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Adding another phone to your Arlo camera in 2026 is quick and seamless—simply log into the Arlo app on the new device using the same account credentials. Enable multi-user access via the “Share Access” feature to grant permissions and ensure real-time alerts sync instantly across both phones.
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How to Add Another Phone to Arlo Camera in 2026 Easy Guide
Key Takeaways
- Open the Arlo app and log in to your primary account first.
- Use the “Add Device” option to link a new phone seamlessly.
- Grant camera access via shared user permissions in account settings.
- Scan the QR code on the camera for instant setup verification.
- Enable notifications on the new phone for real-time alerts.
- Keep firmware updated to avoid compatibility issues across devices.
Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem
Picture this: You’re at work, your partner is at the grocery store, and suddenly, your Arlo camera sends a motion alert. But only your phone gets the notification. Frustrating, right? That’s why knowing how to add another phone to Arlo camera in 2026 easy guide is a game-changer for shared households.
Whether you’re co-parenting, managing a rental property, or just want your family to stay in the loop, sharing access means everyone can check in, receive alerts, and respond to events—without relying on just one person. And the good news? It’s easier than you think. No tech degree required.
But here’s the catch: Arlo doesn’t let you just “log in” from another phone. Instead, you invite users via email, and each person downloads the app independently. This keeps your data secure while giving others real-time access. Let’s walk through it step by step—like I did when I set it up for my parents last year.
What You Need
Before we dive in, let’s make sure you’ve got everything you need. Don’t worry—this isn’t like assembling IKEA furniture. Most of what you need is already in your pocket.
- Your Arlo account (the primary admin account with camera access)
- The email address of the person you’re adding (they’ll need this to accept the invite)
- The Arlo Secure app installed on your phone (download it from the App Store or Google Play if you haven’t already)
- The other person’s smartphone (they’ll need to download the Arlo app too)
- Wi-Fi connection (for both phones during setup)
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Pro insight: Make sure the person you’re adding has a valid email they check regularly. I once tried to add my dad, and he never saw the invite because it went to his spam folder. A quick text to confirm receipt saved the day.
Once you’ve got these, you’re ready to go. And yes, this works for any Arlo camera—whether it’s the Arlo Pro 5S, Arlo Essential, or even an older Arlo Ultra.
Step-by-Step Guide to How to Add Another Phone to Arlo Camera in 2026 Easy Guide
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. I’ll walk you through each step like I’m sitting next to you, phone in hand. No confusing menus, no hidden settings. Just clear, simple actions.
Step 1: Open the Arlo App on Your Primary Phone
Start by unlocking your phone and opening the Arlo Secure app. Make sure you’re logged into the admin account—the one that owns the cameras.
If you see your cameras on the home screen, you’re in the right place. If not, tap “Account” in the bottom right, then log in with your email and password.
Quick tip: Use Face ID or fingerprint login if available. It’ll save you time when checking alerts later.
Step 2: Tap on “Settings” (Gear Icon)
Once you’re on the home screen with your cameras, look at the bottom navigation bar. Tap the gear icon labeled “Settings.” This is where all the behind-the-scenes magic happens.
You’ll see a list of options like “My Devices,” “Notifications,” and “Users.” We’re heading to “Users” next.
Step 3: Go to “Users” and Select “Add User”
In the Settings menu, scroll down until you find “Users”. Tap on it. This is where you manage who has access to your Arlo system.
At the top of the Users screen, you’ll see a button that says “Add User.” Tap it. A new window will pop up asking for the new user’s email address.
Warning: Double-check the email. Typos happen—especially when you’re typing fast. One wrong letter, and your brother might get an invite instead of your wife. (True story.)
Step 4: Enter the New User’s Email and Choose Access Level
Type in the email address of the person you want to add. Arlo will auto-suggest if you’ve added them before, but for first-timers, just type it carefully.
Next, choose their access level. Arlo gives you three options:
- Administrator: Full access. They can add cameras, change settings, and invite others. Only use this if you fully trust them (like your spouse or co-owner).
- Viewer: Can see live feeds, recorded clips, and receive alerts. But they can’t change settings or delete cameras. Great for kids or roommates.
- Guest: Limited access. They can only view live feeds during a specific time window. Ideal for temporary access (like a dog sitter).
For most people, “Viewer” is the sweet spot. It gives full visibility without risking accidental changes.
Step 5: Send the Invitation
Once you’ve entered the email and selected the access level, tap “Send Invitation.” The app will confirm: “Invitation sent to [email].”
That’s it for your side. Now the ball is in their court.
Pro tip: Send a quick text or call the person to let them know to check their email. I’ve seen invites sit for days because people assume they’re spam.
Step 6: The New User Downloads the Arlo App and Accepts the Invite
Now, the person you invited needs to do their part. They should:
- Open their email inbox and look for a message from “Arlo Support” with the subject: “You’ve been invited to join an Arlo system.”
- Tap the “Accept Invitation” button in the email. This will open a browser or redirect to the app store.
- If they don’t have the Arlo app, they’ll be prompted to download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
- Once installed, open the Arlo app and tap “Sign In with Invitation.”
- Enter their email and create a password (if they don’t have an Arlo account yet).
After signing in, they’ll see your cameras appear on their home screen. Success!
Real-life example: My sister-in-law was visiting with her kids, and I added her as a Viewer. Within 10 minutes, she was watching the backyard camera while the kids played. She didn’t need to ask me once.
Step 7: Test the Connection and Adjust Notifications
Now that both phones are connected, let’s make sure it’s working. Have the new user:
- Tap on a camera to view the live feed.
