Send Arlo camera alerts to your email in minutes by enabling email notifications directly in the Arlo app’s settings. Simply navigate to your camera’s alert preferences, select “Email” as a notification method, and customize triggers like motion or audio detection for precise control. This seamless setup ensures you never miss a critical alert, even when you’re away from your phone.

How to Send Arlo Camera Alerts to Email Effortlessly

Key Takeaways

• Enable email alerts: Navigate to Arlo app settings to activate email notifications.
• Customize alert types: Choose which events trigger emails, like motion or audio.
• Add recipient emails: Input multiple email addresses for shared monitoring access.
• Verify SMTP settings: Ensure correct server details for seamless email delivery.
• Test notifications: Send a test alert to confirm setup works properly.
• Update firmware: Keep Arlo devices current to avoid alert delivery issues.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s be honest—smart home security is only as good as the alerts you receive. You’ve got your Arlo cameras set up, maybe on your front porch or in the backyard, and you’re counting on them to let you know when something happens. But what if you’re not glued to your phone? What if the app notification gets buried under 37 other alerts? That’s where how to send Arlo camera alerts to email effortlessly becomes a game-changer.

I learned this the hard way. A few months ago, I got a motion alert on my phone, but it was during a meeting, and I silenced it. By the time I checked, a delivery person had been waiting outside for 20 minutes. My dog was barking, the driver was frustrated, and I missed a critical package. That moment made me realize: I needed a backup alert system—something that doesn’t rely on my phone being on and me being available.

Email alerts solve that. They’re reliable, easy to search, and often come with rich previews. Plus, they work across devices. Whether you’re on your phone, laptop, or tablet, your email follows you. And the best part? Setting up how to send Arlo camera alerts to email effortlessly is simpler than you think. No coding, no third-party apps (though I’ll show you some smart extras), and no monthly fees—just a few clicks and you’re set.

This guide walks you through every step, from the basics to pro-level tweaks. Whether you’re a tech newbie or a smart home enthusiast, you’ll walk away with a system that keeps you informed—without the stress.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you’ve got everything ready. The good news? You probably already have most of it.

• Arlo camera(s) – Any model (Pro, Pro 2, Ultra, Essential, etc.). Even older models work.
• Arlo account – Free or paid (Basic, Secure, or Secure Plus). Email alerts work on all tiers, but some features (like rich previews) need a subscription.
• Smartphone or tablet – For the Arlo app. You’ll need this to set things up, but once it’s done, you can manage alerts from your computer too.
• Email address – Your primary inbox (Gmail, Outlook, etc.). This is where alerts will land.
• Wi-Fi connection – Your Arlo base station or cameras need to be online.
• Arlo app (latest version) – Download from the App Store or Google Play if you haven’t already.

Optional (but helpful):

• Computer or tablet – To manage settings from the Arlo web portal (great for tweaking filters).
• IFTTT account – For advanced automation (we’ll touch on this in pro tips).
• Smart home hub (like SmartThings) – If you want to integrate email alerts with other devices.

That’s it. No extra hardware, no special tools. Just your gear and a few minutes. Ready to make your Arlo system smarter?

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Send Arlo Camera Alerts to Email Effortlessly

Step 1: Log Into Your Arlo Account (App or Web)

Start by opening the Arlo app on your phone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged into the account that owns your cameras. If you use multiple accounts (like one for home and another for vacation), use the one tied to the cameras you want to monitor.

Alternatively, go to my.arlo.com in your browser. The web portal is often easier for detailed settings, especially when filtering alerts. I prefer the web for this step—bigger screen, more control.

Once you’re in, you’ll see your dashboard. This is your command center. Look for the camera or cameras you want to set up for email alerts.

Pro tip: If you’re using the app, tap the camera’s name to open its settings. On the web, click the gear icon next to the camera. Both paths lead to the same place.

Step 2: Navigate to the Camera’s Alert Settings

Now, head to the Settings section for your camera. In the app, tap the camera → tap the gear icon → scroll to “Notifications.” On the web, click the gear → “Alerts.”

You’ll see a few options here: “Push Notifications,” “Email,” and sometimes “SMS.” We’re focusing on Email. This is where the magic happens.

Click or tap the toggle to turn on Email alerts. A small window or pop-up will appear, asking you to confirm your email address.

Enter the email where you want alerts sent. This can be your personal email, work email, or even a dedicated inbox (like “security@yourdomain.com” if you have one). I use my personal Gmail—simple and always on.

