How to Add One Arlo Camera to Shared User in 2026

How to Add One Arlo Camera to Shared User in 2026

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Adding one Arlo camera to a shared user in 2026 is quick and secure—simply log into your Arlo account, select the camera, and use the “Share Access” feature to invite another user via email. Ensure the recipient accepts the invitation to gain real-time viewing and motion alerts, all without sharing your login credentials.

How to Add One Arlo Camera to Shared User in 2026

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Arlo app and log in to your primary account to begin sharing.
  • Select the camera you want to share from your device list.
  • Tap “Share Access” to invite a user via email or username.
  • Set permissions clearly—choose view-only or full control for shared users.
  • Confirm the invite and ensure the recipient accepts it promptly.
  • Revoke access anytime through the app if sharing needs change.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Imagine this: you’ve just set up your Arlo camera, and it’s working perfectly. You’re checking in on your front porch while you’re at work, and everything’s great—until your partner texts you, “Hey, can I see the backyard cam too?” Suddenly, you realize you’re the only one with access. That’s where how to add one Arlo camera to shared user in 2026 comes in.

Sharing access to your Arlo camera isn’t just about convenience. It’s about peace of mind. Whether it’s your spouse, roommate, or a trusted neighbor, giving someone else access means someone’s always watching. But the process isn’t always intuitive, especially if you’re new to smart home tech or if your camera is part of a larger setup.

In 2026, Arlo has made sharing easier—but only if you know where to look. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to do it. With a few taps on your phone, you can share one specific camera (not your entire system) with another person, all while keeping your privacy and control intact.

And that’s exactly what this guide is for. I’ll walk you through how to add one Arlo camera to shared user in 2026—step by step, no jargon, no fluff. Think of this as a coffee chat with someone who’s been in your shoes, figured it out, and wants to save you the frustration.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you’re set up with the basics. You don’t need a degree in IT, but you will need a few things:

  • Your Arlo account (the one that owns the camera)
  • Your Arlo app (downloaded on your smartphone or tablet—iOS or Android)
  • The Arlo camera you want to share (must be online and connected)
  • The email address of the person you want to share with
  • A stable Wi-Fi connection (for both you and the camera)
  • The recipient’s Arlo account (they must have one—no guest accounts allowed)

Important: The person you’re sharing with must already have an Arlo account. Arlo doesn’t allow sharing with someone who doesn’t have an account. So if your mom doesn’t use smart home devices, she’ll need to sign up first (it’s free and takes 2 minutes).

Also, make sure your Arlo app is updated to the latest version. In 2026, Arlo rolled out a redesigned sharing interface, so older versions might not have the same options. If you’re still on an old version, go to your app store and update it.

Pro tip: If you’re sharing with someone who’s not tech-savvy, walk them through setting up their Arlo account first. It’ll make the whole process smoother—and save you a 10-minute phone call later.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Add One Arlo Camera to Shared User in 2026

Now that you’ve got everything ready, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. This process is actually pretty straightforward, but there are a few nuances that can trip you up if you’re not careful. I’ll walk you through each step with real-world context—so you know what to expect.

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In

Grab your phone and open the Arlo app. Make sure you’re logged into the account that owns the camera you want to share. This is crucial—sharing only works from the owner’s account.

If you have multiple Arlo accounts (maybe you manage cameras for different properties), double-check that you’re in the right one. I’ve made this mistake before—tried sharing from my vacation home account and couldn’t find the camera I wanted. Took me 15 minutes to realize I was in the wrong place.

Once you’re in, tap the Cameras tab at the bottom. You should see a list of all your devices. Find the one you want to share. Tap on it to open its live view or settings.

Step 2: Access the Camera’s Settings

On the camera’s live view screen, look for the Settings icon—it’s usually a gear or three dots in the top-right corner. Tap it.

This opens the camera’s individual settings menu. Here, you’ll find options like motion detection, recording schedule, and—most importantly—Sharing.

Tap on Sharing. This is where the magic happens. In older versions of the app, sharing was buried under “Account” or “Device Management.” But in 2026, Arlo moved it to each camera’s settings, which makes how to add one Arlo camera to shared user in 2026 much more precise.

