Pausing your Arlo camera in 2026 is quick and easy—just open the Arlo app, select your camera, and tap the “Pause” button to temporarily disable recording and alerts. This feature is perfect for avoiding false notifications during private moments or maintenance, and your camera will automatically resume based on your schedule or with one tap. No more fumbling with settings—control your privacy in seconds.

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How to Pause Arlo Camera in 2026: A Quick Guide

Key Takeaways

• Pause instantly: Use the Arlo app to disable recording with one tap.
• Schedule pauses: Set automatic start/stop times for consistent breaks.
• Keep cameras online: Pausing stops recordings but maintains live view access.
• No hardware changes: No need to unplug—pause remotely via the app.
• Review settings: Confirm pause duration to avoid missing key events.
• Use modes: Link pauses to Arlo Modes for smarter automation.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s be real—smart home cameras like Arlo are great until you realize they’re recording *everything*, even when you’re just lounging in your PJs or hosting a private dinner. Maybe you’re tired of getting false alerts when your cat knocks over a plant, or you want to respect your roommate’s privacy during a movie night. That’s where knowing how to pause Arlo camera in 2026 becomes a game-changer. It’s not about turning off security—it’s about flexibility. Think of it like hitting “mute” on your camera during moments you’d rather not share (or review).

I learned this the hard way. Once, my Arlo kept sending me alerts every time my dog barked at a squirrel. I’d check the feed, roll my eyes, and repeat. Pausing the camera for a few hours? Total sanity saver. Whether you’re dealing with privacy concerns, motion overload, or just want a break, this guide walks you through the process—no tech degree required.

What You Need

Good news: pausing your Arlo camera is free and requires just two things you already have. Here’s your checklist:

• Arlo app (downloaded on your phone/tablet or accessible via web browser)
• Your Arlo account login (email + password)
• Your camera(s) online (ensure they’re powered and connected to Wi-Fi)

No extra tools, cables, or magic wands. If you’ve ever opened the Arlo app to check a live feed, you’re 90% of the way there. The process works whether you have a single camera or a whole security network. Pro tip: if you’re using multiple cameras, you’ll want to decide whether to pause one or all—more on that later.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Pause Arlo Camera in 2026 A Quick Guide

Step 1: Open the Arlo App (Mobile or Web)

Grab your phone or fire up your laptop. Open the Arlo app (or log in to my.arlo.com). I prefer the mobile app because it’s faster, but the web version works just as well. Once you’re logged in, you’ll land on your dashboard—a grid of your cameras. Look for the camera you want to pause. If you have multiple, tap the one you’re targeting.

Fun fact: The app’s interface hasn’t changed much since 2023, so even if you haven’t used it in a while, it’ll feel familiar. If you’re on the web, click “Cameras” in the left menu to see your list.

Step 2: Access the Camera’s Settings Menu

Tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of your selected camera’s preview. This opens the settings menu—your control panel for all things Arlo. Don’t see it? Try tapping the camera preview first to reveal the icons. On the web, hover over the camera and click the gear.

Here’s where things get interesting. This menu is packed with options, but you’re looking for “Device Settings”. Tap it. If you’re on the web, it’s under “Settings” > “Device”.

Step 3: Find the “Pause” or “Off” Toggle

In the Device Settings, scroll down until you see “Camera Status” or “On/Off”. You’ll find a simple toggle switch. Tap it to pause the camera. The switch will turn gray (or gray-out), and the camera feed will disappear. Congrats! You’ve just paused your Arlo camera. The process is the same for all Arlo models (Pro, Ultra, Essential, etc.).

Warning: Pausing disables motion detection, recording, and live viewing. If you’re relying on the camera for security (e.g., during a vacation), this isn’t the best move. Use it for short breaks, not long-term shutdowns.

Bonus: On some models, you’ll see a “Schedule” option here. We’ll cover that in the pro tips—it’s a smarter way to automate pauses.

Step 4: Confirm the Pause (and Check for Confirmation)

After toggling, the app usually shows a pop-up: “Camera paused.” If not, go back to your dashboard. The camera’s preview should be gone, and the name might show “(Paused)” or “(Off).” To be extra sure, try triggering motion in front of it. No alert? You’re good.

Here’s a personal trick: I always take a screenshot of the paused state. It’s a mental reminder not to forget to turn it back on. (Yes, I’ve left mine paused for a week. No, I don’t recommend it.)

Step 5: (Optional) Pause Multiple Cameras at Once

Got a whole Arlo system? You don’t have to pause cameras one by one. In the app’s main dashboard, tap the three dots (⋮) in the top-right. Select “Select All” or manually pick cameras. Then, tap the “Power” icon (it looks like a light switch). Choose “Pause” from the menu. Boom—one tap, all cameras off.

This is a lifesaver if you’re hosting a party or want a full-home privacy reset. Just remember: pausing all cameras means *zero* security coverage. Use it wisely.