Warning: Double-check the email address. If you type it wrong, you’ll never get alerts. I once typed “gmal.com” instead of “gmail.com” and missed a week of alerts. Not fun.

Step 3: Customize Alert Triggers (Motion, Sound, or Both)

Here’s where you decide what kind of events trigger an email. Arlo lets you choose:

• Motion detection – When the camera sees movement.
• Sound detection – When it hears loud noises (like glass breaking).
• Both – A combo of motion and sound.

For most people, motion detection is the main concern. But if you live in a noisy area (near traffic, construction), sound alerts can help reduce false alarms from wind or passing cars.

You can also set detection zones—areas of the camera’s view that trigger alerts. For example, ignore the street but alert on your front door. This cuts down on junk alerts from passing cars or squirrels.

To set zones:

1. Go to “Motion Detection” or “Sound Detection” settings.
2. Tap “Detection Zones” (or “Activity Zones”).
3. Draw boxes on the camera’s view to mark areas to monitor.
4. Save.

I use zones on my backyard camera. I ignore the neighbor’s yard but get alerts if someone steps onto my patio. It’s a huge time-saver.

Step 4: Set Alert Frequency and Cooldown

Here’s a common mistake: setting alerts to “instant” without a cooldown. Result? Your inbox gets flooded with 100 emails when the mailman walks by.

To avoid this, use the alert frequency or cooldown timer setting. This tells Arlo how often to send emails for the same event.

• 1 minute – Sends an alert every minute during continuous motion.
• 5 minutes – Sends an alert every 5 minutes. Great for most homes.
• 10–30 minutes – Best for high-traffic areas or if you’re away.

I use 5 minutes on my front door camera. It’s frequent enough to catch activity, but not so frequent that I get spammed.

On the Arlo app or web portal, look for “Alert Frequency,” “Cooldown,” or “Notification Delay.” Set it to your preferred time. Save the setting.

Real-life example: My neighbor’s dog used to set off my backyard camera every 30 seconds. With a 5-minute cooldown, I now get one email per event, not 20. Huge improvement.

Step 5: Choose Alert Content (Text, Image, or Video)

Arlo emails can include different types of content:

• Text-only – Just a message (e.g., “Motion detected at 3:15 PM”).
• With thumbnail image – A small photo from the event.
• With video clip – A short video (requires Arlo Secure subscription).

For how to send Arlo camera alerts to email effortlessly, I recommend the thumbnail image option. It gives you context—was it a person, a car, or a leaf blowing by?—without needing a subscription.

To set this:

1. In the alert settings, look for “Email Content” or “Alert Details.”
2. Select “Include Thumbnail” or “Send Image Preview.”
3. Save.

If you have an Arlo Secure subscription (paid), you can enable video clips. These are 10–15 seconds long and play right in your email. Super useful for verifying activity.

No subscription? No problem. The image preview works great on its own.

Step 6: Test the Setup (Send a Test Alert)

Don’t skip this step. It’s the only way to know if it’s working.

Go back to your camera’s settings and look for a “Test Alert” or “Send Test Notification” button. It’s usually near the bottom of the alert settings page.

Tap it. You’ll see a message like “Test email sent to youraddress@email.com.”

Now, wait. Check your inbox—and your spam/junk folder. It should arrive within 30–60 seconds.

What to look for:

• Subject line: “Arlo Alert: Motion Detected at [Camera Name]”
• Body: Time, date, and location of event
• Thumbnail image (if enabled)
• Link to view in Arlo app or web

If it’s not there, check:

• Is the email address correct?
• Is the camera online?
• Did you save the settings?

I once forgot to hit “Save” after entering my email. Took me 10 minutes to realize why the test failed. Learn from my mistake.

Step 7: Set Up Multiple Cameras (If Needed)

Got more than one Arlo camera? Repeat Steps 2–6 for each one.

You can set different rules for each camera. For example:

• Front door: 5-minute cooldown, with thumbnail
• Backyard: 10-minute cooldown, text-only (to reduce clutter)
• Garage: Motion + sound, with video (if you have a subscription)

This way, you’re not overwhelmed with alerts. Each camera serves a purpose.

On the web portal, you can manage all cameras from one page. In the app, tap each camera individually. It takes a few extra minutes, but it’s worth it.

Step 8: (Optional) Use IFTTT for Advanced Email Rules

If you want to go beyond Arlo’s built-in features, try IFTTT (If This Then That).