You’ll now see a screen titled “Shared With” or “People with Access.” If no one’s been added yet, it’ll say “No shared users.”

Step 3: Add the New Shared User

Tap the + Add User or Invite Someone button. A new screen will pop up asking for the person’s email address.

Type in the email address associated with their Arlo account. Important: it must be the exact email they used to sign up. If they signed up with “mom@email.com” but you type “mum@email.com,” it won’t work.

Once you enter the email, tap Send Invite. The app will check if the email is linked to a valid Arlo account. If it is, you’ll see a success message. If not, you’ll get an error—usually saying the account doesn’t exist or the email is invalid.

Warning: Don’t panic if you get an error. Double-check the spelling and make sure they’ve verified their account. I once sent an invite to my wife’s old Gmail—took me two tries to realize it was the wrong one.

Step 4: Choose What They Can See (Camera-Specific Sharing)

This is the key part—the reason you’re reading this guide. In 2026, Arlo lets you share just one camera, not your entire system.

After sending the invite, you’ll see a list of your cameras. By default, it might show all of them. But here’s the trick: uncheck every camera except the one you want to share.

So if you have three cameras (front door, backyard, garage) and only want to share the backyard one, make sure only “Backyard Camera” is checked. The others should be grayed out or unchecked.

This step is often overlooked. I’ve seen users accidentally share all cameras because they didn’t notice the checkboxes. And once you share a camera, you can’t “unshare” it from the invite screen—you have to remove the user entirely and start over.

Once you’ve selected just the right camera, tap Confirm or Share.

Step 5: Set Permissions (Optional but Smart)

Arlo now lets you choose what the shared user can do. You’ll see options like:

  • View Live Feed (they can watch the camera in real time)
  • View Recordings (they can see saved videos in the cloud or local storage)
  • Take Snapshots (they can take a still image from the feed)
  • Arm/Disarm (they can turn the camera on or off—be careful with this one!)
  • Adjust Motion Detection (they can change sensitivity or zones)

For most people, I recommend enabling View Live Feed and View Recordings. That’s usually enough for peace of mind.

But avoid giving Arm/Disarm or Adjust Motion Detection unless you fully trust the person. I once gave my teenage son full control—he turned off the front camera during a storm “to save battery.” Not ideal.

After setting permissions, tap Done or Send. The invite is now sent.

Step 6: The Recipient Accepts the Invite

The person you shared with will get a notification on their phone (if they have the Arlo app) or an email.

They need to open the notification or email and tap Accept. If they don’t have the app installed, they’ll be prompted to download it first.

Once they accept, the camera will appear in their Arlo app under “Shared Cameras” or “Cameras from [Your Name].”

They can now view live footage, see recordings, and do whatever you allowed in the permissions. But they can’t delete your account, remove the camera, or share it with someone else.

Pro tip: If they don’t see the camera right away, have them restart the app or pull down to refresh. Sometimes it takes a minute to sync.

Step 7: Test the Connection (Do This!)

Don’t skip this step. After they accept, have the shared user open their app and check the camera.

Ask them: “Can you see the live feed? Can you scroll through past recordings?” If yes—great! You’re done.

If not, here are a few things to check:

  • Is your camera online? (Check your app—green dot means online)
  • Is their Arlo app updated?
  • Did they accept the invite from the right email?
  • Is your Wi-Fi stable? (A weak signal can delay syncing)

I once spent 20 minutes troubleshooting only to realize my camera was in sleep mode. Oops.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Now that you know the steps, let’s talk about the real-world hiccups. These are the things I’ve learned the hard way—so you don’t have to.

Tip 1: Use Descriptive Camera Names

Arlo lets you rename cameras. Instead of “Camera 1,” call it “Front Porch” or “Backyard – Dog Run.”

Why? When you’re sharing, you’ll see a list of cameras. If they’re all named “Camera A,” “Camera B,” it’s easy to pick the wrong one. I once shared my bedroom camera instead of the garage because the names were confusing. Awkward.

Tip 2: Revoke Access When Needed

People move out. Roommates leave. Trust changes. Arlo lets you remove shared users anytime.

