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

Adjust your Arlo camera’s sensitivity directly in the Arlo app by navigating to Settings > Device > Motion Detection to fine-tune alert accuracy. Higher sensitivity increases detection range but may trigger false alarms, while lower settings reduce alerts for small movements—ideal for busy areas. Customize activity zones and schedule-specific sensitivity for smarter, more reliable monitoring.

Key Takeaways

• Adjust sensitivity via the Arlo app under camera settings for precise control.
• Higher sensitivity increases alerts but may trigger false alarms from small movements.
• Lower sensitivity reduces noise but might miss important activity—balance is key.
• Use activity zones to focus detection on high-priority areas and ignore distractions.
• Test different levels after changes to ensure optimal performance for your environment.
• Schedule sensitivity changes to match activity patterns, like lowering at night.

Why Sensitivity Settings Matter for Your Arlo Cameras

Imagine this: You’re sipping your morning coffee when your phone buzzes. It’s an alert from your Arlo camera—motion detected! You open the app, only to see your neighbor’s cat trotting across the yard for the tenth time this week. Frustrating, right? Or maybe the opposite happens: a delivery person drops off a package right in front of your door, but your camera misses it completely. No alert. No recording. Just silence. If this sounds familiar, the culprit might be your Arlo camera’s sensitivity settings.

Setting the right sensitivity on your Arlo camera isn’t just about reducing false alarms—it’s about striking the perfect balance between staying informed and avoiding alert fatigue. Whether you’re protecting your home, keeping an eye on pets, or monitoring deliveries, getting this setting right makes all the difference. The good news? It’s easier than you think. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to fine-tune your Arlo cameras for reliable, meaningful alerts—no tech degree required.

Understanding Arlo Camera Sensitivity: What It Really Does

Before diving into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” What exactly does “sensitivity” mean in the context of your Arlo camera? Simply put, it controls how easily the camera detects motion. But it’s not just about motion—it’s about what kind of motion and how much of it triggers an alert.

How Motion Detection Works in Arlo Cameras

Arlo cameras use passive infrared (PIR) sensors to detect changes in heat and movement. When something warmer than its surroundings (like a person, animal, or car) moves across the camera’s field of view, the sensor picks it up. The sensitivity setting determines how sensitive that sensor is to those changes. Think of it like adjusting the volume on a microphone—too high, and it picks up every whisper; too low, and it misses the loudest shouts.

For example, if your camera is set to maximum sensitivity, it might detect:

• Leaves rustling in the wind
• A squirrel hopping across the lawn
• Shadows shifting as clouds pass

These are all real movements, but they’re not usually what you want to be notified about. On the flip side, if sensitivity is too low, it might miss:

• A person walking slowly
• A vehicle idling in your driveway
• A pet entering a restricted zone

The goal? Find the sweet spot where your camera alerts you to what matters—without driving you crazy with false alarms.

The Trade-Off: Responsiveness vs. Reliability

Here’s the thing: higher sensitivity means faster detection, but also more false positives. Lower sensitivity reduces false alerts but risks missing real events. This trade-off is why one-size-fits-all settings don’t work. A camera facing a busy street needs different tuning than one pointed at a quiet backyard.

For instance, my Arlo Pro 4 at the front door used to alert me every time a car passed by—even though I only care about people approaching the house. By adjusting the sensitivity and using activity zones, I cut down on 80% of unnecessary alerts. Now, I get notified only when someone actually steps onto my porch. That’s the power of smart sensitivity settings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting Sensitivity in the Arlo App

Now that you understand the importance, let’s get into the nuts and bolts. Adjusting sensitivity on your Arlo camera is straightforward—once you know where to look. The process varies slightly depending on your Arlo model and app version, but here’s a universal approach that works for most users.

Accessing Your Camera’s Settings

Start by opening the Arlo Secure app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged in and connected to your Arlo account. From the home screen, tap on the camera you want to adjust. You’ll see a live feed (if available) and several icons below it. Look for the gear icon (settings)—this is your gateway to all camera configurations.

Once you tap the gear icon, you’ll enter the camera settings menu. Scroll down until you find a section labeled “Motion Detection” or “Detection Settings.” This is where the magic happens.

Finding and Adjusting the Sensitivity Slider

Inside the Motion Detection section, you’ll see a slider labeled “Sensitivity.” It typically ranges from 1 to 10 or 1 to 100, depending on your Arlo model. Lower numbers mean less sensitivity (fewer alerts), higher numbers mean more sensitivity (more alerts).

Here’s how to adjust it:

1. Start in the middle (around 5 or 50) – This gives you a baseline to test.
2. Observe for 24–48 hours – Let the camera run with this setting and note which alerts are useful and which aren’t.
3. Adjust based on results – If you’re getting too many false alarms, move the slider down. If you’re missing real events, move it up.
4. Repeat until satisfied – Fine-tuning takes time. Don’t expect perfection on the first try.

Pro tip: If you have multiple cameras, adjust them one at a time. This helps you isolate which setting works best for each environment.

