How Do I Turn Off Notifications on My Arlo Camera Quick Guide

How Do I Turn Off Notifications on My Arlo Camera Quick Guide

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To turn off notifications on your Arlo camera, open the Arlo app and tap the camera you want to adjust—then disable alerts instantly in the settings. Navigate to “Notifications” under Device Settings and toggle off “Push Notifications” to stop alerts immediately. This quick fix ensures peace without missing critical security updates if configured selectively.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Arlo app to access notification settings quickly.
  • Select your camera before adjusting alert preferences.
  • Toggle “Push Notifications” off to stop instant alerts.
  • Disable “Email Alerts” in settings for fewer emails.
  • Use “Do Not Disturb” to mute notifications temporarily.
  • Check activity zones to reduce false alerts effectively.

Why You Might Want to Turn Off Arlo Camera Notifications

Imagine this: It’s a quiet Sunday morning. You’re sipping coffee, enjoying the peace. Then—ping, ping, ping!—your phone erupts with notifications from your Arlo camera. A squirrel ran past. A leaf blew across the yard. Your neighbor’s cat is napping on your porch. Again. Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Many Arlo users love the security these cameras provide, but the constant stream of alerts can quickly go from helpful to overwhelming.

Notifications are a core part of the Arlo experience, designed to keep you informed. But sometimes, too much information is just… too much. Maybe you’re getting alerts for things you don’t care about. Or perhaps the frequency is disrupting your focus, sleep, or family time. Whether you’re dealing with false alarms, motion fatigue, or just want a little peace, knowing how do I turn off notifications on my Arlo camera is a valuable skill. The good news? It’s easier than you think, and you have several options depending on your needs. In this guide, I’ll walk you through every method, from quick fixes to advanced settings, so you can customize your alerts exactly how you want them.

Understanding Arlo Notification Types and When to Disable Them

Before diving into how to turn them off, it’s important to understand what you’re turning off. Arlo notifications aren’t one-size-fits-all. They come in different flavors, and disabling the wrong one might mean missing something important. Let’s break it down.

Types of Arlo Notifications

  • Motion Alerts: The most common type. Triggered when your camera detects movement in its field of view. This is what you’ll get when a car drives by, a person walks up your walkway, or a raccoon raids your trash can.
  • Person Detection Alerts: If your Arlo system supports AI-powered person detection (available on many newer models and with Arlo Smart subscriptions), you’ll get specific alerts when a human is identified. This helps cut down on false alarms from pets or moving foliage.
  • Vehicle Detection Alerts: Similar to person detection, this alerts you when a car or truck is detected. Great for driveways, but can be noisy if you live on a busy street.
  • Sound Alerts: Some Arlo models (like the Audio Doorbell or cameras with two-way audio) can notify you of unusual sounds, like glass breaking or loud noises.
  • System Alerts: These include low battery warnings, Wi-Fi connectivity issues, or camera offline notifications. These are usually important and shouldn’t be disabled unless you have a specific reason.
  • Smart Activity Zones Alerts: If you’ve set up custom zones, you’ll get alerts only when motion occurs in those areas. Disabling this means you’ll get alerts from the entire camera view.

When Disabling Notifications Makes Sense

So, when should you actually turn off notifications? Here are a few real-life scenarios:

  • You have pets or live in a high-traffic area: If your camera constantly picks up your dog, cat, or kids playing, or if you live on a busy street with constant car movement, you might be getting dozens of irrelevant alerts daily.
  • You’re on vacation or away from home: You might want to disable non-essential alerts to avoid phone overload while you’re relaxing, but keep system alerts on for security.
  • You’re in a meeting or need focus time: A quick mute during work hours or family time can be a game-changer.
  • You’re testing camera placement or settings: During setup, you might want to turn off alerts temporarily to avoid spam while adjusting sensitivity or zones.
  • You’re using a shared account: If multiple people have access, you might want to customize alerts per user so everyone gets only what they need.

For example, I once set up an Arlo camera overlooking my front yard. It was great… until my neighbor’s dog started chasing squirrels every morning. My phone would go off 20 times before breakfast. Turning off motion alerts (but keeping person detection) solved the problem instantly.

