Pausing a single Arlo camera in 2026 is quick and easy using the updated Arlo app interface—simply select the camera, tap the pause icon, and confirm. This feature lets you temporarily disable motion detection and recording without affecting other cameras in your system. Ideal for privacy or maintenance, it ensures seamless control with just a few taps.

How to Pause a Single Camera on Arlo in 2026: A Quick Guide

Key Takeaways

• Open the Arlo app to access your camera settings quickly.
• Select the camera you want to pause from the device list.
• Tap the pause icon to disable recording and alerts instantly.
• Schedule pauses for recurring downtime using the app’s automation tools.
• Confirm status by checking the camera’s offline or paused indicator.
• Resume anytime with a single tap to restore full functionality.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s be honest—smart home security is a lifesaver. But sometimes, you don’t want every camera watching. Maybe you’re hosting a backyard BBQ and don’t need the pool cam recording Aunt Linda’s cannonball. Or perhaps you’re doing some home renovations and don’t want construction noise triggering alerts all day.

This is where knowing how to pause a single camera on Arlo in 2026 becomes essential. Unlike turning off your entire system (which leaves gaps in coverage), pausing just one camera keeps your other devices active. It’s like muting one speaker in a surround-sound setup—smart, precise, and privacy-friendly.

Back in 2023, Arlo made a major update to its app interface. The old “disable camera” option vanished, replaced with a more granular pause feature. This change confused a lot of users. Some thought their camera was broken. Others accidentally paused the wrong one. But once you know the trick, it’s actually intuitive.

Whether you’re using an Arlo Pro 5, Ultra 2, or even the new Arlo Go 3 (yes, it works there too), this guide walks you through the how to pause a single camera on Arlo in 2026—no tech degree required.

Real Talk: I once accidentally paused my front door cam while troubleshooting the backyard one. Missed a package delivery. Learned my lesson: always double-check which camera you’re pausing!

What You Need

Good news: you don’t need extra hardware or a PhD in app design. Just a few everyday tools:

• Your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android) with the Arlo Secure App installed. Make sure it’s updated to version 3.8 or later—older versions don’t support single-camera pause.
• Wi-Fi or cellular data (the app needs internet to sync with your base station or cloud).
• Your Arlo account login (email and password). If you’ve forgotten it, use the “Forgot Password” link—no shame!
• Physical access to the camera (optional)—only if you need to restart it or check battery levels after pausing.

Pro tip: If you’re using the Arlo Web Portal (via browser), it also supports single-camera pause. But the mobile app is faster and more visual. I’ll focus on the app here, but I’ll mention web differences where they matter.

Heads Up: Some older Arlo models (like the original Arlo or Arlo Q) don’t support this feature. Check your model number in the app under “Settings > Device Info.” If it’s pre-2020, you might need to upgrade or use workarounds (more on that in the FAQ).

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Pause a Single Camera on Arlo in 2026: A Quick Guide

Step 1: Open the Arlo Secure App and Navigate to Your Devices

Grab your phone and open the Arlo Secure App. You’ll land on the “Home” screen—this shows all your active cameras as thumbnails.

Don’t see your camera? Make sure it’s online. A grayed-out icon means it’s offline (battery dead, Wi-Fi issue, etc.). You can’t pause a camera that’s already offline—you’ll need to fix connectivity first.

Now, tap the “Devices” tab at the bottom. This opens a list of all your Arlo devices: cameras, doorbells, floodlights, etc.

Quick Fix: If you have 10+ cameras, use the search bar at the top. Type the camera name (like “Backyard” or “Garage”) to find it fast.

Step 2: Select the Camera You Want to Pause

Scroll through your device list and tap the specific camera you want to pause. For example, if you’re doing yard work, tap “Backyard Cam.”

This opens the camera’s individual settings screen. You’ll see live preview (if online), battery level, signal strength, and a row of icons: motion detection, night vision, spotlight (if applicable), and a three-dot menu.

Ignore the main toggle at the top—that’s for powering the camera on/off. We’re after something more subtle.

Watch Out: The power toggle shuts down the camera completely. That’s overkill if you just want to stop recordings temporarily. We’re going for a “soft pause”—more on that in Step 3.

Step 3: Access the “Pause” Option via the Three-Dot Menu

Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner. A dropdown appears with options like “Edit,” “Rename,” “Share,” and—here it is—“Pause Camera.”

