How Do I Get My Arlo Camera to Record Expert Tips Inside

Ensure your Arlo camera is properly set up and connected to the app to start recording—check power, Wi-Fi, and motion detection settings for optimal performance. Enable “Always Record” or schedule recordings in the app to never miss a moment, and troubleshoot issues by updating firmware or adjusting sensitivity zones.

Key Takeaways

• Check power and Wi-Fi: Ensure your Arlo camera is powered and connected to stable Wi-Fi.
• Enable motion detection: Activate motion zones in the Arlo app for accurate recording triggers.
• Adjust recording length: Customize clip duration in settings to capture full events.
• Verify subscription plan: Confirm your plan supports continuous or cloud recording if needed.
• Test camera placement: Position the camera to cover high-traffic areas for optimal detection.
• Update firmware regularly: Install updates to fix bugs and improve recording reliability.

How to Set Up Your Arlo Camera to Record: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ever set up a new gadget, excited to see it in action, only to find it just sits there—doing nothing? That’s how many folks feel when they unbox their Arlo camera. You’ve invested in a sleek, high-tech security system, but now it’s just… watching. Not recording. Not alerting you. Not doing much of anything.

Trust me, I’ve been there. My first Arlo camera stared at my front porch like a confused owl for a week before I figured out the right settings. The good news? Once you know what to do, getting your Arlo camera to record is straightforward—and even fun. This guide walks you through every step, from setup to troubleshooting, so your camera captures every important moment, whether it’s a delivery, a curious raccoon, or just your kids playing outside.

Understanding How Arlo Cameras Record

Before you can make your Arlo camera record, it helps to know how it works. Arlo cameras are designed to be smart, not just passive. They use a mix of motion detection, user settings, and cloud or local storage to record video. Think of it like a security guard who only starts writing notes when something interesting happens.

Motion Detection vs. Continuous Recording

Most Arlo cameras rely on motion-activated recording. This means the camera stays in standby mode until it detects movement. Once triggered, it starts recording and sends you an alert. This saves battery life (especially for wireless models) and reduces unnecessary footage.

But here’s the catch: if motion detection isn’t set up correctly, your camera might miss key events. For example, my neighbor’s cat used to trigger recordings all night until I adjusted the sensitivity and activity zones.

Some newer Arlo models, like the Arlo Pro 5S and Arlo Ultra, support continuous video recording (CVR). This records 24/7, regardless of motion. It’s great for high-traffic areas but requires a subscription and more storage space.

Local vs. Cloud Storage

Arlo offers two main ways to store your recordings:

• Cloud storage: Requires an Arlo Secure subscription. Videos are saved to the cloud and accessible from anywhere. Great for backup and sharing.

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• Local storage: Uses a microSD card or the Arlo SmartHub. No subscription needed, but you must physically retrieve the card to view footage.

I use cloud storage for my front door camera (for quick alerts) and local storage for the backyard (where I don’t need instant access). It’s a smart mix that balances cost and convenience.

Activity Zones and Sensitivity Settings

One of Arlo’s best features is customizable activity zones. These let you tell the camera where to look—like your driveway, but not the street. This cuts down on false alerts from passing cars or swaying trees.

For example, I set up a zone that covers my front steps and mailbox. The camera ignores the sidewalk and street, so I only get alerts for deliveries or visitors. To adjust this, go to your camera’s settings in the Arlo app and draw your zones with the zone editor.

Sensitivity settings are just as important. Too high, and every leaf movement triggers a recording. Too low, and the camera misses real activity. Start with medium sensitivity and tweak it based on your results.

Setting Up Your Arlo Camera for Recording

Now that you know how Arlo records, let’s get your camera set up properly. The process is simple, but skipping a step can lead to missed recordings or poor performance.

Step 1: Install the Arlo App and Add Your Camera

Start by downloading the Arlo app (iOS or Android). Open it and tap “Add Device.” Follow the prompts to connect your camera to Wi-Fi. For battery-powered models, you’ll need to charge the battery first. For wired cameras, plug them in.

Pro tip: Place your camera within 30 feet of your router during setup. This ensures a strong connection. Once it’s working, you can move it farther away (up to 300 feet with a clear line of sight).

Step 2: Position Your Camera Correctly

Where you mount the camera affects its ability to detect motion. Here’s what I learned after trial and error:

• Height: Mount 7–10 feet high. This gives a wide view and reduces tampering risk.
• Angle: Tilt it slightly downward. A flat angle captures more sky and less ground, reducing false alerts.
• Obstructions: Avoid pointing it at bright lights, moving trees, or busy streets. These cause false triggers.