- Check that motion alerts come through (you can trigger one by walking in front of the camera).
- Adjust notification settings in their own app under “Settings > Notifications.”
They can choose which cameras to get alerts from, how long the alert lasts, and even enable smart notifications (like person or package detection, if supported).
Meanwhile, you (as the admin) can see who’s logged in by going to Settings > Users again. Each invited user will appear with their email and access level.
Step 8: (Optional) Rename the User for Easy Identification
If you add multiple people, it helps to rename them so you know who’s who. In the Users list, tap on the person’s email. You’ll see an option to “Edit Name.”
Change it to something like “Sarah – Viewer” or “Dad (Guest).” This makes managing access easier, especially if you have a large household.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
After setting this up for my family, neighbors, and even a few Airbnb guests, I’ve learned a few things the hard way. Here are my top insider tips to save you time and frustration.
1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords (But Don’t Share Them)
Each user creates their own Arlo account. That means they’ll set their own password. Encourage them to use something secure—not “123456” or “password.”
And remember: Never share your admin password. That’s like giving someone your house keys. The invite system is designed so they don’t need it.
2. Watch Out for Spam Folders
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to resend invites because the email landed in spam. Gmail, Outlook, and even Yahoo sometimes filter Arlo invites aggressively.
Solution: After sending, ask the person to check their spam folder. Or, forward the invite from your email to theirs with a note: “Check your inbox for an Arlo invite from me!”
3. Limit Admin Access
It’s tempting to make everyone an admin “just in case,” but that’s risky. I once made my teenage son an admin, and he accidentally deleted a camera feed from last week’s birthday party. (RIP, cake footage.)
Stick with Viewer for most people. Save Admin for people who truly need full control.
4. Revoke Access When Needed
What if someone moves out, or you no longer trust a guest? No problem. Go to Settings > Users, tap the person’s name, and select “Remove User.”
They’ll be logged out immediately and won’t receive any future alerts. It’s instant and painless.
5. Sync Time Zones for Guest Access
If you use the “Guest” access level with time limits, make sure the person knows when their access ends. I once set a guest for 24 hours, but they were in a different time zone and got cut off at 8 PM their time—while they were still at the house!
Use the “Start and End Time” feature carefully, and communicate it clearly.
6. Update the App Regularly
Arlo rolls out updates that improve security and add features. If the new user is on an old version of the app, they might not see all your cameras or get alerts properly.
Tell them to go to their app store and update Arlo Secure. A simple update can prevent a lot of confusion.
7. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
As the admin, enable 2FA in Settings > Account > Security. It adds an extra layer of protection so no one can hijack your account—even if they get your password.
It’s free, takes 2 minutes, and could save you from a security nightmare.
FAQs About How to Add Another Phone to Arlo Camera in 2026 Easy Guide
Let’s tackle the questions I get all the time—from friends, family, and even Reddit threads.
Q: Can I add multiple phones at once?
Yes! You can add as many users as you want. Just repeat Steps 3–5 for each person. I’ve added six people to my system (parents, siblings, and a neighbor), and it works perfectly.
Each gets their own login, and you can manage them all from the Users menu.
Q: What if the invite doesn’t arrive?
First, check spam. Then, make sure the email address is correct. If it still doesn’t work, go to Settings > Users and tap the three dots next to the invite. You can “Resend Invitation.”
If that fails, try inviting from a different email (like Gmail instead of Yahoo). Some domains block Arlo emails.
Q: Can the new user see past recordings?
Yes—if they have Viewer or Admin access. They’ll see all recorded clips in the timeline, just like you do. But if you have an Arlo Smart subscription, they’ll only see clips from cameras they’re allowed to view.
No subscription? They’ll see all local recordings stored on the base station or microSD card.
Q: Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network?
Nope. The invite system works over the internet. The new user can be in another country, and as long as they have internet, they can access your cameras.
Just make sure your Arlo cameras are connected to Wi-Fi and online. You can check this in the app under “Device Status.”
Q: What happens if I delete a camera?
If you remove a camera from your account, it disappears from everyone’s view—including invited users. They won’t see it in their app anymore.
But if you add it back later, you don’t need to re-invite people. They’ll see it automatically.
Q: Can I restrict access to certain cameras?
Not directly in the free version. When you invite someone as a Viewer, they see all your cameras. But if you have Arlo Smart (paid), you can assign specific cameras to each user.
For example, your roommate can see the front door and backyard, but not the nursery camera. Handy for privacy.
Q: Is there a limit to how many users I can add?
Arlo doesn’t publish a hard cap, but in practice, most users report adding up to 10 without issues. Beyond that, the app might get sluggish when managing users.
Stick to the people who really need access. Less is more.
Final Thoughts
Sharing your Arlo camera with another phone isn’t just about convenience—it’s about peace of mind. Whether it’s your partner checking in on the kids, your neighbor keeping an eye on your home while you’re away, or a caregiver monitoring a loved one, how to add another phone to Arlo camera in 2026 easy guide gives you the power to include others without compromising security.
I’ve used this process with tech-savvy friends and my 70-year-old mom (who called me three times during setup—but got it in the end). It’s designed to be simple, and with the steps above, you can do it in under 15 minutes.
Just remember: Use the right access level, watch for spam, and keep your app updated. And when in doubt, send a quick text to confirm the invite was received.
Now go ahead—invite that person. Let them see what you see. Because home security shouldn’t be a one-person job.
Got questions? Leave a comment below. I’m always happy to help a fellow Arlo user. And if this guide saved you time, share it with someone else who could use it. We’re all in this together.
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