How Can I Disable Arlo Wireless Cameras From Recording Easily

Disable Arlo wireless cameras from recording instantly using the “Off” mode in the Arlo app by selecting the camera and tapping the toggle to stop all motion-triggered recordings. For scheduled control, use custom modes or geofencing to automate when cameras record—or stay off—based on your location or routine. It’s a simple, flexible way to manage privacy and conserve storage.

Key Takeaways

• Disable via Arlo app: Toggle “Record” off in camera settings.
• Use geofencing: Automate recording based on your location.
• Schedule recordings: Set custom times to disable recording.
• Pause modes: Enable “Disarmed” mode to stop all recordings.
• Check subscriptions: Confirm plan allows disabling recording features.
• Remove batteries: Power off cameras physically when not in use.

Why You Might Want to Disable Arlo Cameras (And When It Makes Sense)

Let’s be honest—Arlo wireless cameras are fantastic. They offer crisp video, smart motion detection, and easy remote access. But there are times when you might want to hit the pause button on recording. Maybe you’re having a private backyard BBQ and don’t want every laugh and spill captured. Or perhaps your kids are practicing their dance routine, and you’d rather not have it immortalized on the cloud. Maybe you’re just tired of getting alerts every time the neighbor’s cat walks past your front door. Whatever the reason, knowing how to disable Arlo wireless cameras from recording gives you control over your privacy and peace of mind.

You’re not alone. Many Arlo users search for ways to temporarily or permanently stop recording—whether for privacy, to save on data, or simply to reduce false alerts. The good news? It’s easier than you think. Arlo has built-in tools that let you manage recordings without uninstalling the system or canceling your subscription. And no, you don’t have to live in constant surveillance mode. In this guide, I’ll walk you through every method, from quick toggles to advanced settings, so you can disable recording in a way that fits your lifestyle. Think of this as your friendly, no-jargon cheat sheet to taking back control of your Arlo system.

Understanding Arlo’s Recording Modes: What You Can (and Can’t) Disable

Live View vs. Recorded Video: Know the Difference

Before we dive into disabling recording, let’s clarify what “recording” actually means in Arlo’s world. When you open the Arlo app and tap on a camera, you’re in Live View mode. This streams video in real time but doesn’t save anything unless you manually start recording. The real concern for most users is automatic recording, which happens when motion is detected (or continuously, depending on your settings).

For example, if you’ve enabled “Record on Motion,” your Arlo camera will automatically start saving clips to the cloud or local storage every time it sees movement. This is great for security—but not so great when you’re mowing the lawn or hosting a party. The good news? You can disable automatic recording without affecting Live View. That means you can still check in on your home in real time, but nothing gets saved.

Types of Recordings You Can Control

Arlo supports several recording types, and you can disable each independently:

• Motion-triggered recordings: These are the most common. They activate when the camera detects motion within its field of view.
• Continuous video recording (CVR): Available with a subscription, this records 24/7. It’s more data-heavy and often overkill for most homes.
• Manual recordings: These are clips you start and stop yourself in Live View. These aren’t affected by most disable methods.
• Audio recordings: Some Arlo models record audio. You can disable this separately.

Knowing which type you want to disable helps you pick the right method. For instance, turning off motion detection won’t stop CVR, but disabling CVR won’t stop motion-triggered clips. So, let’s get into the how-tos.

Method 1: Disable Recording via the Arlo App (Quick & User-Friendly)

Step-by-Step: Turning Off Motion-Activated Recording

The Arlo app is your best friend for quick changes. Here’s how to disable motion-triggered recording in under a minute:

1. Open the Arlo app on your phone or tablet.
2. Tap on the camera you want to adjust (e.g., “Front Door”).
3. Tap the Settings icon (usually a gear or three dots).
4. Select “Motion Detection”.
5. Toggle off “Record on Motion”.
6. Optional: Toggle off “Enable Audio” if you don’t want sound recorded.

That’s it! The camera will still detect motion (you can use it for alerts), but it won’t save any video clips. I’ve used this trick before a surprise birthday party. My Arlo camera at the front door stayed on, but no recordings were made—perfect for keeping the surprise intact.

Disable All Cameras at Once (Great for Events or Vacations)

If you want to disable recording across all your Arlo cameras (e.g., for a family event), use the “Arm/Disarm” feature:

1. In the Arlo app, go to the “Mode” tab (usually a shield icon).
2. Select your current mode (e.g., “Armed”).
3. Tap “Edit”, then choose “Disarmed”.
4. Save the changes.

When your system is “Disarmed,” motion detection is off, and no recordings are triggered. You can still use Live View, and the cameras stay powered on. This is ideal for short-term breaks, like a weekend getaway or a holiday gathering. Just remember to re-arm the system afterward!

Method 2: Disable Continuous Video Recording (CVR) for Subscribers

What Is CVR, and Why Disable It?

If you have an Arlo Secure subscription, you might have enabled Continuous Video Recording (CVR). This feature records 24/7, giving you a full video history. It’s powerful—but it uses a lot of data, fills up storage fast, and can be overkill for most homes. For example, my neighbor enabled CVR but ended up with 30 days of footage of her porch light turning on and off. Not exactly useful.

To disable CVR:

1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap “Library” (bottom tab).
3. Tap “Settings” (gear icon).
4. Select “Continuous Video Recording”.
5. Toggle off “Enable CVR”.

Note: Disabling CVR won’t affect motion-triggered recordings unless you also turn those off. CVR is camera-specific, so you’ll need to repeat this for each camera if you have multiple.

When to Keep CVR (And When to Skip It)

CVR is useful in high-risk areas (e.g., a back alley or garage with frequent break-in attempts). But for most front yards or living rooms, motion-triggered recording is enough. Ask yourself:

• Do I really need to review footage from 3 a.m. when the wind blew a trash can?
• Is my internet connection fast enough to handle constant uploads?
• Am I paying extra for CVR just to use it once a month?

