How to Pause Alfred Camera in Simple Steps

Pausing your Alfred Camera is quick and easy—just open the app, select your camera, and tap the “Pause” button to temporarily disable recording and motion alerts. This simple action ensures privacy or reduces unnecessary notifications without uninstalling the app. Follow these steps to pause Alfred Camera in seconds and regain control over your surveillance.

Key Takeaways

• Open the Alfred app and select your camera to access pause settings quickly.
• Tap the pause icon to instantly disable recording without logging out.
• Schedule pauses for recurring downtime using the automation feature.
• Adjust motion detection to avoid false alerts while paused.
• Resume manually anytime with one tap to restore full functionality.

Why You Might Need to Pause Your Alfred Camera

Let’s face it—smart home security is a game-changer. Whether you’re checking in on your pets while you’re at work or keeping an eye on your front porch after a recent package theft, Alfred Camera makes life easier. But sometimes, you just need a break. Maybe you’re having a family game night, hosting a surprise party, or simply enjoying a quiet evening without the constant awareness of a camera watching. That’s when knowing how to pause Alfred Camera becomes not just useful—it’s essential.

I remember the first time I realized I needed to pause my Alfred camera. I was hosting a small birthday dinner for my mom, and halfway through dessert, I noticed the red recording light blinking from the corner of the room. I froze. “Wait… is this being recorded?” I thought. The last thing I wanted was a surprise birthday moment immortalized in a cloud storage folder. That night, I dug into the Alfred app, fumbled around, and finally found the pause option—but not without a few frustrating minutes of swiping and tapping. That’s why I’m writing this guide: to save you the stress and help you pause Alfred Camera in just a few simple steps, so you can focus on what really matters.

Understanding the Alfred Camera App: The Basics You Need to Know

What Is Alfred Camera?

Alfred Camera is a free-to-use home security app that turns your old smartphones or tablets into functional security cameras. It’s incredibly popular—over 100 million downloads—because it’s affordable, easy to set up, and works across iOS and Android. You use one device as the camera (the “camera unit”) and another as the viewer (the “monitor unit”), connected via Wi-Fi or cellular data. It offers live streaming, motion detection alerts, two-way audio, and cloud storage (with a subscription).

Key Features That Affect Pausing

Before we dive into how to pause Alfred Camera, it helps to understand a few core features:

• Motion Detection: Automatically records and sends alerts when movement is detected.
• Live View: Lets you watch the camera feed in real time.
• Cloud & Local Recording: Stores video clips based on motion or continuous recording.
• Schedules: Allows you to set times when the camera is active or inactive.

These features mean that “pausing” isn’t just about turning off the camera—it can also mean disabling motion alerts, stopping recordings, or even muting the microphone. The method you choose depends on your goal.

When “Pause” Might Not Be the Best Word

Technically, Alfred doesn’t have a single “pause” button like a video player. Instead, it offers several ways to pause Alfred Camera functionality—each serving a slightly different purpose. Think of it like pausing a movie versus turning off the TV. One stops the action temporarily; the other cuts power entirely. We’ll explore the right tool for each job.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Pause Alfred Camera (3 Main Methods)

Method 1: Pause Motion Detection & Alerts (Quick & Temporary)

This is the most common way to “pause” your Alfred Camera. It’s perfect when you’re at home, don’t want false alerts, but still want to keep the app running. For example, if you’re vacuuming and don’t want motion alerts every time the dog walks by.

1. Open the Alfred Camera app on your monitor device (the phone you use to watch the camera).
2. Tap on the camera feed you want to pause.
3. Look for the “Motion Detection” toggle at the bottom of the screen—it usually has a motion icon (two arrows in a circle).
4. Tap the toggle to turn it OFF. The icon will gray out.
5. You’ll still be able to view the live feed, but no motion alerts or recordings will be triggered.

Pro Tip: You can do this on the go. If you’re away and suddenly realize you left the camera on during a party, just open the app and flip the toggle. No need to rush home.

