How Do I Adjust Record Time on Arlo Camera A Complete Guide

Adjusting the record time on your Arlo camera is quick and easy through the Arlo app or web portal—simply navigate to Settings > Device > Video Settings to customize motion-activated recording length. Choose from preset durations (10–300 seconds) or enable “Record while motion is detected” for continuous capture during activity. This ensures you never miss crucial footage while optimizing storage and battery life.

Key Takeaways

• Access settings via Arlo app: Open the app and select your camera to adjust recording time.
• Choose custom durations: Set specific start/stop times for recordings under “Recording Schedule.”
• Enable motion-based triggers: Use motion detection to automatically start recordings when activity occurs.
• Update firmware regularly: Ensure latest software for optimal recording time features and stability.
• Test adjustments immediately: Verify new settings with a test recording to confirm accuracy.
• Adjust per camera: Customize recording times individually for multi-camera setups as needed.

Why Recording Time Matters on Your Arlo Camera

Let’s face it—setting up a home security system should be simple, but sometimes it feels like you’re learning a new language. If you’ve ever stood in your backyard, squinting at your Arlo camera while muttering, “How do I adjust record time on Arlo camera?”—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. A few months ago, I noticed my Arlo camera was recording only 10 seconds of motion, even when a raccoon spent a full minute digging through my trash. I missed the best part of the show! That’s when I realized: adjusting record time isn’t just about convenience—it’s about getting the full picture.

Whether you’re monitoring your front porch, keeping an eye on pets, or securing your vacation home, the length of your Arlo recordings can make or break your security strategy. Too short, and you might miss crucial details. Too long, and you’ll flood your cloud storage or SD card with unnecessary footage. The good news? Arlo makes it possible to customize your recording time—but the process isn’t always obvious. In this guide, I’ll walk you through every step, share real-life examples, and help you avoid the same mistakes I made. No tech jargon, no fluff—just clear, practical advice to help you get the most out of your Arlo system.

Understanding Arlo Recording Modes and Their Impact

Before we dive into adjusting recording time, it helps to know how Arlo handles motion events. Think of it like setting the sensitivity and duration of your camera’s “alert system.” Arlo doesn’t just start and stop recording on a whim—it follows specific rules based on your settings. Understanding these modes will help you make smarter choices about how long each clip should last.

Standard Motion Recording (Most Common)

This is the default setting on most Arlo cameras. When motion is detected, the camera records for a set number of seconds—usually 10 to 30 seconds. After that, it stops and waits for the next motion event. For example, if your neighbor’s dog walks by, you’ll get a 15-second clip. But if the dog stops, barks, and then leaves 40 seconds later, you’ll get two separate recordings—one for the first motion, and another when the dog moves again. This can be frustrating if you want to see the full interaction.

Continuous Recording (Available on Some Models)

Cameras like the Arlo Pro 5, Arlo Ultra, and Arlo Essential support continuous recording when paired with an Arlo SmartHub or base station. This means the camera records 24/7 and saves footage to a local microSD card. When motion is detected, it highlights that section of the timeline in the app. This is ideal for high-traffic areas (like a driveway) where you don’t want to miss anything between motion events.

Activity Zones and Smart Notifications

Arlo lets you define “activity zones”—areas in the camera’s view where motion should trigger recording. For example, you might set a zone for your front porch but ignore the busy street behind your house. This reduces false alerts and helps focus your recordings. Pair this with smart notifications (like “person,” “vehicle,” or “animal”), and you can further refine what triggers a recording and how long it lasts.

Pro Tip: If you’re using standard motion recording, consider setting longer durations for areas with frequent activity (like a backyard with kids or pets). For quieter zones, shorter times work fine. I set my backyard camera to 30 seconds—just enough to catch the mail carrier’s full walk to the door.

How to Adjust Record Time on Arlo Camera (Step-by-Step)

Now for the main event: how to adjust record time on Arlo camera. The process varies slightly depending on your model and setup, but the core steps are the same. I’ll walk you through it using the Arlo app (the most common method), and then cover web browser settings for those who prefer desktop control.

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Select Your Camera

Launch the Arlo app on your phone or tablet. Tap the camera you want to adjust. If you have multiple cameras (like I do), make sure you’re selecting the right one. I once accidentally changed the settings for my garage camera while trying to fix the front door—learn from my mistake!

Step 2: Navigate to Device Settings

Tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner. This opens the Device Settings menu. Scroll down to find Video Settings or Motion Detection Settings—the exact name depends on your camera model.

