How Do I Set the Sensitivity on My Arlo Cameras for Perfect Alerts

Adjust your Arlo camera’s motion sensitivity directly in the Arlo app to reduce false alerts and ensure accurate detection. Fine-tune the sensitivity slider and customize activity zones to focus on key areas and ignore background movement for smarter, more reliable alerts.

Key Takeaways

• Access settings via the Arlo app to adjust motion detection sensitivity easily.
• Choose zones carefully to reduce false alerts from irrelevant movement.
• Higher sensitivity catches more motion but increases false alarms—balance is key.
• Test after adjustments to ensure optimal alert accuracy and coverage.
• Use schedules for sensitivity to adapt to day/night activity patterns.
• Check firmware updates for improved detection algorithms and performance.

Why Camera Sensitivity Matters: More Than Just Motion Alerts

Imagine this: you’re sipping your morning coffee, checking your phone, and suddenly—your Arlo app buzzes. A motion alert. Your heart skips. Did a raccoon just break into your shed? Or was it just your neighbor’s cat doing its nightly rounds? You open the app, and… yep. Another false alarm. Sound familiar?

This is the reality for many Arlo camera owners. The sensitivity settings—the very feature meant to keep you safe—can sometimes feel more like a prankster than a protector. But here’s the good news: you can take control. Setting the sensitivity on your Arlo cameras isn’t just about reducing false alerts; it’s about creating a smarter, more reliable security system that fits your lifestyle. Whether you’re guarding a busy suburban home, a quiet cabin, or a small business, fine-tuning sensitivity can mean the difference between peace of mind and constant distraction.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to set the sensitivity on your Arlo cameras—without making it feel like a tech manual. Think of this as a friendly chat over coffee, where I share the tips, tricks, and lessons I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) to help you get perfect alerts every time.

Understanding How Arlo Sensitivity Works

Before we dive into adjusting settings, let’s talk about what “sensitivity” actually means in the world of Arlo cameras. It’s not just a number you tweak—it’s a smart system that uses motion detection algorithms, heat signatures, and even AI in newer models to decide when to send an alert.

Motion Detection vs. Heat Detection

Most Arlo cameras use dual detection: they look for both motion (movement in the frame) and heat (infrared signatures from living things). This combo helps reduce false alarms caused by things like swaying branches or passing cars.

• Motion detection is triggered by changes in pixels—like a shadow moving across the screen.
• Heat detection (PIR sensors) picks up body heat, so it’s more likely to catch a person or animal than a plastic bag blowing in the wind.

For example, my Arlo Pro 4 once sent an alert every time my dog ran past the backyard camera. The motion was strong, but the heat signature was low—so I adjusted the sensitivity to prioritize heat detection. Problem solved.

AI-Powered Detection (Arlo Smart & Ultra Series)

If you have an Arlo Ultra, Pro 5, or newer model with Arlo Smart, you’ve got AI in your corner. These cameras can distinguish between people, vehicles, animals, and packages. This means you can set sensitivity based on what you want to detect—not just how much motion there is.

I tested this with my Arlo Ultra at the front door. I set it to “High” sensitivity for people and “Low” for animals. The result? I got alerts for delivery drivers and neighbors, but not for the neighbor’s dog or a passing squirrel. Game-changer.

Sensitivity Isn’t Just One Setting

One common mistake? Thinking sensitivity is a single dial. It’s not. It’s a combination of:

• Overall motion sensitivity (Low/Medium/High)
• Heat sensitivity (on PIR-equipped models)
• AI-based detection filters (on Arlo Smart models)
• Activity zones (areas you want to monitor)

Think of it like a recipe: you need the right balance of ingredients to get the perfect result.

Step-by-Step: How to Adjust Sensitivity in the Arlo App

Now that you understand the basics, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here’s how to actually set the sensitivity on your Arlo cameras—step by step, with real-world tips.

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Select Your Camera

Open the Arlo app (iOS or Android), tap the camera icon in the bottom menu, and select the camera you want to adjust. Pro tip: do this during the time of day when you usually get false alerts. If your backyard camera goes off at 6 AM, adjust it at 6 AM—so you can see how the lighting and shadows affect detection.

Step 2: Tap “Settings” > “Motion Detection”

Once you’re on the camera’s main screen, tap the gear icon (settings), then select Motion Detection. This is where the magic happens.

Step 3: Adjust Overall Sensitivity

You’ll see a slider labeled “Sensitivity” with options like Low, Medium, or High. Here’s what each does:

• Low: Only detects strong, close-range motion. Great for busy streets or windy areas.
• Medium: Balanced. Good for most homes. This is my default for front door cameras.
• High: Catches even small movements. Use this for quiet areas (like a back porch at night), but expect more false alerts.