Step-by-Step Guide: Turning Off Notifications in the Arlo App (iOS & Android)

Now for the main event: how do I turn off notifications on my Arlo camera? The primary method is through the Arlo app, which is available on both iOS and Android. The process is nearly identical across both platforms. Here’s how to do it, step by step.

Accessing Notification Settings

  1. Open the Arlo app on your phone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged into the correct account.
  2. Tap on the camera you want to adjust. You’ll see a live view or recent activity.
  3. Tap the three dots (⋮) or gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the screen. This opens the camera’s settings menu. (On some older app versions, it might be labeled “Settings” or “More”).
  4. Look for “Notifications” or “Alerts” in the settings menu. Tap on it.

Pro Tip: If you have multiple cameras, you’ll need to repeat this process for each one individually. Unfortunately, there’s no “bulk edit” option for notifications in the current Arlo app.

Disabling Specific Notification Types

Once you’re in the Notifications menu, you’ll see a list of toggle switches. Here’s what each one controls, and how to disable them:

  • Motion Alerts: Toggle this OFF to stop all motion-based notifications from this camera.
  • Person Detection: Toggle OFF to disable alerts when a person is detected. (Requires Arlo Smart subscription for most models).
  • Vehicle Detection: Toggle OFF to stop car/truck alerts. (Also requires Arlo Smart).
  • Sound Alerts: Toggle OFF if your camera has audio detection and you want to stop sound-based notifications.
  • Smart Activity Zones: This isn’t a direct notification toggle, but if you disable your custom zones (see below), you’ll effectively stop zone-specific alerts.

Example: Let’s say you only want to be notified when a person approaches your front door, not when a car drives by or your cat runs across the yard. You’d:

  1. Turn OFF “Motion Alerts”
  2. Turn ON “Person Detection”
  3. Turn OFF “Vehicle Detection”
  4. Keep “Sound Alerts” OFF (unless you want to hear knocks or voices)

This way, you’re only getting the alerts that matter most.

Disabling Smart Activity Zones (A Powerful Filter)

This is a crucial step for reducing false alerts. Smart Activity Zones let you define specific areas of your camera’s view that should trigger notifications.

  1. While in the camera settings, look for “Smart Activity Zones” or “Activity Zones.”
  2. Tap to edit the zones. You’ll see a grid overlay on your camera feed.
  3. To disable all zones: Tap the “X” on each zone box to delete it. Or, tap “Clear All” if available.
  4. To customize: Drag the corners of the zone boxes to cover only the areas you care about (e.g., your front porch, not the street).
  5. Save your changes.

Why this matters: If you don’t set up zones, your camera will alert you to motion anywhere in its field of view—including trees swaying in the wind or passing cars. By disabling zones or narrowing them, you dramatically reduce noise.

Disabling All Notifications (Quick Mute)

Need a quick break? You can mute all notifications from a camera temporarily.

  1. In the camera settings, look for “Mute Notifications” or “Do Not Disturb.”
  2. Toggle it ON.
  3. Set a duration (e.g., 1 hour, 8 hours, until manually turned off).
  4. Tap “Save” or “Mute.”

This is perfect for meetings, sleep, or when you’re home and don’t need alerts. Remember to turn it off later!

Advanced Options: Scheduling, Do Not Disturb, and Account-Level Settings

The Arlo app offers more than just on/off toggles. For true notification control, you need to explore these advanced features. They’re the key to avoiding alert fatigue without sacrificing security.

Scheduling Notifications (The Smart Way to Mute)

Instead of manually turning notifications on and off, set up a schedule. This is ideal if you want alerts only during certain times (e.g., when you’re at work or asleep).

  1. Go to your camera’s settings > Notifications.
  2. Look for “Schedule” or “Notification Schedule.”
  3. Tap “Add Schedule” or “Edit Schedule.”
  4. Choose the days of the week (e.g., Monday–Friday).
  5. Set the start and end time (e.g., 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM).
  6. Choose which notification types to disable during this period (e.g., motion, person detection).
  7. Save the schedule.

