Adjust your Arlo cameras for auto-delete recordings in 2026 by enabling the “Smart Retention” feature in the Arlo Secure app—this ensures old clips are automatically removed based on your preferred timeline. Navigate to Settings > Subscription > Recording Retention to customize deletion rules, balancing storage space and critical footage. Ideal for maintaining privacy and optimizing cloud usage without manual cleanup.

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How to Adjust Arlo Cameras for Auto Delete Recordings in 2026

Key Takeaways

• Access Settings: Open Arlo app and navigate to camera settings.
• Enable Auto Delete: Toggle on auto-delete under recording options.
• Set Duration: Choose retention period (e.g., 7, 30, or 60 days).
• Confirm Storage: Verify cloud or local storage supports your settings.
• Update Firmware: Ensure cameras run the latest 2026 firmware version.
• Review Regularly: Check settings monthly to align with privacy needs.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s be real: managing security footage is one of those things we all *mean* to do, but life gets in the way. You set up your Arlo cameras, feel secure for a few weeks, then forget about them. Before you know it, your cloud storage is full, and your camera stops recording. Or worse—you’re paying for extra storage you don’t even need.

That’s where learning how to adjust Arlo cameras for auto delete recordings in 2026 comes in. It’s not just about saving money or clearing space—it’s about peace of mind. With the right settings, your system keeps working *for* you, not against you. No more surprise storage warnings. No more manually deleting old clips.

I learned this the hard way. A few years back, I got a notification that my Arlo Pro 4 had stopped recording. Turns out, I’d hit my 30-day cloud limit. I had to dig through the app, delete old videos, and hope nothing important was lost. Not fun.

But here’s the good news: Arlo’s 2026 updates make this easier than ever. Whether you’re using a SmartHub, a base station, or cloud-only plans, you can now fine-tune how long your footage stays—and when it gets automatically removed. This guide will walk you through it step by step, with real-world tips to avoid the mistakes I made.

We’ll cover everything from checking your plan to setting up smart retention rules, and even how to keep local storage (like USB drives) in sync with auto-delete. By the end, you’ll have a system that works quietly in the background—exactly how it should.

Pro insight: Auto-delete isn’t about losing footage. It’s about managing it wisely. Think of it like cleaning your inbox—keep what matters, let go of the rest.

What You Need

You don’t need fancy tools or a tech degree to get this done. Just a few essentials:

• Your Arlo account (log in via the Arlo app or website)
• At least one Arlo camera (any model from Arlo Essential to Ultra 2 works)
• Arlo app (iOS or Android, updated to 2026 version)
• Stable Wi-Fi connection (your camera needs to sync with the cloud)
• Optional: USB drive (if using local storage with a SmartHub or base station)
• Optional: Arlo Secure subscription (required for cloud-based auto-delete rules)

Note: If you’re on the free plan, you’ll only have 7-day rolling cloud storage. Auto-delete is built-in, but you can’t customize it. For more control, a paid plan (Arlo Secure or Secure Plus) is recommended.

The 2026 Arlo app also added a new “Storage Manager” feature. It’s a one-stop dashboard for all your retention settings—cloud, local, and even AI-filtered clips. We’ll use it heavily in the steps below.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Adjust Arlo Cameras for Auto Delete Recordings in 2026

Step 1: Log In and Open the Storage Manager

Open the Arlo app on your phone or tablet. Tap the menu (three lines) in the top-left, then go to Settings > Storage Manager.

This is your new command center. You’ll see three tabs: Cloud, Local, and AI Events. The Storage Manager was introduced in the 2026 update, so if you don’t see it, update your app from the App Store or Google Play.

Why this matters: Before 2026, you had to jump between camera settings, plan details, and device settings to manage retention. Now, it’s all in one place. Much cleaner.

Warning: If you’re on an older Arlo plan, you might see a message: “Upgrade to customize auto-delete.” Don’t panic—just tap “View Plans” to see your options. Even the basic paid plan gives you control.

Step 2: Set Cloud Auto-Delete Rules

Tap the Cloud tab. You’ll see a list of all your cameras. Tap the one you want to adjust.