Step 3: Adjust the Recording Duration

Look for an option labeled “Recording Duration” or “Clip Length.” This is where you set how long the camera records after motion is detected. Most Arlo cameras let you choose from:

• 10 seconds (default on many models)
• 15 seconds
• 20 seconds
• 30 seconds
• 60 seconds (available on Pro and Ultra series)

For example, if you select 30 seconds, the camera will record for 30 seconds after the motion stops. So if a person walks into view and stays for 10 seconds, you’ll get a 30-second clip. If they linger for 25 seconds, the recording will extend to 30 seconds total.

Step 4: Save and Test

Tap Save or Done. Then, test your camera by triggering motion (wave your hand in front of it). Check the app to see if the clip length matches your new setting. If it’s still short, double-check that you saved the changes and that your camera’s firmware is up to date.

Adjusting Settings via Web Browser (Alternative Method)

If you prefer using a computer, log in to my.arlo.com. Click Devices, select your camera, and go to Settings > Video Settings. The options are the same as in the app, but the layout is slightly different. I find the web version easier for making bulk changes across multiple cameras.

Real-World Example: After adjusting my front door camera to 30 seconds, I caught a package thief who initially walked away but then returned to grab a second box. Without the longer recording, I would’ve missed the second attempt!

Using Smart Alerts and Activity Zones to Optimize Recordings

Adjusting record time is just one piece of the puzzle. To truly get the most out of your Arlo camera, you need to combine it with smart alerts and activity zones. These features work together to reduce false recordings and focus on what matters.

Setting Up Activity Zones

Activity zones let you tell your camera where to look for motion. For example:

• Front porch: Set a zone covering the door and walkway. Ignore the sidewalk and street.
• Backyard: Focus on the gate and play area, but ignore the neighbor’s tree that blows in the wind.
• Garage: Only monitor the driveway, not the alley behind it.

To set this up:

1. In the Arlo app, go to Device Settings > Motion Detection Settings.
2. Tap Activity Zones and select Edit Zones.
3. Drag the corners of the zone(s) to cover the areas you want to monitor.
4. Save your changes.

This reduces “false positives” (like a passing car or swaying branches), so your camera only records when something truly relevant happens.

Enabling Smart Alerts (Arlo Smart or Smart Hub Required)

If you have an Arlo Smart subscription or an Arlo SmartHub, you can use AI-powered alerts to distinguish between people, vehicles, animals, and packages. This means:

• Your camera can record longer when a person approaches (e.g., 30 seconds), but only record 10 seconds for a passing squirrel.
• You can set different recording times for different alert types. For example, “person” = 30 seconds, “vehicle” = 20 seconds, “animal” = 10 seconds.

How to Set Different Durations per Alert Type:

1. Go to Device Settings > Motion Detection Settings.
2. Tap Smart Alerts and enable the types you want (e.g., Person, Vehicle).
3. For each alert type, tap “When Detected” and adjust the recording duration.

My Experience: After enabling smart alerts, my backyard camera stopped recording every time a bird flew by. Now, it only records 10 seconds for animals (just enough to confirm it’s not a raccoon) and 30 seconds for people. My cloud storage usage dropped by 60%!

Advanced Tips: Maximizing Storage and Avoiding Over-Recording

Adjusting record time isn’t just about getting better footage—it’s also about managing storage. Whether you’re using cloud storage, a microSD card, or a local base station, longer recordings mean faster storage consumption. Here’s how to stay in control.

1. Use Local Storage (microSD Card) for Longer Recordings

If you want to record for 60+ seconds without filling up your cloud plan, use a microSD card. Cameras like the Arlo Pro 5, Arlo Ultra, and Arlo Essential support local storage via the Arlo SmartHub or base station. Here’s how:

• Insert a microSD card (up to 2TB) into the SmartHub.
• In the app, go to Device Settings > Local Storage and enable it.
• Set your recording duration to 60 seconds (or longer, if supported).

Local storage is ideal for 24/7 monitoring or high-traffic areas. I use a 256GB card in my garage camera, which holds about 30 days of continuous 1080p footage.

2. Schedule Recordings for Specific Times

Not all hours are equal. If you know your backyard is busiest between 3–6 PM (when kids play), set your camera to record for 30 seconds during that window, but only 10 seconds at night. To do this:

1. Go to Device Settings > Schedule.
2. Create a custom schedule (e.g., “Backyard Playtime”).
3. Set different recording durations for different time slots.

3. Combine Shorter Recordings with Re-Triggering

Arlo’s “re-trigger” feature can help bridge the gap between clips. When motion is detected, the camera records for your set duration. If motion continues after that, it starts a new recording—but with a short gap (usually 1–2 seconds). To minimize gaps:

• Set a shorter recording duration (e.g., 20 seconds) but enable “Extend Recording” (if available).
• This tells the camera to keep recording if motion persists within 30 seconds of the first clip.