Real-world example: I have a camera facing my backyard. I set a schedule to mute all motion alerts from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. That way, I don’t get woken up by my neighbor’s late-night dog walks, but I still get alerts during the day if someone’s in my yard.

Using “Do Not Disturb” Mode (Global or Per-Camera)

Arlo’s “Do Not Disturb” (DND) mode is more powerful than a simple mute. It can silence notifications across your entire system or for specific cameras.

Per-Camera DND:

  1. As mentioned earlier, use the “Mute Notifications” option in camera settings.
  2. Set a custom duration.

Global DND (for all cameras):

  1. Open the Arlo app.
  2. Tap the menu icon (☰) in the top-left corner.
  3. Go to “Settings” > “Account” > “Notifications” > “Do Not Disturb.”
  4. Toggle DND ON.
  5. Set the schedule (start time, end time, days).
  6. Choose whether to mute all cameras or select specific ones.
  7. Save.

Tip: Global DND is great for vacations or when you need a complete break. But remember, it will also mute system alerts (like low battery), so check your cameras manually during DND periods.

Adjusting Sensitivity (Reduce False Alerts at the Source)

Sometimes, the best way to reduce notifications is to make your camera less “jumpy.” This is where sensitivity settings come in.

  1. Go to your camera settings.
  2. Look for “Motion Sensitivity” or “Sensitivity.”
  3. Adjust the slider to a lower setting (e.g., from “High” to “Medium” or “Low”).
  4. Save.

Lower sensitivity means the camera needs more significant movement to trigger an alert. This helps with false alarms from small animals, shadows, or wind-blown debris. However, it might also mean you miss subtle motion (e.g., someone slowly approaching). Test different levels to find the right balance.

Account-Level Notification Preferences

You can also control how notifications are delivered at the account level.

  1. In the Arlo app, go to “Settings” > “Account” > “Notifications.”
  2. Here, you can choose:
    • Which devices receive notifications (phone, tablet, etc.).
    • Whether to enable push notifications, email alerts, or both.
    • Whether to receive critical system alerts (e.g., camera offline).
    • Whether to enable “Quiet Time” (similar to DND but for all users on the account).

This is useful if you share your Arlo account with family members and want to customize their alert experience.

Using Web Browser vs. Mobile App: What Works Best?

You can manage Arlo notifications from both the mobile app and the web portal (my.arlo.com). But which one is better? Let’s compare.

Mobile App: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Convenience: You’ve always got your phone with you.
  • Push Notifications: Real-time alerts even when the app is closed.
  • Ease of Use: The interface is designed for quick adjustments.
  • Camera Control: You can view live feeds and adjust settings on the go.

Cons:

  • No Bulk Editing: You can’t edit multiple cameras at once.
  • App-Specific Glitches: Occasionally, the app might not sync settings immediately.
  • Battery Drain: Constant background activity can affect phone battery.

Web Portal: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Better for Detailed Setup: Larger screen makes it easier to set up Smart Activity Zones.
  • More Organized View: You can see all your cameras in a grid, making it easier to manage multiple devices.
  • No Phone Dependency: Great if you’re at a desktop and don’t want to use your phone.
  • Fewer App Glitches: Web interface tends to be more stable.

Cons:

  • No Push Notifications: You won’t get real-time alerts unless you have the app open.
  • Less Mobile-Friendly: Not ideal for quick checks on the go.
  • Requires Browser: You need internet access and a computer/tablet.

Which Should You Use?

For quick adjustments (e.g., muting notifications during a meeting), the mobile app is best. For detailed setup (e.g., creating complex Smart Activity Zones or managing multiple cameras), the web portal is superior.

My recommendation: Use both. Set up your zones and schedules on the web, then use the app for daily adjustments and checking alerts.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips

Even with clear instructions, things can go wrong. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.

Notifications Still Arriving After Disabling

  • Check for multiple notification types: Did you disable motion alerts but leave person detection on? Make sure you’ve turned off all the types you don’t want.
  • Sync issues: Sometimes, the app doesn’t sync settings immediately. Close the app completely, reopen it, and check the settings again.
  • Device-level settings: Check your phone’s notification settings for the Arlo app (Settings > Notifications > Arlo). Make sure it’s not overriding the app settings.
  • Arlo Smart subscription: If you’re using person/vehicle detection, ensure your subscription is active. Expired subscriptions can cause inconsistent behavior.