Here’s what to look for:

• Retention Period: Choose 1, 7, 14, 30, or 60 days. This is how long videos stay in the cloud before auto-deleting.
• Auto-Delete Enabled: Make sure this toggle is ON.
• Keep Important Events: New in 2026! You can flag clips (like motion near your front door) to skip auto-delete. We’ll cover this in Step 4.

For example: I keep my front door camera at 30 days. My backyard camera—less traffic, fewer events—gets 14 days. That way, I save space without losing key footage.

Pro tip: If you have multiple cameras, tap the “Apply to All” button to set the same rule across your system. Saves time!

Remember: This only affects cloud storage. If you’re using local storage (USB drive), keep reading.

Step 3: Configure Local Storage Auto-Delete (USB Drive)

Got a SmartHub or base station with a USB drive? Tap the Local tab.

You’ll see your USB drive listed. Tap it, then set:

• Storage Limit: Choose “Full” (delete oldest when full) or “Custom” (set a max GB).
• Auto-Delete Oldest Videos: Turn this ON.
• Sync with Cloud: Optional, but helpful. If ON, videos deleted from the cloud also get removed from USB (and vice versa).

My setup: I use a 256GB drive. I set it to “Full” mode. When it hits 90% capacity, it starts deleting the oldest clips. I also enabled sync—so if I delete a cloud video, it vanishes from the USB too. Keeps things clean.

Important: Local auto-delete only works if the USB drive is properly formatted and connected. If you see “Drive Not Detected,” unplug it, wait 10 seconds, then plug it back in. The app will re-scan it.

Real talk: I once had a USB drive fail mid-month. The auto-delete kept working, but the footage was corrupted. Now I use a rugged, high-endurance drive (like SanDisk High Endurance). Worth the extra $10.

Step 4: Use AI Event Retention (Smart Auto-Delete)

This is the game-changer in the 2026 update. Tap the AI Events tab.

Arlo’s AI now categorizes clips: people, animals, vehicles, packages, etc. You can set different retention rules for each type.

For example:

• People: 30 days (I want to see who came by)
• Animals: 3 days (my cat triggers motion a lot)
• Packages: 7 days (important, but not forever)
• All Other: 1 day (background motion)

To set it: Tap the event type, choose your retention, and toggle “Auto-Delete” ON.

Why it’s brilliant: Instead of deleting *all* videos after 30 days, you keep what matters. My “people” clips stay longer. My “cat at night” clips vanish in 3 days. No manual sorting. No clutter.

Note: AI Event filtering requires an Arlo Secure plan. If you’re on the free plan, you’ll only see basic motion detection.

Step 5: Schedule Auto-Delete for Specific Times (Optional)

New in 2026: You can schedule auto-delete to run at off-peak hours (e.g., 2 AM).

Go back to the Cloud or Local tab. Tap the camera or drive, then scroll to Auto-Delete Schedule.

Choose:

• Daily: Set a time (e.g., 2:00 AM)
• Weekly: Pick a day and time
• Manual: Run it on demand

I use “Daily at 2:15 AM.” Why? It avoids peak Wi-Fi usage and ensures the system has time to process new clips before cleanup.

Bonus: If you have multiple cameras, you can stagger schedules. For example, front camera at 2:00 AM, backyard at 2:30 AM. Prevents bandwidth spikes.

Step 6: Test and Verify

After setting everything up, test it.

• Trigger a motion event (wave at your camera).
• Wait a few minutes, then check the app: Is the clip there?
• Wait until your retention period ends (or use “Delete Now” in test mode).
• Check if it’s gone from both cloud and local (if synced).

Pro tip: Use the “Test Auto-Delete” feature in the Storage Manager. It simulates a 1-day retention, then deletes the clip. Great for verifying settings without waiting weeks.

If the clip doesn’t delete, check:

• Is auto-delete toggled ON?
• Is your plan active?
• Is your USB drive connected?
• Is the camera online?

I once forgot to renew my subscription. The auto-delete stopped working. The 2026 app now sends a 7-day warning before your plan lapses. Handy.

Step 7: Monitor and Adjust Monthly

Don’t set it and forget it. Every month, open the Storage Manager and check:

• Is storage usage under control?
• Are important clips being kept?
• Is your schedule still working?

