo’s cloud—you’ll need the Arlo app for that.

For instance, I wanted my Arlo camera to start recording when my SmartThings-connected door sensor detected a knock. While SmartThings could *trigger* the camera’s motion detection (which starts recording automatically), I couldn’t manually override it or adjust the recording length from SmartThings. It’s a limitation, but not a dealbreaker if you’re focused on automation rather than manual control.

Setting Up Arlo with SmartThings: Step-by-Step Guide

Installing the Arlo SmartApp

Setting up the integration is straightforward, but it helps to have both apps ready. Here’s how I did it:

1. Open the SmartThings app and tap “Devices” > “+” > “Add device.”
2. Select “By brand” and search for “Arlo.” You’ll see the official Arlo SmartApp.
3. Tap “Install” and follow the prompts to log in with your Arlo account credentials.
4. Grant SmartThings permission to access your Arlo devices. This may require a two-factor authentication code.
5. Once connected, your Arlo cameras will appear in SmartThings as new devices. Give them recognizable names (e.g., “Front Door Camera”).

Pro tip: If you have multiple Arlo cameras, they’ll all show up at once. I recommend renaming them immediately to avoid confusion later. Also, ensure your Arlo cameras are online and connected to Wi-Fi before starting this process—offline cameras won’t sync properly.

Testing Basic Controls and Troubleshooting

After installation, test the integration:

• Live View: Tap on a camera in SmartThings. You should see a live feed, though there’s typically a 3–5 second delay compared to the Arlo app.
• Motion Detection: Wave in front of the camera. In SmartThings, you should see a “motion detected” status update. If not, check that motion alerts are enabled in the Arlo app.
• Arm/Disarm: Try arming your Arlo system from SmartThings. If it fails, ensure your Arlo subscription (if you have one) is active and not expired.

Common issues and fixes:

• “Camera offline” in SmartThings: Restart your Arlo base station or camera. Sometimes, the integration loses connection after a power cycle.
• No motion triggers: In the Arlo app, go to your camera’s settings and ensure “Smart Alerts” and “Motion Detection” are enabled. SmartThings relies on these settings to receive events.
• Login errors: If SmartThings can’t connect to Arlo, try resetting your Arlo password and re-linking the accounts.

I once spent 30 minutes troubleshooting why my backyard camera wasn’t showing up in SmartThings—only to realize I’d accidentally disabled motion detection in the Arlo app. A small mistake, but it taught me to always check the source app first!

Automation Ideas: Making SmartThings and Arlo Work Smarter

Creating Cross-Platform Routines

Where SmartThings truly shines is in automation. Even with limited direct control, you can create powerful routines that combine Arlo’s events with other smart devices. Here are some practical examples:

• Welcome Home Routine:
  • When your phone’s location (via SmartThings) enters your home zone, disarm Arlo and turn on the porch light.
  • If no one arrives within 10 minutes, re-arm Arlo. This prevents false triggers from delivery people.
• Nighttime Security:
  • At sunset, arm Arlo, turn off indoor lights, and activate outdoor smart plugs (e.g., for floodlights).
  • If Arlo detects motion between 10 PM and 6 AM, send a push notification and record a 30-second clip.
• Package Delivery Alert:
  • When your smart doorbell (e.g., Ring) detects a delivery, turn on the porch light and start recording on your Arlo camera.
  • Send a custom alert: “Your package is at the front door!”

For the nighttime routine, I used SmartThings’ “Routine” feature to create a “Goodnight” scene. It arms my Arlo cameras, locks the doors, and turns off lights—all with one tap. The best part? If motion is detected after I’ve gone to bed, my bedroom smart speaker chimes softly, so I don’t wake up startled.

Advanced Automation with Webhooks (For Tech-Savvy Users)

If you’re comfortable with a bit of coding, SmartThings supports webhooks for deeper integration. For example, you can:

• Use a service like IFTTT or Node-RED to send Arlo’s motion events to SmartThings via webhooks.
• Create custom automations, like uploading Arlo recordings to Google Drive when motion is detected.
• Sync Arlo’s person detection alerts with SmartThings’ presence detection for smarter home security.

I experimented with this to automate my dog-walking routine. When Arlo detects motion at the backyard gate (my dog’s exit point), SmartThings turns on the backyard light and sends me a reminder to refill her water bowl. It’s a niche use case, but it shows the potential when you think outside the app.

Limitations and Workarounds: What to Expect

Where the Integration Falls Short

Let’s be honest: the SmartThings-Arlo integration isn’t perfect. Here are the main limitations:

• No direct camera control: As mentioned, you can’t manually start recordings or adjust settings from SmartThings.
• Delayed live feeds: The SmartThings app’s live view has a noticeable lag compared to the Arlo app. Not ideal for real-time monitoring.
• No cloud clip access: Recorded videos stay in Arlo’s cloud. You’ll need the Arlo app to review footage.
• Subscription dependencies: Advanced Arlo features (e.g., person detection) require a paid subscription, which SmartThings can’t bypass.
• Occasional sync issues: After a SmartThings hub reboot, Arlo devices may take a few minutes to reconnect.

