How Long Does Arlo Cameras Keep Recordings Revealed

Arlo cameras keep recordings for up to 30 days with a subscription, though free accounts retain footage for just 7 days. Storage duration depends on your plan—higher-tier subscriptions offer extended cloud retention and more smart detection features for added security.

Key Takeaways

• Storage duration varies: Arlo recordings last 7-30 days, depending on your plan.
• Upgrade for more: Higher-tier plans offer longer cloud storage retention periods.
• Local backup option: Use microSD cards for extended, on-device recording storage.
• Motion triggers matter: Only motion-activated events are saved, conserving storage space.
• Check settings regularly: Adjust recording length and frequency to optimize storage use.
• Download important clips: Save critical footage externally before it expires in the cloud.

How Long Does Arlo Cameras Keep Recordings? Let’s Find Out

Imagine this: You’re at work, and you get a notification from your Arlo camera that someone approached your front porch. You open the app, hoping to see the delivery person leaving a package. But instead, you’re met with a message: “No recordings found.” Frustrating, right? That’s exactly what happened to me a few months ago when I missed a crucial clip because I didn’t fully understand how long Arlo cameras keep recordings.

Whether you’re using Arlo for home security, keeping an eye on your pets, or monitoring your kids playing outside, one thing is certain: you need your recordings to be there when you need them. But how long does Arlo actually keep your footage? It’s not as simple as a one-size-fits-all answer. The duration depends on your subscription plan, storage method, camera model, and even your settings. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything I’ve learned—what works, what doesn’t, and how to make sure you never miss a moment again. Think of this as a friendly chat with someone who’s been in your shoes, trying to figure out the best way to keep their home safe and their recordings accessible.

1. Arlo’s Cloud Storage: How Long Recordings Last (And When They Disappear)

If you’re using Arlo’s cloud-based recording system—which most people do—your footage isn’t stored forever. Instead, it’s saved for a limited time, depending on your subscription plan. This is a common point of confusion, and I’ll be honest: I once thought my clips would stay in the cloud indefinitely. Boy, was I wrong.

Free vs. Paid Cloud Plans

Arlo offers a free plan with basic features. With this plan, you get:

• 7-day rolling cloud storage for video clips triggered by motion or sound
• Up to 5 cameras supported
• 3-second pre-trigger recording (so you see what happened just before the event)

That means any recording older than 7 days gets automatically deleted. It’s like a self-cleaning closet—convenient, but not great if you’re looking for footage from two weeks ago.

Now, if you upgrade to a paid plan—like Arlo Secure or Arlo Secure Plus—you get longer storage. Here’s the breakdown:

• Arlo Secure (30-day plan): 30 days of cloud storage per camera
• Arlo Secure Plus (60-day plan): 60 days of cloud storage per camera
• Arlo Smart (older plan): 30 days (discontinued for new users, but still active for existing subscribers)

For example, if you have the 30-day plan, your camera will store all motion-triggered clips for exactly 30 days. After that, the oldest clips get overwritten by new ones—kind of like a DVR that keeps filling up.

What Triggers a Recording?

Not every moment is recorded. Arlo cameras only save clips when they detect motion or sound. This is called event-based recording. So, if your cat walks by at 3 PM and your camera picks it up, you’ll get a clip. But the 12 hours of empty hallway before that? Not saved.

One thing I learned the hard way: if your camera’s sensitivity is set too low, it might miss events entirely. I once had a package stolen, and the camera didn’t trigger because the thief moved slowly and stayed in the “low sensitivity” zone. Lesson learned: adjust your motion zones and sensitivity to cover key areas.

Can You Extend Cloud Storage?

Unfortunately, no. You can’t “pause” deletion or buy extra days beyond your plan. But you can download clips manually to your phone or computer. I do this regularly—especially for important events like deliveries, visitors, or suspicious activity. It’s like taking a screenshot of your security footage before it’s gone.

Pro tip: Set a monthly reminder to review and download key clips. I use Google Calendar to remind me every 25th of the month to check the past 30 days of footage and save anything worth keeping.

2. Local Storage Options: When Cloud Isn’t Enough

Cloud storage is great, but it’s not the only way to keep your recordings. If you’re like me and worry about subscription costs or internet outages, local storage might be your backup plan.

Using a MicroSD Card with Arlo Cameras

Some Arlo cameras—like the Arlo Pro 4, Arlo Ultra, Arlo Essential, and Arlo Go—support microSD cards for local recording. This means your camera saves footage directly to the card, even if the internet goes down.