I review mine every first Sunday. I’ve found that during holidays, I need longer retention (more guests, packages). In summer, I shorten it (more animal activity).

Also, keep an eye on the “Storage Health” dashboard. It shows trends—like if your USB drive is filling up faster than expected. Lets you adjust before hitting limits.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After helping dozens of friends set this up, I’ve seen the same mistakes pop up. Here’s how to avoid them:

Tip 1: Don’t rely on free plans. The 7-day cloud limit is *not* customizable. If you need more control, invest in a paid plan. Even the $2.99/month Arlo Secure plan is worth it.

Tip 2: Use AI Event retention wisely. Don’t set “people” to 1 day if you’re often away. I once set my front door to 1 day while on vacation. Came home to no footage of the delivery person. Lesson learned.

Tip 3: Label your USB drives. If you have multiple, label them “Front Door” or “Backyard.” Makes it easier to manage retention rules per location.

Warning: Avoid “Full” mode on small USB drives (under 64GB). They fill up fast. Use “Custom” mode and set a lower GB limit (e.g., 50GB on a 64GB drive).

Common mistake: Forgetting to enable sync between cloud and local. I once deleted a cloud clip but left it on the USB. The next day, the system tried to back it up again—causing a loop. Now I always check the sync toggle.

Pro insight: Use the “Keep Important Events” feature sparingly. If you mark *every* clip as “important,” auto-delete loses its purpose. Only use it for high-priority events (e.g., someone at your door, a package delivered).

FAQs About How to Adjust Arlo Cameras for Auto Delete Recordings in 2026

Q: Can I adjust auto-delete without a subscription?

Yes, but with limits. Free plans have 7-day cloud storage with auto-delete built-in. You can’t change the retention period. For custom rules (like 30 days or AI-based deletion), you need Arlo Secure ($2.99/month per camera).

Q: What happens if I turn off auto-delete?

Your videos will stay in the cloud or on your USB drive until you manually delete them. This can fill up storage quickly. I recommend keeping it ON and adjusting the retention period instead of turning it off.

Q: Can I recover a video after auto-delete?

No. Once auto-delete runs, the video is permanently removed. That’s why the “Keep Important Events” feature exists. Use it to protect key clips. For extra safety, consider downloading important videos to your phone or computer.

Q: Does auto-delete work with Arlo’s 24/7 continuous recording?

Yes, but only if you have a SmartHub with 24/7 recording enabled. The auto-delete rules apply to the continuous footage just like motion clips. You can set retention for the entire stream.

Q: Why isn’t my USB drive showing up in the Local tab?

First, make sure it’s formatted as FAT32 or exFAT (NTFS won’t work). Second, unplug it and plug it back in. If it still doesn’t show, try a different USB port on the SmartHub. If that fails, reformat the drive (back up data first!).

Q: Can I set different rules for different cameras?

Absolutely. The 2026 Storage Manager lets you customize settings per camera. I have my front door on 30-day retention, my garage on 14 days, and my backyard on 7 days. Just tap each camera in the Cloud or Local tab.

Q: Does auto-delete affect my Arlo Smart features?

No. Features like person detection, package alerts, and activity zones keep working. The only change is *when* the clips get deleted. Your AI filters and notifications remain active.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to adjust Arlo cameras for auto delete recordings in 2026 isn’t just a tech task—it’s a smart move for anyone who values security and sanity. With the right settings, your system stays lean, efficient, and ready for what matters.

Start simple: pick one camera, set a 30-day cloud rule, and enable AI event retention. Test it. Then expand to the rest of your system. The 2026 Arlo app makes it easier than ever, with clear dashboards and smart defaults.

Remember: auto-delete isn’t about losing footage. It’s about keeping your system healthy and your mind clear. No more storage panic. No more manual cleanup. Just reliable security, quietly working in the background.

And if you ever feel stuck? Open the app, tap the help icon, or reach out to Arlo support. They’ve improved their response time in 2026—most issues are resolved in under 24 hours.

Now go tweak those settings. Your future self (and your Wi-Fi bandwidth) will thank you.

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