Adjusting motion sensitivity on your Arlo camera in 2026 is quick and easy—simply open the Arlo app, select your camera, and fine-tune the sensitivity slider under “Motion Detection Settings” to reduce false alerts or capture every movement. For optimal performance, test different levels and use activity zones to focus on key areas.

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How to Adjust Motion Sensitivity on Arlo Camera in 2026

Key Takeaways

• Access settings via Arlo app: Navigate to camera settings to adjust motion sensitivity easily.
• Customize per camera: Set unique sensitivity levels for each Arlo camera individually.
• Use test mode: Verify motion detection accuracy with real-time test mode before finalizing.
• Balance sensitivity: Avoid false alarms by setting sensitivity based on environment and needs.
• Update firmware regularly: Ensure optimal performance with the latest Arlo software updates.
• Pair with activity zones: Combine sensitivity settings with activity zones for precise alerts.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

You know that feeling when your Arlo camera sends you 47 notifications in one night—only to discover it was just the neighbor’s cat chasing a moth? Or worse, when a real event slips through unnoticed because the sensitivity was too low?

That’s exactly why learning how to adjust motion sensitivity on Arlo camera in 2026 isn’t just a tech fix—it’s peace of mind. With smarter AI, updated firmware, and new customization options, Arlo’s 2026 lineup lets you fine-tune detection like never before. But only if you know where to look.

Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or managing a small business, getting motion sensitivity right means fewer false alarms, better battery life, and more accurate alerts. And honestly? It’s easier than you think—once you know the tricks.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through every step—based on my own trial-and-error with three Arlo Pro 5S cameras and an Arlo Ultra 2 setup. We’ll cover everything from basic adjustments to pro-level tweaks, so your cameras actually work for you, not against you.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you’ve got what you need. The good news? Most of this is already in your hands.

• Your Arlo camera(s) – Any model from 2020 onward will work, including Arlo Pro 5S, Ultra 2, Essential, and Arlo Wired Floodlight.
• The Arlo Secure App – Make sure it’s updated to the latest version (v5.12+ as of early 2026). Older versions lack key sensitivity controls.
• Smartphone or tablet – iOS or Android, connected to your home Wi-Fi or mobile data.
• Your Arlo account login – You’ll need access to your dashboard.
• About 10–15 minutes – No tools required. Just you, your phone, and a quiet moment.

Pro Tip: If you’re adjusting multiple cameras, do them one at a time. It helps you compare performance and avoid confusion. I once tried to tweak five at once and ended up with a mess—don’t be me.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Adjust Motion Sensitivity on Arlo Camera in 2026

Step 1: Open the Arlo Secure App and Navigate to Your Camera

Launch the Arlo Secure app and log in if prompted. From the home screen, tap on the camera you want to adjust. You’ll see a live feed and quick settings at the bottom.

Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner. This opens the camera settings menu—where all the magic happens.

Look for “Device Settings” and select it. This is where you’ll find motion sensitivity controls, among other features like night vision and audio settings.

Warning: If you don’t see “Device Settings,” double-check that your app is up to date. Some older versions hide these options under “Advanced” or “Camera Info.”

Step 2: Find and Select “Motion Detection”

Inside Device Settings, scroll until you see “Motion Detection”. Tap it. This section is your control center for all things motion-related.

You’ll now see several options, including:

• Motion Detection (On/Off)
• Sensitivity Level (Low to High)
• Smart Motion Zones (customizable areas)
• AI Detection (person, vehicle, animal, package)
• Motion Alerts (push, email, siren)

For now, focus on the Sensitivity Level slider. This is the core of how to adjust motion sensitivity on Arlo camera in 2026.

Step 3: Adjust the Sensitivity Slider

The sensitivity slider ranges from 1 (Lowest) to 10 (Highest). Think of it like volume control for motion detection.

• 1–3 (Low): Only major movements (like a person walking) trigger alerts. Great for areas with lots of background motion (trees, cars).
• 4–6 (Medium): Balanced setting. Catches most human-sized motion but filters out small critters. My go-to for front yards.
• 7–10 (High): Sensitive to almost everything—even falling leaves or shadows. Best for low-traffic areas or high-security needs.

Start by setting it to 5 or 6 as a baseline. You can fine-tune later.