Here’s how it works:

• Insert a compatible microSD card (usually up to 256GB)
• Enable “Local Recording” in the Arlo app
• The camera saves clips to the card in addition to (or instead of) the cloud

The length of time your microSD card holds recordings depends on:

• Card size: A 32GB card might hold 3-5 days of HD footage; a 256GB card can store 30+ days
• Video quality: 1080p takes more space than 720p
• Number of events: A busy front porch means more clips and faster storage use

I tested a 64GB card with my Arlo Pro 4 in 1080p. With moderate activity (about 20-30 events per day), it lasted about 12 days. After that, the oldest clips were overwritten. Not bad, but not as long as cloud storage with a 30-day plan.

Arlo SmartHub and Base Station: Your Local Storage Hub

If you have multiple cameras, consider using an Arlo SmartHub or Arlo Base Station. These devices connect to your network and allow all your cameras to record to a single local storage device—like a USB drive or network-attached storage (NAS).

For example, I have a 1TB external hard drive plugged into my SmartHub. All four of my cameras save clips to it, and I can access them through the Arlo app or by plugging the drive into my computer. This setup gives me:

• Longer retention (up to several months, depending on usage)
• No monthly fees
• Peace of mind during internet outages

One downside: you need to manually manage the storage. If the drive fills up, new clips won’t record until you delete old ones. I use a simple system: I label folders by month and delete anything older than 60 days unless it’s important.

Local vs. Cloud: Which Is Better?

It’s not an either/or situation. I use both. My cameras record to the cloud for easy access and remote viewing, and also save to the local drive for backup. If my internet goes down, I still have footage. If I need to check something while traveling, the cloud has me covered.

Tip: If you’re going on vacation, enable local recording and download recent clips to your phone. That way, you have access even if the cloud isn’t working.

3. Subscription Plans: Which One Gives You the Longest Recording Time?

Let’s talk money. Arlo’s subscription plans directly affect how long your recordings are kept. And if you’re like me, you want the best value—long storage without breaking the bank.

Arlo Secure (30-Day Plan)

This is Arlo’s most popular plan. For about $3 per camera per month, you get:

• 30 days of cloud storage
• Person, package, vehicle, and animal detection
• 30-day activity history in the app

It’s a solid choice for most homes. I used this for a year and never had a problem finding clips within the 30-day window. The AI detection features are also super helpful—I no longer get alerts every time a squirrel runs across the yard.

Arlo Secure Plus (60-Day Plan)

If you want maximum retention, this is the way to go. At around $5 per camera per month, you get:

• 60 days of cloud storage
• All features of Arlo Secure
• Longer history in the app (great for reviewing seasonal patterns)

I upgraded to this plan after missing a clip from 35 days ago (a neighbor’s dog kept digging in my garden). Now I have a full two months to catch those kinds of issues. It’s worth the extra $2 per camera if you’re forgetful or want extra peace of mind.

No Subscription? Here’s What You Get

If you don’t subscribe, you’re limited to:

• 7-day cloud storage
• No AI detection (so more false alerts)
• No 30-day activity history

It’s functional, but not ideal for serious security. I tried going subscription-free for a month to save money. Within two weeks, I missed a delivery and couldn’t prove it was stolen. I was back on the 30-day plan the next day.

Multi-Camera Discounts

Arlo offers bundled pricing for multiple cameras. For example:

• 1 camera: $3/month (30-day plan)
• 3 cameras: $8/month (30-day plan)
• 5 cameras: $13/month (30-day plan)

This is a great deal. I have 4 cameras, and the bundle saves me about $5/month compared to individual plans. Always check for promotions—Arlo often runs Black Friday and holiday deals.

4. How to Check and Manage Your Recording History

So you’ve set up your storage, picked your plan, and your cameras are rolling. Now what? Managing your recordings is just as important as capturing them.

Navigating the Arlo App Timeline

The Arlo app has a timeline view that shows all your recorded events. You can:

• Scroll through days, weeks, or months (up to your storage limit)
• Filter by camera, event type, or person/package detection
• Download or share clips with one tap

I use the timeline daily to check for deliveries or visitors. I also love the “Activity Zones” feature—you can draw boxes on your camera view to only record motion in certain areas. For example, I ignore the street but record anyone on my porch.

Downloading and Saving Clips

To download a clip:

1. Open the Arlo app
2. Go to the timeline and tap the event
3. Tap the download icon (downward arrow)
4. Choose quality (HD or SD)
5. Save to your phone or cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, etc.)

I keep a dedicated folder on my computer called “Arlo Archives.” Every month, I download key clips and label them with the date and event (e.g., “2024-03-15_Delivery_Confirmed”).

