How Long Do Arlo Cameras Store Footage A Complete Guide

Arlo cameras store footage for up to 30 days with a paid subscription, offering cloud storage options that vary by plan—Basic, Standard, and Premier—ranging from 7 to 30 days of rolling video history. Without a subscription, local storage via microSD or USB preserves clips indefinitely, but lacks remote access and automatic backups, making it ideal for users prioritizing privacy and control.

Key Takeaways

• Storage duration depends on plan: Free tier offers 7-day cloud; paid plans extend to 30+ days.
• Local storage is optional: Use microSD cards for continuous, off-cloud recording with select models.
• Motion triggers save space: Cameras only record when activity is detected, conserving storage.
• Higher activity shortens retention: Frequent motion events reduce footage lifespan in cloud storage.
• Download important clips: Save critical footage locally before it expires from cloud storage.
• Check plan details: Confirm retention periods—some plans offer longer storage than others.

How Long Do Arlo Cameras Store Footage? Let’s Break It Down

Imagine this: You wake up to a notification from your Arlo camera showing a shadowy figure near your front porch at 3 a.m. Your heart skips a beat. You open the app, hoping to review the footage and catch a glimpse of what happened. But instead, you’re met with a message: “No video available.” Frustrating, right? This is a situation many Arlo users have faced—and it all boils down to one key question: How long do Arlo cameras store footage?

Whether you’re using Arlo for home security, monitoring your pets, or keeping an eye on your kids, understanding how long your videos are saved—and where they’re stored—is crucial. It’s not just about peace of mind; it’s about being able to access critical footage when you need it most. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: from cloud storage options and local storage capabilities to subscription plans, retention periods, and even a few clever workarounds to maximize your video history. No fluff, no sales pitch—just real, practical advice based on how Arlo actually works.

1. Cloud Storage: How Long Footage Stays in the Cloud

Arlo’s cloud storage is the most common way users store their camera footage. It’s convenient, accessible from anywhere, and integrates seamlessly with the Arlo app. But how long does it keep your videos? The answer depends on your subscription plan—and whether you’re using a free or paid tier.

Free Cloud Storage (No Subscription)

If you’re using Arlo without a subscription, you’re on what’s called the “Basic” plan. Here’s what you get:

• 7 days of rolling cloud storage for motion-triggered videos
• Only 30 seconds of video per clip
• No 24/7 continuous recording
• Only one user can access the app

So, if a package goes missing on Day 8, you’re out of luck—your footage from Day 1 is already gone. I learned this the hard way when my neighbor’s dog dug up my garden. I wanted to show the footage to the owner, but it had already been purged after a week. Lesson learned: 7 days is tight if you want to review events beyond a few days.

Tip: The free plan is great for testing Arlo cameras, but if you need longer retention, you’ll need to upgrade.

Paid Subscription Plans: Longer Retention, More Features

Arlo offers several paid plans through Arlo Secure, their subscription service. These plans extend storage duration and add advanced features. Here’s a breakdown:

• Arlo Secure (Single Camera): $2.99/month per camera
• Arlo Secure (Multi-Camera): $9.99/month for up to 5 cameras
• Arlo Secure Plus: $14.99/month for up to 10 cameras + 24/7 professional monitoring (available in select regions)

With these plans, you get:

• 30 days of cloud storage for all motion-triggered videos
• Unlimited video downloads
• Advanced AI detection (person, vehicle, animal, package)
• Extended video clips (up to 2 minutes)
• Multiple user access

The jump from 7 to 30 days is a game-changer. Now, if you’re on vacation for two weeks, you can still review footage when you return. And with AI detection, you can quickly search for “package delivered” or “person at front door” instead of scrubbing through hours of video.

Real-world example: A friend of mine had her mailbox vandalized. She didn’t notice for 10 days, but thanks to her Arlo Secure plan, she still had the footage—and was able to file a police report with clear evidence.

What Happens When the 30 Days Are Up?

After 30 days, Arlo automatically deletes your cloud footage. It’s a rolling window: as new videos are recorded, older ones are removed to make space. You can’t extend this period—30 days is the maximum on any paid plan. If you need longer retention, you’ll need to download the videos manually or use local storage (more on that later).

