How to Rename Arlo Cameras in Simple Steps

How to Rename Arlo Cameras in Simple Steps

Featured image for how to rename arlo cameras

Image source: arlo.com

Renaming your Arlo cameras is quick and easy—just open the Arlo app, select the camera, and tap the settings icon to edit its name. This simple customization helps you identify specific cameras instantly, whether you’re monitoring front doors, backyards, or baby rooms. Perfect for organizing multi-camera setups in seconds.

“`html

How to Rename Arlo Cameras in Simple Steps

Key Takeaways

  • Access settings: Open the Arlo app and select your camera to begin renaming.
  • Edit name: Tap the camera name field and enter a new, descriptive label.
  • Save changes: Confirm the new name to update it across all devices instantly.
  • Use clear names: Choose names reflecting location (e.g., “Front Door”) for easy identification.
  • Update multiple cameras: Repeat the process for each camera to maintain organized labeling.
  • Sync across devices: Renamed cameras automatically reflect changes on all linked platforms.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Ever opened your Arlo app and seen a list of cameras named “Front Door,” “Backyard,” “Garage,” and then… “Arlo Pro 3”? It’s confusing. You’re not alone.

When you first set up your Arlo cameras, they often come with default names. While that works at first, it becomes a problem when you have multiple units. Imagine getting an alert that “Arlo Camera 2” detected motion—where is that again? The front porch? The backyard?

Renaming your cameras isn’t just about organization—it’s about clarity, speed, and peace of mind. Whether you’re monitoring your home, a rental property, or your business, knowing exactly which camera triggered an alert saves time and stress.

That’s why learning how to rename Arlo cameras in simple steps is one of the smartest things you can do after setup. It’s quick, it’s free, and it makes your entire system feel more personal and intuitive.

And don’t worry—you don’t need to be tech-savvy. I’ve helped my parents, my neighbor, and even my dog walker (yes, really) do this. If they can, you can too.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you have everything you need. The good news? You probably already do.

How to Rename Arlo Cameras in Simple Steps

Visual guide about how to rename arlo cameras

Image source: security.org

  • Your smartphone or tablet – iOS or Android, doesn’t matter. The Arlo app works on both.
  • The Arlo app installed and logged in – Make sure you’re signed into the same account as your cameras.
  • Your Arlo cameras online and connected – They should be powered and showing as “online” in the app.
  • A few minutes of quiet time – No rush. This takes less than 5 minutes per camera.

Pro Tip: If you’re renaming multiple cameras, do it when you’re not getting constant alerts. You don’t want to miss something important while tweaking names.

No special tools, no cables, no computer required. Everything happens right in the app. That’s what makes how to rename Arlo cameras in simple steps so accessible—anyone can do it.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Rename Arlo Cameras in Simple Steps

Let’s walk through this together. I’ll use my own setup as an example: I have a front door camera, a backyard cam, a garage unit, and a side yard one. They used to be “Arlo Pro 3,” “Arlo Camera 2,” etc. Now they’re clearly labeled. Here’s how I did it.

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In

Grab your phone and tap the Arlo app icon. It’s the one with the blue shield and camera. Log in if you haven’t already.

Once you’re in, you’ll land on the home screen—the one with all your cameras in a grid. This is where the magic starts.

Note: If you have multiple Arlo accounts (like one for home and one for a rental), make sure you’re on the right one. Renaming won’t carry over between accounts.

Step 2: Navigate to the Camera You Want to Rename

Look at the grid. Each camera shows a thumbnail and its current name. Tap on the camera you want to rename.

This opens the live view screen. Don’t worry—you’re not recording or changing settings yet. Just getting to the right menu.

Now, look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the screen. Tap it. That’s your settings menu for that specific camera.

Real Talk: I once spent 10 minutes looking for the settings menu because I kept tapping the camera feed itself. Save yourself the hassle—tap the gear, not the video.

Step 3: Find the “Device Name” Option

In the settings menu, scroll down until you see a section labeled “Device Information” or just “Device”, depending on your app version.

Inside that section, look for a line that says “Device Name”. It will show the current name—like “Arlo Pro 3” or “Camera 2.” Tap on that line.

A small pop-up or new screen will appear, letting you edit the name.