Real Talk: I once set mine to 8 in my backyard, thinking it’d catch every raccoon. Instead, I got alerts every time a squirrel ran across the fence. Lesson learned: high sensitivity isn’t always better.

Step 4: Enable and Customize Smart Motion Zones (Optional but Powerful)

Below the sensitivity slider, tap “Smart Motion Zones”. This lets you draw custom areas on your camera’s view where motion should be detected—or ignored.

For example:

• Draw a zone around your front porch to catch deliveries.
• Exclude the street or sidewalk to avoid traffic alerts.
• Ignore a swaying tree branch or a busy road.

To create a zone:

1. Tap “+ Add Zone”.
2. Use your finger to draw a rectangle or polygon over the desired area.
3. Name it (e.g., “Front Door,” “Driveway”).
4. Toggle it on.

You can have up to 10 zones per camera in 2026 models. Older models support fewer.

Pro Tip: Use the “Inverted Zone” feature (new in 2026) to detect motion everywhere except a specific area. Perfect for ignoring a neighbor’s yard while still monitoring yours.

Step 5: Fine-Tune AI Detection (Person, Vehicle, Animal, Package)

Arlo’s 2026 AI engine is smarter than ever. Instead of just “motion,” it now identifies what caused it.

Tap “AI Detection” in the Motion Detection menu. You’ll see toggles for:

• Person
• Vehicle
• Animal
• Package (new in 2026!)

You can choose which types of motion trigger alerts. For example:

• Turn off “Animal” if you’re tired of deer alerts.
• Enable “Package” if you want to know when a delivery arrives (works best with clear view of porch).
• Turn off “Vehicle” if your camera faces a busy street.

This is a game-changer for reducing false alarms. I turned off “Animal” and my nightly raccoon drama stopped instantly.

Note: AI detection requires an active Arlo Secure subscription (Basic, Plus, or Premium). Without it, you’ll only get generic “motion detected” alerts.

Step 6: Test Your Settings (Critical Step!)

After adjusting sensitivity and zones, test your setup. Here’s how:

1. Ask someone to walk through a zone you want to monitor.
2. Have them stand still, wave, or crouch—see if the camera reacts appropriately.
3. Check your phone for alerts. Did it trigger? Was it accurate?
4. Try a “negative test” by moving in an excluded zone. No alert should come.

I recommend testing at different times of day—especially at dusk and dawn, when lighting changes can affect AI accuracy.

If alerts are too frequent or too rare, go back and tweak the sensitivity by 1–2 points. Small changes make a big difference.

Step 7: Schedule Sensitivity (Optional for Advanced Users)

New in 2026: Scheduled Sensitivity. This lets you set different sensitivity levels for different times of day.

For example:

• Set to 8 at night for better security.
• Set to 4 during the day to ignore kids playing in the yard.

To enable:

1. In Device Settings, tap “Schedules”.
2. Create a new schedule (e.g., “Night Mode”).
3. Set start/end times and choose sensitivity level.
4. Repeat for “Day Mode” or “Away Mode.”

This feature is ideal for homes with changing activity patterns. I use it when my kids are home from school vs. when we’re on vacation.

Step 8: Monitor and Refine Over Time

Your first adjustment isn’t your last. Weather, seasons, and landscaping changes affect motion detection.

Check your camera’s “Activity History” weekly. Look for:

• Too many alerts (false positives).
• Missed events (false negatives).
• Patterns (e.g., alerts every 7 PM—was it a delivery or a neighbor’s dog?)

Adjust accordingly. For example, in winter, I lower sensitivity slightly because snowdrifts and wind-blown debris cause more false triggers.

My Rule of Thumb: Revisit settings every 3–4 weeks, or after major changes (new fence, tree trimming, etc.).

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After setting up over a dozen Arlo cameras, I’ve made every mistake in the book. Here’s what I wish someone told me earlier.

1. Don’t Max Out Sensitivity “Just in Case”
High sensitivity sounds great—but it drains battery faster and floods your phone with alerts. I once left mine at 10 and got 200 alerts in a week. Not helpful.

2. Use Smart Zones, Not Just Sensitivity
Lowering sensitivity globally is a blunt tool. Instead, use Smart Motion Zones to exclude problem areas (like a busy street) while keeping sensitivity high elsewhere. It’s like precision surgery vs. a sledgehammer.