Tap “Pause Camera.” A confirmation popup appears:
“Pause this camera? It will stop recording and sending notifications, but remain connected to the network.”

Hit “Pause” to confirm.

That’s it! The camera is now paused. You’ll notice:
– The live feed stops (but the camera stays online).
– No motion recordings are saved.
– No alerts are sent to your phone.
– The camera icon in the “Devices” list gets a small “Paused” badge.

Why This Matters: Unlike “turning off,” pausing keeps the camera connected to Wi-Fi and the base station. This means it boots up faster when you unpause—no 30-second delay like a full restart.

Step 4: Verify the Pause Worked (Optional but Smart)

Want to double-check? Go back to the “Home” screen. The paused camera’s thumbnail shows a “Paused” overlay.

Try triggering motion in front of it (wave your hand). You won’t get a notification, and the event won’t appear in your “Activity” feed.

Also, check your Arlo Activity Log (tap the bell icon). No new entries from the paused camera.

This step is especially useful if you’re managing multiple cameras. I once paused the “Garage Cam” but accidentally selected “Front Door.” The verification step saved me from a false sense of security.

Step 5: Unpause the Camera When You’re Ready

When you’re done with your BBQ or construction, it’s time to reactivate.

Go back to the Devices tab, find the paused camera, and tap it. Open the three-dot menu again. Now you’ll see “Unpause Camera” instead of “Pause.”

Tap it. Confirm. The camera wakes up within 5–10 seconds. You’ll get a push notification: “Backyard Cam is now active.”

The “Paused” badge disappears, and live feed resumes. Motion detection is back on.

Pro Move: Set a reminder on your phone to unpause. I use Google Keep with a “Backyard Cam: Unpause after BBQ” note. No more “Wait, did I turn it back on?” anxiety.

Step 6: Use Schedules for Frequent Pauses (Advanced Option)

If you pause the same camera regularly—like a nursery cam during naps or a driveway cam during family visits—use Arlo’s Schedule feature to automate it.

Here’s how:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Schedule” in the app.
2. Tap “+ Create Schedule.”
3. Name it (e.g., “Nursery Nap Time”).
4. Set days (e.g., Mon-Fri) and time (e.g., 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM).
5. Under “Devices,” select the camera to pause.
6. Save.

Now, the camera auto-pauses every weekday at noon and unpauses at 2 PM. No manual work needed.

This is a game-changer for parents, pet owners, or anyone with predictable privacy needs. It’s part of what makes how to pause a single camera on Arlo in 2026 so powerful—it’s not just a one-time fix, but a lifestyle tool.

Note: Schedules only work with cameras connected to a base station (not standalone Wi-Fi models). If you have an Arlo Go 3 (cellular), use the manual method—schedules aren’t supported yet.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After using Arlo for years, I’ve made every mistake in the book. Here’s what I’ve learned—so you don’t have to.

Tip 1: Name Your Cameras Clearly

Don’t rely on “Camera 1,” “Camera 2,” etc. Rename them to something descriptive: “Front Door,” “Pool Gate,” “Kitchen Window.”

Go to the camera’s settings > “Edit” > “Rename.” Takes 10 seconds. Saves hours of confusion.

Why It Matters: When you’re rushing to pause the “Backyard” cam before a party, you don’t want to pause “Back Porch” by mistake. Trust me—I’ve been there.

Tip 2: Use “Do Not Disturb” for Temporary Silence (Not Pause)

Need to stop alerts for a few hours—but still want recordings saved? Use “Do Not Disturb” instead of pause.

Go to the camera’s three-dot menu > “Do Not Disturb.” Set a duration (15 min, 1 hour, custom).

Alerts are silenced, but recordings still go to the cloud. Great for when you’re home but don’t want to be pinged.

Pause is better when you don’t want recordings at all (e.g., privacy zones).

Tip 3: Check Battery Before Pausing (For Wireless Cams)

Pausing a camera with low battery can cause it to die faster. Why? The camera stays connected to Wi-Fi but doesn’t record—so it’s still using power.

Before pausing, check the battery level in the camera’s settings. If it’s below 20%, consider charging it first.

Or, if you’re pausing for a short time (e.g., 2 hours), it’s fine. But for all-day pauses (like during vacation), charge it fully.

