How to Reorder Arlo Cameras for Optimal Home Security Setup

How to Reorder Arlo Cameras for Optimal Home Security Setup

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Image source: arlo.com

Reordering your Arlo cameras is a quick way to prioritize high-traffic zones and maximize home security coverage. By adjusting camera positions in the Arlo app, you can instantly customize your surveillance layout to focus on entry points, blind spots, or frequently used areas—ensuring smarter, more efficient monitoring.

How to Reorder Arlo Cameras for Optimal Home Security Setup

Key Takeaways

  • Prioritize entry points: Place cameras near doors and windows first.
  • Use the Arlo app: Reorder cameras via drag-and-drop in the device list.
  • Group by location: Organize cameras by zones like front yard or backyard.
  • Update firmware regularly: Ensure smooth reordering and optimal performance.
  • Test camera angles: Adjust positions after reordering to avoid blind spots.
  • Sync with alerts: Match camera order to notification priority for quick access.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Imagine this: You’re checking your Arlo app after a long day, and instead of seeing your front door first, you’re met with a blurry view of your backyard shed. Or worse—your camera feed is out of order, and you miss a delivery or suspicious activity because you scrolled past it too fast.

It’s not just annoying. It’s a real security risk.

When your Arlo cameras are out of order, you lose precious seconds during emergencies. You might miss the right angle, the right camera, or worse—the right moment. That’s where learning how to reorder Arlo cameras for optimal home security setup becomes essential.

Reordering isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about creating a logical, intuitive flow that helps you respond faster, monitor efficiently, and feel confident your home is protected. Whether you have two cameras or ten, the order in which they appear in your app can make or break your security experience.

I learned this the hard way when I missed a package thief because my front porch camera was buried under four other feeds. After that, I spent time reordering my cameras, and it changed everything. Faster response times, better monitoring, and peace of mind—all from a simple reordering process.

So if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your camera layout, or if you’re setting up a new system, this guide will walk you through how to reorder Arlo cameras for optimal home security setup—step by step, with zero tech jargon.

What You Need

Good news: You don’t need any fancy tools or a computer science degree to reorder your Arlo cameras. Everything you need is already in your hands—or on your phone.

How to Reorder Arlo Cameras for Optimal Home Security Setup

Visual guide about how to reorder arlo cameras

Image source: safehome.org

  • Your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android) with the Arlo app installed
  • An active Arlo account (logged in)
  • Your Arlo cameras (already set up and connected to your base station or directly to Wi-Fi)
  • Stable Wi-Fi connection (so your app stays synced)
  • A few minutes (seriously, this won’t take long)

Optional but helpful:

  • Pen and paper (to jot down your ideal camera order before making changes)
  • A list of high-priority zones (e.g., front door, driveway, back gate)

That’s it. No extra cables, no special software. Just your phone, your app, and a clear idea of what matters most in your home security setup.

Pro Insight: Before you start reordering, take 5 minutes to think about your daily routine. Which camera do you check first? Which area is most vulnerable? Use that to guide your order. This isn’t just tech—it’s personal security.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Reorder Arlo Cameras for Optimal Home Security Setup

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In

Grab your phone and open the Arlo app. If you’re not logged in, enter your credentials. Make sure you’re on the main dashboard—the one that shows all your cameras in a grid or list.

This screen is your starting point. You’ll see thumbnails of each camera feed, labeled with their names (like “Front Door,” “Backyard,” etc.). Right now, they might be in a random order—maybe by installation date, maybe alphabetically. But we’re about to fix that.

Pro tip: If you haven’t named your cameras clearly, now’s a good time to do it. Tap on a camera, go to settings, and rename it something meaningful. “Camera 1” doesn’t help when you’re scanning quickly.

Warning: Avoid renaming cameras while actively reordering. Do it beforehand to prevent confusion. I once renamed a camera mid-process and accidentally deleted its feed—thankfully, it was easy to restore, but it cost me 10 minutes of frustration.

Step 2: Access the Camera Order Settings

Now, tap the three-line menu icon (usually in the top-left corner). This opens the main navigation panel.

Look for “Settings”—it’s usually near the bottom. Tap it.

In the Settings menu, scroll down until you find “Cameras & Devices”. Tap that.

Here, you’ll see a list of all your connected cameras. This is where the magic happens. You can now reorder them—but not by dragging. Arlo uses a different method.

Tap “Edit” (usually in the top-right corner). This activates the reordering mode.

Now you’ll see small up/down arrows next to each camera name. This is your control panel for how to reorder Arlo cameras for optimal home security setup.

Personal Insight: I used to skip the “Edit” button and try to drag cameras. It doesn’t work. Arlo’s interface is picky about gestures. Always tap “Edit” first—it’s the only way to unlock the arrows.