Advanced Options: Smart Alerts and AI Detection

Some newer Arlo models (like the Arlo Pro 5S, Ultra 2, and Essential series) come with AI-powered detection that goes beyond basic motion sensing. These cameras can distinguish between:

• People vs. animals vs. vehicles
• Package deliveries
• Face recognition (if enabled)

If your camera supports these features, you’ll see options like “Person Detection,” “Vehicle Detection,” or “Package Detection” in the Motion Detection menu.

These smart alerts work independently of the main sensitivity slider. You can set high sensitivity for person detection but lower it for general motion. For example:

• Set Person Detection to high (so you never miss a visitor)
• Set General Motion to low (to ignore passing cars or trees)

This layered approach gives you granular control over what triggers alerts—without relying solely on the sensitivity slider.

Using Activity Zones to Reduce False Alarms

Even with perfect sensitivity settings, your Arlo camera might still pick up irrelevant motion—like cars on the street, trees swaying, or pets in areas they’re allowed to be. That’s where Activity Zones come in. Think of them as digital “no-fly zones” for motion detection.

What Are Activity Zones?

Activity Zones allow you to define specific areas within your camera’s field of view where motion should (or shouldn’t) trigger alerts. For example:

• Draw a zone around your front door to detect visitors
• Draw a zone on your driveway to catch vehicles
• Leave the sidewalk or street outside the zones so passing cars don’t set off alerts

This is a game-changer for reducing false alarms—especially in busy neighborhoods or homes near roads.

How to Set Up Activity Zones

In the Arlo app, go to your camera’s settings and look for “Activity Zones” under Motion Detection. Tap “Add Zone” and then draw a shape on the live video feed using your finger. You can create multiple zones and name them (e.g., “Front Door,” “Backyard Gate”).

Here’s a real-world example from my own setup:

• My Arlo camera covers the front yard, sidewalk, and street
• I created an Activity Zone only around the front steps and mailbox
• Now, the camera alerts me only when someone approaches the house—not when kids play on the sidewalk or delivery trucks drive by

The result? Fewer alerts, more relevant ones.

Combining Activity Zones with Sensitivity Settings

The real power comes when you combine Activity Zones with sensitivity. For instance:

• Set overall sensitivity to medium-low (to reduce general noise)
• Create small, focused Activity Zones around high-priority areas
• Set Person Detection to high within those zones

This way, your camera is “louder” where it matters and “quieter” everywhere else. It’s like having a bouncer at the door—only letting in the people you actually want to see.

Optimizing Sensitivity for Different Environments and Times

Not all times of day (or seasons of the year) are created equal when it comes to motion detection. What works during the day might fail at night—or vice versa. That’s why smart sensitivity tuning means adapting to your environment and schedule.

Day vs. Night Sensitivity Adjustments

During the day, your camera has plenty of light, so it can rely on both PIR and visual motion detection. But at night, when the infrared (IR) spotlight kicks in, the camera’s field of view changes. Shadows, heat reflections, and even insects near the IR lights can trigger false alarms.

Here’s what I recommend:

• Daytime – Set sensitivity to medium-high. Visual cues help the camera distinguish between real threats and false triggers.
• Nighttime – Reduce sensitivity slightly. Infrared lighting can amplify heat signatures, making small movements (like a moth flying by) appear larger than they are.

Some Arlo models (like the Ultra 2) support color night vision with a spotlight. If yours does, enable it—it reduces false alerts by providing more visual detail, even in the dark.

Seasonal and Weather Considerations

Weather plays a big role in motion detection:

• Wind – Swaying trees and plants can trigger alerts. In windy areas, use Activity Zones to exclude foliage and lower sensitivity.
• Rain/Snow – Water droplets on the lens or falling snow can look like motion. Wipe the lens regularly and consider lowering sensitivity during storms.
• Temperature – Extreme heat or cold affects PIR sensors. In very hot climates, set sensitivity lower to avoid overheating false alarms.

For example, in winter, my backyard Arlo camera used to go off every time snowflakes fell past the lens. By lowering the sensitivity and creating a zone only around the back door, I solved the problem.

Time-Based Scheduling (If Available)

Some Arlo plans and cameras support scheduled sensitivity changes. For instance, you could:

• Set high sensitivity during business hours (when deliveries happen)
• Lower it at night (when the house is quiet)
• Disable motion alerts during family movie nights (so no one’s startled by notifications)

Check your Arlo plan—this feature is available with Arlo Secure subscriptions. It’s perfect for automating sensitivity based on your routine.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to mess up your Arlo camera’s sensitivity settings. Here are the most common mistakes I’ve seen (and made myself)—and how to fix them.

Setting Sensitivity Too High

This is the #1 mistake. People want to “catch everything,” so they crank sensitivity to max. But this leads to:

• Alert fatigue (ignoring notifications because they’re always false)
• Battery drain (on wireless cameras, more alerts = more power used)
• Storage overload (too many recordings, making it hard to find real events)

Fix: Start low, test, then increase gradually. Use Activity Zones and smart detection to compensate for lower sensitivity.