Go to the camera’s Sharing settings, find the person, and tap Remove. They’ll lose access immediately. No notifications, no drama.

Just remember: once you remove them, they can’t re-accept unless you invite them again.

Tip 3: Don’t Share Your Main Account

Never give someone your login and password. Sharing is meant to be done through the app—not by handing over your credentials.

Why? Because if they change your password or delete your camera, you’re locked out. I’ve heard horror stories of couples fighting over smart home access. Don’t let it happen to you.

Common Mistake: Sharing All Cameras by Accident

As I mentioned earlier, the camera selection screen can be tricky. If you’re not careful, you might share more than you intended.

Always double-check the checkboxes. Uncheck everything except the one camera you want to share. It takes 5 seconds—but saves a lot of trouble later.

Common Mistake: Forgetting the Recipient Needs an Account

Arlo doesn’t support guest access. The person you share with must have an Arlo account.

If they don’t, send them a link to arlo.com/signup and help them set it up. It’s free, takes two minutes, and they don’t need to own any cameras.

Pro Tip: Use Shared Access for Temporary Help

Let’s say you’re going on vacation and want your neighbor to check on your house. Instead of giving them your login, just share the front camera for two weeks.

When you get back, remove their access. Clean, simple, and secure.

Warning: If you’re sharing with someone outside your household (like a pet sitter), be clear about what they can and can’t do. A simple text like “You can check the camera, but please don’t change any settings” goes a long way.

FAQs About How to Add One Arlo Camera to Shared User in 2026

Let’s tackle the questions I get most often—straight from real users like you.

Q: Can I share just one camera if I have multiple?

Yes! That’s one of the best features in 2026. You can share only the backyard camera, for example, without giving access to your front door or garage. Just uncheck the others when you send the invite. This makes how to add one Arlo camera to shared user in 2026 more private and flexible.

Q: What if the person doesn’t have an Arlo account?

They need to create one. Arlo doesn’t allow sharing with non-users. But it’s free and easy—just go to arlo.com, click “Sign Up,” and follow the steps. No camera purchase needed. Once they’re in, you can send the invite.

Q: Can I set a time limit on the sharing?

Unfortunately, no. Arlo doesn’t have a built-in “expiration date” for shared access. But you can remove them anytime. For temporary access (like a house sitter), just remember to remove them when it’s over. Set a calendar reminder if you need to.

Q: What if the invite doesn’t go through?

Check three things: 1) The email is correct, 2) The recipient’s account is verified, and 3) Your internet is working. If all are good, try sending it again. If it still fails, contact Arlo Support—they can check the backend logs.

Q: Can shared users record or download videos?

Only if you give them permission. In the sharing settings, you control whether they can view recordings. But they can’t download or export videos unless you allow it. And even then, it’s limited to what’s in your cloud or local storage.

Q: Will they get my motion alerts?

No. Motion alerts (like push notifications) are only sent to the camera’s owner. The shared user won’t get alerts unless they’re also logged into your account (which you should never allow). They’ll have to check the app manually.

Q: Can I share the same camera with multiple people?

Yes! You can add as many shared users as you want. Just repeat the process for each person. Each gets their own invite and permissions. Great for families, roommates, or neighborhood watch groups.

Final Thoughts

Sharing your Arlo camera doesn’t have to be a headache. In fact, once you know the steps, it’s one of the easiest and most useful features Arlo offers in 2026.

Whether you’re helping a partner keep an eye on the kids, letting a neighbor check your front porch, or just wanting peace of mind when you’re away, how to add one Arlo camera to shared user in 2026 gives you control without sacrificing privacy.

Remember: be picky about who you share with, use descriptive camera names, and always double-check the permissions. A few extra seconds of caution can save you a lot of trouble down the road.

And if you ever feel unsure? Just come back to this guide. I’ve been there—staring at my phone, wondering why the invite isn’t sending, or panicking because I shared the wrong camera. It happens. But now you know exactly what to do.

So go ahead. Open that app, send that invite, and share the view. Because sometimes, the best security isn’t just technology—it’s trust, shared one camera at a time.