How Do I Share My Arlo Camera A Complete Guide for Easy Access

Sharing your Arlo camera is simple and secure through the Arlo app—just invite users via email to grant instant access. Whether you’re granting temporary or permanent viewing rights, the process ensures real-time monitoring and smart alerts for family, roommates, or trusted neighbors. Customize permissions to maintain privacy while staying connected.

Key Takeaways

• Use the Arlo app to instantly share camera access with family or friends.
• Create unique user profiles to control permissions and maintain privacy.
• Enable two-factor authentication to secure shared access and prevent unauthorized logins.
• Share via email invite for quick, hassle-free setup on any device.
• Revoke access anytime through the app to protect your privacy.
• Limit live viewing only to restrict recordings and settings changes.

Why Sharing Your Arlo Camera Makes Life Easier

Imagine this: It’s late at night, and you’re away from home. You get a notification from your Arlo camera that motion was detected in your backyard. You open the app, check the live feed, and see your dog barking at a raccoon. But what if you want your partner to see it too? Or maybe you’re at work and want your neighbor to keep an eye on your front porch? That’s where sharing your Arlo camera comes in. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about peace of mind, safety, and teamwork.

Sharing your Arlo camera with family, friends, or trusted neighbors lets them view live feeds, receive alerts, or even manage your security system when you can’t. Whether you’re a busy parent, a frequent traveler, or just want to keep your community safe, sharing access can make a big difference. But how do you do it? And more importantly, how do you do it safely? In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about sharing your Arlo camera—step by step, with real-life tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way.

Understanding Arlo’s Sharing Features

Before you start handing out access, it helps to understand what Arlo actually allows you to share. Arlo’s sharing system is designed to be flexible but secure. It’s not like giving someone your password—instead, you invite them as a “user” with specific permissions. This way, you stay in control.

What Can Be Shared?

With Arlo, you can share:

• Live camera feeds – Let others view what your cameras see in real time.
• Motion alerts – They’ll get push notifications when your cameras detect activity.
• Recorded clips – If you have Arlo Secure (paid cloud storage), they can view past recordings.
• Smart home integration – Some users can control Arlo with Alexa or Google Assistant if permissions allow.
• Device settings (limited) – You can let others manage cameras, but not change your account settings like billing or passwords.

For example, I shared my front door camera with my sister when I went on vacation. She could see the live feed and got alerts if someone came to the door. But she couldn’t change my subscription or delete videos—perfect balance.

User Roles: Viewer vs. Administrator

Arlo lets you assign two types of access:

• Viewer: Can watch live feeds, receive alerts, and view recordings. Can’t change camera settings or remove devices.
• Administrator: Can do everything a Viewer can do, plus edit camera settings, add/remove cameras, and even invite others. Only you should make someone an admin if you fully trust them.

I made my husband an admin so he could adjust camera angles if needed. My neighbor is just a viewer—she gets alerts when packages are delivered, but can’t mess with anything else.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

• You can invite up to 20 users per Arlo account (as of 2024).
• Each user needs their own Arlo app and login.
• Sharing only works if both parties have the Arlo app installed and verified emails.
• Some features (like AI detection) may not be available to shared users depending on your plan.

One thing I learned the hard way: if you have multiple Arlo systems (like a house and a cabin), you need to share each one separately. It’s a small hassle, but worth it for clarity.

Step-by-Step: How to Share Your Arlo Camera

Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Sharing your Arlo camera is easier than you think—but you need to follow the steps carefully. I’ll walk you through it using the Arlo app (the most common method).

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In

First, make sure you’re logged into your primary Arlo account—the one that owns the cameras. This is crucial. If you’re using a shared account, you won’t have permission to invite others.

Pro tip: Use the official Arlo app (iOS or Android). The web version has fewer sharing options.

Step 2: Go to “Settings” > “My Devices”

Tap the gear icon in the top-right corner of the home screen. Then select “My Devices.” You’ll see a list of all your cameras and hubs. Tap the one you want to share (or “All Devices” if you want to share everything).

I usually share all devices at once, but if you have a camera in your bedroom, you might want to share only outdoor ones.

Step 3: Select “Sharing” > “Invite User”

On the device page, look for the “Sharing” option. Tap it, then “Invite User.” Here’s where you enter the email address of the person you’re sharing with.