Step 6: Resume Recording (When You’re Ready)

Ready to turn your camera back on? Repeat Steps 1–3, but this time, toggle the switch back to “On”. The feed will reload, and motion detection will reactivate. If you used the “Select All” method, tap the power icon again and choose “Resume.”

Pro tip: Set a reminder on your phone. I once paused my front porch camera before a BBQ and forgot to resume it. A week later, I realized my package deliveries weren’t being recorded. Oops.

Step 7: (Advanced) Use Schedules to Auto-Pause

Don’t want to manually pause every time? Use Arlo’s Schedule feature. In Device Settings, tap “Schedule.” Here, you can set specific times for the camera to pause (e.g., 7 PM–10 PM daily). It’s perfect for movie nights, dinner parties, or when you’re home and don’t need surveillance.

I use this for my backyard camera. It auto-pauses at 8 PM when my kids play outside, then resumes at 6 AM. No more false alerts from squirrels—or me grilling in my boxers.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After years of fiddling with Arlo cameras, I’ve learned a few things. Here’s what most guides won’t tell you:

• Tip 1: Use “Privacy Mode” for Instant Pauses
  Some Arlo models (like the Essential) have a “Privacy Mode” button in the app. One tap, and the camera’s LED turns off, and recording stops. It’s faster than digging through settings. Look for it in your camera’s quick-access menu.
• Tip 2: Pause vs. Disable: Know the Difference
  “Pause” is temporary. “Disable” removes the camera from your account (you’ll need to re-add it later). Only disable if you’re selling or relocating the camera. For breaks, stick to pausing.
• Tip 3: Check Battery Life Before Pausing
  If you’re pausing a battery-powered camera, ensure it’s charged. Some models won’t resume recording if the battery’s low. I once paused a camera, forgot to charge it, and missed a delivery alert for days.
• Tip 4: Use Geofencing for Auto-Pauses
  Arlo’s geofencing feature can pause cameras when you’re home and resume when you leave. Go to Settings > Geofencing > Enable. It uses your phone’s location. Great for privacy, but it’s not 100% reliable—sometimes my camera stays on when I’m in the backyard.

Warning: Never pause cameras during high-risk times (e.g., vacations, construction, or if you’ve had recent break-ins). A paused camera is a blind spot.

Common Mistake #1: Forgetting to Resume
We’ve all been there. Set a phone reminder or use the app’s “Resume in X hours” feature (if available).

Common Mistake #2: Pausing the Wrong Camera
Double-check the camera name before toggling. I once paused my front door camera instead of the backyard one. My neighbor’s cat triggered 50 alerts before I realized.

Common Mistake #3: Assuming Pausing Stops All Alerts
Some Arlo models still send “camera offline” alerts when paused. If you hate these, go to Settings > Notifications > toggle off “Camera Status.”

FAQs About How to Pause Arlo Camera in 2026 A Quick Guide

Q: Does pausing my Arlo camera delete recordings?
Nope! Pausing only stops *new* recordings. Any footage saved before the pause stays in your cloud or local storage. Think of it like pressing “pause” on a TV—the show’s already recorded.

Q: Can I pause a camera remotely?
Absolutely. As long as your camera has power and Wi-Fi, you can pause it from anywhere using the Arlo app. I’ve done this while traveling to stop alerts from my dog sitter.

Q: Why doesn’t my camera have a “Pause” option?
Older Arlo models (pre-2020) use “On/Off” instead of “Pause.” The result is the same, but the wording differs. Also, some third-party integrations (like IFTTT) might not support pausing—stick to the official app.

Q: Will pausing affect my subscription?
Not at all. Your Arlo subscription (if you have one) covers cloud storage and features like AI detection. Pausing doesn’t cancel or reduce your plan. You’re just temporarily disabling the camera.

Q: Can I schedule a pause for a specific event?
Yes! Use the Schedule feature (Step 7) to set one-time or recurring pauses. For example, “Pause every Friday 6 PM–10 PM.” You can also create custom modes (e.g., “Dinner Time”) with different pause rules.

Q: What if the app says “Camera Offline” after pausing?
This is normal. The app shows “Offline” when a camera is paused. If it stays offline after resuming, restart the camera or check your Wi-Fi. Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.

Q: Is pausing the same as turning off the camera’s power?
Nope. Turning off power (unplugging) is a hard reset. Pausing is a soft shutdown—it preserves settings and resumes faster. Only power down if the camera’s malfunctioning.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to pause Arlo camera in 2026 isn’t just about silencing alerts—it’s about reclaiming control. Whether you’re protecting privacy, reducing noise, or just taking a break, this feature is your secret weapon. The steps are simple, the risks are low, and the payoff is huge: a smarter, less intrusive smart home.

My advice? Start small. Pause one camera for an hour and see how it feels. Use schedules for recurring breaks. And for the love of all things tech, set a reminder to resume. Because nothing’s worse than realizing your camera’s been off for weeks—except maybe explaining that to your homeowner’s insurance.

Now go forth and hit pause. Your sanity (and your cat) will thank you.

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