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Adding people to your Arlo camera in 2026 is quick and secure—simply open the Arlo app, tap “Settings,” select “Grant Access,” and invite users via email. Ensure each person accepts the invitation and downloads the Arlo app to view camera feeds and receive alerts from their own device.
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How to Add People to Arlo Camera in 2026: Easy Guide
Key Takeaways
- Open the Arlo app and tap “Settings” to begin adding users.
- Select “Grant Access” to invite new users via email quickly.
- Assign user roles like Admin or Viewer for controlled permissions.
- Confirm via email link—new users must accept the invitation first.
- Sync devices automatically after approval for immediate camera access.
- Revoke access anytime under “Manage Users” for security control.
Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem
Picture this: You’ve just set up your brand-new Arlo camera system—maybe for peace of mind, or to keep an eye on the front door while you’re away. Everything’s working perfectly… until your partner, a trusted family member, or a house sitter needs access. Suddenly, you’re stuck explaining login details, sharing your own credentials, or worse—giving full admin control. That’s not just inconvenient; it’s a privacy risk.
That’s where knowing how to add people to Arlo camera in 2026 easy guide comes in. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about secure, personalized access without compromising your account. Whether it’s your spouse, a nanny, or a vacation home caretaker, giving the right access to the right people keeps everyone safe and informed.
Arlo’s user-sharing feature lets you grant access with specific permissions. But if you’ve ever tried it, you know it’s not always obvious. The app changes. Steps get buried. And sometimes, the invite just… doesn’t go through. Been there. Done that.
This guide walks you through the latest 2026 process—clear, simple, and tested—so you can share access confidently. No tech jargon. No frustration. Just a smooth, secure setup.
What You Need
Before we dive in, let’s make sure you’ve got everything ready. The good news? You probably already have most of it.
- Your Arlo account (logged in and active)
- The Arlo app (latest version, updated from the App Store or Google Play)
- Access to your home Wi-Fi network (for initial setup if needed)
- The email address of the person you want to add
- Your Arlo base station or hub (if using one—like for Arlo Pro 5 or Ultra 2)
- Stable internet connection (no buffering during setup!)
Pro Tip: Make sure the person you’re adding has the Arlo app installed on their phone before you send the invite. It saves a ton of back-and-forth later.
You don’t need a subscription for basic sharing, but if you’re using advanced features like person detection or activity zones, both accounts should have compatible plans. More on that in the FAQs.
And here’s a personal note: I once tried adding my sister during a holiday visit, only to realize her phone was still on the old Arlo app (from 2020!). She had to update it first. Lesson learned: always check the app version.
Step-by-Step Guide to How to Add People to Arlo Camera in 2026 Easy Guide
Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In
Grab your phone and open the Arlo app. If you’re not already logged in, enter your email and password. Use “Remember me” only on your personal device—never on shared or public phones.
Once inside, you’ll land on the home screen showing your cameras, recent activity, and alerts. This is your command center.
Warning: If you see a “Syncing…” or “Offline” status for your devices, wait until everything’s connected. Sharing won’t work properly if the system is unstable.
This first step is simple, but crucial. Think of it like opening your front door before letting someone in—you need to be inside first.
Step 2: Tap the “Settings” Icon (Gear Symbol)
Look for the small gear icon in the top-right corner of the home screen. Tap it. This opens your Account Settings menu.
Here’s where things get interesting. The layout changed slightly in 2025, so older tutorials might point you to “Manage Devices” or “Users.” In 2026, it’s now under a more intuitive path.
Scroll down until you see “Users & Access”. It might be labeled “Share Access” on some versions, but it’s the same thing.
Tap on it. You’ll see your own account and possibly other users already added.
Personal Insight: I used to skip this step because I thought “Settings” was only for technical stuff. But now I know—this is where the magic of sharing happens.
Step 3: Tap “Add User” or “Invite Someone”
Now you’re in the right place. Look for a bright green or blue button that says “Add User” or “Invite Someone”. Tap it.
A new screen will appear asking for the email address of the person you want to add.
Type it carefully. Double-check for typos—like “gmaill.com” instead of “gmail.com”. I’ve made that mistake twice (thanks, autocorrect!).