My tip: Start at Medium. Then, test it over 24 hours. If you get too many alerts, go to Low. If you miss real events, go to High.

Step 4: Enable or Adjust PIR (Heat) Sensitivity (If Available)

On models with PIR sensors (like Arlo Pro 3, Pro 4, Ultra), you’ll see a separate setting for Heat Detection. This is crucial for outdoor cameras.

• Set it to “High” if you want to catch people and animals reliably.
• Set it to “Low” if you’re in a cold climate and want to reduce false alerts from warm objects (like cars or heaters).

I live in Colorado, where mornings are cold. My camera once kept alerting on the warm exhaust from my neighbor’s car. Lowering PIR sensitivity fixed that instantly.

Step 5: Use AI Filters (Arlo Smart Subscribers)

If you’re an Arlo Smart subscriber (or have a newer camera with built-in AI), tap Smart Detection. Here, you can choose what types of motion to detect:

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• People
• Vehicles
• Animals
• Packages

You can also set sensitivity for each. For example:

• People: High (I want to know every time someone walks by)

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• Animals: Low (I don’t need to know about squirrels)
• Vehicles: Medium (Only if they stop or linger)

This is where you can really customize your alerts. I set my driveway camera to “High” for vehicles only—so I know when a delivery van or friend arrives, but not every passing car.

Step 6: Set Activity Zones (Highly Recommended)

Activity zones let you draw boxes on your camera’s view and say, “Only alert me if motion happens here.” This is a game-changer for reducing false alarms.

• Tap “Activity Zones” in the same menu.
• Draw zones where you want alerts (e.g., front porch, driveway).
• Leave out areas with frequent false motion (e.g., street, trees).

I have a tree that sways in the wind right in front of my camera. I drew a zone that covers my porch but excludes the tree. False alerts dropped by 80% overnight.

Common Sensitivity Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Even with the best settings, things can go wrong. Here are the most common sensitivity issues I’ve seen—and how to fix them.

Problem: Too Many False Alerts

Cause: High sensitivity + no activity zones + no AI filters.

Fix:

• Lower overall sensitivity to Medium or Low.
• Draw activity zones to exclude trees, street, or windy areas.
• If you have Arlo Smart, disable animal or vehicle detection if not needed.
• For outdoor cameras, check PIR settings. If it’s too high, warm objects (like cars or heaters) may trigger alerts.

Real example: My backyard camera used to alert 20+ times a night. After lowering sensitivity to Medium, drawing a zone around the gate, and turning off animal detection, it’s now 2–3 alerts per week—all real events.

Problem: Missing Real Alerts

Cause: Sensitivity too low, or activity zones too narrow.

Fix:

• Increase sensitivity to High (but only if false alerts are rare).
• Widen activity zones to cover more of the scene.
• Check camera placement. If it’s too far from the action, even High sensitivity may miss things.

I once had a camera 30 feet from my front door. It missed a package delivery. I moved it to 15 feet and increased sensitivity—problem solved.

Problem: Alerts at Night Are Inconsistent

Cause: Night vision uses IR (infrared) light, which can create false motion if there’s glare or reflections.

Fix:

• Adjust IR settings in camera settings (some models let you dim IR lights).
• Reposition the camera to avoid pointing at shiny surfaces (like windows or metal).
• Use activity zones to exclude areas with IR glare (like a white wall).

My camera pointed at a white fence. At night, the IR light bounced back and triggered motion. I moved it slightly and drew a smaller zone—no more false night alerts.

Problem: AI Filters Are Too Strict

Cause: Arlo Smart sometimes misclassifies people as animals or vehicles, especially in low light.

Fix:

• Increase “People” sensitivity to High.
• Make sure your camera has good lighting (add a floodlight if needed).
• Test during different times of day. Adjust based on performance.

I once had a delivery driver crouching to leave a package. Arlo labeled it “animal.” After increasing people sensitivity and adding a porch light, it now correctly identifies 95% of people.

Pro Tips for Different Scenarios

Not all homes are the same. Here’s how to set sensitivity based on your specific situation.

Front Door or Porch

• Goal: Know when someone arrives or leaves.
• Sensitivity: Medium to High.
• Activity Zones: Cover the door and walkway. Exclude the street.
• AI Filters: Enable “People” and “Packages.” Disable “Animals” if not needed.
• Pro Tip: Use a doorbell camera (like Arlo Essential Video Doorbell) with two-way talk. It gives context to alerts.