Method 2: Use Camera Schedules for Automatic Pauses

Want your camera to pause automatically every night at 8 PM and resume at 7 AM? Schedules are your best friend. This is ideal for routines—like when you’re home from work, or during weekend family time.

1. In the Alfred app, tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right of the camera feed.
2. Select “Camera Settings”.
3. Tap “Schedule”.
4. Choose “Custom” or “Daily” based on your needs.
5. Set the start and end times for when the camera should be active. The rest of the time, it’s effectively “paused.”
6. Save the schedule.

Real-Life Example: I use this method for my backyard camera. It’s active from 7 PM to 7 AM (when the kids are in bed), but “paused” during the day when we’re all outside playing. No more false alerts from the trampoline!

Method 3: Turn Off the Camera Device (Full Shutdown)

Sometimes, you want a complete pause—no live view, no alerts, nothing. This is useful for privacy during sensitive events (like a baby shower or therapy session) or when you’re doing maintenance.

1. Go to the device you’re using as the camera (e.g., an old iPhone on the nightstand).
2. Open the Alfred app on that device.
3. Tap the power icon (⚡) in the top right.
4. Confirm by selecting “Turn Off”.
5. The camera will go dark. On your monitor device, you’ll see a “Camera is Offline” message.

Important Note: This method fully disables the camera. You won’t be able to access live view or recordings until you turn it back on. Use it only when you truly need a full pause.

Bonus: Mute Audio (For Partial Privacy)

Maybe you want to keep the video feed but stop hearing every cough or conversation. Alfred lets you mute the microphone independently.

• While viewing the camera feed, tap the audio icon (speaker) at the bottom.
• It will turn gray when muted.

This is great if you’re working from home and want to monitor the room without audio distractions.

Common Scenarios: When and Why to Pause Your Camera

Hosting Guests or Family Events

Let’s be real—no one wants to feel watched during a birthday party, game night, or holiday dinner. Even if you trust your guests, having a camera running can feel invasive. I learned this the hard way when my sister-in-law noticed the Alfred camera in the living room and asked, “Are you recording us?” Awkward.

Solution: Use Method 1 (pause motion detection) or Method 3 (turn off the camera) during events. If you want to keep an eye on pets or kids, pause only the motion alerts—so you can still watch live, but no recordings happen.

Working from Home (WFH)

If you’re on a Zoom call or deep in work mode, motion alerts from your home camera can be distracting. A dog walking by, a child running in—boom, notification pop-up.

Solution: Set a schedule (Method 2) to pause the camera during work hours. Or, if you’re in a private room, pause motion detection and mute audio. This way, you’re not constantly interrupted, but you can still check in during breaks.

Vacations & Travel

On vacation, you want your camera active—but what if you’re staying in a rental and don’t want to record the host’s cleaning staff? Or maybe you’re in a shared space and need privacy during certain times.

Solution: Use schedules to pause the camera during cleaning times (e.g., 9 AM–11 AM). Or, if you’re in a private room, turn the camera off entirely (Method 3) and only turn it on when you leave the room.

Maintenance or Cleaning

Cleaning the lens? Moving the camera? You don’t want false recordings of you wiping the screen or adjusting the angle.

Solution: Pause motion detection (Method 1) before cleaning. This prevents unnecessary clips from filling up your storage.

Sleeping or Bedtime

Many people use Alfred cameras in nurseries or bedrooms. But if the baby is asleep and the room is quiet, do you really need motion alerts all night?

Solution: Set a night schedule (e.g., 9 PM–6 AM) to pause motion detection. You can still access live view if you wake up and want to check, but no alerts will disturb your sleep.

Advanced Tips: Making the Most of Pausing Features

Use Multiple Cameras with Different Pause Settings

Alfred supports multiple camera units. You can pause one camera (e.g., the living room) while keeping another active (e.g., the front door). This is great for partial privacy.

Example: I keep my front door camera active 24/7 but pause the kitchen camera when we’re cooking dinner. That way, I still get alerts for deliveries, but not for my kids running to the fridge.