Deleting Old Recordings

You can’t delete individual clips from the cloud—they’re automatically removed after your plan’s retention period. But you can delete local recordings from your microSD card or USB drive.

To delete local clips:

1. Open the Arlo app
2. Go to “Library” > “Local Recordings”
3. Select clips and tap “Delete”

Be careful—once deleted, they’re gone for good. I once accidentally wiped a week of footage while trying to free up space. Now I double-check before hitting delete.

5. Factors That Affect How Long Recordings Are Kept

Even with the best plan, several things can shorten—or lengthen—your recording retention. Let’s break them down.

Camera Model and Features

Not all Arlo cameras are created equal. For example:

• Arlo Ultra: Supports 4K HDR and local + cloud recording
• Arlo Essential: Budget model, but still supports microSD and 30-day cloud
• Arlo Go: Cellular-powered, great for remote areas, but local storage is key

Higher-end models often have better storage flexibility. I upgraded from an Essential to a Pro 4 just for the local recording feature—it’s been a game-changer.

Internet Connection and Bandwidth

If your internet is slow or unstable, your camera might not upload clips to the cloud in time. This can lead to missed recordings or delays.

I once had a week where my internet was spotty. My camera recorded locally, but the cloud clips were delayed by 24-48 hours. I didn’t realize until I needed to check something. Now, I monitor my connection and restart my router weekly.

Power Source and Outages

Wireless cameras like the Arlo Pro 4 are battery-powered. If the battery dies, no recording happens—cloud or local. I check battery levels every two weeks and recharge before they hit 20%.

For wired models (like the Arlo Wired Floodlight), a power outage means no recording. I use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to keep mine running during short outages.

Storage Management Habits

Your habits matter. Do you:

• Regularly download important clips?
• Clear local storage before it fills up?
• Adjust motion sensitivity to avoid false alerts?

The more you manage, the longer your recordings last. I’ve turned my system into a routine—check app daily, download weekly, review monthly.

Data Table: Arlo Recording Retention at a Glance

Storage Type	Retention Period	Max Storage	Cost	Best For
Cloud (Free Plan)	7 days	Unlimited events (rolling)	$0	Temporary monitoring, budget users
Cloud (30-Day Plan)	30 days	Unlimited events	$3/camera/month	Most homes, standard security
Cloud (60-Day Plan)	60 days	Unlimited events	$5/camera/month	Frequent travelers, high-security needs
MicroSD Card	3-30+ days	Up to 256GB	$20-$50 (one-time)	Backup, internet outages
USB Drive (SmartHub)	30-180+ days	Up to 8TB	$50-$150 (one-time)	Long-term storage, no monthly fees

Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Your Arlo Recordings

So, how long does Arlo cameras keep recordings? The answer depends on you. With the right mix of cloud plans, local storage, and good habits, you can keep footage for weeks, months, or even longer.

I’ve learned that it’s not just about the technology—it’s about how you use it. Don’t rely solely on the cloud. Use local storage as a backup. Download important clips. Adjust your settings to avoid false alarms. And most importantly, pick a subscription that matches your needs.

At the end of the day, your Arlo system is only as good as the recordings it keeps. Whether you’re protecting your home, monitoring your pets, or just keeping an eye on things, knowing how long your footage lasts gives you control. And that’s the whole point of home security—peace of mind.

So go check your settings, review your plan, and make sure your recordings are there when you need them. Because when that notification pops up, you’ll want to see what really happened—not just a message saying the clip is gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Arlo cameras keep recordings by default?

Arlo cameras store recordings for up to 7 days with a free basic plan. This duration applies to motion-triggered clips saved in the cloud, giving you a week of access for reviewing events.

Can I extend how long Arlo cameras keep recordings?

Yes, upgrading to an Arlo Secure subscription plan extends cloud storage to 30 or 60 days, depending on the plan. Local storage via a microSD card or USB drive can also retain footage indefinitely if manually managed.

Does Arlo delete recordings automatically after a certain time?

Yes, older recordings are automatically deleted based on your plan’s storage duration (7, 30, or 60 days). This ensures newer footage always has space in your cloud storage.

How long does Arlo keep recordings with a subscription?

With an Arlo Secure subscription, recordings are kept for 30 or 60 days, depending on your tier. Higher-tier plans also support continuous video recording (CVR) for 24/7 storage.

What affects how long Arlo stores my recordings?

Storage duration depends on your plan (free or paid), recording type (motion-activated or CVR), and storage method (cloud or local). Busier cameras with frequent triggers may fill storage faster.

Can I download Arlo recordings to keep them forever?

Yes, you can download clips from the Arlo app or web portal to save them permanently. This bypasses cloud retention limits and lets you archive important footage locally.