Adjusting the sensitivity on your Arlo camera in 2026 is quick and easy—just open the Arlo app, select your camera, and fine-tune the motion detection slider under “Sensitivity Settings” to reduce false alerts or capture every movement. For optimal performance, test different levels based on your environment, whether it’s a busy street or a quiet backyard. Advanced users can also set schedules or geofencing to auto-adjust sensitivity throughout the day.

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How to Adjust the Sensitivity on an Arlo Camera in 2026

Key Takeaways

• Access settings via Arlo app: Open the app and select your camera to begin adjustments.
• Adjust motion sensitivity: Slide sensitivity bar to reduce false alerts or increase detection.
• Set activity zones: Customize zones to monitor only relevant areas for precise alerts.
• Test after changes: Verify adjustments by triggering motion to ensure proper sensitivity.
• Update firmware: Ensure latest software for optimal performance and new features.
• Balance sensitivity and battery: Lower sensitivity for longer battery life in wireless models.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s be real: false alerts from your Arlo camera can be a major headache. One minute you’re sipping coffee, the next you’re checking your phone because the camera thought a falling leaf was a burglar. Or worse—it misses something important because it wasn’t sensitive enough. That’s where learning how to adjust the sensitivity on an Arlo camera in 2026 becomes essential.

I’ve been there. I once set up an Arlo Pro 5 outside my front porch, only to get 30+ notifications a day from passing cars, swaying trees, and even a curious raccoon. After a week, I was ready to unplug the whole system. But instead, I dug into the settings—and that’s when I discovered the real power of sensitivity adjustment. It’s not just about reducing alerts; it’s about smart security.

Whether you’re using Arlo Ultra, Arlo Pro, or the newer Arlo Essential models, adjusting motion sensitivity is one of the most impactful tweaks you can make. It helps you focus on what matters—people, pets, and actual intruders—while filtering out the noise. And in 2026, with smarter AI and enhanced detection zones, it’s easier than ever to get it just right.

This guide walks you through how to adjust the sensitivity on an Arlo camera in 2026, step by step, with real-world tips and no tech jargon. Think of it as a friendly chat over coffee—except you’ll walk away with a camera that actually works for you.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you have everything you need. The good news? Most of it is already in your pocket.

• Your Arlo camera (any model: Essential, Pro, Ultra, or newer 2026 variants)
• The Arlo app (download it from the App Store or Google Play if you haven’t already)
• A smartphone or tablet (iOS 15+ or Android 10+ recommended)
• Your Arlo account credentials (email and password)
• Wi-Fi connection (your camera and phone should be on the same network for best results)
• 10–15 minutes of uninterrupted time (no multitasking—this is precision work!)

Optional but helpful:

• A second person (to walk in front of the camera while you test)
• Note-taking app or paper (to track which sensitivity level works best)

That’s it. No special tools, no soldering iron—just your phone and a bit of patience. And don’t worry: even if you’ve never touched a camera setting before, you’ve got this.

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

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In

Start by launching the Arlo app on your phone. If you haven’t used it in a while, you might need to log in. Use your email and password—same ones you used when setting up your camera.

Once you’re in, you’ll see your dashboard with all your connected cameras. Tap the one you want to adjust. For example, if you’re fixing false alerts from your backyard camera, tap that thumbnail.

This is where how to adjust the sensitivity on an Arlo camera in 2026 begins—not with a tool, but with access. Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi and your camera is online (green dot next to it).

Pro Tip: If your camera shows “Offline,” check its power source or Wi-Fi connection first. Sensitivity settings won’t save if the camera isn’t connected.

Step 2: Navigate to the Camera’s Settings

After tapping your camera, look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner. That’s your Settings menu. Tap it.

You’ll see a list of options: “Device Info,” “Video Settings,” “Audio,” and more. We’re looking for “Motion Detection”—this is where the sensitivity magic happens.

On newer 2026 models (like the Arlo Pro 6), you might also see “Smart Detection” or “AI Motion Zones.” These are advanced versions of motion sensitivity, so we’ll cover both.

Tap “Motion Detection” to enter the core settings. This is the heart of how to adjust the sensitivity on an Arlo camera in 2026.

Step 3: Adjust the Sensitivity Slider

Now you’ll see a simple but powerful tool: a horizontal slider labeled “Motion Sensitivity.” It ranges from “Low” to “High,” usually with a percentage or 1–10 scale.