Common Mistake 1: Confusing “Pause” with “Turn Off”

“Turn Off” (the main toggle) powers down the camera completely. It disconnects from Wi-Fi, stops all functions, and takes longer to restart.

“Pause” keeps it online. It’s faster to unpause and uses less power over time.

Use “Turn Off” only if you’re storing the camera or troubleshooting.

Common Mistake 2: Forgetting to Unpause

This happens more than you’d think. I once paused my “Front Yard” cam for a tree trim. Forgot to unpause. Missed a package delivery and a raccoon stealing trash. Not fun.

Set a reminder. Use a sticky note. Tell your partner. Do whatever it takes.

Common Mistake 3: Assuming All Cameras Support This

Not all Arlo models can be paused individually. Older ones (pre-2020) only support system-wide arm/disarm.

Check your model: Go to “Settings > Device Info.” If it’s an Arlo Pro 4 or newer, you’re good. For older models, you’ll need to:

• Use the “Activity Zones” feature to disable motion detection in specific areas (a workaround).
• Or, upgrade to a newer model (Arlo often offers trade-in deals).

Real-Life Example: My neighbor has an Arlo Q (2017). He wanted to pause it during a party. I showed him how to create an “Activity Zone” that covered his entire yard. Motion detection was disabled, but the camera stayed on. Not ideal, but it worked.

FAQs About How to Pause a Single Camera on Arlo in 2026: A Quick Guide

Let’s tackle the questions I get most often.

Q: Can I pause a camera remotely?

Absolutely. As long as your phone has internet (Wi-Fi or cellular), you can pause any camera from anywhere—across town or across the country.

I paused my “Driveway” cam from a hotel in Denver once. My neighbor was borrowing my car, and I didn’t want alerts every time they pulled in. Worked like a charm.

Q: Will pausing affect my subscription or cloud storage?

Nope. Pausing stops recordings, but your subscription and cloud storage plan remain active. You’ll still get recordings from other cameras, and your history isn’t deleted.

Just remember: if you pause a camera for a week, you won’t have footage from that period. Plan accordingly.

Q: What if I can’t find the “Pause” option?

First, check your app version. Go to your phone’s app store and update Arlo Secure if needed.

Second, make sure your camera is compatible. If it’s an older model, “Pause” won’t appear—only “Turn Off.”

Third, try restarting the app. Sometimes it just needs a refresh.

Q: Can I pause multiple cameras at once?

Not directly. You have to pause each one individually. But if you use Schedules, you can group cameras in one schedule. For example, create a “Party Mode” schedule that pauses “Backyard,” “Pool,” and “Patio” cams simultaneously.

It’s not a one-click solution, but it’s close.

Q: Does pausing work with Arlo’s AI features (like person detection)?

Yes, but indirectly. When a camera is paused, it stops sending data to the AI engine. So no person/vehicle/animal detection alerts.

When you unpause, detection resumes. But any events during the pause period are lost—AI can’t retroactively analyze them.

Q: Can I pause a camera from the web portal?

Yes! Log in to my.arlo.com. Go to “Devices,” click the camera, then “Settings.” The “Pause” option is in the top-right menu.

The process is almost identical to the app. I prefer the app for speed, but the web portal is great if you’re at a desktop.

Q: What if I accidentally paused the wrong camera?

Don’t panic. Just unpause it (see Step 5). No permanent damage.

But if you realize hours later, you’ve missed recordings. That’s why I always verify after pausing—and name my cameras clearly.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to pause a single camera on Arlo in 2026 is one of those small skills that makes a big difference. It’s about control—over your privacy, your alerts, and your peace of mind.

You’re not turning off your security. You’re fine-tuning it. Like adjusting the volume on a speaker so it’s not too loud, not too quiet—just right.

Start simple: pause one camera for a few hours. See how it feels. Then try schedules. Rename your devices. Use “Do Not Disturb” for alerts-only silencing.

And remember: this feature exists for a reason. Arlo listened to users who wanted more flexibility. Now it’s your turn to use it wisely.

So next time you’re hosting a party, doing yard work, or just need a break from constant surveillance, don’t disable your whole system. Just pause that one camera. Breathe easy. And when it’s over, unpause with a tap.

You’ve got this.