How Do You Delete All Videos on Arlo Cameras Quick Guide

To delete all videos on Arlo cameras instantly, use the “Delete All” option in the Arlo app’s Library or Subscription settings—no need to remove clips one by one. This quick method clears your entire video history across all cameras, freeing up cloud storage and ensuring privacy. Note: Once deleted, videos cannot be recovered, so double-check before confirming.

Key Takeaways

• Delete videos via Arlo app: Use the “Library” tab to select and remove clips in bulk.
• Cancel subscriptions to auto-delete: Unsubscribing clears cloud storage but keeps local backups.
• Factory reset for full wipe: Erase all data by resetting cameras to default settings.
• Schedule regular cleanups: Set recording rules to limit stored footage automatically.
• Check local storage: Remove SD card files manually if using local backup options.
• Confirm deletions: Always verify removed videos aren’t in “Recently Deleted” folders.

Why You Might Want to Delete All Videos on Your Arlo Camera

Let’s be honest—life gets busy. Between work, family, and the occasional Netflix binge, it’s easy to forget about your home security system. But what happens when your Arlo camera’s cloud storage is packed with old videos you no longer need? Maybe you’re running low on space, or perhaps you’ve moved and no longer want footage of your old place lingering around. Whatever the reason, deleting all videos on Arlo cameras isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about privacy, efficiency, and peace of mind.

I remember a friend who kept getting alerts about full storage on her Arlo system. She’d ignored it for months, only to realize her camera stopped recording new footage because the cloud was maxed out. Not ideal, right? That’s when she reached out to me, asking, “How do you delete all videos on Arlo cameras?” After walking her through the process, she felt relieved—and honestly, a bit silly for waiting so long. The good news? It’s not as complicated as you might think. Whether you’re clearing space for new recordings or just want a fresh start, this guide will walk you through every step. And don’t worry—we’ll cover both cloud and local storage options, so no video is left behind.

Understanding Arlo Storage: Cloud vs. Local

Before diving into deletion, it’s important to know where your Arlo videos live. Arlo offers two main storage options: cloud storage and local storage. Each has its own quirks, and deleting videos works differently depending on which one you use. Think of it like having photos in your phone’s gallery (cloud) versus an external hard drive (local). Let’s break it down.

Arlo Cloud Storage: The Convenient Option

Cloud storage is Arlo’s default method for most users. When your camera detects motion, it uploads the video to Arlo’s servers. This is great because you can access footage from anywhere, even if your camera is damaged or stolen. But here’s the catch: cloud storage is tied to your Arlo subscription plan. If you’re on a free plan, you might only get 7 days of rolling storage. Paid plans offer longer retention (up to 60 days) and more features like AI detection.

• Pros: Remote access, automatic backups, no physical hardware needed.
• Cons: Limited free storage; deleting videos requires manual effort or plan downgrades.

For example, if you have the Arlo Secure plan, you can store videos for 30 days. But if you want to delete *all* of them at once, you’ll need to use the Arlo app or website—there’s no “nuke everything” button (yet).

Arlo Local Storage: The Offline Alternative

Local storage uses a microSD card or a USB drive connected to your Arlo base station (like the Arlo SmartHub). Videos are saved directly to the card, bypassing the cloud entirely. This is perfect if you’re privacy-conscious or don’t want to pay for a subscription. But—and this is a big but—you’ll need to physically access the storage device to delete files.

• Pros: No subscription fees, full control over your data.
• Cons: No remote access; if the card fails, you lose everything.

Fun story: My neighbor once forgot to eject his microSD card properly and accidentally formatted it while cleaning. He lost six months of footage. Moral of the story? Always back up or double-check before deleting.

How to Delete All Videos in Arlo Cloud Storage

Deleting videos from Arlo’s cloud is straightforward, but it requires a few steps. The process is the same whether you use the Arlo app (iOS/Android) or the web dashboard. Here’s how to do it—no tech degree required.

Step 1: Log In to Your Arlo Account

Open the Arlo app or go to my.arlo.com and log in. Make sure you’re using the account that owns the cameras. Pro tip: If you share access with family, confirm you’re the admin—otherwise, you might not see all the videos.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Library” Tab

In the app, tap the Library icon at the bottom (it looks like a filmstrip). On the web, click Library in the top menu. This shows all your cloud-stored videos, sorted by date. If you have multiple cameras, use the dropdown menu to select the one you want to clear.

Step 3: Select and Delete Videos

Here’s where it gets a bit tedious. Arlo doesn’t have a “delete all” button, so you’ll need to select videos in batches. But don’t panic—here’s a workaround:

• Method 1: Tap Select (top-right corner), then tap each video you want to delete. For a faster approach, tap and hold a video to enter multi-select mode, then drag your finger to highlight multiple clips.
• Method 2: Use the date filter to narrow down videos (e.g., “Last 7 days”). This makes bulk selection easier.

Once selected, tap the trash icon (or “Delete” on the web). Confirm the action, and poof—gone! Repeat until the library is empty. Warning: This won’t delete videos saved in your “Favorites” or “Downloads” folders. You’ll need to clear those separately.

Step 4: Optional—Downgrade Your Plan

If you’re on a paid plan and want to *permanently* stop cloud storage, go to Account > Subscription > Cancel or Change Plan. Switching to the free plan will delete all videos older than 7 days. But be careful—this also disables features like AI person/vehicle detection.

How to Delete All Videos from Arlo Local Storage

Local storage is simpler in some ways but trickier in others. Since videos are stored on a physical device, you’ll need to access it directly. Here’s the lowdown.

Step 1: Locate Your Storage Device

For microSD cards:

• Unplug your Arlo camera (if it’s a standalone unit) or Arlo SmartHub.
• Remove the microSD card using the ejector tool (or a paperclip).