Arlo uses this email to send an automated invitation. The person must accept it to gain access.
Once you’ve entered the email, tap “Next”.
Pro Tip: Use the person’s primary email—the one they check daily. Don’t use a work or spam folder address. Otherwise, they might miss the invite.
Step 4: Choose Their Access Level
This is where how to add people to Arlo camera in 2026 easy guide really shines—because Arlo lets you customize access.
You’ll see two main options:
- Admin Access: Full control. They can add cameras, change settings, delete recordings, and even add others. Only give this to someone you fully trust.
- Viewer Access: Can watch live feeds, view recordings, and get alerts. But they can’t change settings or add devices. Perfect for family, babysitters, or neighbors.
There’s also a “Custom” option in newer versions (2026 update). This lets you fine-tune:
- Which cameras they can see
- Whether they get motion alerts
- If they can download clips
- If they can use two-way talk
For most people, Viewer Access is ideal. I use it for my parents—they can check in on the house, but can’t mess with the settings.
Warning: Never give Admin access to someone just because they asked. I once did that for a friend house-sitting, and they accidentally turned off motion detection. Cost me a false sense of security.
Step 5: Confirm and Send the Invitation
After selecting the access level, tap “Send Invite”.
You’ll see a confirmation screen: “Invite sent to [email]”. That’s it! The system handles the rest.
But here’s the catch: the person has to accept the invite within 7 days. After that, it expires.
Arlo sends a notification to their email and (if they have the app) a push notification.
They’ll need to:
- Open the email or app notification
- Tap “Accept Invite”
- Log in with their own Arlo account (or create one if they don’t have one)
Once they accept, they’ll see your cameras in their app under a shared section.
Personal Story: My neighbor accepted my invite in under 2 minutes—because she had the app already. My sister took 3 days because she didn’t see the email. So, tell them to check their inbox!
Step 6: Verify Access (Optional but Recommended)
After sending, go back to “Users & Access”. You’ll see the person listed with a status: “Pending” or “Active”.
Once it says “Active”, they’re in. But to be sure, you can:
- Ask them to open the app and confirm they see your cameras
- Have them check if motion alerts are coming through
- Test a live view together (if you’re both at home)
This step isn’t mandatory, but it prevents confusion later. I once thought I’d added my cousin, but the invite failed silently. We only found out when she couldn’t check the camera during a storm.
Now, I always do a quick test.
Step 7: Manage or Remove Access Later (If Needed)
People come and go. Maybe the nanny moves on. Maybe you want to restrict access after a trip.
To manage users later:
- Go back to “Users & Access”
- Tap on the person’s name
- Choose “Change Access” to upgrade or downgrade permissions
- Or tap “Remove User” to revoke access completely
Removal is instant. They’ll no longer see your cameras or get alerts.
Pro Tip: Use this feature after short-term stays. I remove my Airbnb guests as soon as they check out. Better safe than sorry.
You can also see when they last accessed the system—a handy security check.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
After setting up sharing for over 20 friends and family members, I’ve learned a few hard lessons. Here’s what you need to know to avoid the same pitfalls.
Tip 1: Use a Shared Family Email (For Household Access)
If multiple people in your household need access, consider creating a shared family email (like “thesmithfamily@arlo.com”). Add that email as a Viewer.
Then, share the login with everyone. It’s simpler than adding 5 individual users.
Just make sure you trust everyone with that login—and use a strong password.
Tip 2: Sync Time Zones for Alerts
Arlo shows timestamps based on the viewer’s phone time. If you’re in New York and your friend in California gets an alert, they might think it happened at 9 PM when it was actually 6 PM.
Not a big deal—but can cause confusion. Just remind them: “Check the time zone in your app settings.”
Tip 3: Use Nicknames for Clarity
In your own account, you can rename shared users (e.g., “Mom – Viewer” or “Nanny – Custom”). This helps you remember who has what access.
Tap their name in “Users & Access” and edit the label. Super handy when you’ve added 10 people.
Common Mistake 1: Forgetting to Check for App Updates
Arlo updates the app quarterly. In early 2026, they moved “Users & Access” from “Device Settings” to “Account Settings”. If you’re using an old version, you might be clicking the wrong place.