Tip: Set up a weekly habit to download important clips. For example, every Sunday, review the past week’s videos and save any you want to keep longer (like birthday parties or deliveries).

2. Local Storage: Save Footage Without a Subscription

Not everyone wants to pay for a subscription. Maybe you’re on a tight budget, or you just prefer to keep your data offline. Good news: Arlo supports local storage on certain models and setups.

Which Arlo Cameras Support Local Storage?

Not all Arlo cameras can record locally. Here’s the breakdown:

• Arlo Pro 3, Pro 4, Pro 5S: Yes (with USB drive)
• Arlo Ultra, Ultra 2: Yes (with USB drive)
• Arlo Essential, Arlo Go: No (cloud-only)
• Arlo Video Doorbell (wired): No (cloud-only)
• Arlo SmartHub or Base Station (VMB4000, VMB5000): Required for USB storage

If your camera supports it, you’ll need:

• A USB 2.0 or 3.0 flash drive (16GB–256GB recommended)
• An Arlo SmartHub or Base Station (sold separately for some models)

How Long Does Local Storage Keep Footage?

Local storage doesn’t have a fixed retention period—it depends on:

• USB drive capacity (larger drives = more footage)
• Number of cameras connected
• Video quality settings (1080p vs. 4K uses more space)
• Motion detection frequency (more triggers = more videos)

As a rough estimate:

• 16GB USB drive: ~1–2 days of continuous 1080p footage (or ~1 week of motion-triggered clips)
• 64GB USB drive: ~4–5 days of continuous footage (or ~3–4 weeks of motion clips)
• 256GB USB drive: ~16–20 days of continuous footage (or several months of motion clips)

Pro tip: Use a high-endurance USB drive (like the SanDisk High Endurance) designed for constant writing. Regular USB sticks can fail faster due to wear.

How Local Storage Works (and Its Limitations)

When you enable local storage:

• Footage is saved directly to the USB drive in your SmartHub/Base Station
• You can view clips through the Arlo app, even without internet
• Oldest videos are deleted automatically when the drive is full (first-in, first-out)
• No cloud backup—if the USB drive fails or gets stolen, your footage is gone

I once had a USB drive fail after 3 months. I lost 6 weeks of video history. Since then, I’ve been religious about backing up local footage to an external hard drive every month. It’s a small effort that pays off.

Important: Local storage doesn’t include AI detection or cloud features. You’ll need a subscription to use those.

3. 24/7 Continuous Recording: The Ultimate Storage Solution

Most Arlo cameras only record when motion is detected. But if you want every second captured—not just the highlights—you’ll need 24/7 continuous recording (CVR).

How 24/7 Recording Works

With CVR, your camera records non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is ideal for:

• High-traffic areas (like a driveway or backyard)
• Monitoring elderly relatives or pets
• Legal disputes (e.g., property damage or accidents)

But here’s the catch: CVR is not included in standard Arlo Secure plans. You need to add it separately.

CVR Plans and Storage Duration

Arlo offers two CVR tiers:

• CVR 14-Day: $14.99/month per camera (14 days of continuous footage)
• CVR 30-Day: $29.99/month per camera (30 days of continuous footage)

Yes, it’s expensive—but consider this: 24/7 recording uses massive amounts of storage. A single 1080p camera can generate 1–2 GB of video per day. Without compression, a 30-day archive would require ~60 GB per camera. Arlo compresses the footage, but it’s still a lot of data.

Real-life example: A homeowner in a busy neighborhood uses CVR to monitor her front yard. When a car hit her mailbox, she had exact timestamps and clear video of the incident—something motion-triggered clips couldn’t provide.

Is 24/7 Recording Worth It?

It depends. For most people, motion-triggered recording is enough. But if you:

• Live in a high-crime area
• Want to monitor a business or rental property
• Need evidence for insurance claims

Then CVR is a worthwhile investment. Just be prepared for the cost and the need to download important clips regularly—since cloud storage is still limited to 14 or 30 days.