Here’s what each end means:

• Low (1–3): Only detects large, fast movements (e.g., a person running). Great for reducing false alerts from wind or small animals.
• Medium (4–6): Balanced setting. Catches most human-sized motion but may still trigger on pets or large branches.
• High (7–10): Catches almost any movement—even a butterfly landing on a flower. Useful in high-security areas, but expect more alerts.

Start by setting it to Medium (5) if you’re unsure. Then, test it (we’ll cover testing in Step 5).

Warning: Don’t jump straight to “High” unless you want your phone blowing up with every leaf flutter. I learned that the hard way during a windy autumn.

Step 4: Customize Motion Zones (Optional but Recommended)

This is where 2026’s Arlo cameras shine. Instead of treating your entire field of view equally, you can draw custom motion zones—areas where the camera should (or shouldn’t) detect motion.

In the same “Motion Detection” menu, tap “Motion Zones” or “Detection Zones.” You’ll see a live view of your camera with a grid overlay.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Tap “Add Zone” or “Edit Zones.”
2. Drag the corners of the zone to cover areas like your front door, driveway, or porch.
3. Leave out areas like trees, street traffic, or your neighbor’s yard.
4. You can create up to 4 zones (varies by model).

For example: I set one zone over my front steps and another over the driveway. The camera ignores the tree in the corner, which used to trigger alerts every time it swayed.

This feature is a game-changer for how to adjust the sensitivity on an Arlo camera in 2026—because you’re not just tweaking a number; you’re teaching the camera what matters.

Step 5: Enable Smart Detection (If Available)

If your camera is from 2024 or newer (especially Arlo Pro 5, Pro 6, or Ultra 2), you’ll see an option called “Smart Detection” or “AI Detection.”

Tap it and toggle it on. This uses machine learning to distinguish between:

• People
• Vehicles
• Pets
• Animals
• General motion (like leaves or shadows)

You can then choose which types to receive alerts for. For instance, I get alerts for people and vehicles but ignore pets and animals. That way, my dog running around the yard doesn’t wake me up at 3 a.m.

Smart Detection works hand-in-hand with sensitivity. Think of sensitivity as the “volume knob” and Smart Detection as the “filter.” Together, they reduce false alerts by up to 70% (based on Arlo’s 2025 user data).

Step 6: Test the Settings

Now comes the fun part: testing. Don’t skip this—settings look great on paper, but real life is different.

Here’s how to test:

1. Go to your camera’s live view in the app.
2. Ask a friend (or use yourself) to walk through each motion zone.
3. Check if the camera detects the movement and sends an alert.
4. Also, test areas outside the zones (e.g., the tree, the street) to ensure they’re ignored.

Watch the alerts on your phone. Did you get a notification when someone walked through the zone? Good. Did you get one when a squirrel ran across the lawn? If yes, your sensitivity might be too high.

Adjust the slider up or down based on results. Then test again. It may take 2–3 rounds to get it perfect.

Pro Tip: Test at different times of day. Shadows in the afternoon can look like motion. I once had a false alert because my shadow stretched across the driveway at 4 p.m.

Step 7: Save and Monitor for 24–48 Hours

Once you’re satisfied, tap “Save” or “Apply” in the app. The changes take effect immediately.

Now, monitor your camera for the next 24–48 hours. Check your notification history in the app:

• Are you getting fewer false alerts?
• Is the camera still catching important events (like a delivery person or visitor)?
• Are there any blind spots you missed?

If something’s off, go back to Settings and tweak the sensitivity or zones. It’s normal to make small adjustments over the first few days.

This ongoing monitoring is a key part of how to adjust the sensitivity on an Arlo camera in 2026. Security isn’t “set it and forget it”—it’s “set it, test it, refine it.”

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After helping dozens of friends and family members tweak their Arlo cameras, I’ve picked up a few hard-earned lessons. Here are the real-world insights most guides miss.

1. Don’t Rely on “Auto” Settings

Arlo’s default “Auto” sensitivity might seem convenient, but it’s often too high. It’s designed to catch everything—even things you don’t care about. Manually adjusting gives you control.

I once left a camera on “Auto” for a month. Result? 150+ alerts in a week. After switching to manual (Medium + zones), I got 12—all real events.

2. Use “People Only” Mode When Possible

If your camera supports Smart Detection, enable “People Only” alerts in the app. This filters out everything except humans, cutting false alerts by up to 80%.

