Erase multiple files from your Arlo camera in 2026 quickly using the “Select All” feature in the Arlo app’s media library. Navigate to the Library tab, tap “Edit,” select unwanted clips, and hit “Delete” to remove them in bulk—saving time and storage. This method works across Arlo Pro 5, Ultra 2, and newer models with updated firmware.

How to Erase Multiple Files Off Arlo Camera in 2026 Fast

Key Takeaways

• Use Arlo Secure App: Access cloud storage to bulk-delete videos quickly.
• Schedule Auto-Deletion: Set retention rules to auto-remove old clips.
• Factory Reset: Wipe all data via camera settings if needed.
• MicroSD Management: Format or delete files directly from local storage.
• Filter by Date: Narrow selections to erase specific file ranges efficiently.
• Multi-Camera Sync: Apply deletions across all cameras in one action.
• Backup First: Save critical files before mass deletion to avoid loss.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s be honest—Arlo cameras are great at capturing life. Whether it’s your dog’s zoomies at 6 AM or that mysterious raccoon raiding your trash, your Arlo’s always watching.

But here’s the thing: those recordings add up. Fast. And if you’re not careful, you’ll end up with hundreds—maybe thousands—of video clips clogging up your Arlo cloud or local storage.

Now, imagine you’re trying to find that one clip from last Tuesday when your kid said their first word. Instead, you’re scrolling through 300 “motion detected” clips of your cat walking across the kitchen. Frustrating, right?

That’s where knowing how to erase multiple files off Arlo camera in 2026 fast comes in. It’s not just about cleaning up—it’s about reclaiming your time, storage space, and sanity.

Whether you’re using Arlo Pro 5, Arlo Essential, or the latest 2026 models, the process has evolved. But don’t worry—I’ve tested every method, hit every error message, and even accidentally deleted a birthday clip (RIP, cake surprise). I’ll walk you through the fastest, safest way to clear your clips—without losing what matters.

Pro tip: This guide works for cloud-stored videos and local recordings (like on a microSD card or base station). I’ll cover both so you don’t have to guess.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you’re set up. You don’t need fancy tools—just a few essentials. Here’s what you’ll need to erase multiple files off Arlo camera in 2026 fast:

• Your smartphone or tablet with the Arlo app (v6.0+ recommended)
• Wi-Fi connection (or mobile data, though Wi-Fi is faster and safer)
• Your Arlo account login (email + password)
• Arlo camera(s) connected and online
• Optional: Arlo base station or hub (if using local storage)
• Optional: microSD card (for local recordings)
• Optional: computer (for bulk export or advanced cleanup)

Warning: Don’t try this on a spotty connection. A dropped Wi-Fi signal can interrupt deletion, leaving you with partial results. Trust me—I once had to redo 200 clips because my router decided to nap mid-delete.

Also, make sure your Arlo app is updated. Arlo rolls out updates often, and older versions might lack the batch delete feature we’ll use. Check your app store and hit “Update” if needed.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Erase Multiple Files Off Arlo Camera in 2026 Fast

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Navigate to Your Library

Open the Arlo app on your phone or tablet. Log in if you haven’t already. You’ll land on your dashboard—those little camera tiles showing live feeds.

Now, tap the Library icon at the bottom (it looks like a filmstrip or calendar). This is where all your recordings live—both cloud and local.

You’ll see a timeline view, usually sorted by day. Swipe left or right to find the time range you want to clean up.

Pro tip: Use the calendar filter (top right) to jump to a specific date. Want to delete everything from last week? Tap the date range selector and choose “Last 7 days.”

Step 2: Switch to “Select Mode” for Bulk Actions

This is where most people get stuck. Arlo doesn’t let you delete multiple clips by tapping each one—that would take forever.

Instead, tap the three dots (⋮) or “Select” button in the top-right corner of the Library screen. This activates “Select Mode.”

Now, you’ll see checkboxes next to each clip. Tap the ones you want to delete. Or—here’s the magic—tap “Select All” at the top to grab every clip on that day.

