Granting access to Arlo cameras in 2026 is quick and secure when you use the Arlo app to invite users via email and assign specific permissions. Ensure each shared user has their own Arlo account to maintain privacy and control over live views, recordings, and smart alerts.

How to Grant Access to Arlo Cameras in 2026: Easy Guide

Key Takeaways

• Verify permissions: Ensure the recipient has an Arlo account before sharing access.
• Use the Arlo app: Navigate to “Settings” > “Share Access” to invite users.
• Limit access levels: Choose between viewer or admin rights for security control.
• Revoke anytime: Remove shared access instantly via the app’s “Shared Access” tab.
• Enable 2FA: Secure shared accounts with two-factor authentication for added safety.
• Check camera compatibility: Confirm all cameras support sharing in your Arlo plan.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s be real—sharing access to your Arlo cameras should be as simple as handing someone your Wi-Fi password. But if you’ve ever tried to grant access to Arlo cameras, you know it’s not always smooth sailing. Maybe your mom wants to check on the dog while you’re away. Or your roommate insists they can’t see the backyard cam no matter how many times you “send the invite.” Sound familiar?

I’ve been there. A few years ago, I set up Arlo cams for my parents. They were thrilled—until I realized I’d forgotten to actually give them access. Cue the “Why can’t I see the front door?!” calls. That’s when I learned the hard way that how you share access matters.

Fast forward to 2026, and Arlo’s ecosystem has evolved. New features, updated app interfaces, and tighter security mean the old methods don’t always work. But the good news? The process to how to grant access to Arlo cameras in 2026 is still straightforward—if you know the right steps.

This guide walks you through everything: from inviting family to managing permissions, troubleshooting glitches, and avoiding the common traps. Whether you’re sharing with kids, tenants, or a home security pro, you’ll learn how to do it safely and efficiently. No tech degree required.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you’ve got all the basics covered. This isn’t about expensive gear—it’s about having the right tools and info ready.

• Arlo Account (Admin Access): You must be the owner or have admin privileges on the Arlo account. If you’re not, you can’t invite others.
• Arlo App (Latest Version): Download the official Arlo app from the App Store or Google Play. In 2026, older versions may not support newer sharing features.
• Email or Phone Number of the Person You’re Sharing With: They’ll need to accept the invite via email or text.
• Stable Internet Connection: Both your device and the invitee’s device should have reliable Wi-Fi or data.
• Arlo Subscription (Optional but Helpful): While basic sharing works with the free tier, premium plans (like Arlo Secure) offer advanced permissions (e.g., cloud recordings, AI detection alerts).
• Patience: Sometimes invites get stuck. A little calm goes a long way.

Pro Insight: If the person you’re sharing with already has an Arlo account, they can accept the invite directly. If not, they’ll need to create one first—don’t worry, it’s free and takes 2 minutes.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Grant Access to Arlo Cameras in 2026 Easy Guide

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In

Grab your phone or tablet and open the Arlo app. Make sure you’re logged into the admin account—the one that owns the cameras. This is crucial. If you’re using a shared or guest login, you won’t see the sharing options.

In 2026, Arlo uses biometric login (Face ID, fingerprint) by default, so it’s faster than ever. Once inside, tap the Settings icon (usually a gear in the top-right corner). This is your control center for everything—including sharing.

Tip: If you see “Account” instead of “Settings,” tap your profile picture first. The layout changed slightly in the 2025 update, so don’t panic if it looks different.

Step 2: Navigate to “Share Access”

Under Settings, look for “Share Access” or “Invite People”. In the 2026 app, this is usually under a submenu called “Account & Sharing”. Tap it.

You’ll see a list of people already invited (if any), plus a button like “Invite Someone” or “+ Add User”. Tap that.

Here’s where the magic happens. The how to grant access to Arlo cameras in 2026 process really starts here.

Step 3: Enter the Recipient’s Contact Info

Now, you’ll be prompted to enter either:

• Their email address, or
• Their phone number (if they use Arlo’s SMS invites)

I prefer email—it’s more reliable and less likely to get lost in spam. But if your friend hates email, SMS works too. Just make sure it’s the exact email or phone they use for Arlo.

