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 detection slider under “Motion Detection Settings” for optimal performance. Customize activity zones and sensitivity levels to reduce false alerts and ensure precise monitoring, whether you’re tracking pets or securing entryways.

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How to Change Motion Sensitivity on Arlo Camera in 2026

Key Takeaways

• Open the Arlo app to access camera settings and motion controls.
• Adjust sensitivity sliders to fine-tune motion detection for your environment.
• Test changes immediately using live view to confirm detection accuracy.
• Set activity zones to reduce false alerts from irrelevant areas.
• Update firmware regularly to ensure optimal motion detection performance.
• Balance sensitivity levels to avoid missing alerts or excessive notifications.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s be real—nothing’s more frustrating than your Arlo camera pinging you every time a leaf blows past or a neighbor’s cat strolls by. Or worse, *missing* a real visitor because the motion sensitivity is set too low.

That’s where how to change motion sensitivity on Arlo camera in 2026 becomes essential. Whether you’re tired of false alerts or worried about security gaps, adjusting motion sensitivity is one of the smartest tweaks you can make. I learned this the hard way when my camera missed a delivery driver—twice—because it ignored motion at the edge of the driveway.

Motion sensitivity isn’t just about reducing notifications. It’s about accuracy, peace of mind, and customizing your system to match your home’s unique environment. In 2026, Arlo has refined this feature even further, making it easier than ever to fine-tune—but only if you know where to look.

So, if you’re nodding along, thinking, “Yes! That’s me!”—this guide is for you. We’ll walk through everything step by step, with zero tech jargon, just like I wish someone had done for me.

What You Need

Good news: you don’t need any special tools or a degree in robotics. Here’s what you’ll need to get started with how to change motion sensitivity on Arlo camera in 2026:

• Your Arlo camera (any model from Arlo Pro 4, Ultra 2, Essential, or newer)
• Your smartphone or tablet with the Arlo Secure app installed (iOS or Android)
• Your Arlo account logged in and connected to the camera
• A few minutes of quiet time (no interruptions—this is precision work!)
• Optional: A second person to help test motion (like waving a hand in front of the camera)

No need to power down the camera or reset anything. This is all done remotely through the app—super convenient.

Quick Tip: Make sure your Arlo app is updated to the latest version. Older versions might not have the 2026 sensitivity sliders or AI motion zones.

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

Step 1: Open the Arlo Secure App and Select Your Camera

Grab your phone and open the Arlo Secure app. Tap on the camera you want to adjust—yes, you can do this for each camera individually, which is great if one faces a busy street and another watches your backyard.

Once selected, you’ll see the live feed at the top. Don’t worry about the video right now. We’re heading to the settings menu, which is just one tap away.

Pro Insight: I always start with the camera that gives me the most false alerts. For me, it’s the front door cam—it used to go off every time a car drove by. Fixing that first made the biggest difference.

Step 2: Tap on the Settings (Gear) Icon

Look for the little gear icon in the top-right corner of the camera’s screen. Tap it. This opens the full settings panel for that specific camera.

You’ll see options like “Device Info,” “Video Quality,” and—crucially—“Motion Detection.” This is where the magic happens for how to change motion sensitivity on Arlo camera in 2026.

Scroll down until you find “Motion Detection.” Tap it to expand the menu.

Step 3: Adjust the Motion Sensitivity Slider

Here’s the star of the show: the Motion Sensitivity slider. It ranges from 1 to 100. Think of it like volume control—low for quiet, high for loud.

• 1–30: Very low. Best for quiet areas (like a garage or back patio with no foot traffic).
• 31–60: Medium. Ideal for most homes—catches people but ignores leaves and shadows.
• 61–100: High. Use only if you need to detect small animals or motion at long distances.

Drag the slider to your preferred level. I recommend starting at 50 and adjusting up or down based on real-world testing.