Combine Pausing with Do Not Disturb Mode

On your monitor device, enable Do Not Disturb (iOS) or Focus Mode (Android) alongside pausing motion detection. This stops all notifications—even if the camera somehow triggers—so you’re not disturbed during important moments.

Check Cloud Storage Impact

When you pause motion detection, Alfred stops recording to cloud storage (if you have a subscription). But if you have continuous recording enabled, video is still stored locally on the camera device’s internal storage.

Tip: If you’re pausing to save storage space, make sure both motion and continuous recording are off. Go to Camera Settings > Recording > Continuous Recording and toggle it off.

Test Your Pause Before Relying on It

Don’t assume the camera is paused. Test it! Wave your hand in front of the lens, walk around, and check if alerts appear on your monitor device. I once thought I’d paused motion detection, only to find 30 “motion detected” alerts the next day—my fault for not double-checking!

Use Labels & Notes for Quick Reference

In the Alfred app, you can name your cameras (e.g., “Living Room – Pause on Weekends”). Add a note in the description like “Pause 6 PM–8 PM for family time.” This helps you remember your pause schedule.

Data & Performance: How Pausing Affects Your Alfred Experience

Pausing your camera isn’t just about privacy—it impacts performance, storage, and battery life. Here’s a quick breakdown of what happens when you use each pause method:

Pause Method	Motion Alerts	Cloud Recording	Live View	Battery Use (Camera Device)	Best For
Turn Off Motion Detection	❌ Disabled	❌ Stops (motion-based)	✅ Available	Medium (app runs but no recording)	Quick breaks, events
Camera Schedule	❌ Disabled during pause	❌ Stops during pause	❌ Offline during pause	Low (app may sleep)	Daily routines
Turn Off Camera Device	❌ Disabled	❌ Stops	❌ Not available	Very Low (device can sleep)	Full privacy, maintenance
Mute Audio Only	✅ Active	✅ Active (if motion)	✅ Available (no sound)	Medium	Audio privacy

This table helps you choose the right method. For example, if you want to save battery, turning off the camera device is best. If you just want peace and quiet, pausing motion detection is enough.

Final Thoughts: Pausing Alfred Camera Is About Control, Not Compromise

At the end of the day, how to pause Alfred Camera isn’t just a technical question—it’s about balance. You want security when you need it, and privacy when you don’t. Alfred gives you the tools to do both. Whether you’re pausing for an hour, a day, or just during family time, these simple steps put you in control.

Remember: there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Use motion detection pause for short breaks, schedules for routines, and full shutdowns for maximum privacy. Test your settings, name your cameras, and don’t forget to check the cloud recording status if storage is a concern.

I still use my Alfred cameras every day—but now, I pause them just as often. It’s not about distrusting the technology. It’s about using it wisely. So the next time you’re hosting a party, working late, or just enjoying a quiet night in, don’t stress about the blinking red light. Just open the app, follow these steps, and pause Alfred Camera with confidence. Your peace of mind is worth the extra tap.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pause my Alfred camera temporarily?

To pause your Alfred camera, open the Alfred app, select the camera you want to pause, and tap the “Pause” button on the live feed screen. This will stop recording and motion detection until you resume it manually.

Can I schedule when to pause Alfred camera?

Yes, Alfred allows you to set schedules for pausing your camera. Go to the camera settings, select “Schedule,” and define the times when the camera should automatically pause and resume.

Why would I need to pause my Alfred camera?

You may want to pause your Alfred camera to save storage, avoid unnecessary recordings, or respect privacy during specific times, like when you’re at home. It’s a simple way to manage your camera’s activity.

How to pause Alfred camera for a specific room?

To pause a camera in a specific room, navigate to the room in the Alfred app, select the camera, and tap the “Pause” button. This only affects that particular camera, leaving others active.

Does pausing the Alfred camera affect alerts?

Yes, when you pause the Alfred camera, motion detection and alerts are disabled until you resume the camera. You won’t receive notifications during the paused period.

How to pause Alfred camera on multiple devices?

To pause multiple cameras, go to each camera’s live feed in the Alfred app and tap “Pause” individually. Alternatively, group cameras under a scene and pause them together for convenience.