Pro Tip: If you don’t see “Device Name,” check if you’re in the right menu. Some older app versions hide it under “Camera Settings” or “General.” If you’re stuck, try updating the app.

Step 4: Type in a New, Meaningful Name

Now comes the fun part—naming your camera. Delete the old name and type in something clear and helpful.

Use names like:

  • Front Door
  • Backyard Patio
  • Garage Side
  • Driveway
  • Side Yard (West)
  • Basement Stairs

Be specific. “Backyard” is okay, but “Backyard Patio” is better. If you have two backyard cams, add details like “Backyard – Pool” and “Backyard – Gate.”

Keep it under 20 characters if possible. Long names can get cut off in alerts and on small screens.

Personal Insight: I named one camera “Dog Run” because my pup loves that corner. When it alerts, I know it’s probably him barking at squirrels—not an intruder. Small names, big relief.

Step 5: Save the New Name

Once you’ve typed in the new name, tap “Save” or “OK”. The screen will close, and you’ll be back in the camera settings.

Now, go back to the home screen. Wait a few seconds. You should see the camera’s name update automatically.

If it doesn’t change right away, don’t panic. Pull down to refresh the app, or wait 30 seconds. Arlo syncs changes in the background.

Step 6: Repeat for Other Cameras

Go back to the home screen. Tap the next camera. Tap the gear. Find “Device Name.” Rename. Save.

Repeat until all your cameras have clear, useful names.

Time-Saver: If you have 4 cameras, do them all in one go. It’ll take about 10 minutes. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re not guessing which “Camera 3” is.

Step 7: Test the Changes

This is the final check. Trigger each camera—wave at it, walk by, or just open a door.

Check your phone. When the alert pops up, does it say “Front Door” instead of “Arlo Pro 3”? If yes, you’re golden.

Also, open the app and look at your camera grid. Are the names clear and consistent?

If something looks off—like a name didn’t save or a camera is still showing the old name—try restarting the app. If that doesn’t work, check your internet connection. Sometimes a weak Wi-Fi signal delays syncing.

Warning: If a camera shows “Offline,” you can’t rename it until it reconnects. Fix the connection first—check batteries, Wi-Fi signal, or power source.

Step 8: Optional – Add Location Tags (For Arlo SmartHub Users)

If you’re using an Arlo SmartHub or Arlo Base Station, you can go a step further.

In the same “Device Information” section, look for “Location” or “Group”. You can assign cameras to rooms or zones.

For example:

  • Group: “First Floor” – Front Door, Living Room
  • Group: “Outdoor” – Backyard, Driveway, Side Yard

This helps when you filter alerts or view cameras by location. It’s not required for renaming, but it adds another layer of organization—especially if you have 6+ cameras.

And it makes how to rename Arlo cameras in simple steps even more powerful.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Now that you’ve done it once, let’s make sure you never have to troubleshoot or re-rename anything.

✅ Use Descriptive, Not Cute Names

I once named a camera “The Snitch” because it caught my neighbor’s kid sneaking out. Cute? Yes. Practical? Not really.

When you’re half-asleep and get an alert, you want clarity, not a riddle. Use names that tell you exactly where the camera is.

Stick to:

  • Room names (Living Room)
  • Entry points (Front Door, Garage)
  • Landmarks (Driveway, Back Fence)
  • Direction (Side Yard – East)

✅ Avoid Duplicates

Never name two cameras “Front Yard.” That defeats the purpose. Be specific. “Front Yard – Left” and “Front Yard – Right” are better.

If you have two cameras in the same area, add a direction or feature: “Front Yard – Tree” or “Front Yard – Mailbox.”

✅ Use Parentheses for Details

Want to add extra info without cluttering the name? Use parentheses.

  • Backyard (Pool)
  • Garage (Side)
  • Basement (Stairs)

This keeps the main name short but gives context when you need it.

✅ Rename Before Setting Up Rules

If you plan to create activity zones, motion alerts, or smart notifications, do the renaming first.

Why? Because if you set up a “Front Door” rule and later rename the camera to “Main Entrance,” the rule might break or get confused.

Set the name, then build your automations. It’s like building a house—you need a solid foundation.

❌ Don’t Rename During a Storm or Power Outage

Arlo cameras sync names to the cloud. If your internet drops during the process, the change might not save.