Warning: Don’t go straight to 100. I did this once, and my phone buzzed 47 times in one afternoon. Not ideal for your sanity.

Step 4: Enable AI-Powered Motion Zones (Optional but Powerful)

In 2026, Arlo introduced AI Motion Zones—a game-changer. This lets you draw custom zones on your camera’s view and set different sensitivity levels for each.

Under the same “Motion Detection” menu, tap “Motion Zones.” You’ll see your camera’s live feed with a grid overlay.

Tap “Add Zone,” then draw a box around the area you want to monitor (e.g., your front porch). You can add multiple zones.

For each zone, you can:

• Set a custom sensitivity (e.g., 80 for the porch, 40 for the sidewalk)
• Choose what triggers an alert (person, vehicle, animal, or all)
• Name the zone (“Front Door,” “Back Fence,” etc.)

This is huge for reducing false alerts. I have a zone for my trash cans (low sensitivity) and one for the front steps (high sensitivity). Works like a charm.

Step 5: Enable or Disable Smart Alerts (Person, Vehicle, Animal)

Below the slider, you’ll see toggles for:

• Person Detection
• Vehicle Detection
• Animal Detection

These use Arlo’s AI to classify motion. If you only want alerts for people, turn off the others. This cuts down on noise.

For example, I turned off “Animal Detection” after my camera kept alerting me to squirrels. Now I only get notified for humans and cars—much cleaner.

Real Talk: These AI features are smarter in 2026. My Arlo Pro 5 now differentiates between a delivery person and a neighbor walking their dog. It’s not perfect, but it’s close.

Step 6: Test the New Settings

Now comes the fun part: testing. Ask a friend (or your partner, or even your cat) to walk through the camera’s view at different speeds and distances.

Watch your phone to see if the alerts match your expectations. Did it catch the person? Did it ignore the passing car? If not, go back and tweak the sensitivity or zones.

I like to test at different times of day—morning light, dusk, and night. Motion detection can behave differently under low light, especially with infrared.

Pro Tip: Use the “Test Mode” in the Arlo app (under “Device Utilities”) to simulate motion without anyone walking in front. It’s great for quick checks.

Step 7: Save and Monitor for 24 Hours

Once you’re happy, tap “Save” or “Done.” Don’t just assume it’s perfect. Monitor your alerts for the next 24 hours.

Check your notification history in the app. Did you get the right alerts? Were there any false positives or missed events?

If you spot issues, don’t panic. Go back and fine-tune. It might take 2–3 tries to get it just right—especially if your yard has trees, shadows, or reflective surfaces.

My Experience: I adjusted my backyard cam three times before I stopped getting alerts from my neighbor’s motion light. Persistence pays off.

Step 8: Use Schedules for Different Times of Day (Advanced)

Here’s a pro move: use Schedules to change sensitivity automatically.

In the same “Motion Detection” menu, tap “Schedules.” You can set:

• Day mode: Higher sensitivity during daylight hours
• Night mode: Lower sensitivity at night (to avoid bugs or shadows)
• Vacation mode: Maximum sensitivity when you’re away

I use a “Night Schedule” from 10 PM to 6 AM. Sensitivity drops to 30, so moths and raccoons don’t wake me up. During the day, it’s back to 60.

This feature is perfect for how to change motion sensitivity on Arlo camera in 2026 without lifting a finger every time the sun sets.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After years of tweaking Arlo cameras (and making every mistake in the book), here’s what I wish I’d known earlier.

Tip 1: Start Low, Then Increase

When in doubt, start with a lower sensitivity (40–50) and increase only if you miss real events. It’s easier to go up than to deal with a flood of false alerts.

Tip 2: Watch for Reflections and Heat Sources

Windows, shiny surfaces, and heat vents can trick motion sensors. If your camera faces a glass door, try lowering sensitivity or adjusting the angle slightly.

My Story: My kitchen cam kept alerting me at 3 AM. Turns out, the fridge’s heat was creating “motion” in the infrared feed. A 5-degree tilt fixed it.