Example: A delivery person drops off a package, walks away, but then returns to take a photo. With “Extend Recording” enabled, your camera captures the entire interaction in one seamless clip.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting (When Adjustments Don’t Work)

Even with clear instructions, things can go wrong. Here are the most common issues I’ve faced—and how to fix them.

Problem: Recording Duration Won’t Change

If your settings don’t “stick,” try these fixes:

• Update the Arlo app to the latest version.
• Restart your camera (unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in).
• Check for firmware updates in Device Settings > Device Info.
• If using a SmartHub, make sure it’s connected to the internet.

Problem: Recordings Are Too Short or Too Long

This often happens because of motion sensitivity. If your camera’s sensitivity is too low, it might miss the end of a motion event. If it’s too high, it records unnecessary details. Adjust sensitivity in Motion Detection Settings > Sensitivity. I recommend starting at “Medium” and tweaking from there.

Problem: Smart Alerts Aren’t Working

Smart alerts require a subscription or SmartHub. If they’re not working:

• Confirm your Arlo Smart subscription is active.
• Ensure your camera is connected to a SmartHub (for local processing).
• Check that Smart Alerts are enabled in the app.

Problem: Local Storage Fills Up Too Fast

If your microSD card fills up quickly:

• Lower the video resolution (e.g., from 4K to 1080p).
• Use shorter recording durations for less important zones.
• Enable “Overwrite Oldest Footage” in Local Storage settings.

Issue	Likely Cause	Quick Fix
Recording duration won’t save	Outdated app or firmware	Update app and camera firmware
Clips are too short	Low motion sensitivity	Increase sensitivity in settings
Too many false alerts	Activity zones not set	Define zones to ignore non-essential areas
Storage fills up fast	Long recordings + high resolution	Shorten duration or lower resolution

Final Thoughts: Getting the Most Out of Your Arlo Camera

Adjusting record time on your Arlo camera isn’t just a technical task—it’s about peace of mind. Whether you’re capturing a package delivery, monitoring your kids, or deterring intruders, the right settings make all the difference. I’ve learned that the perfect setup isn’t about one-size-fits-all; it’s about understanding your space, your habits, and your security needs.

Start with the basics: set your recording duration based on traffic (30 seconds for busy areas, 10–20 for quiet ones). Add activity zones to reduce false alerts. Use smart alerts to differentiate between people, animals, and vehicles. And if you’re serious about security, consider local storage for 24/7 coverage without cloud fees.

Remember, your Arlo camera is a tool—and like any tool, it works best when you know how to use it. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different durations, tweak activity zones, and test smart alerts. You’ll find a balance that works for you. And if something doesn’t work? That’s okay. I’ve reset my settings more times than I can count. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress.

So go ahead, dive into your Arlo app, and make those adjustments. The next time someone asks, “How do I adjust record time on Arlo camera?”—you’ll know exactly what to do. And who knows? You might even catch that raccoon in the act.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I adjust record time on Arlo camera?

To adjust the record time on your Arlo camera, open the Arlo app, go to Settings > Device Settings, select your camera, and tap Video Settings. Here, you can modify the recording length under “Record for” options. The default is usually 10–120 seconds.

Can I change the recording duration for motion-triggered clips on Arlo?

Yes, you can customize motion-triggered recording duration in the Arlo app. Navigate to your camera’s settings, select Video Settings, and adjust the Record for slider (ranging from 10 seconds to 3 minutes) to set your preferred length.

Why isn’t my Arlo camera recording the full time I set?

This may happen if the motion event ends before the set duration or due to network latency. Ensure your camera’s firmware is updated and check for strong Wi-Fi signal. The record time on Arlo camera also depends on your subscription plan’s limits.

Does Arlo allow continuous recording instead of motion-activated clips?

Arlo cameras primarily use motion-activated recording, but some models support 24/7 continuous recording via an Arlo SmartHub or local storage. Go to Settings > Recording Rules to enable this feature if available for your plan and device.

How do I set different record times for multiple Arlo cameras?

For individual adjustments, open the Arlo app, tap each camera under Device Settings, and customize the Record for duration under Video Settings. This lets you tailor the record time on Arlo camera units based on location or usage.

What’s the longest recording time I can set on my Arlo camera?

The maximum recording length is 3 minutes per motion event for most Arlo models. However, actual duration may vary based on subscription plan, motion activity, and device capabilities. Check your plan details for specific limitations.