Adjusting sensitivity on your Arlo Pro 2 camera in 2026 is quick and easy through the Arlo app—simply navigate to your camera settings, select “Motion Detection,” and fine-tune the sensitivity slider to reduce false alerts or capture more movement. Optimize performance by testing different levels and using activity zones to focus on key areas and ensure reliable, customized security monitoring.

How to Adjust Sensitivity on Arlo Pro 2 Camera in 2026

Key Takeaways

• Access settings via Arlo app: Navigate to camera settings to adjust sensitivity.
• Customize motion zones: Define specific areas to reduce false alerts.
• Adjust sensitivity levels: Choose from low to high for precise detection.
• Test after changes: Verify adjustments with live monitoring or test recordings.
• Update firmware regularly: Ensure optimal performance and new features.
• Balance sensitivity and battery: Higher settings may reduce battery life.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s be real—nothing ruins your peace of mind like a security camera that either misses the action or floods your phone with false alarms. One minute you’re getting a notification about a squirrel on your porch, the next you’re wondering if the camera even saw your neighbor’s delivery.

I’ve been there. I once spent a week getting alerts every time my cat walked past the front door. My phone was blowing up, and I almost turned off notifications altogether. But then I discovered the real issue: the motion sensitivity was set too high. That’s when I realized how crucial it is to know how to adjust sensitivity on Arlo Pro 2 camera in 2026—not just to avoid false alerts, but to make sure you don’t miss the important stuff.

Whether you’re dealing with pets, trees swaying in the wind, or just want to catch real intruders, adjusting sensitivity isn’t just a tech tweak—it’s a sanity saver. And the best part? It’s easier than you think. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process step by step, based on my own experience, mistakes, and a few late-night troubleshooting sessions.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s get the tools ready. The good news? You don’t need anything fancy. Most of what you need is already on your phone or tablet.

• Your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android) with the Arlo app installed and updated
• Your Arlo Pro 2 camera(s) connected and online
• Your Arlo account login (email and password)
• Wi-Fi connection (to sync changes to your camera)
• A few minutes of quiet time (no distractions—this is a quick job, but focus helps)

That’s it. No screwdrivers, no extra hardware. Just you, your phone, and your camera. Once you’ve got these, you’re ready to master how to adjust sensitivity on Arlo Pro 2 camera in 2026.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Adjust Sensitivity on Arlo Pro 2 Camera in 2026

Let’s walk through the process like we’re standing together in your living room, phone in hand. I’ll keep it simple, clear, and free of tech jargon. This method works whether you have one camera or a whole network of them.

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In

First things first—open the Arlo app on your phone. If you haven’t used it in a while, you might need to log in again. No worries. Just enter your email and password.

Once you’re in, you’ll land on the “Devices” or “Home” screen, depending on your version of the app. Look for your Arlo Pro 2 camera. It should show up as a thumbnail with a live feed or a “last seen” status.

Pro tip: If the camera shows “offline,” wait a minute. Sometimes it takes a few seconds to reconnect after being idle. If it stays offline, check your Wi-Fi and power source.

Step 2: Tap on Your Arlo Pro 2 Camera

Now, tap directly on the camera icon. This opens the camera’s control panel. You’ll see options like “Live,” “History,” “Settings,” and more.

You’re looking for “Settings.” It’s usually a gear icon or a menu button (three dots). Tap that. This is where the magic happens.

Warning: Don’t tap “Remove Device” by accident—it’s easy to miss, but it’s a real button. I once almost wiped my camera from the system while trying to adjust sensitivity. Double-check before tapping!

Step 3: Find the “Motion Detection” Section

Inside Settings, scroll down until you see “Motion Detection”. It’s usually under a section called “Video Settings” or “Camera Settings,” depending on your app version.

Tap on “Motion Detection.” You’ll now see a few options, including:

• Motion Detection On/Off
• Motion Sensitivity
• Motion Zones (if enabled)

This is where we’re going to fine-tune your camera’s “eyes.” The goal is to make it smart—not too jumpy, not too lazy.

Step 4: Adjust the Motion Sensitivity Slider

Now comes the heart of how to adjust sensitivity on Arlo Pro 2 camera in 2026: the Motion Sensitivity slider.

You’ll see a horizontal bar, usually labeled “Low” on the left and “High” on the right. The default setting is often around 50–70%, which is great for open areas but can cause false alerts near busy streets or trees.