Tip 3: Use Zones to Exclude Problem Areas

Got a tree that sways in the wind? A busy street? Draw a zone around it and set sensitivity to 10 or turn off detection entirely.

This is way better than lowering the whole camera’s sensitivity and risking missed alerts.

Tip 4: Don’t Rely Solely on AI

AI is smart, but not perfect. I’ve seen it confuse a large dog for a person or miss someone wearing dark clothes at night. Always double-check your settings and test in real conditions.

Tip 5: Update Firmware Regularly

Arlo pushes firmware updates that improve motion detection accuracy. Go to Device Info > Firmware and check for updates monthly. A 2026 update might fix that false alert issue you’ve been ignoring.

Common Mistake 1: Over-Customizing Too Fast

Don’t try to set up 10 zones and 3 schedules on day one. Start simple—one sensitivity level, one zone—then expand. Overcomplicating leads to confusion and missed alerts.

Common Mistake 2: Ignoring the Environment

Motion sensitivity isn’t just about the camera. It’s about where it’s placed. A camera under a porch will behave differently than one in open air. Adjust based on location, not just the app.

Common Mistake 3: Forgetting to Test at Night

Night vision uses infrared, which can detect heat and movement differently. Always test your settings in the dark. I once thought my cam was broken—until I realized it was just reacting to my cat’s body heat.

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

Q: Can I change motion sensitivity for all my Arlo cameras at once?

Nope, not in 2026. Each camera must be adjusted individually. But here’s a shortcut: use Groups in the app to apply similar settings faster. Still, I recommend checking each one—every location is different.

Q: Why does my Arlo camera miss people sometimes?

It’s usually one of three things: too-low sensitivity, a poorly placed camera, or poor lighting. Try increasing the slider to 60–70 and test again. If it still misses, check the camera angle—people might be walking at the edge of the frame.

Q: Does motion sensitivity affect battery life on wire-free cameras?

Yes, but only slightly. Higher sensitivity means the camera wakes up more often, which uses more power. But in 2026, Arlo’s AI is more efficient. I’ve run my Essential camera at 70 sensitivity for 3 months on one charge—no issues.

Q: Can I set different sensitivity levels for different days of the week?

Not directly. But you can create multiple schedules (e.g., “Weekday” and “Weekend”) and switch them manually. I do this when I’m home on weekends—lower sensitivity, fewer alerts.

Q: What’s the best sensitivity for a backyard with pets?

Start at 50, enable “Animal Detection,” and use a motion zone around the pet door. If you want to exclude pets, turn off animal detection and rely on person detection only. I use 55 for my backyard with two dogs—catches people, ignores the pups.

Q: Why do I still get alerts for cars when I turned off “Vehicle Detection”?

Older models might still detect cars as “motion” even with the toggle off. In 2026, this is rare but can happen with large vehicles or bright headlights. Try lowering sensitivity or adding a zone to exclude the road.

Q: Is there a way to see a history of motion events?

Yes! Go to the Timeline tab in the app. Tap the calendar icon and filter by “Motion.” You’ll see all detected events, including what triggered them (person, animal, etc.). Super helpful for fine-tuning.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to change motion sensitivity on Arlo camera in 2026 isn’t just about reducing alerts—it’s about taking control of your home security. It’s the difference between feeling annoyed by your camera and feeling protected by it.

Start small. Pick one camera. Adjust the slider. Test it. Tweak it. Then move to the next. Before you know it, you’ll have a system that works with you, not against you.

Remember: there’s no “perfect” setting. It depends on your home, your habits, and your tolerance for notifications. But with the steps and tips in this guide, you’re well on your way to a smarter, quieter, and more reliable Arlo setup.

And hey—if you ever get stuck? Just open the app, take a breath, and adjust one thing at a time. You’ve got this.

Now go make your Arlo camera work for you—not the other way around.

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