Ignoring Camera Placement

Sensitivity isn’t just about the app—it’s also about where you mount the camera. A camera pointed at a busy street will always have more false alerts than one focused on a quiet patio.

Fix:

• Angle the camera to minimize irrelevant motion (e.g., avoid pointing at trees or roads)
• Use a hood or shield to block wind-blown debris
• Keep the lens clean—dirt and water spots can distort motion detection

I once had an Arlo camera mounted under an eave, pointing straight down the street. After re-angling it to focus only on the driveway, my false alerts dropped by 70%.

Forgetting to Update Firmware

Arlo regularly releases firmware updates that improve motion detection algorithms. If your camera is running old software, you might miss out on better sensitivity control and AI features.

Fix:

• Open the Arlo app and go to Settings > My Devices > [Your Camera] > Device Info
• Check for firmware updates and install them
• Enable automatic updates if available

Updated firmware often includes fixes for false alarms and improved detection accuracy.

Not Testing Changes

You wouldn’t bake a cake without tasting it—so don’t adjust sensitivity without testing. Small changes can have big effects.

Fix:

• After changing settings, observe for at least 24 hours
• Ask a friend to walk through the detection zone to verify alerts
• Check the “Recent Events” tab in the app to review what triggered recordings

Testing is the only way to know if your settings actually work.

Data Table: Recommended Sensitivity Settings by Scenario

To help you get started, here’s a quick-reference guide for setting sensitivity based on your camera’s location and purpose. These are starting points—adjust based on your specific environment.

Scenario	Recommended Sensitivity (1–10)	Activity Zones?	Smart Detection Tips
Front door (urban)	6–7	Yes (around door/mailbox)	Enable Person + Package Detection
Front door (rural)	5–6	Yes (exclude driveway/road)	Use high Person Detection, low General Motion
Backyard (with pets)	4–5	Yes (around gate/entry points)	Disable Animal Detection in zones where pets are allowed
Driveway (garage access)	7–8	Yes (focus on garage door)	Enable Vehicle Detection, disable Person Detection at night
Indoor (hallway)	3–4	No (or small zone around doorway)	Use low sensitivity to avoid false alerts from airflow
Nighttime (all locations)	1–2 points lower than daytime	Same as daytime	Enable spotlight (if available) to reduce IR false alarms

Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Balance

Setting the sensitivity on your Arlo camera isn’t a one-and-done task. It’s an ongoing process of observation, testing, and refinement. The goal isn’t to eliminate all alerts—it’s to make the alerts you do get meaningful, timely, and useful.

Remember: your camera should work for you, not against you. By combining the right sensitivity settings with Activity Zones, smart detection, and thoughtful placement, you can transform your Arlo system from a source of noise into a trusted guardian of your home.

So don’t be afraid to experiment. Try lowering the sensitivity. Draw a new Activity Zone. Test Person Detection at night. Every adjustment brings you closer to that “perfect alert” experience—where you’re informed without being overwhelmed.

And if you ever feel stuck? Just go back to the basics: start in the middle, observe, adjust, repeat. That’s how I finally got my Arlo cameras to stop alerting me to squirrels and start catching real visitors. With a little patience, you’ll get there too.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

To adjust Arlo camera sensitivity, open the Arlo app, select your camera, go to Settings > Video Settings > Motion Detection, and slide the sensitivity bar. Lower the sensitivity to reduce false alerts from small movements like leaves or pets. Test different levels to find the ideal balance for your environment.

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

Navigate to the Arlo app, tap on your camera, then go to Settings > Video Settings > Motion Detection. Here, you’ll see the sensitivity slider to customize how easily your camera triggers alerts. This is the main hub for tweaking motion detection performance.

Can I adjust Arlo camera sensitivity for specific areas of my property?

Yes! Use the Activity Zones feature in the Arlo app (under Motion Detection settings) to define specific areas for motion alerts. You can set different sensitivity levels for each zone, so your camera ignores unimportant areas like busy streets while monitoring driveways or doors.

Why is my Arlo camera sending too many alerts, and how do I fix it?

High sensitivity or poorly configured activity zones often cause excessive alerts. Lower the sensitivity slider in the Arlo app or refine your Activity Zones to focus on key areas. You can also enable “Smart Alerts” (if available) to filter out non-human motion.

Does Arlo camera sensitivity affect night vision or audio detection?

No, sensitivity adjustments only impact motion detection (PIR sensor), not night vision or audio. However, high sensitivity may trigger more frequent recordings, which can drain battery life on wireless models. Adjust motion settings independently from night vision/audio settings in the app.

How do I reset Arlo camera sensitivity to default settings?

In the Arlo app, go to your camera’s Motion Detection settings and tap “Reset to Default” below the sensitivity slider. This restores factory-recommended levels, which you can then fine-tune for your needs. Always test after resetting.