Warning: Typos are the #1 reason invites fail. Double-check the address. I once invited “jane@email.com” instead of “jane@emai.com”—and she never got it. Oops.

Step 4: Choose Their Access Level

This is where Arlo shines in 2026. You can now customize permissions with three tiers:

• Viewer: Can see live feeds and saved clips. No control over settings.
• User: Can arm/disarm the system, view history, and get alerts. Can’t delete cameras or change admin settings.
• Admin: Full access—add/remove cameras, change Wi-Fi, manage subscriptions. Use sparingly!

For most people, I recommend User level. It gives enough freedom without risking accidental deletions or settings changes.

But if you’re sharing with a home security company or your spouse, Admin might be okay. Just remember: with great power comes great responsibility.

Step 5: Select Which Cameras to Share

Here’s a 2026 upgrade: you can now share specific cameras, not just the whole account.

After choosing the access level, you’ll see a list of your cameras. Toggle the ones you want to share. For example:

• Share the front door cam and backyard cam with your kids.
• Only share the garage cam with your mechanic.

This is huge. No more giving full access just to check one spot. It’s like giving someone the keys to one room, not the whole house.

Real-Life Example: My neighbor wanted to monitor his driveway while on vacation. I shared only the driveway cam with Viewer access. He saw the live feed but couldn’t change settings or delete recordings. Perfect balance.

Step 6: Add a Personal Message (Optional but Helpful)

Arlo lets you add a custom message to the invite. Use it!

Something like: “Hey Sarah, this is the backyard cam so you can check on the dog. You’ll get alerts if it barks at 3 AM. 😄”

A little context helps the recipient understand what they’re seeing and why. It also reduces “Why am I getting alerts?” questions later.

Step 7: Send the Invite and Wait for Acceptance

Tap “Send Invite”. The recipient gets an email or text with a link.

They’ll need to:

1. Click the link.
2. Log in to their Arlo account (or create one if new).
3. Accept the invitation.

Once accepted, they’ll see the shared cameras in their Arlo app—usually within 30 seconds.

Pro Tip: If they don’t get the invite, check their spam folder. Or resend it. Sometimes the first invite gets stuck in digital limbo.

Step 8: Confirm Access in the App

After they accept, go back to Share Access in your app. You should see their name in the list, along with their access level and shared cameras.

If it shows “Pending,” the invite is still waiting. If it shows “Active,” you’re good to go.

Test it! Ask them to open the app and confirm they can see the live feed. A quick “Hey, can you see the front porch?” text saves a lot of confusion later.

Step 9: Manage or Revoke Access (If Needed)

Things change. Maybe your tenant moved out. Or you no longer trust that “friend” with your backyard cam.

To remove access:

1. Go to Share Access.
2. Tap the person’s name.
3. Select “Remove Access”.

They’ll lose access immediately. No notifications, no drama. Arlo handles it quietly in the background.

You can also edit their access—like downgrading from Admin to Viewer—without removing them entirely.

Caution: Removing access doesn’t delete their account. They just can’t see your cameras anymore. Keep that in mind if you’re sharing with someone who might misuse data.

Step 10: Use Arlo Secure for Advanced Sharing (2026 Feature)

If you’re on an Arlo Secure subscription (or trial), you get extra sharing tools in 2026:

• Temporary Access: Set an expiration date (e.g., “Share for 7 days”). Great for house sitters or contractors.
• Alert Preferences: Let users choose which alerts they get (motion, sound, person detection).
• Shared Albums: Create folders for specific events (e.g., “Birthday Party”) and invite others to view only those clips.

To use these:

1. After sending the invite, tap “Advanced Settings”.
2. Set expiration, alert types, or create an album.
3. Send the invite as usual.

This is a game-changer for privacy. No more giving full access for a weekend.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After helping dozens of friends and family members set up Arlo sharing, I’ve learned a few things the hard way. Here’s what you should know:

1. Don’t Share Your Main Account Credentials

I get it—it’s tempting to just give someone your login. But don’t. If they lose their phone, get hacked, or misuse the access, you’re on the hook. Always use the Share Access feature. It’s safer and gives you control.