Can’t Find the Notification Settings

  • Update the app: Older versions of the Arlo app might have different menu layouts. Go to your app store and update to the latest version.
  • Check camera compatibility: Some older Arlo models (like the original Arlo) have limited notification options. Refer to your camera’s user manual.
  • Log out and back in: Sometimes, a simple refresh can fix menu issues.

Smart Activity Zones Not Working

  • Ensure motion detection is enabled: Zones only work if motion detection is turned on.
  • Check sensitivity: If sensitivity is too low, the camera might not detect motion in the zones.
  • Camera placement: If the camera is too far from the zone, it might not capture enough detail. Reposition if needed.

Data Table: Arlo Notification Settings Comparison

Setting Mobile App Web Portal Best For
Turn Off Motion Alerts Yes (per camera) Yes (per camera) Reducing general motion noise
Disable Person Detection Yes (requires Arlo Smart) Yes (requires Arlo Smart) Cutting down on human alerts
Smart Activity Zones Yes (limited editing) Yes (full editing) Customizing alert areas
Notification Schedule Yes (per camera) Yes (per camera) Automating quiet hours
Global Do Not Disturb Yes (account level) Yes (account level) Vacations, family time
Bulk Camera Editing No No N/A (manual per-camera setup)
Live View While Editing Yes Yes Testing settings in real time

Note: Arlo occasionally updates its app and web interface, so features may change. Always check the official Arlo support site for the latest information.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Arlo Alerts

Let’s face it: constant notifications can be more annoying than helpful. But the solution isn’t to ditch your Arlo camera—it’s to customize your alerts so they work for you, not against you. Whether you’re dealing with a squirrel infestation, a busy street, or just need a little peace, knowing how do I turn off notifications on my Arlo camera is a powerful tool for reclaiming your attention and sanity.

Remember, you have options: disable specific alert types, set up Smart Activity Zones to filter out the noise, use schedules to automate quiet hours, or temporarily mute everything with Do Not Disturb. The key is to experiment. Try turning off motion alerts but keeping person detection. Set a schedule for nighttime. Adjust sensitivity to find the sweet spot between missing important events and getting too many false alarms.

And don’t forget the web portal for detailed setup—it’s a lifesaver for managing multiple cameras or creating complex zones. With a little tweaking, you can transform your Arlo from a noisy watchdog into a quiet, intelligent security partner.

So go ahead: open the app, dive into those settings, and start customizing. Your peace of mind (and your phone’s battery) will thank you. And the next time that squirrel runs past your camera? You can sip your coffee in peace—without the ping.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I turn off notifications on my Arlo camera?

To turn off notifications, open the Arlo app, go to your camera’s settings, and toggle off the “Notifications” option under the “Alerts” section. This will disable all motion and audio alerts for that specific camera.

Can I disable Arlo camera notifications for certain times of day?

Yes, you can schedule notification quiet times using the “Do Not Disturb” feature in the Arlo app. Navigate to Settings > Alerts > Do Not Disturb to set custom time ranges.

Why can’t I turn off notifications on my Arlo camera through the app?

This may happen due to a temporary glitch or outdated app version. Try restarting the app, updating it, or checking your internet connection to resolve the issue.

Is there a way to mute Arlo notifications without turning them off completely?

Yes, use the “Snooze” feature in the Arlo app to temporarily silence notifications for 15 minutes, 1 hour, or custom durations. Tap the bell icon in the app’s home screen to activate it.

Do Arlo cameras have a physical button to disable notifications?

No, Arlo cameras don’t have a physical button for notifications. You must adjust settings via the Arlo app or web portal to control alerts.

How do I turn off notifications on my Arlo camera for specific zones?

Enable “Smart Notifications” in your camera settings and customize activity zones to exclude certain areas. This ensures alerts only trigger for motion in selected zones.