Does the Arlo Recording Plan Include All Cameras Explained

The Arlo recording plan does not automatically include all cameras—you must select a plan that covers each device individually or choose a multi-camera plan for full coverage. Without proper subscription alignment, some cameras may only offer live viewing, not cloud recording. Always verify your plan’s camera limits to avoid unexpected gaps in surveillance.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo plans cover all cameras: One subscription works for all your Arlo devices.
• No per-camera fees: Avoid extra costs with bundled recording plans.
• Cloud storage included: Access recordings from all cameras in one place.
• Check plan limits: Ensure your plan supports your total camera count.
• Multi-camera discounts: Save more when adding multiple cameras to a plan.
• Cancel anytime: Flexible subscriptions with no long-term contracts required.

Does the Arlo Recording Plan Include All Cameras? Let’s Clear the Confusion

Imagine this: You’ve just installed your shiny new Arlo Pro 5 cameras around your home—front porch, backyard, garage, and even a discreet one in the living room for peace of mind. You’re excited, feeling like a modern-day security pro. You sign up for the Arlo Secure subscription, thinking, *“Great! Now all my cameras will record, and I’ll never miss a moment.”*

But a few days later, you check your Arlo app and realize—only some of your cameras are recording. Others are showing live feeds but no cloud history. Panic sets in. Did you do something wrong? Is the plan broken? Or worse—does the Arlo recording plan not include all cameras?

You’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions Arlo users ask, and honestly, the answer isn’t as straightforward as it should be. The truth? It depends. It depends on the type of plan, the number of cameras, and sometimes even the model you’re using. But don’t worry—by the end of this post, you’ll know exactly what’s included, what’s not, and how to get the most out of your Arlo setup without any surprises.

How Arlo Recording Plans Work: The Basics You Need to Know

Before we dive into whether your plan covers all cameras, let’s get clear on how Arlo’s recording plans actually function. Unlike some competitors that offer unlimited camera coverage, Arlo takes a more modular approach. Think of it like a phone plan—you pay for a certain number of lines (cameras), and if you want more, you upgrade.

Understanding the Core Concept: Per-Camera Licensing

Arlo’s cloud recording is not a blanket “all-in” service. Instead, each camera you want to record in the cloud needs its own subscription license. This means if you have four cameras and only a two-camera plan, only two will record. The others will still stream live, but you won’t get motion-triggered clips or 24/7 recording (if enabled).

Here’s a real-life example: Sarah has three Arlo cameras—a doorbell, a backyard cam, and a garage cam. She signs up for the Arlo Secure 1-Camera Plan. Only her doorbell records. The other two? Live view only. No history, no playback. She didn’t realize this until her dog knocked over the trash can at 2 a.m., and she couldn’t review the footage. Oops.

Types of Arlo Recording Plans (As of 2024)

As of this writing, Arlo offers several tiers, but the core ones are:

• Arlo Secure (formerly Smart): Motion-based cloud recording, activity zones, person/package/animal detection, and 30-day video history.
• Arlo Secure Plus: Everything in Secure, plus 24/7 continuous video recording (CVR), longer retention (up to 60 days), and higher video quality.
• Arlo Safe & Secure Pro: For multi-camera setups (3+ cameras), with advanced AI and emergency response features.

Each of these plans comes in different camera counts: 1-camera, 3-camera, 5-camera, and even 10-camera options. The price scales accordingly. So, if you buy a 3-camera plan, you can assign those licenses to any three of your Arlo devices—but only three will record.

What About Free Plans?

Arlo offers a free tier with basic features: live streaming, motion alerts, and limited cloud recording. But here’s the catch—free users only get 7 days of rolling cloud storage, and only one clip per day is saved per camera. That’s not enough for most people. If you have multiple cameras, only one might get a clip each day—randomly selected. Not ideal if you need full coverage.

Does the Plan Cover All Your Cameras? The Real Answer

Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: Does the Arlo recording plan include all cameras? The short answer? No—not automatically. But it can, if you choose the right plan.

Camera Count vs. Plan Capacity

Let’s say you own five Arlo cameras. You can’t just buy a 1-camera plan and expect all five to record. That would be like buying one movie ticket and sneaking in your whole family. Arlo’s system is designed so that each recording license is tied to a specific device. You assign it in the app under “Subscription” or “Camera Settings.”