For USB drives:

• Unplug the drive from your Arlo SmartHub.

Pro tip: Label your cards! I once mixed up two microSD cards and accidentally deleted the wrong one. Not my finest moment.

Step 2: Connect the Device to a Computer

Use a card reader (for microSD) or USB port (for drives) to connect the storage to your computer. Open the device in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). You’ll see folders labeled with dates (e.g., “2024-07-15”). These contain your videos.

Step 3: Delete Videos (Carefully!)

To delete *all* videos:

• Select all folders and files, then press Delete (or right-click > Move to Trash).
• Empty your computer’s trash/recycle bin to free up space.

Alternatively, format the card/drive for a complete wipe:

• Windows: Right-click the device > Format > Choose “Quick Format” > Start.
• Mac: Open Disk Utility > Select the device > Erase > Choose “MS-DOS (FAT)” for compatibility.

⚠️ Caution: Formatting erases *everything* on the device. If you have other files, back them up first!

Step 4: Reinsert the Device

After deletion, reinsert the card/drive into your Arlo device. The system will automatically start recording new videos. If formatting, you may need to re-enable local storage in the Arlo app under Settings > Device > Local Storage.

Bulk Deletion Shortcuts and Time-Saving Tips

Deleting videos one by one is a slog. Here are some hacks to speed things up—because who has time to tap 500 videos?

Use the Arlo Web Dashboard for Faster Selection

The web interface lets you select multiple videos with a keyboard. Try this:

• Click the first video, hold Shift, then click the last video to select a range.
• Hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) to select non-consecutive videos.

This saved me hours when clearing my parents’ 3-month-old footage. The app doesn’t have this feature—yet.

Schedule a “Cleanup Day”

Set a monthly reminder to review and delete old videos. For example:

• On the 1st of each month, delete videos older than 30 days.
• Use the date filter to highlight them, then delete in batches.

This prevents the “storage panic” my friend experienced. Bonus: It keeps your library organized!

Automate with Third-Party Tools (Advanced)

For tech-savvy users, tools like Arlo Downloader (free) let you mass-download and delete videos via the web API. But be warned: this requires some coding know-how. Stick to official methods unless you’re comfortable with the risk.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Deleting Videos

Even small errors can cause big headaches. Here’s what to watch out for—learned the hard way, so you don’t have to.

Forgetting to Clear the Trash

Deleted videos stay in Arlo’s trash for 30 days before being permanently erased. To avoid confusion:

• In the Arlo app, go to Library > Trash and tap Empty Trash.
• On the web, click Trash > Delete All.

I once thought I’d cleared my library, only to find the videos still taking up space in the trash. Lesson learned!

Mixing Up Local and Cloud Storage

Double-check where your videos are stored. If you delete from the cloud but have local backups, you’ll need to repeat the process on the physical device. Check this by going to Settings > Device > Local Storage in the app.

Overlooking Shared Cameras

If you share access with family, confirm who owns the videos. Deleting from your account won’t affect others’ libraries. To avoid conflicts, coordinate cleanup efforts—or use separate accounts.

Data Table: Arlo Storage Options Compared

Feature	Cloud Storage	Local Storage
Access	Remote (via app/web)	Physical (microSD/USB)
Cost	Free (7 days) or subscription	One-time (card/drive purchase)
Deletion Method	App/web dashboard	Computer or formatting
Risk of Data Loss	Low (Arlo servers)	High (card/drive failure)
Best For	Frequent remote access	Privacy-focused users

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Arlo System Fresh and Functional

Deleting all videos on Arlo cameras isn’t just a chore—it’s a way to reclaim control over your privacy and storage. Whether you’re clearing the cloud for a fresh start or wiping a microSD card before a move, the steps are simple once you know where to look. And remember: a little maintenance goes a long way. Schedule regular cleanups, double-check your storage settings, and always empty the trash. Your future self will thank you when the camera keeps recording instead of throwing storage errors.

Here’s my parting tip: Think of your Arlo system like a kitchen pantry. You wouldn’t keep expired food, right? Same goes for old videos. Keep what matters, toss the rest, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a tidy, well-maintained security system. Now go forth and delete—you’ve got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you delete all videos on Arlo cameras at once?

To delete all videos on Arlo cameras, log in to your Arlo account via the app or web portal, navigate to the “Library” or “Recordings” section, and select “Delete All.” Confirm the action to remove all stored videos from your cloud or local storage.

Can I delete all Arlo videos remotely using the app?

Yes, you can delete all videos on Arlo cameras remotely using the Arlo app. Open the app, go to the “Library,” tap “Edit,” and choose “Select All” to delete them in bulk. This works for both cloud and local storage (if applicable).

How do you delete all videos on Arlo cameras to free up storage?

To free up storage, delete all videos by accessing your Arlo account, selecting the “Recordings” tab, and clicking “Delete All.” This clears both motion-triggered clips and manually saved videos from your storage plan or local device.

Is there a way to automatically delete old videos on Arlo cameras?

Yes, enable “Auto-Delete” in your Arlo account settings. Under “Storage Settings,” set a retention period (e.g., 7, 14, or 30 days), and Arlo will automatically delete older videos to manage space.

Why can’t I delete all videos on my Arlo camera?

This may occur due to a poor connection, subscription limits, or camera firmware issues. Ensure your subscription is active, update the camera firmware, and try again. Contact Arlo support if the problem persists.

Does deleting all videos on Arlo cameras affect future recordings?

No, deleting all videos only removes existing clips and won’t impact future recordings. Your Arlo cameras will continue capturing and storing new videos based on your motion detection settings and storage plan.