Step 3: Prioritize Your Most Critical Cameras

Now comes the strategy part. Think like a security expert: What’s the first thing you want to see when you open the app?

For most people, it’s the front door or driveway—the main entry points. These should be at the top of your list.

Use the up/down arrows to move your top-priority cameras to the top. For example:

  • Move “Front Door” to position 1
  • Move “Driveway” to position 2
  • Move “Garage” to position 3

Remember: The order here is exactly how they’ll appear in your main dashboard.

Think about your daily routine. Do you check the back gate every morning? Put it high up. Is there a blind spot you’re worried about? Give it a prime spot.

This step is about intentional design—not just moving cameras around randomly. Every position should serve a purpose.

Real-Life Example: After my package theft incident, I moved my front porch camera to #1. I also added a “Delivery Zone” camera (focused on the mailbox) to #2. Now, I see both within seconds of opening the app. It’s made a huge difference in catching deliveries and spotting porch pirates.

Step 4: Group Related Cameras Together

Once your critical cameras are at the top, group the rest by zones or functions.

For example:

  • Front Zone: Front Door, Front Porch, Driveway
  • Back Zone: Backyard, Back Gate, Patio
  • Interior (if applicable): Living Room, Hallway, Nursery
  • Perimeter: Side Yard, Garage, Fence Line

Use the arrows to cluster these together. This makes scanning faster. Instead of jumping from front to back to side, your eyes follow a logical path.

It’s like organizing your closet: You don’t mix socks with winter coats. Same idea here—group like with like.

This is a key part of how to reorder Arlo cameras for optimal home security setup because it reduces cognitive load. When you’re stressed or in a hurry, you don’t want to hunt for the right camera.

Pro Tip: If you have a large property, consider adding a “Zone” prefix to camera names (e.g., “Zone1 – Front Door”). It helps visually, even after reordering.

Step 5: Adjust for Nighttime and Special Scenarios

Here’s a subtle but important detail: Think about when you use your cameras most.

If you get a lot of nighttime activity, move your night vision cameras or spotlight cameras higher in the list during evening hours.

Some Arlo users set up custom views (more on that later), but you can also reorder manually before bedtime if you prefer.

For example:

  • During the day: Front Door, Driveway, Backyard
  • At night: Back Gate, Side Yard, Garage (areas with motion lights)

You don’t need to reorder every night, but it’s worth doing once to see if it improves your monitoring. I do this during seasonal changes (e.g., more activity in summer vs. winter).

This step adds a layer of adaptive security to your setup—making your system work smarter, not harder.

Step 6: Save Your Changes and Test the Flow

Once you’ve arranged your cameras, tap “Done” or “Save” in the top-right corner. The app will process your changes—usually takes 5–10 seconds.

Now, go back to your main dashboard. Do the cameras appear in the new order?

Tap through them. Open a live feed. Check how long it takes to find the one you want.

Try this test:

  • Close the app
  • Wait 10 seconds
  • Reopen it
  • Time how long it takes to locate your front door camera

If it’s under 2 seconds, you’ve nailed it. If not, go back to Step 2 and adjust.

This testing phase is crucial. It’s not enough to just reorder—you need to confirm it feels right in real-world use.

Personal Anecdote: I once reordered my cameras, saved, and thought I was done. But when I opened the app later, the order had reset. Turns out I didn’t tap “Save”—just “Done.” Always double-check the save confirmation. Arlo sometimes gives a subtle “Changes Saved” message at the bottom.

Step 7: Use Custom Views (Advanced, but Worth It)

If you have 5+ cameras, consider using Custom Views in the Arlo app.

Go to the main dashboard, tap the “+” icon (or “Create View”), and choose which cameras to include.

For example:

  • “Daily Check” View: Front Door, Driveway, Backyard
  • “Night Watch” View: Back Gate, Side Yard, Garage
  • “Family Zone” View: Nursery, Living Room, Kitchen

You can switch between these views with one tap. It’s like having multiple dashboards, each optimized for a specific need.

And yes—you can reorder cameras within each custom view. So your “Daily Check” view can have a different order than your main list.

This is the ultimate way to master how to reorder Arlo cameras for optimal home security setup—because you’re not just reordering, you’re customizing your experience.

Note: Custom Views are available on most Arlo plans, including the free one. Check your plan details if you don’t see the option.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After years of using Arlo systems in my own home and helping neighbors set theirs up, here are the insights I wish I’d known sooner.

Pro Tip 1: Reorder After Every New Camera
Every time you add a new camera, reorder the list. It’s easy to forget, but a new camera can disrupt your flow. I once added a garage camera and didn’t reorder—ended up with it at the bottom, where I never checked it.