For example:

• You have 5 cameras.
• You buy a 3-camera Arlo Secure plan.
• You assign licenses to Cameras 1, 2, and 3.
• Cameras 4 and 5 get live view and alerts—but no cloud recording.

You can reassign licenses anytime. So if you want Camera 4 to record this week, you can swap it in. But you can’t have more than three recording at once.

What If You Have More Cameras Than Plan Allows?

This is where things get tricky—and frustrating. Let’s say you have six cameras but only a 5-camera plan. The sixth camera will work—it’ll send alerts and show live video—but it won’t record to the cloud. You’ll see a warning in the app: “No active subscription for this camera.”

You might think, “Can I rotate licenses?” Yes—but it’s manual. You’d need to go into the app every time you want to switch which camera records. Not ideal for a security system meant to be hands-off.

Pro tip: Use your highest-priority cameras (like front door or backyard) for cloud recording, and rely on local storage (if supported) for others. More on that in a bit.

Special Case: Arlo Doorbells and Floodlights

Here’s a little-known fact: Arlo doorbells and floodlights count as cameras in your subscription. So if you have an Arlo Video Doorbell and two outdoor cams, that’s three devices—each needing a license if you want cloud recording.

One user, Mark, bought a 2-camera plan but had three devices: a doorbell, a garage cam, and a backyard cam. He assumed the doorbell was “free” since it came with the house. Nope. Only two recorded. He didn’t realize until a package was stolen and he had no footage from the doorbell.

Local vs. Cloud Storage: Can You Bypass the Subscription?

Not everyone wants to pay monthly. Maybe you’re budget-conscious, or you just don’t trust cloud storage. Good news: Arlo supports local storage—and it’s a smart way to get around subscription limits.

How Local Storage Works

Many Arlo cameras (especially Pro, Ultra, and newer models) support microSD cards or Arlo SmartHub/Base Station with USB drives. This means you can record directly to a physical device instead of the cloud.

For example:

• Insert a 128GB microSD card into your Arlo Pro 5.
• Set the camera to record continuously or on motion.
• Footage saves to the card—no subscription needed.

The catch? You need to physically access the card to view or export footage. And if the camera is stolen or damaged, the card goes with it. Cloud storage is safer for long-term retention and offsite backup.

Can You Mix Local and Cloud?

Absolutely. This is a power-user strategy for maximizing coverage:

• Use your subscription for 2–3 critical cameras (e.g., front door, garage).
• Use local storage (microSD or USB) for 2–3 others (e.g., backyard, side yard).
• You get full recording on all devices—without paying for extra cloud licenses.

One family I spoke with used this method. They had five cameras: two on cloud (front door, backyard), and three on microSD (side gate, garage, porch). They saved $10/month and never missed a clip. Just remember to back up the SD cards monthly!

Limitations of Local Storage

While local storage is great, it’s not perfect:

• No AI features (person/package detection) without a subscription.
• No remote playback via app—you need to remove the card or use the base station.
• Risk of data loss if the device is damaged or stolen.
• No 24/7 recording on some models without a plan (even with local storage).

So, if you want full features—cloud backup, AI alerts, mobile access—you’ll still need a subscription for those cameras.

Choosing the Right Plan: How Many Cameras Do You Really Need?

Here’s where most people go wrong: they buy a plan based on how many cameras they have, not how many they need to record. But not every camera needs cloud recording. Let’s break it down.

Prioritize Your Cameras

Ask yourself: Which areas are most vulnerable? Typically:

• Front door/driveway: High priority. Record this one.
• Backyard/garden: Medium priority. Record if you have kids, pets, or valuables.
• Side yard/garage: Low priority. Local storage might be enough.
• Indoor cameras: Depends on privacy and needs. Some people skip cloud for indoor cams.

For example, Lisa has four cameras but only pays for a 2-camera plan. She records the front door and backyard. The side yard cam uses a microSD card. The indoor cam (living room) is live-only—she just wants to check on her dog. She saves $15/month and still feels safe.

Cost Comparison: Cloud vs. Local

Let’s look at real numbers (U.S. pricing, 2024):

Plan	Cameras Included	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost	Best For
Arlo Secure (1 cam)	1	$2.99	$29.99	Single-door setups
Arlo Secure (3 cam)	3	$9.99	$99.99	Small to medium homes
Arlo Secure (5 cam)	5	$14.99	$149.99	Larger properties
Arlo Secure Plus (3 cam)	3	$14.99	$149.99	24/7 recording needs
Local Storage (microSD)	Unlimited	$0 (one-time $20–$30 for card)	$0	Budget-conscious users

As you can see, a 5-camera cloud plan costs $15/month. But if you use local storage for 2 of those, you could drop to a 3-camera plan and save $60/year. That’s a smart trade-off.