• Low (1–30): Only big movements (like a person or car) trigger alerts. Good for areas with lots of small motion (bushes, pets).
• Medium (31–70): Balanced. Catches people and larger animals. Best for most homes.
• High (71–100): Catches everything—even shadows or leaves. Use only if you need extreme vigilance.

Drag the slider to your desired level. I recommend starting at 50 and testing for 24 hours. Then tweak based on what you see in your activity log.

Real-life example: My front camera was set to 80. I got alerts every time my neighbor’s dog barked. After lowering it to 45, the dog didn’t trigger it, but my UPS driver did. Perfect.

Step 5: Use Motion Zones (Optional but Powerful)

Want to get even smarter? Use Motion Zones. This lets you draw boxes on your camera’s view and tell it where to watch for motion.

Back in the Motion Detection menu, tap “Motion Zones.” You’ll see a live preview of your camera’s view. Tap “Add Zone” and draw a box over the area you care about—like your front door or driveway.

• You can have up to three zones per camera.
• Each zone can have its own sensitivity level.
• Zones help ignore motion in areas like sidewalks or trees.

I use a zone over my front porch (sensitivity: 60) and one over the driveway (sensitivity: 40). The tree on the left? Ignored. Genius.

Pro tip: If your camera is high up, make sure the zone includes the ground level. Motion at waist height is more likely to be a person than a leaf blowing by.

Step 6: Test and Monitor for 24 Hours

After adjusting sensitivity, don’t just walk away. Test it.

Walk in front of the camera, wave your arms, have a friend drive by. Then check your Activity Log in the app. Did it catch the motion? Was it too slow? Did it miss something?

Wait 24 hours. Check for false alerts—especially during windy times or at night. If you see too many “motion detected” notifications with no real activity, lower the sensitivity slightly.

Remember: how to adjust sensitivity on Arlo Pro 2 camera in 2026 isn’t a one-time thing. It’s a process of fine-tuning based on your environment.

Step 7: Save and Sync Changes

Once you’re happy, the app automatically saves your settings. But here’s the catch: your camera needs to sync the changes.

Make sure your camera is connected to Wi-Fi and powered. The sync usually happens within a minute. You’ll know it worked when the camera’s LED blinks blue (or green, depending on the model).

If you have multiple cameras, repeat the process for each one. I keep a sticky note with each camera’s optimal sensitivity level so I don’t forget.

Step 8: Adjust for Day and Night (Bonus Step)

Here’s a lesser-known trick: infrared motion detection (used at night) can be less sensitive than daytime detection.

If you’re getting fewer alerts at night, try increasing sensitivity by 10–15 points just for nighttime testing. But watch out—too high, and headlights or passing cars might trigger false alarms.

You can also use “Smart Alerts” in the Arlo app (if you have Arlo Smart subscription) to filter out people, vehicles, or animals. This works alongside sensitivity settings and is a game-changer for accuracy.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After years of tweaking my Arlo setup, I’ve learned a few things the hard way. Here are the real-deal tips and pitfalls you should know about when learning how to adjust sensitivity on Arlo Pro 2 camera in 2026.

✅ Pro Tip: Start Low, Then Increase

Many people crank sensitivity to max “just to be safe.” Bad idea. High sensitivity means more false alerts, which leads to alert fatigue—you stop checking your notifications.

Start at 40–50, test for a day, then increase only if needed. It’s easier to go up than down.

✅ Pro Tip: Use the “Activity Log” Like a Detective

Don’t just look at the number of alerts—watch the videos. Was it a person? A shadow? A bird? This helps you decide whether to adjust sensitivity, reposition the camera, or use motion zones.

I once thought my camera was too sensitive. But after watching the clips, I realized it was catching raccoons on my back porch. I lowered sensitivity and added a motion zone—problem solved.

❌ Common Mistake: Ignoring Camera Placement

No amount of sensitivity tweaking can fix a poorly placed camera. If it’s facing a busy street, your front yard will be full of false alerts no matter what.

Reposition the camera to focus on entry points: doors, driveways, garages. Avoid pointing it at roads, trees, or streetlights.

Warning: Streetlights at night can cause “hot spots” that confuse the motion sensor. Angle the camera slightly downward or use a hood to block the light.

❌ Common Mistake: Not Updating the App

Arlo releases updates that improve motion detection algorithms. If your app is outdated, you might miss out on better sensitivity control.

Check your app store every few weeks. A simple update can reduce false alerts by 30%—without changing any settings.

✅ Pro Tip: Use “Geofencing” to Reduce Alerts When You’re Home

If you have Arlo Smart, enable Geofencing. This uses your phone’s location to know when you’re home. When you’re nearby, the camera can reduce sensitivity or turn off alerts.