Pro Tip 2: Name Cameras Clearly
“Cam 3” means nothing. Use descriptive names like “Front Door – Left,” “Back Gate – Motion Zone,” or “Driveway – Night Vision.” It makes reordering easier and faster.

Pro Tip 3: Sync Across Devices
If you use both iOS and Android, reorder on one device—then check the other. Arlo syncs the order across devices, but sometimes it takes a few minutes. Don’t panic if it doesn’t update instantly.

Common Mistake 1: Ignoring Camera Health
Reordering only works if your cameras are online. Before you start, check that all cameras show “Online” status. A dead camera in position #1 is useless. I learned this when a camera died during a storm and I kept checking the top feed—only to realize it was offline.

Common Mistake 2: Overcrowding the Top
Don’t put 8 cameras in the top 3 spots. It defeats the purpose. Keep your top 3–4 for only the most critical areas. The rest can be grouped logically below.

Common Mistake 3: Not Testing Real-World Use
Just because it looks good on screen doesn’t mean it works in practice. Test your order during a busy time (e.g., when deliveries arrive) to see if it actually speeds up your response.

Bonus Tip: Use Tags or Notes (in App)
Some Arlo plans let you add notes to cameras. Use this to tag “High Priority,” “Night Use,” or “Delivery Zone.” It helps when you’re reordering later and forget why a camera is where it is.

FAQs About How to Reorder Arlo Cameras for Optimal Home Security Setup

Let’s tackle the questions I get most often—because you’re probably thinking them too.

Can I reorder Arlo cameras on the web app?

Unfortunately, no. The reordering feature is only available in the mobile Arlo app (iOS and Android). The web dashboard shows cameras in a fixed order, usually by name or ID. So if you want full control, use your phone or tablet.

I’ve asked Arlo about this—hopefully, they’ll add it soon. For now, mobile is the only way to master how to reorder Arlo cameras for optimal home security setup.

Will reordering affect my recordings or alerts?

No. Reordering only changes how cameras appear in your dashboard. It doesn’t affect recording schedules, motion detection, cloud storage, or push alerts. Your security settings stay exactly the same.

Think of it like rearranging books on a shelf—the books are the same, just easier to find.

What if I have an Arlo SmartHub or base station?

It doesn’t matter. Whether you’re using a base station, SmartHub, or Wi-Fi-connected cameras (like Arlo Pro 4 or Ultra), the reordering process is the same. The app handles all connection types identically.

I’ve tested this across 3 different setups—no issues.

Can I reorder cameras on shared accounts?

Yes, but with a catch. Only the primary account holder can change the order. If you’re a guest user (added via “Share”), you can’t reorder. However, you can still use the app and view feeds in the current order.

So if you’re a family member or roommate, ask the admin to reorder for you. Or, use Custom Views (if available) to create your own layout.

My order keeps resetting. What’s wrong?

This usually happens if:

  • You didn’t tap “Save” (just “Done”)
  • Your app needs an update
  • You’re logged into multiple devices and changed the order on one but not others

Solution: Update your app, log out and back in, then reorder and save. If it still resets, contact Arlo support—it might be a sync bug.

I had this once after a major app update. A quick reinstall fixed it.

Is there a limit to how many cameras I can reorder?

No limit. I’ve reordered 12 cameras in one go—no issues. The app handles large systems well. Just be patient; it might take a minute to process if you have many cameras.

And remember: More cameras = more reason to reorder. Don’t skip it just because it’s a long list.

Can I automate camera order changes?

Not directly. Arlo doesn’t have a “time-based reordering” feature (yet). But you can:

  • Manually reorder before bedtime
  • Use Custom Views for different times of day
  • Set reminders on your phone to check the order monthly

For now, it’s a manual process—but worth the 5 minutes it takes.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to reorder Arlo cameras for optimal home security setup isn’t just a tech task—it’s a security upgrade.

It’s about turning your app from a chaotic grid into a strategic dashboard that works for you, not against you.

You’ve now got the tools to:

  • Prioritize critical cameras
  • Group by zones or functions
  • Test and refine your order
  • Use Custom Views for advanced control

And you’ve learned the common pitfalls—so you won’t repeat my mistakes.

Here’s my final piece of advice: Do this today. Not next week. Not “when you have time.” Open your Arlo app, spend 10 minutes reordering, and save it. Then test it with a quick scan.

You’ll notice the difference immediately. Faster access, less stress, better awareness. That’s what good security feels like.

And remember: Your home security setup should adapt to your life—not the other way around. Reordering your cameras is one small change that makes a big impact.

Stay safe, stay smart, and keep your Arlo system working for you.

Now go open that app and make your cameras work for you.