When to Upgrade Your Plan

Consider upgrading if:

• You add a new high-priority camera (e.g., after a break-in).
• You want 24/7 recording (only available on Secure Plus or Safe & Secure Pro).
• You travel often and want reliable remote access.
• You have multiple users (family, renters) who need access to all recordings.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even seasoned Arlo users make these errors. Learn from their (and my) mistakes.

Mistake 1: Assuming “All Cameras” Are Covered

Don’t fall into this trap. Always check your subscription dashboard in the Arlo app. Look for the “Active Subscriptions” section. If a camera isn’t listed, it’s not recording to the cloud.

Tip: Set a calendar reminder every 3 months to review your plan. Cameras get added, priorities change—your plan should too.

Mistake 2: Not Using Activity Zones

If you’re paying for cloud recording, make sure you’re using activity zones. These let you tell the camera which areas to monitor. No point recording your neighbor’s yard if you only care about your front porch.

For example, Tom had a backyard cam that recorded every squirrel. He wasted cloud space and got false alerts. After setting zones, he cut his motion events by 70%.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Storage Warnings

Arlo will warn you when a camera has no subscription. But the alert is easy to miss. Go to Settings > Camera > Subscription and check each device. Better yet, enable email alerts for subscription expirations.

Mistake 4: Overlooking Free Trials

New Arlo devices come with a 30-day free trial of Arlo Secure. Use it! Test how many cameras you actually need. You might find that one or two are enough for your peace of mind.

Mistake 5: Not Backing Up Locally

If you use microSD cards, back them up regularly. Copy footage to a computer or external drive. I once lost a week of footage because I forgot to back up—and the card got corrupted.

Final Thoughts: Yes, You Can Record All Cameras—But It’s on You

So, does the Arlo recording plan include all cameras? Not automatically. But with the right plan—and a little strategy—you can record every camera you own. The key is understanding that:

• Arlo uses per-camera licensing, not unlimited access.
• You can mix cloud and local storage to save money and maximize coverage.
• Prioritize cameras based on security needs, not just quantity.
• Always check your subscription dashboard to avoid surprises.

Think of your Arlo plan like a toolbox. You don’t need every tool all the time. But when you do, you want the right one in your hand. A 3-camera plan might be perfect today, but if you add a baby monitor or a new shed cam, it’s time to upgrade.

And remember: local storage is your friend. It’s not just for cheapskates—it’s a smart, flexible way to get full coverage without breaking the bank. Just don’t forget to back it up.

At the end of the day, Arlo gives you options. The confusion comes from assuming one-size-fits-all. But now that you know how it really works, you can build a system that’s truly secure, affordable, and tailored to your life.

So go ahead—check your app, reassign those licenses, maybe pop in a microSD card. Your cameras are ready. And now, so are you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Arlo recording plan include all cameras in my setup?

Yes, the Arlo recording plan covers all cameras under a single subscription, but only if they’re registered to the same account. This ensures seamless cloud storage for every camera without extra fees.

Can I use one Arlo recording plan for multiple cameras in different locations?

Yes, as long as all cameras are linked to your Arlo account, the plan applies to all devices, regardless of location. Ideal for monitoring homes, offices, or rental properties.

Is there a limit to how many cameras I can add to an Arlo recording plan?

Most Arlo plans support up to 5–10 cameras per subscription, depending on the tier. Check your plan details or upgrade if you need coverage for more cameras.

Do all Arlo cameras require a recording plan for basic functionality?

No, Arlo cameras work without a plan for live viewing and motion alerts. However, the Arlo recording plan is required for cloud storage, video history, and advanced features like AI detection.

If I cancel my Arlo recording plan, will all cameras stop recording?

Yes, canceling the plan disables cloud recording for all cameras on the account. Local storage (e.g., microSD) may still work, but cloud backups and history will be unavailable.

Does the Arlo Secure plan include all cameras or just specific models?

The Arlo Secure plan covers all compatible cameras on your account, regardless of model (e.g., Pro, Ultra, Essential). Older models may have limited features but still qualify for cloud storage.