3. Lighting Matters More Than You Think
At night, shadows and reflections can trigger false alerts. If your camera faces a reflective window or glass door, try adjusting the angle slightly—or use the “Inverted Zone” to ignore the reflection area.

4. Update Firmware Regularly
Arlo pushes updates that improve AI accuracy and sensitivity algorithms. Go to Settings > Device Info > Firmware and check for updates monthly. I skipped one once and missed a package delivery because the AI misclassified it as “animal.”

5. Don’t Forget the Audio Sensitivity (If Applicable)
Some Arlo models (like the Essential) also have audio detection. If enabled, it can trigger alerts from loud sounds (barking, breaking glass). Adjust this separately under “Audio Detection” in Device Settings.

6. Battery vs. Wired: Sensitivity Differences
Battery-powered cameras (like Arlo Pro 5S) use motion detection to wake up. High sensitivity = more wake-ups = shorter battery life. For battery cameras, I keep sensitivity at 5–6. For wired models, you can go higher.

7. Sync with Your Routine
If you’re usually home during the day, you don’t need high sensitivity then. Use schedules to match your lifestyle. I lower mine when I’m home and raise it when I’m away.

Real Story: My neighbor ignored these tips and kept getting alerts from his sprinkler system. After I helped him set up a Smart Zone to ignore the spray area, his alerts dropped by 90%. He called me a “security wizard.” (I’m not, but I’ll take it.)

FAQs About How to Adjust Motion Sensitivity on Arlo Camera in 2026

Q: Can I adjust sensitivity for multiple cameras at once?
A: Not directly. You have to adjust each camera individually in the app. But—here’s a trick—set one camera perfectly, then use it as a reference for the others. I keep screenshots of my ideal settings for quick comparison.

Q: Why isn’t my sensitivity change taking effect?
A: First, make sure you tap “Save” after adjusting. Second, check that your camera is connected (offline cameras won’t apply changes). Third, restart the app. If it still doesn’t work, try power-cycling the camera (turn off, wait 10 seconds, turn back on).

Q: What’s the best sensitivity for a front door camera?
A: I recommend 6–7 with Smart Motion Zones focused on the porch and driveway. Enable “Person” and “Package” AI detection. This catches deliveries and visitors without alerting every passing car.

Q: Does motion sensitivity affect video quality?
A: Not directly. But higher sensitivity means more recordings, which can fill up your cloud storage faster. If you’re on a Basic plan (limited storage), this could cause older videos to be overwritten sooner.

Q: Can I adjust sensitivity remotely?
A: Yes! As long as your camera is online, you can adjust settings from anywhere using the Arlo app. I’ve tweaked mine while on vacation after realizing a false alert pattern.

Q: What if my camera keeps detecting shadows or reflections?
A: Use Smart Motion Zones to exclude the problematic area. Or, slightly reposition the camera to avoid the light source. In 2026, Arlo’s AI is better at filtering shadows—but it’s not perfect. Combine zones with lower sensitivity (5–6) for best results.

Q: Is there a way to see what triggered the motion?
A: Yes! With an Arlo Secure subscription, tap any alert to see a thumbnail. The AI label (e.g., “Person,” “Animal”) appears at the top. You can also review full clips in the “Activity History” tab.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to adjust motion sensitivity on Arlo camera in 2026 isn’t about chasing perfection—it’s about finding the sweet spot between vigilance and sanity.

The tools are better than ever: Smart Motion Zones, AI detection, scheduled sensitivity, and improved algorithms mean you can customize your setup to match your life, not the other way around.

Start simple. Set sensitivity to 6. Use one or two Smart Motion Zones. Test it. Then refine.

And remember: no setting is “set and forget.” Seasons change. Trees grow. Your needs shift. Revisit your settings every few weeks, especially after major changes.

You don’t need to be a tech expert. You just need a little patience and the willingness to tweak. Once you get it right, you’ll wonder how you ever lived with endless false alerts.

Now go open that Arlo app. Your peace of mind is just a few taps away.

One Last Tip: Bookmark this guide. The next time your cat sets off the camera at 3 AM, you’ll know exactly what to do.

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