I once installed a camera facing my neighbor’s driveway. It recorded every car that passed. After rotating it 30 degrees, it only captured activity on my property.

Step 3: Enable Recording in the App

Open the Arlo app and select your camera. Tap the gear icon (settings). Look for “Video Settings” or “Recording Settings.” Make sure “Motion Detection” is turned on. If you have a CVR plan, enable “Continuous Recording.”

For motion-activated recording, check these options:

• Record on Motion: Turn this on. Without it, the camera won’t record when it detects movement.
• Record on Audio Detection: Optional. Useful if you want to capture sounds like breaking glass or loud voices.
• Video Quality: Choose “Best” for clear footage, but note it uses more storage and data.

Step 4: Set Up Activity Zones

Go to “Activity Zones” in your camera’s settings. Use the zone editor to draw areas where motion should trigger recordings. For example:

• Your front door
• Driveway
• Backyard gate

Exclude zones like:

• Busy streets
• Tree branches
• Neighbor’s property

I once forgot to exclude a tree. The camera recorded 50 alerts a day from wind-blown leaves. After adding the zone, false alerts dropped to zero.

Using Arlo Secure Subscriptions for Advanced Recording

Arlo’s free plan gives you basic motion alerts and 7-day cloud storage for the last 3 videos. But to unlock full recording features, you’ll likely need a subscription. Here’s what each plan offers and how it affects your recordings.

Arlo Secure Plans: What You Get

Feature	Free Plan	Arlo Secure (Single Camera)	Arlo Secure (Unlimited Cameras)	Arlo Secure Premium
Cloud Storage	7 days (last 3 videos)	30 days	30 days	60 days
Number of Cameras	Unlimited	1 camera	Unlimited	Unlimited
Activity Zones	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Person/Vehicle/Animal Detection	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Continuous Video Recording (CVR)	No	No	Yes (add-on)	Yes (add-on)
Cost (Monthly)	Free	$2.99	$9.99	$14.99

Note: CVR requires an additional $10/month per camera. It’s pricey, but worth it for high-traffic areas like garages or business entrances.

Smart Alerts: Filtering the Noise

Without a subscription, Arlo can’t tell the difference between a person, a car, and a squirrel. With Arlo Secure, it uses AI to identify specific objects. You can set alerts to only notify you about people, ignore animals, or highlight vehicles.

I use this to ignore my dog when he runs around the yard. The camera still records, but I don’t get bombarded with alerts. For my front door, I only get notified about people—no more alerts for passing cars.

To set this up:

1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Go to your camera’s settings.
3. Tap “Alerts” > “Smart Alerts.”
4. Toggle on “Person,” “Vehicle,” or “Animal” detection.

Continuous Recording: Pros and Cons

CVR is a game-changer for some setups. It records 24/7, so you never miss a moment. But it has trade-offs:

• Pros:
  • No gaps in footage.
  • Perfect for monitoring kids, pets, or businesses.
  • Works even if motion detection fails.
• Cons:
  • Uses 10x more cloud storage.
  • Drains battery faster (for wireless cameras).
  • More expensive (requires CVR add-on).

I use CVR for my home office, where I need a full record of who enters. For the backyard, I stick with motion-activated recording to save storage and battery.

Troubleshooting Common Recording Issues

Even the best setups run into problems. Here’s how to fix the most common Arlo recording issues—fast.

Camera Not Recording at All

If your camera isn’t recording, check these first:

• Is motion detection enabled? Go to the app > camera settings > “Video Settings.” Make sure “Record on Motion” is on.
• Is the battery charged? Low battery can disable recording. Check the app for battery level.
• Is the Wi-Fi strong? Weak signal causes missed recordings. Move the camera closer to the router or add an Arlo SmartHub.

I once had a camera that wouldn’t record. It turned out the battery was at 12%. A quick charge fixed it.

Too Many False Alerts

False alerts are frustrating. To reduce them:

• Adjust sensitivity: Lower it in the app (Settings > Video Settings > Motion Sensitivity).
• Refine activity zones: Exclude moving objects like trees or street traffic.
• Turn off audio detection: Sounds like wind or traffic can trigger alerts.

For example, my backyard camera used to alert me every time my neighbor’s sprinklers turned on. After excluding that zone, the problem stopped.