4. How to Maximize Your Footage Retention (Without Breaking the Bank)

You don’t need to spend $30/month per camera to keep your videos longer. Here are smart, cost-effective strategies:

Download and Archive Important Clips

Arlo lets you download any cloud or local video to your phone or computer. Use this to:

• Save birthday parties, deliveries, or suspicious activity
• Create a personal security archive (store it on an external hard drive)
• Share clips with police or neighbors when needed

Tip: Use the Arlo app’s “Save Video” feature (tap the download icon on any clip). For bulk downloads, use the web portal at arlo.netgear.com—it’s faster.

Use a Hybrid Cloud + Local Setup

Get the best of both worlds:

• Use a free or low-cost subscription (e.g., Arlo Secure Single Camera)
• Add local storage via USB for backup
• Download critical clips to your computer monthly

This way, you have 30 days of cloud storage, a local copy, and a long-term archive—all for under $5/month.

Optimize Motion Detection Settings

Too many false alerts? You’re wasting storage. Adjust your camera’s:

• Motion sensitivity (lower it if trees or shadows trigger alerts)
• Activity zones (only record in specific areas, like your front door)
• Schedule (turn off recording during quiet times, like 2 a.m.–6 a.m.)

I reduced my false alerts by 70% just by setting activity zones. My 64GB USB drive now lasts 6 weeks instead of 3.

Upgrade Your USB Drive (or Use a NAS)

If you’re using local storage, invest in:

• A 256GB USB drive (max capacity supported)
• Or, for advanced users, a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device (like Synology) to store footage offsite

With a NAS, you can keep months—or even years—of footage, accessible from anywhere.

5. Comparing Arlo’s Storage Options: A Quick Reference

Let’s summarize your options in one place:

Storage Method	Retention Period	Cost	Best For
Free Cloud (Basic)	7 days	$0	Testing, short-term use
Paid Cloud (Arlo Secure)	30 days	$2.99–$14.99/month	Most users, AI detection
Local (USB)	Days to months (depends on drive size)	$10–$50 (one-time USB cost)	Budget users, offline access
24/7 CVR (Cloud)	14 or 30 days	$14.99–$29.99/month	High-security needs, legal evidence
Downloaded Clips	Forever (if backed up)	$0 (manual effort)	Long-term archives, sharing

This table shows there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Your choice depends on your budget, security needs, and how much effort you’re willing to put into managing your footage.

6. Final Thoughts: Plan Ahead to Keep What Matters

So, how long do Arlo cameras store footage? The answer isn’t simple—it depends on your setup, subscription, and storage method. But here’s the bottom line: you’re in control. Whether you rely on 30 days of cloud storage, a trusty USB drive, or a combination of both, the key is to plan ahead.

I’ve seen too many people lose critical footage because they didn’t think about retention until it was too late. Don’t be that person. Take 10 minutes today to:

• Check your current storage method
• Download any important clips
• Set up a backup routine (e.g., “Download every Sunday”)

And remember: security isn’t just about recording—it’s about being able to access the footage when you need it. Whether it’s a missing package, a break-in, or a funny moment with your dog, those videos matter. With the right setup, Arlo can keep them safe for as long as you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Arlo cameras store footage by default?

Arlo cameras store footage for up to 7 days with a free Basic plan, rolling over older clips automatically. Paid plans like Arlo Secure offer extended storage up to 30 days depending on your subscription tier.

Can I increase how long Arlo cameras store footage?

Yes, upgrading to an Arlo Secure plan (14-30 days of cloud storage) or using local storage via an Arlo SmartHub allows indefinite retention. Local storage options like microSD or USB drives let you manage footage manually.

Do Arlo cameras store footage without a subscription?

Yes, but with limitations. The free Basic plan includes 7 days of rolling cloud storage for motion-triggered clips. For continuous recording or longer retention, a paid plan or local storage is required.

How long do Arlo cameras store footage locally?

Local storage duration depends on your device’s capacity (e.g., 32GB microSD holds ~4 days of 1080p footage). Arlo SmartHubs with USB drives or microSD cards let you retain footage indefinitely until manually deleted.

What affects how long Arlo stores footage in the cloud?

Storage length depends on your plan (Basic, Secure, or Secure Plus), camera activity, and video quality settings. Higher-resolution recordings or frequent motion events consume storage faster.

Can I download Arlo footage to keep it permanently?

Yes, you can manually download clips from the cloud or local storage to your phone, computer, or external drive. This bypasses retention limits and ensures permanent access to important recordings.