I learned this the hard way during a thunderstorm. One camera stayed “Arlo Pro 3” for two days. Once the Wi-Fi stabilized, I renamed it again—and it worked.

So: pick a calm day. Or at least one with good Wi-Fi.

❌ Don’t Use Special Characters or Emojis

The app supports letters, numbers, spaces, and basic punctuation. But avoid:

  • Emojis (🚪, 🐶, 🔒) – they might not display properly
  • Symbols like &, @, or % – they can cause sync errors
  • Too many underscores or hyphens – hard to read in alerts

Stick to plain text. It’s more reliable and looks cleaner.

✅ Update After Camera Moves

Got a camera from the garage to the backyard? Rename it. Don’t keep “Garage” when it’s now watching the pool.

I moved a camera from my front door to my side gate. For a week, I kept getting alerts for “Front Door” when it was actually the side. Renaming fixed that.

Think of it like moving furniture—update the label when you change the location.

✅ Use Consistent Naming Across Accounts

If you share your Arlo account with family or a property manager, make sure everyone uses the same naming style.

Agree on a format. For example:

  • [Area] – [Detail]
  • Room: [Name]
  • [Direction] [Feature]

This prevents confusion. No one should have to ask, “Wait, which camera is ‘Camera 2’?”

FAQs About How to Rename Arlo Cameras in Simple Steps

Q: Can I rename my Arlo camera from the web app?

Yes! Log in to my.arlo.com on a computer. Go to “Settings,” then “My Devices,” select your camera, and click “Edit” next to the name. It works the same way.

But honestly, I prefer the mobile app. It’s faster, and you can see the camera feed as you rename it—so you know exactly which one you’re editing.

Q: What if the name doesn’t save?

This happens. Try these fixes:

  • Restart the Arlo app
  • Check your Wi-Fi connection
  • Make sure the camera is online (not “offline” or “sleeping”)
  • Update the Arlo app to the latest version
  • Restart your phone

If it still doesn’t work, contact Arlo support. They’re usually quick to respond.

Q: Can I rename Arlo cameras remotely?

Absolutely. As long as you have internet and the camera is online, you can rename it from anywhere—your office, vacation, or even the grocery store.

I renamed a camera while waiting in line for coffee. It’s that easy.

Q: Do renamed cameras affect motion detection or alerts?

No. Renaming is just a label change. It doesn’t alter how the camera works, its settings, or its sensitivity.

Your alerts, activity zones, and recordings will continue as before—just with a clearer name.

Q: Can I rename Arlo cameras in a group or all at once?

Unfortunately, no. Arlo doesn’t support bulk renaming. You have to do each one individually.

It’s a minor inconvenience, but worth it. Think of it as a quick audit—you’ll notice if a camera is offline or needs attention.

Q: What if I have an older Arlo model, like the Arlo Q?

The process is the same. All Arlo cameras—Arlo Pro, Arlo Q, Arlo Essential, Arlo Ultra—use the same app and naming system.

Just make sure your app is updated. Older models sometimes need a firmware update to work with the latest features.

Q: Should I rename my Arlo doorbell too?

Yes! The Arlo Video Doorbell works the same way. Tap it in the app, go to settings, and rename it to “Front Door” or “Main Entrance.”

It’s especially helpful if you have multiple entry points. “Front Door” vs. “Back Door” makes a big difference when the doorbell rings.

Final Thoughts

Renaming your Arlo cameras isn’t just a neat trick—it’s a small change with big impact.

When you know how to rename Arlo cameras in simple steps, you turn a confusing list of numbers and model names into a clear, intuitive system. You save time. You reduce stress. You actually use your cameras more.

I’ve seen it happen with my own family. My mom used to ignore alerts because she couldn’t tell which camera triggered them. After we renamed them—“Front Porch,” “Back Gate,” “Garage”—she started checking every alert. Peace of mind, restored.

So don’t put this off. Open the Arlo app right now. Pick one camera. Rename it. Then do the next one. In 15 minutes, you’ll have a smarter, more organized setup.

And here’s my final piece of advice: make it a habit. Every time you add a new camera, rename it before you set it up. That way, you never fall back into the “Camera 3” trap.

Your home security should be clear, not cryptic. And with a few taps, it can be.

You’ve got this. Now go give your cameras the names they deserve.

“`