Missed Recordings (Camera Didn’t Trigger)

If your camera misses events, try this:

• Increase sensitivity: Set it to “High” in the app.
• Reposition the camera: Make sure it has a clear view of the area. Remove obstructions like leaves or decorations.
• Check the field of view: Arlo cameras have a 130° field of view. If something happens at the edge, it might not detect it.

Once, my camera missed a package delivery because the box was placed just outside its field of view. After moving the camera 6 inches to the right, it captured everything.

Storage Full or Videos Not Saving

If recordings disappear or won’t save:

• Check your subscription: Without a paid plan, only the last 3 videos are saved.
• Clear local storage: If using a microSD card, it might be full. Delete old footage or use a larger card.
• Restart the app: Sometimes the app glitches. Close and reopen it.

I once lost a week of footage because my 32GB microSD card was full. Upgrading to 128GB solved the issue.

Advanced Tips for Better Recordings

Now that your camera is recording, let’s make it work smarter—not just harder.

Schedule Recordings for Specific Times

Use the Arlo Schedule feature to record only when needed. For example:

• Record 24/7 when you’re on vacation.
• Only record during business hours for a home office.
• Turn off recording when your kids play outside (if you don’t want to monitor them).

To set this up:

1. Go to the Arlo app.
2. Tap “Schedule” (under your camera’s name).
3. Add rules like “Record from 6 PM to 8 AM.”

Use Multiple Cameras for Full Coverage

One camera can’t see everything. I use three Arlo cameras:

• Front door: Motion-activated, with person detection.
• Backyard: Motion-activated, with animal detection off (to ignore the dog).
• Driveway: CVR, to monitor deliveries 24/7.

This setup gives me complete coverage without unnecessary alerts.

Integrate with Other Smart Devices

Arlo works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. Use these to:

• View camera feeds on smart displays.
• Record when a smart lock is unlocked.
• Turn on lights when motion is detected.

For example, I set my porch light to turn on when my Arlo camera detects motion after dark. It’s a great deterrent.

Regular Maintenance for Reliable Performance

Like any tech, Arlo cameras need upkeep:

• Clean the lens: Dust or rain spots blur footage. Wipe it monthly with a microfiber cloth.
• Update firmware: Arlo pushes updates to fix bugs. Check for updates in the app (Settings > Device Info > Firmware).
• Test motion detection: Walk in front of the camera once a week to ensure it’s working.

I clean my cameras every six months. It’s a small effort that keeps them running smoothly.

Conclusion: Your Arlo Camera Is Ready to Record

Getting your Arlo camera to record isn’t magic—it’s about understanding how it works and tweaking it to fit your needs. Start with the basics: enable motion detection, set up activity zones, and choose the right storage. Add a subscription if you need smarter alerts or continuous recording. And don’t forget to troubleshoot common issues like false alerts or missed triggers.

Remember, no setup is perfect from day one. I spent weeks adjusting my cameras before they worked the way I wanted. But once they’re dialed in, they’re incredibly reliable. Whether you’re watching for deliveries, keeping an eye on kids, or just curious about backyard wildlife, your Arlo camera will be there—recording every important moment.

Now go check your settings. Your camera’s ready to start working for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my Arlo camera to record continuously?

To enable continuous recording, go to your Arlo app, select the camera, and toggle on “Always Record” under the Recording Settings. Note that this feature requires an active Arlo Smart subscription and sufficient storage space.

Why won’t my Arlo camera record even with motion detection enabled?

Ensure your camera’s motion detection sensitivity is properly set and that it’s not blocked by obstructions. Also, verify that your Arlo Smart subscription (if required) is active and your base station or Wi-Fi connection is stable.

Can I set my Arlo camera to record on a schedule?

Yes, use the “Modes” feature in the Arlo app to create custom schedules for recording. Assign specific times for the camera to arm or disarm, ensuring it captures footage only when needed.

How do I get my Arlo camera to record longer clips?

Adjust the “Video Recording Length” in your camera settings via the Arlo app. Choose options like 10, 30, or 60 seconds, but longer clips may consume more storage and battery (for wireless models).

Does Arlo record without Wi-Fi or a subscription?

Arlo cameras can record locally to a USB drive (for wired models) without Wi-Fi, but cloud recording requires both Wi-Fi and a subscription. Without a subscription, only basic motion-triggered recordings are stored temporarily.

How do I check if my Arlo camera is recording properly?

Open the Arlo app and review the “Library” tab for recent recordings. Ensure the camera’s status light is solid (for wired models) or check battery health (for wireless) to confirm it’s active and functioning.