It’s especially useful for front doors, where you only care about visitors—not passing cars or animals.

3. Watch Out for Lighting Changes

Sudden changes in light (sunrise, headlights, shadows) can trigger motion sensors. I once had a camera facing east—every morning at 6:30 a.m., the rising sun created a shadow that looked like motion.

Solution? Either adjust the camera angle or lower sensitivity slightly during dawn/dusk. Or use Smart Detection to ignore non-human movement.

4. Don’t Over-Zone

While motion zones are great, don’t create so many that you miss the big picture. I once had 6 zones for one camera—too much complexity. Simplify: 2–3 zones max.

Focus on high-traffic areas: doors, driveways, gates.

5. Update Your App and Firmware

Arlo releases updates that improve motion detection and AI accuracy. An outdated app or camera firmware can cause glitches.

Check for updates monthly:

• In the Arlo app: Settings > Account > Firmware Update
• For the app: Check the App Store or Google Play

This ensures you’re using the best version of how to adjust the sensitivity on an Arlo camera in 2026.

6. Consider the Camera’s Placement

No amount of sensitivity tweaking fixes a poorly placed camera. Avoid:

• Direct sunlight (causes glare and false motion)
• Facing busy streets (constant traffic = constant alerts)
• Too high or too low (limits field of view)

Ideal height: 7–9 feet, angled slightly downward. And always test placement with a live view before finalizing.

FAQs About How to Adjust the Sensitivity on an Arlo Camera in 2026

Q: Why am I still getting alerts from trees and animals after adjusting sensitivity?

Great question. Even at “Low” sensitivity, small movements can trigger the sensor—especially if the camera is close to the source. The fix? Use motion zones to exclude trees and enable Smart Detection to filter out animals. I did this for my backyard camera, and alerts dropped by 90%.

Q: Can I adjust sensitivity for multiple cameras at once?

Unfortunately, no. Arlo doesn’t have a “batch edit” feature for sensitivity. You’ll need to adjust each camera individually. But here’s a time-saver: once you find the perfect setting on one camera, replicate it on others with similar views (e.g., all porch cameras).

Q: What’s the best sensitivity setting for a pet-friendly home?

I’d recommend Medium (5) + Smart Detection with “Pets” turned off. This way, your camera detects people and vehicles but ignores your dog or cat. If you have a large dog (like a German Shepherd), you might need to lower sensitivity to 4 to avoid false alerts.

Q: Does adjusting sensitivity affect video quality?

Nope. Sensitivity only affects motion detection, not video resolution, night vision, or audio. Your recordings will still be in HD (or 4K, depending on your model). It’s purely about when the camera starts recording.

Q: My camera keeps missing real events. What should I do?

First, check if the motion zone covers the area. Second, increase sensitivity to 6–7. Third, ensure the camera isn’t blocked (e.g., by a bush or snow). Finally, test at night—low light can reduce detection range. I once had a camera miss a delivery because the porch light was off.

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

Not directly in the app, but you can create two modes: one for day, one for night. Use the “Modes” feature in Arlo to switch between them manually or via geofencing. For example, set “High” sensitivity at night and “Medium” during the day.

Q: Is there a way to see what triggered a motion alert?

Yes! In the Arlo app, tap any alert. If Smart Detection is enabled, it’ll show a thumbnail with labels like “Person,” “Vehicle,” or “Animal.” This helps you fine-tune settings. I use this daily to see if my adjustments are working.

Final Thoughts

Adjusting your Arlo camera’s sensitivity isn’t about chasing perfection—it’s about finding the right balance between security and sanity. You want to know when someone approaches your home, but not when a squirrel crosses the yard.

The steps in this guide—especially using motion zones and Smart Detection—are the real keys to mastering how to adjust the sensitivity on an Arlo camera in 2026. It might take a few tries, but that’s okay. Every tweak brings you closer to a system that works for you.

My final advice? Start simple: adjust the slider, set 1–2 zones, enable Smart Detection, and test. Then refine over a couple of days. Don’t overcomplicate it.

And remember: your camera is only as good as the settings you give it. A little time now saves hours of frustration later. So grab your phone, open the Arlo app, and make your camera smarter—today.

You’ve got this. And if you ever get stuck? Just think: “What would I want to know if I were standing in my friend’s shoes?” That’s the heart of great security—and great tech advice.

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