Want to delete clips from multiple days? No problem. After selecting one day, tap the date above and choose another. You can keep adding days to your selection.

Warning: “Select All” grabs everything—even the ones you want to keep. If you have a few important clips, deselect them manually before deleting. I learned this the hard way when I accidentally wiped a wedding guest’s surprise toast.

Step 3: Choose Your Deletion Scope (Cloud vs. Local)

Here’s a crucial step: know where your clips are stored.

Arlo lets you store videos in two places:

• Cloud storage (via Arlo Secure subscription)
• Local storage (microSD card or base station)

When you select clips in the app, Arlo shows you a small icon next to each one: a cloud (☁️) for cloud clips, or a microSD (💾) for local ones.

Now, when you tap “Delete”, Arlo will ask: “Delete from Cloud and Device?” or “Delete from Device Only?”

• Cloud clips: Delete from cloud and device (if synced). This frees up cloud space.
• Local clips: Delete only from the microSD card or base station. Cloud stays untouched.

Choose the option that matches your storage type. If you’re not sure, check the icon or go to your camera settings > Storage.

Pro tip: If you’re using both cloud and local, delete from one first, then the other. Mixing them can cause sync errors. I once had a clip “ghost” in the cloud after deleting it locally—had to call Arlo support to fix it.

Step 4: Confirm and Delete (Safely)

After selecting your clips and choosing the storage scope, tap “Delete”.

Arlo will show a pop-up: “Delete X recordings? This action cannot be undone.” Take a breath. Double-check your selection.

If you’re sure, tap “Delete”. The app will process the request. You’ll see a progress bar or spinning icon.

For 20–50 clips, this takes 5–10 seconds. For 100+ clips, it might take up to a minute. Do not close the app or switch screens during this time.

Warning: If the app crashes or freezes, don’t panic. Relaunch it and check your Library. Arlo usually completes deletions in the background. But if some clips remain, repeat the process—they may have been missed.

Step 5: Verify Deletion and Check Storage

Once deletion is complete, scroll through your Library to make sure the clips are gone. You can also check:

• Cloud storage: Go to Settings > Subscription > Storage. You should see more free space.
• Local storage: Go to Camera Settings > Storage > SD Card. The used space should decrease.

If you’re using a microSD card, you can also remove it and plug it into your computer to verify. Open the DCIM/Arlo folder—deleted clips should no longer be there.

Pro tip: Arlo sometimes keeps deleted clips in a “recently deleted” folder for 24–48 hours (similar to email). If you don’t see space freed immediately, wait a day. But if it’s still full after 48 hours, contact Arlo support.

Step 6: For Advanced Users – Bulk Delete via Web Portal (Optional)

Want to erase even faster? Use the Arlo web portal (my.arlo.com).

Log in, go to Library, and you’ll see a more powerful interface. Here’s what’s different:

• Drag-and-select: Hold Shift + click to select a range of clips.
• Search filters: Filter by date, camera, or event type (e.g., “person,” “vehicle”).
• Export before delete: Select clips, click “Download,” then delete. Great for archiving.

This is ideal if you have 500+ clips to clean. The web app handles large batches better than mobile.

Pro tip: On the web, you can also delete by camera. Go to Settings > Cameras > [Camera Name] > Recordings. Then select and delete. Useful if one camera is generating too much footage.

Step 7: Automate Future Cleanup (Bonus Step)

Now that you’ve cleaned up, don’t let it happen again. Arlo lets you auto-delete old clips to prevent future clutter.

Here’s how:

1. Go to Settings > Subscription > Auto-Delete (or Camera Settings > Storage > Auto-Delete for local).
2. Choose how long to keep clips: 7, 14, 30, or 60 days.
3. Enable it.

Now, Arlo will automatically erase clips older than your chosen time. No more manual cleanup!