Important: Use the email they use for their Arlo account. If they don’t have one yet, they’ll need to create it first.

Step 4: Choose Access Level (Viewer or Administrator)

Arlo will ask you to select the user’s role. For most people, Viewer is the safest choice. Only pick Administrator if you want them to manage your system.

I once accidentally made my cousin an admin when I meant to make him a viewer. He changed my camera sensitivity, and I got 50 alerts a day from my cat. Lesson learned: double-check!

Step 5: Send the Invitation

Tap “Send.” The person will get an email with a link to accept the invitation. Once they click it and log into their Arlo app, they’ll see your shared cameras.

Tip: Tell them to check their spam folder if the email doesn’t arrive. I’ve had a few invites get lost there.

Step 6: Confirm They Can Access

After they accept, open the app and check if their name appears in your “Sharing” list. Have them test the camera feed and alerts to make sure it works.

When I shared my backyard camera with my dad, he couldn’t see the feed at first. Turned out his app needed an update. A quick reinstall fixed it.

Advanced Sharing Tips for Families and Communities

Sharing one camera is easy. But what if you have a whole security system? Or want to create a neighborhood watch? Here are some smart ways to level up your sharing game.

Create a “Family Group” for Shared Homes

If you live with roommates or family, consider making a shared Arlo account (if everyone agrees). This way:

• Everyone has equal access.
• Alerts go to all members.
• No one accidentally removes a camera.

We did this with my in-laws when they moved in. Now we all get alerts if the garage door is left open. No more “Did you close the door?” texts.

Set Up a Neighborhood Watch System

Many Arlo users share outdoor cameras with trusted neighbors. For example:

• Share your front yard camera with the house next door.
• Let a neighbor view your driveway camera if they’re home during the day.
• Create a private group chat (via WhatsApp or Signal) to discuss alerts.

I share my driveway camera with a neighbor who works from home. If she sees a delivery, she checks the package and lets me know. It’s like having a free concierge!

Important: Only share with people you trust. And be clear about what they can and can’t do. A written agreement (even a text) helps avoid misunderstandings.

Use Scheduling for Temporary Access

Arlo doesn’t have built-in scheduling for sharing, but you can work around it:

• For house sitters: Share access when they arrive, remove it when they leave.
• For contractors: Share only during work hours, then revoke access.
• Set calendar reminders to check your sharing list monthly.

I use my Google Calendar to remind me to remove temporary access. It’s saved me from leaving a camera shared with an old babysitter by accident.

Customize Alerts for Shared Users

You can’t change alert settings for individual users, but you can:

• Set up Smart Alerts (people, vehicles, animals) so shared users only get relevant notifications.
• Use Activity Zones to limit alerts to specific areas (e.g., only the front porch).
• Tell shared users to mute notifications for certain cameras in their app settings.

My mom gets alerts from my front door camera, but I turned off motion alerts for the backyard (where my dog runs around). She only gets notified about people or packages.

Security and Privacy: What You Need to Know

Sharing your camera is great—but it can also be risky if you’re not careful. Here’s how to protect yourself and your data.

Never Share Your Login Credentials

Arlo’s sharing system is designed to avoid this. Never give someone your email and password. If they need access, invite them through the app. This way:

• You can remove them anytime.
• You keep control of your account.
• You avoid security breaches from shared passwords.

I know someone who gave their neighbor their login. The neighbor accidentally clicked a phishing link, and their account got locked. A nightmare to fix!

Review Shared Users Regularly

Check your sharing list every 1–2 months. Remove:

• Ex-roommates or old friends.
• Contractors or babysitters who no longer need access.
• Anyone who hasn’t used the app in months.

I had a camera shared with a cousin who moved across the country. I forgot to remove him for a year. Not a big deal, but it’s good to clean up.

Use Strong Passwords and 2FA

Even with sharing, your primary account needs protection:

• Use a unique password for Arlo (not one you use elsewhere).
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) in Arlo settings.
• Update your password every 6 months.

Arlo sends a code to your phone when you log in from a new device. It’s a small step that stops hackers cold.

Be Careful with Sensitive Areas

Think twice before sharing cameras that point at:

• Bedrooms or bathrooms.
• Your backyard pool or hot tub.
• Areas with private conversations.