Always update the app before sharing. It takes 2 minutes and saves 20 minutes of frustration.
Common Mistake 2: Sending to the Wrong Email
Autofill is great… until it suggests “john@company.com” instead of “john@family.com”. I’ve done this twice. The invite went to a work email, got filtered to spam, and was never seen.
Always double-check the email. Better yet, ask the person to confirm their preferred address before sending.
Common Mistake 3: Assuming They Know How to Accept
Not everyone is tech-savvy. Your grandma might not know what a “push notification” is.
Send them a quick text: “Check your email for an invite from Arlo. Tap ‘Accept’ and log in with your account.”
Or, if you’re nearby, walk them through it the first time.
Common Mistake 4: Ignoring Subscription Compatibility
Here’s a sneaky one: if you have an Arlo Secure subscription (for cloud storage, AI detection, etc.), the person you add must also have a compatible plan to access those features.
For example:
- You: Arlo Secure Plus (unlimited cameras, 4K, AI)
- They: Arlo Secure Basic (only 1 camera, 1080p)
They’ll only see 1 camera and lower-quality footage. To fix this, either:
- Upgrade their plan
- Use a shared subscription (if available in your region)
- Accept the limitations
Check Arlo’s website for the latest plan details. It changes often.
FAQs About How to Add People to Arlo Camera in 2026 Easy Guide
Q1: Can I add someone who doesn’t have an Arlo account?
Yes! When they accept the invite, they’ll be prompted to create an account using the same email. It’s free and takes less than a minute. No purchase required.
Just make sure they have the Arlo app installed first.
Q2: Can they add new cameras to my system?
Only if you give them Admin access. With Viewer or Custom access, they can’t add, remove, or modify devices. They can only watch and receive alerts.
So if you don’t want them tinkering, stick to Viewer.
Q3: What if the invite doesn’t arrive?
First, check your sent folder in the Arlo app. Go to “Users & Access” and see if it says “Invite Sent”.
If yes, the person should:
- Check spam/junk folders
- Search for “Arlo” in their email
- Make sure they haven’t blocked Arlo’s domain
If still nothing, resend the invite. You can do this once every 24 hours.
As a last resort, contact Arlo Support. They can manually trigger the invite.
Q4: Can I add someone to multiple Arlo systems?
Absolutely. If you have two homes with separate Arlo accounts, you can add the same person to both—just send two invites, one per account.
They’ll see both systems in their app, labeled by location. Super useful for vacation homes or rental properties.
Q5: Is there a limit to how many people I can add?
Yes. As of 2026, Arlo allows up to 10 shared users per account. This includes Admins, Viewers, and Custom access.
That’s plenty for most families. But if you’re managing a small business or rental property, consider using a dedicated account for staff.
Q6: Can they access my camera if my phone is off?
Yes! Once added, they have independent access. Your phone doesn’t need to be on. As long as your cameras are connected to Wi-Fi and powered, they can view live feeds and recordings.
This is why secure sharing matters—your system is accessible 24/7 to anyone you’ve invited.
Q7: What if I change my mind after adding someone?
No problem. Go to “Users & Access”, tap their name, and select “Remove User”. It’s instant and irreversible.
They’ll lose access immediately. No notifications are sent, so do it discreetly if needed.
Final Thoughts
Sharing your Arlo camera access doesn’t have to be a headache. With the right steps, it’s quick, secure, and stress-free.
This how to add people to Arlo camera in 2026 easy guide walks you through the latest process—updated for the 2026 app changes, subscription rules, and common pitfalls.
Remember: start with the right mindset. Don’t just give access—give the right access. Viewer for family. Admin only for trusted partners. Custom for special cases.
And always verify. A quick test view or alert check can save you from future confusion.
Now that you know how to do it, go ahead and add that person. Whether it’s your spouse checking the backyard, your parent watching the front door, or a neighbor keeping an eye while you’re on vacation—peace of mind is just a few taps away.
And hey, if you run into a snag? Don’t sweat it. Even after 5 years with Arlo, I still occasionally misplace the settings menu. Just reopen this guide, take a breath, and follow the steps.
You’ve got this.
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