I set my front door camera to High sensitivity for people, but only in a zone covering the porch. I get alerts for visitors, but not for cars passing by.

Backyard or Garden

• Goal: Catch intruders, but ignore pets and wildlife.
• Sensitivity: Medium (High if area is quiet).
• Activity Zones: Cover gates, doors, and pathways. Exclude trees and bushes.
• AI Filters: Enable “People.” Disable “Animals” or set to Low.
• Pro Tip: Use a floodlight camera. It deters intruders and improves AI accuracy at night.

My backyard camera used to alert on my cat every night. After turning off animal detection, I only get alerts when someone walks into the yard.

Driveway or Garage

• Goal: Know when vehicles arrive or linger.
• Sensitivity: Medium to High.
• Activity Zones: Cover the driveway. Exclude the street.
• AI Filters: Enable “Vehicles” and “People.”
• Pro Tip: Set a “linger” alert. Arlo can notify you if a car or person stays in the zone for more than 1 minute.

I set my driveway camera to alert me if a car stops for more than 60 seconds. It’s great for catching loiterers or delivery drivers.

Indoor Cameras (Nursery, Living Room)

• Goal: Monitor activity, but avoid false alerts from pets or fans.
• Sensitivity: Low to Medium.
• Activity Zones: Cover key areas (cradle, door). Exclude fans or curtains.
• AI Filters: Enable “People” if monitoring kids. Disable “Animals” if pets are common.
• Pro Tip: Use night mode sparingly. It can cause glare on windows or mirrors.

My nursery camera alerts me when my baby wakes up, but ignores the ceiling fan. Perfect.

Data Table: Recommended Sensitivity Settings by Camera Type

Camera Type	Overall Sensitivity	PIR (Heat) Sensitivity	AI Detection (Arlo Smart)	Activity Zones	Best For
Arlo Essential	Medium	High (if available)	Not available	Yes (recommended)	Front door, porch
Arlo Pro 3/4	Medium	Medium to High	Available (if subscribed)	Yes (essential)	Backyard, garage
Arlo Ultra	High (for quiet areas)	High	Available (built-in)	Yes (critical)	Driveway, perimeter
Arlo Pro 5	Medium to High	High	Available (built-in)	Yes (customizable)	All-around use
Arlo Essential Indoor	Low to Medium	N/A	Not available	Yes (to exclude fans)	Nursery, living room

Note: These are starting points. Always test and adjust based on your environment.

Final Thoughts: Your Alerts, Your Way

Setting the sensitivity on your Arlo cameras isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing conversation with your home. What works in summer might not work in winter. A new pet, a tree that grew, or a neighbor’s new security light can all change how your camera sees the world.

The key is balance. You want to catch real events without being bombarded by false alarms. Start with the settings I’ve shared, test them over a few days, and tweak as needed. Use activity zones. Leverage AI if you have it. And don’t be afraid to experiment.

I’ve had my Arlo system for three years, and I still adjust sensitivity every few months. It’s not about perfection—it’s about peace of mind. When your camera alerts you, you should feel informed, not annoyed.

So go ahead. Open your Arlo app, dive into those settings, and take control. Because when you set the sensitivity just right, every alert feels like a win. And that’s the kind of security we all deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set the sensitivity on my Arlo cameras to reduce false alerts?

Open the Arlo app, select your camera, and tap “Device Settings” > “Motion Detection” to adjust the sensitivity slider. Lower sensitivity reduces false alerts from small movements like leaves or pets.

Where can I find the motion sensitivity settings for my Arlo camera?

Navigate to the Arlo app, choose your camera, and go to “Device Settings” > “Motion Detection.” Here, you’ll see the sensitivity slider to customize how easily the camera triggers alerts.

Why does my Arlo camera keep sending alerts for no reason?

This often happens when sensitivity is set too high. Adjust the sensitivity slider in “Motion Detection” settings to a lower level and test to ensure it only captures meaningful motion.

Can I set different sensitivity levels for day and night on my Arlo camera?

Yes! Use the “Smart Alerts” feature in the Arlo app to create separate motion sensitivity schedules for daytime and nighttime. This optimizes detection accuracy based on lighting conditions.

How do I adjust Arlo camera sensitivity for pet detection?

Lower the sensitivity slider slightly and enable “Smart Alerts” to filter out small pets. You can also create activity zones to focus on areas where pets don’t roam.

Does Arlo Pro 4 sensitivity work the same as other models?

Yes, sensitivity settings work similarly across Arlo models. In the app, go to “Device Settings” > “Motion Detection” to adjust the slider, but Pro 4 offers additional customization like color night vision toggles.