No more getting pinged every time you walk to your mailbox.

❌ Common Mistake: Forgetting About Weather

Wind, rain, and snow can all trigger motion. A leaf blowing in the wind? Motion. Raindrops on the lens? Blurry motion. Snow falling? Constant alerts.

During bad weather, consider temporarily lowering sensitivity or using motion zones to ignore the ground. After the storm, go back to your normal settings.

✅ Pro Tip: Label Your Cameras

If you have multiple Arlo Pro 2 cameras, label them in the app: “Front Door,” “Back Porch,” “Driveway.” This makes it easier to remember which sensitivity level works best where.

I once spent 20 minutes adjusting the wrong camera because I didn’t label them. Lesson learned.

FAQs About How to Adjust Sensitivity on Arlo Pro 2 Camera in 2026

Let’s tackle the questions I get most often—straight from my inbox, my Reddit threads, and my own late-night doubts.

Q: Can I adjust sensitivity for all my Arlo Pro 2 cameras at once?

Unfortunately, no. The Arlo app doesn’t support bulk sensitivity changes. You have to adjust each camera individually. I know—it’s annoying if you have 6+ cameras.

But here’s a workaround: use the same settings across similar cameras (e.g., all front-facing cameras at 50). Save your notes in a note-taking app so you don’t have to guess.

Q: Why is my Arlo Pro 2 still sending alerts after I lowered sensitivity?

Good question. A few reasons:

• The change hasn’t synced yet (wait 1–2 minutes)
• There’s a motion zone still active with high sensitivity
• The camera’s firmware is outdated
• It’s detecting infrared motion (common at night)

Check your motion zones first. Then restart the camera by turning it off and on (if wired) or removing/reinserting the battery (if battery-powered).

Q: Can I set different sensitivity levels for day and night?

Not directly in the Arlo app. But you can use Smart Alerts (with Arlo Smart subscription) to filter motion by type. For example, ignore small animals at night but alert on people.

Alternatively, create a schedule: use Geofencing to lower sensitivity at night when you’re home, or manually adjust it before bedtime.

Q: My camera misses real motion. What should I do?

First, check if the camera is dirty—dust or bugs on the lens can block motion detection. Wipe it gently with a microfiber cloth.

Then, increase sensitivity by 10 points. Test for 24 hours. If it still misses motion, reposition the camera to a lower height or closer to the action.

Also, make sure the camera isn’t in “Low Power” mode, which can reduce motion detection frequency.

Q: Does adjusting sensitivity affect video quality?

Nope. Sensitivity only affects when the camera records, not how it records. Your 1080p video quality stays the same.

However, if you set sensitivity too high, you’ll get more clips—which means more storage usage, especially if you have cloud recording.

Q: Can I adjust sensitivity remotely?

Yes! As long as your camera is connected to Wi-Fi and you have internet access, you can adjust sensitivity from anywhere using the Arlo app.

I once lowered my front camera’s sensitivity from my hotel room because I was getting alerts from a neighbor’s party. Worked like a charm.

Q: What’s the best sensitivity setting for pet owners?

For pets under 30 lbs (like cats or small dogs), start at 30–40. Use motion zones to avoid the area where your pet hangs out.

For larger pets, go to 45–55 and test carefully. You want to catch a burglar, not your dog chasing a squirrel.

And if you have Arlo Smart, enable “Pet Filter” to ignore animals entirely.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to adjust sensitivity on Arlo Pro 2 camera in 2026 isn’t about becoming a tech wizard. It’s about taking control of your home security in a way that actually works for your life.

You don’t need perfection. You need balance. A camera that’s alert enough to catch a real threat, but smart enough to ignore the wind, the pets, and the occasional squirrel.

Start simple. Adjust the slider. Use motion zones. Test, watch, tweak. And don’t be afraid to go back and change things. Your home changes. Your needs change. Your camera settings should too.

And if you’re ever unsure? Just remember: lower is better than higher. You can always increase sensitivity. But once you’ve trained yourself to ignore alerts because they’re always false, it’s hard to start paying attention again.

So take 10 minutes today. Open the Arlo app. Make one small change. Watch the results. And sleep a little easier knowing your camera is finally working with you—not against you.

You’ve got this. And if you run into trouble? Just come back here. I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve cursed at false alerts. I’ve celebrated the perfect capture. And now, I’m passing the torch.

Happy adjusting.