2. Use Strong, Unique Email Addresses

Arlo ties sharing to email. If the person uses a shared or outdated email, invites might not reach them. Ask them to confirm their current email before you send the invite.

3. Test on a Dummy Account First

If you’re new to Arlo sharing, try it with a friend who doesn’t care if it breaks. I once sent an invite to my sister’s old email by mistake—she never got it, and I looked silly. A quick test avoids that.

4. Watch for App Updates

In 2026, Arlo pushed a major update that changed the sharing menu from “Users” to “Share Access.” If your steps don’t match the app, check for updates. Outdated apps can cause confusion.

5. Don’t Over-Share with Kids

Kids love checking the cameras. But giving them Admin access? Not a good idea. I let my nephew have Viewer access to the backyard cam. He can see the dog, but can’t delete footage or change settings. Win-win.

6. Use “User” Instead of “Admin” for Most People

Unless they’re managing your entire security setup, User is enough. I once gave my cousin Admin access “just in case.” Next thing I knew, he’d renamed all the cameras to inside jokes. Cute, but not helpful.

7. Revoke Access After Temporary Use

If you shared for a vacation or event, remove access afterward. Don’t let old invites linger. It’s a privacy risk and clutters your sharing list.

My Biggest Mistake: I once forgot to revoke access from an ex-roommate. Six months later, I got an alert that someone was viewing my cameras. It was him—still had access. Yikes. Now I set a calendar reminder to clean up sharing lists every 3 months.

FAQs About How to Grant Access to Arlo Cameras in 2026 Easy Guide

Q: Can I share Arlo cameras with someone who doesn’t have the app?

Yes—but they’ll need to download it. When they click the invite link, it will take them to the app store. After installing, they log in (or create an account) and accept the invite. No app? No access.

Q: What if the invite says “Expired”?

Arlo invites expire after 7 days. If that happens, just resend it. The recipient doesn’t need to do anything extra—they can accept the new invite normally.

Q: Can I share only recordings, not live feeds?

Not directly. But with Arlo Secure, you can create Shared Albums with specific clips. Invite someone to that album, and they’ll only see those videos—not live streams.

Q: Why can’t the person see any cameras after accepting?

Common causes:

• You didn’t select any cameras to share.
• They’re logged into the wrong Arlo account.
• There’s a sync delay (wait 1–2 minutes).
• They need to restart the app.

Ask them to log out, log back in, and check the “Shared” section of their app.

Q: Is shared access secure? Could someone hack it?

Arlo uses end-to-end encryption for shared access. As long as the recipient’s account is secure (strong password, 2FA), it’s very safe. But if their email or phone is compromised, their Arlo access could be too. Encourage them to enable two-factor authentication.

Q: Can I change someone’s access level after inviting them?

Yes! Go to Share Access, tap their name, and select a new level. The change applies instantly. No need to re-invite.

Q: What if I want to share with a smart home system like Alexa?

That’s different. For Alexa, go to the Alexa app, link your Arlo account, and enable the skill. This is device integration, not user sharing. It doesn’t use the “Share Access” feature.

Final Thoughts

Sharing your Arlo cameras doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, once you know the steps, it’s one of the most useful features—especially in 2026, when Arlo gives you more control than ever.

The key to how to grant access to Arlo cameras in 2026 is simple: use the official sharing tools, customize permissions, and stay organized. Don’t skip the small stuff—like testing the access or setting expiration dates. It makes all the difference.

Remember: sharing isn’t about giving away control. It’s about building trust—with family, roommates, or service providers—while keeping your home safe.

So go ahead. Invite that dog walker. Let your parents check the driveway. Share with your neighbor for peace of mind. Just do it the right way—with clear boundaries and the right permissions.

And if you ever get stuck? Don’t panic. Open the app, check Share Access, and follow the steps. You’ve got this.

Now, go enjoy that extra layer of connection—and security—your Arlo cameras provide. Your home’s watching. And now, so are the people you trust.