For example, I once wanted to check a recording from my front door camera while away, but the SmartThings app only showed the live feed. I had to switch to the Arlo app to access the clip—a minor annoyance, but it breaks the “single app” dream.

Workarounds and Alternatives

Don’t let these limitations discourage you. Here are ways to mitigate them:

• Use Arlo as a trigger, not a controller: Focus on using Arlo’s events to automate other devices. For manual control, keep the Arlo app handy.
• Combine with other sensors: Pair Arlo with SmartThings-compatible motion sensors (e.g., Aeotec) for faster alerts. For example, if a SmartThings sensor detects motion, *then* check Arlo’s camera feed.
• Explore community integrations: The SmartThings community has developed unofficial Arlo integrations (via GitHub) that offer more control. These are riskier but can be powerful for advanced users.
• Consider Arlo’s native integrations: Arlo works natively with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit. If you’re invested in those ecosystems, they might offer better control.

My workaround? I created a “Security” folder in my SmartThings dashboard with all Arlo cameras and related devices (lights, sensors). It’s not a unified control panel, but it keeps everything organized. I also use Alexa for voice commands (“Alexa, show me the front door camera”), which feels more seamless than SmartThings for quick checks.

Data Comparison: SmartThings vs. Native Arlo App

To help you decide which platform to prioritize, here’s a side-by-side comparison of key features:

Feature	SmartThings (via Arlo SmartApp)	Native Arlo App
Live View	✔️ (3–5 sec delay)	✔️ (Near real-time)
Motion Detection Triggers	✔️ (For automation)	✔️
Manual Recording	❌	✔️
Adjust Camera Settings	❌	✔️
Access Recorded Clips	❌ (Live view only)	✔️ (Cloud storage)
Person/Package Detection	❌ (Requires Arlo subscription)	✔️ (With subscription)
Cross-Device Automation	✔️ (Strong)	✔️ (Limited to Arlo ecosystem)
Voice Control	✔️ (Via Alexa/Google)	✔️ (Via Alexa/Google/HomeKit)

This table highlights a key takeaway: SmartThings is best for automation and integration, while the Arlo app excels at direct control and advanced features. They’re not rivals—they’re complementary tools.

Conclusion: Is the SmartThings-Arlo Combo Right for You?

So, does SmartThings control Arlo camera? The answer is a nuanced “yes, but…” SmartThings can *observe* and *trigger actions* based on Arlo events, making it a powerful automation tool. However, it can’t replace the Arlo app for manual control, settings adjustments, or accessing recorded footage. For many users, this is a fair trade-off—especially if you value a unified smart home experience over granular camera control.

After months of using this setup, I’ve come to appreciate its strengths: my Arlo cameras now feel like part of a larger ecosystem. My lights turn on automatically when motion is detected, and I get fewer false alerts thanks to SmartThings’ location-based rules. That said, I still open the Arlo app daily for live checks and clip reviews. The key is to use each platform for what it does best.

If you’re deciding whether to invest in this integration, ask yourself: Do I want to automate my home security, or do I need full control of my cameras? If it’s the former, SmartThings and Arlo can work beautifully together. If it’s the latter, you might find the Arlo app (or another ecosystem like HomeKit) more satisfying. Either way, the future of smart homes is interoperability—and this duo is a step in the right direction, even if it’s not perfect. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my Arlo just detected the mail carrier—time to check the clip and grab the package!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can SmartThings control Arlo cameras directly?

No, SmartThings cannot natively control Arlo cameras due to compatibility limitations. However, you can integrate them using third-party platforms like IFTTT or webhooks for limited functionality.

Does SmartThings support Arlo camera motion alerts?

While SmartThings doesn’t directly sync with Arlo for motion alerts, you can use IFTTT applets to forward Arlo motion notifications to your SmartThings hub as virtual sensors.

How do I link my Arlo camera to SmartThings?

To link Arlo cameras to SmartThings, use the IFTTT app to create connections between Arlo triggers (like motion) and SmartThings actions (like turning on lights). This workaround requires manual setup.

Can I view Arlo camera feeds in the SmartThings app?

No, the SmartThings app doesn’t display live Arlo camera feeds. You’ll need to use the Arlo app for live views, though automation triggers can still sync via workarounds.

Does SmartThings work with Arlo Pro or Ultra cameras?

All Arlo models, including Pro and Ultra, face the same integration limits with SmartThings. Only indirect control via IFTTT or custom routines is possible, regardless of camera model.

Is there a way to make SmartThings and Arlo fully compatible?

Full native compatibility isn’t available, but Samsung and Arlo have partnered on limited integrations. Check both platforms’ official updates for new features or plugins that may bridge functionality gaps.