Warning: This only applies to new recordings. It won’t delete existing clips. You’ll still need to manually erase what’s already there.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made every mistake in the book. Here’s what I wish someone told me when I first tried to erase multiple files off Arlo camera in 2026 fast:

• Don’t rush the “Select All” button. It’s tempting, but always scan the clips first. I once deleted a whole week of footage because I didn’t notice the “birthday party” label.
• Wi-Fi matters. A weak signal can cause deletion to fail. Do this when you’re close to your router.
• Check your subscription status. If your Arlo Secure plan expired, cloud clips may be locked. Renew first, or you won’t be able to delete them.
• Local storage can’t be deleted from the cloud. If a clip is only on microSD, you must delete it from the app or by removing the card. The web portal can’t touch local-only clips.
• Use filters to find junk clips faster. In the Library, filter by “Motion” and sort by duration. Short clips (2–5 seconds) are often false alarms—great candidates for deletion.
• Back up important clips first. Before bulk deletion, tap the download icon on key videos. Save them to your phone or cloud (Google Photos, Dropbox).
• Don’t delete while recording. If a camera is actively saving a clip, deletion might corrupt it. Wait a minute after motion stops.

Real talk: I once deleted 400 clips in 10 minutes—only to realize I’d wiped out my daughter’s first steps. I had to beg Arlo support to restore them (they did, after a week). Always back up.

FAQs About How to Erase Multiple Files Off Arlo Camera in 2026 Fast

Let’s tackle the questions I get asked all the time:

Q: Can I erase multiple files off Arlo camera in 2026 fast without the app?

Yes—but it’s harder. You can remove a microSD card and format it on your computer (FAT32 or exFAT). But this deletes all clips, not specific ones. For selective deletion, the app is best.

The web portal (my.arlo.com) also works without a phone. Use it on a laptop or tablet.

Q: What if the “Delete” button is grayed out?

This usually means:

• Your subscription expired (cloud clips are locked).
• The camera is offline.
• You’re trying to delete a clip that’s still being recorded.

Fix: Renew your plan, reconnect the camera, or wait 60 seconds after motion stops.

Q: Can I recover deleted clips?

Cloud clips: Maybe. Arlo keeps a “Recently Deleted” folder for 24–48 hours. Go to Library > Recently Deleted. Tap “Restore” if available.

Local clips: Once deleted from microSD, they’re gone. Use file recovery software (like Recuva) if you removed the card and deleted from a computer—but success isn’t guaranteed.

Q: Does deleting clips from one camera affect others?

Nope. Each camera’s clips are stored separately. Deleting from Camera 1 won’t touch Camera 2. But if you use “Select All” on a day with multiple cameras, it will grab clips from all of them.

Q: How do I delete clips from an old Arlo model (like Pro 3)?

The process is the same! Arlo’s app and web portal work across all models. Just make sure your firmware is updated (Settings > Camera > Firmware).

Q: Why does deletion take so long?

Arlo processes deletions server-side. For cloud clips, it has to remove them from Arlo’s servers and your device. For 100+ clips, this takes time. Be patient—and keep the app open.

Q: Can I schedule automatic deletion?

Yes! As mentioned earlier, enable Auto-Delete in your subscription or camera settings. Choose 7, 14, 30, or 60 days. This is the best way to keep your storage clean without lifting a finger.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning up your Arlo camera doesn’t have to be a chore. Once you know how to erase multiple files off Arlo camera in 2026 fast, it takes just minutes—not hours.

Here’s your action plan:

1. Open the Arlo app and go to Library.
2. Use “Select Mode” to grab clips in bulk.
3. Choose cloud or local deletion based on storage.
4. Delete with confidence—and back up first.
5. Set up Auto-Delete to stay tidy.

And remember: not every clip needs to be saved. That 3-second video of a leaf blowing by? Delete it. But your kid’s first word? That one’s worth keeping.

With this guide, you’re not just erasing files—you’re taking back control of your smart home. Your Arlo will run smoother, your storage will last longer, and you’ll actually enjoy checking your clips again.

Now go clean up that Library. And if you accidentally delete something important? Breathe. Learn. Back up next time.

You’ve got this.