I once shared my entire system with a friend, only to realize her camera could see my patio where we have family gatherings. I quickly removed that camera from the shared list.

Common Problems (And How to Fix Them)

Sharing isn’t always smooth. Here are the top issues I’ve faced—and how to solve them.

“I Sent an Invite, But They Can’t Accept It”

• Check their email: The invite expires after 7 days. Resend it if needed.
• Verify their account: They must have a verified Arlo account.
• Update the app: Old app versions can’t accept invites.

My neighbor couldn’t accept my invite until she updated her app. A 2-minute fix!

“They Can See the Feed, But No Alerts”

• Have them check their notification settings in the Arlo app.
• Make sure motion detection is on for the shared camera.
• Tell them to enable “Background App Refresh” on their phone.

My sister’s phone was set to “Battery Saver” mode, which blocked alerts. Turning it off fixed it.

“They Can’t Access Recordings”

• Verify your Arlo Secure subscription is active.
• Check if they have cloud storage access in their role (Viewers can’t download clips).
• Ensure the recordings aren’t older than your storage period (7–30 days, depending on plan).

I upgraded to Arlo Secure Plus so my dad could view 30-day recordings. Worth it for peace of mind.

“I Accidentally Removed Someone”

No panic! You can re-invite them. But note: they’ll lose access to any recordings they saved.

Data Table: Arlo Sharing Features by Plan

Feature	Free Plan	Arlo Secure (Basic)	Arlo Secure Plus
Max Shared Users	20	20	20
Cloud Recording Access	No	Yes (7 days)	Yes (30 days)
Smart Alerts (People/Vehicles)	No	Yes	Yes
Activity Zones	No	Yes	Yes
2FA for Shared Users	Yes	Yes	Yes
Download Clips	No	No	Yes (Admin only)

Note: All plans allow live viewing and alerts. Features vary by camera model (e.g., Arlo Pro vs. Arlo Essential).

Final Thoughts: Sharing Smart, Not Just Easy

Sharing your Arlo camera isn’t just about convenience—it’s about building a safer, more connected life. Whether you’re helping a neighbor keep an eye on their home while they’re away, or giving your parents a peek at your new puppy, these small acts of sharing can make a big difference. I’ve found that the people I share with become more invested in my home’s safety. It’s like having a team of security guards who care.

But remember: with great power comes great responsibility. Always think about who you’re sharing with, what they can see, and how long they need access. Use the tools Arlo gives you—like Viewer/Admin roles, Activity Zones, and 2FA—to stay in control. And don’t forget to check your sharing list regularly. A little maintenance goes a long way.

At the end of the day, your Arlo camera is more than a security device. It’s a way to share peace of mind. So go ahead—invite that trusted friend, empower your family, or start a neighborhood watch. Just do it wisely, and enjoy the extra layer of safety that comes from sharing smart.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I share my Arlo camera with family members?

To share your Arlo camera, open the Arlo app, go to “Settings” > “Share Access,” and enter the recipient’s email. They’ll receive an invitation to view or manage your camera feed. This is ideal for letting family members monitor your property remotely.

Can I share my Arlo camera access without giving away my login?

Yes! Arlo’s “Share Access” feature lets you grant limited permissions (view-only or full control) without sharing your account credentials. This keeps your login secure while allowing others to monitor your cameras.

How many people can I share my Arlo camera with?

Arlo allows you to share access with up to 10 users per camera. Each user must have an Arlo account, and you can customize their permissions (e.g., live viewing, recording access, or device management).

Why can’t I find the “Share Access” option for my Arlo camera?

Ensure you’re using the latest Arlo app version and that your camera is connected to a paid Arlo Secure plan. The “Share Access” feature is unavailable on free plans or outdated app versions.

Can I revoke shared access to my Arlo camera later?

Absolutely. Go to “Settings” > “Share Access” in the Arlo app, select the user, and tap “Remove.” This instantly revokes their access, ensuring your privacy and security.

Does sharing my Arlo camera require a subscription?

Yes, sharing your Arlo camera requires an active Arlo Secure plan (paid subscription). Free accounts don’t support sharing, but the subscription also unlocks advanced features like AI detection and cloud storage.