If you answered “no” to most, consider disabling CVR. You’ll save on data, reduce cloud storage costs, and simplify your video library.

Method 3: Use Geofencing and Schedules (Smart, Automated Control)

Set a Recording Schedule (Perfect for Routine Privacy)

Instead of manually turning recording on and off, use Arlo’s scheduling feature. This is ideal if you have predictable privacy needs—like turning off recording during work hours or family time.

1. In the Arlo app, go to “Mode”.
2. Tap “Add Mode” (e.g., name it “Family Time”).
3. Under “Cameras,” select which ones to disable.
4. Toggle off “Record on Motion” for those cameras.
5. Tap “Schedule” and set the time (e.g., 4 PM to 7 PM daily).
6. Save the mode.

Now, your cameras will automatically stop recording during those hours. I use this for my backyard camera every evening when my kids play outside. No more clips of them chasing the dog!

Geofencing: Disable Recording When You’re Home

Geofencing uses your phone’s location to detect when you’re home. When you arrive, Arlo can automatically switch to a “Disarmed” mode, stopping all recordings. Here’s how to set it up:

1. In the Arlo app, go to “Mode”.
2. Tap your current mode (e.g., “Armed”).
3. Enable “Geofencing”.
4. Choose the radius (e.g., 300 meters).
5. Set the “Home” mode to “Disarmed”.

Pro tip: Make sure your phone’s location services are always on for Arlo. I once forgot to enable this, and my camera recorded me mowing the lawn. Not the end of the world, but not ideal either.

Method 4: Hardware & Advanced Settings (For Power Users)

Unplug the Camera (The Nuclear Option)

If you want absolute privacy—no recordings, no alerts, no data—physically unplug the camera. This works for both battery-powered and wired Arlo models. Just remove the battery or unplug the power adapter. I’ve done this before a private conversation in my home office. It’s foolproof, though not the most convenient if you need to re-enable it often.

Disable the MicroSD Card (For Local Storage)

Some Arlo cameras (like the Arlo Pro 4) support local storage via a microSD card. If you’re using this:

1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Go to the camera’s Settings.
3. Tap “Local Storage”.
4. Toggle off “Enable Recording”.

This stops the camera from saving clips to the SD card. Note: This only affects local storage. If you have cloud recording enabled, clips will still upload.

Adjust Sensitivity to Reduce False Recordings

Sometimes, you don’t want to disable recording entirely—just reduce false triggers (like leaves blowing or passing cars). To do this:

1. In the camera’s Settings, tap “Motion Detection”.
2. Adjust the “Sensitivity” slider (lower = fewer false alerts).
3. Use “Activity Zones” to block areas (e.g., a busy street).

I once set my backyard camera’s sensitivity too high. It recorded every time a squirrel ran by. Lowering it to “Medium” reduced clips by 70% without missing real threats.

Data Table: Quick Reference for Disabling Arlo Recordings

Method	What It Disables	Time to Apply	Best For	Notes
Toggle “Record on Motion” (App)	Motion-triggered clips	30 seconds	Quick privacy (e.g., events)	Live View still works
Set to “Disarmed” Mode	All recordings	1 minute	Short-term breaks	Cameras stay on; no alerts
Disable CVR	24/7 recordings	1 minute	Reducing data usage	Requires Arlo Secure subscription
Use Schedules	Recordings during set times	2 minutes	Routine privacy (e.g., work hours)	Fully automated
Geofencing	Recordings when you’re home	2 minutes	Daily privacy	Requires phone location enabled
Unplug Camera	All functions	10 seconds	Absolute privacy	Not practical for frequent use

Final Thoughts: Balance Security and Privacy Like a Pro

Disabling Arlo wireless cameras from recording isn’t about turning your back on security—it’s about smart security. You’re not losing protection; you’re gaining control. Whether it’s for a private moment, a busy day, or just to cut down on unnecessary alerts, Arlo gives you the tools to adapt. And the best part? You don’t have to sacrifice convenience. With features like geofencing and schedules, your cameras can be both private and practical.

Think of it like a light switch. You wouldn’t leave every light in your house on 24/7. You turn them on when needed and off when not. Your Arlo cameras are the same. Use the methods above to create a system that works for your life—not the other way around. And remember, you can always re-enable recording in seconds when you need it. So go ahead: enjoy that BBQ, dance with your kids, or just relax without the red recording light watching over you. Your home, your rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I disable Arlo wireless cameras from recording temporarily?

You can disable recording by turning off the camera’s motion detection or setting it to “Standby” mode via the Arlo app. This stops recordings without disconnecting the camera from your network.

Is there a way to disable Arlo recording for specific cameras only?

Yes, open the Arlo app, select the specific camera, and toggle off “Motion Detection” or “Recording” under its settings. This lets you disable recording for one camera while others stay active.

How do I disable Arlo wireless cameras from recording at night?

Use the Arlo app’s “Schedule” feature to disable recording during nighttime hours. Navigate to the camera’s settings and set a custom schedule to turn off recording automatically.

Can I disable Arlo recording without deleting the camera?

Absolutely. Simply pause the camera’s activity or disable its subscription plan (if applicable) via the Arlo app. The camera remains installed but won’t record or save footage.

How can I disable Arlo wireless cameras from recording audio?

Go to the camera’s settings in the Arlo app and disable the “Audio Recording” toggle. This stops audio capture while keeping video recording active (if enabled).

What’s the easiest way to disable Arlo cameras from recording during vacations?

Use the “Arm/Disarm” feature in the Arlo app to disable all cameras at once. Alternatively, enable “Geofencing” to automatically disable recording when your phone leaves a set radius.