IFTTT lets you create custom automation. For example:

• Send an email only if motion happens between 10 PM and 6 AM.
• Forward alerts to a shared inbox (like your family or roommates).
• Send a summary email at the end of the day.

To set it up:

1. Go to ifttt.com and create a free account.
2. Search for “Arlo” and connect your Arlo account.
3. Create a new “Applet” (automation).
4. Trigger: “New motion detected on Arlo camera.”
5. Action: “Send an email via Gmail” (or your email provider).
6. Customize the email subject and body.
7. Turn it on.

I use IFTTT to send a daily summary email. At 8 PM, I get one email listing all alerts from the day. No more digging through my inbox.

Note: IFTTT is free, but some advanced features (like video in email) require a paid plan. Use it for basic filtering and forwarding.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

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

Pro Tip #1: Use a dedicated email folder. Set up a filter in your email (Gmail, Outlook, etc.) to auto-sort Arlo alerts into a “Security” folder. This keeps your main inbox clean and makes it easy to review later.

Pro Tip #2: Check your spam folder weekly. Sometimes, Arlo emails get flagged as spam—especially if you’re on a corporate email. Add “no-reply@arlo.com” to your safe senders list.

Pro Tip #3: Use geofencing to reduce alerts when you’re home. In the Arlo app, enable “Smart Alerts” or “Home/Away” mode. When your phone is home, motion alerts are muted. When you leave, they turn back on. Perfect for avoiding alerts when you’re mowing the lawn.

Common Mistake #1: Not setting a cooldown. Without it, one event can flood your inbox. Always use a 5–10 minute cooldown unless you’re monitoring a high-risk area.

Common Mistake #2: Ignoring detection zones. A camera that sees the whole street will trigger constantly. Use zones to focus on entry points—doors, windows, driveways.

Common Mistake #3: Forgetting to update camera firmware. Arlo occasionally releases updates that improve alert reliability. Check for updates monthly in the app under “Camera Settings” → “Firmware Update.”

Pro Tip #4: Use rich previews wisely. If you have a subscription, enable video in emails. But be aware: large video files can slow down your inbox. Use them on key cameras (like front door), not on all.

Pro Tip #5: Test after changes. Every time you tweak settings (zones, cooldown, email address), run a test alert. It takes 30 seconds and saves hours of confusion.

FAQs About How to Send Arlo Camera Alerts to Email Effortlessly

“I set it up, but I’m not getting emails. What’s wrong?”

First, check your spam folder. Then, verify your email address is correct in Arlo settings. Make sure the camera is online (green light on the base station). Run a test alert again. If it still fails, restart your base station and try once more. Most issues are fixed with a simple reboot.

“Can I send alerts to multiple emails?”

Arlo only lets you set one email per camera in the app. But you can use IFTTT or your email provider’s forwarding rules. For example, in Gmail, create a filter that forwards Arlo alerts to a second address. Or use IFTTT to send alerts to a shared inbox.

“Do I need a paid Arlo subscription to get email alerts?”

Nope. Email alerts with text and thumbnails work on the free Basic plan. You only need a paid plan (Secure or Secure Plus) if you want video clips in emails, cloud storage, or AI person detection.

“How long do email alerts take to arrive?”

Usually 30–60 seconds after the event. It depends on your internet speed and email provider. Gmail and Outlook are fastest. Corporate email servers may add a delay (1–2 minutes).

“Can I get alerts for specific times only?”

Arlo’s built-in settings don’t support time-based alerts. But you can use IFTTT to create rules like “Send email only if motion happens after 8 PM.” Or, set your camera to “Away” mode only during certain hours in the app.

“What if I change my email address?”

Update it in Arlo settings. Go to the camera’s alert settings, delete the old email, add the new one, and save. Run a test alert to confirm it works.

“Are email alerts secure?”

Yes. Arlo uses secure connections (HTTPS) to send alerts. The email content is not encrypted, but the link to view the event is. For extra security, use a strong password for your Arlo account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) in the app under “Account” → “Security.”

Final Thoughts

Setting up how to send Arlo camera alerts to email effortlessly isn’t just about convenience—it’s about peace of mind. You’ll never miss a delivery, a visitor, or a potential issue again. And you won’t be chained to your phone.

Start simple. Use the built-in email feature with a 5-minute cooldown and thumbnail images. Test it, tweak it, and make it yours. If you want more control, add IFTTT or use detection zones.

Remember: the goal isn’t to get more alerts. It’s to get the right alerts—at the right time—in a way that fits your life.

So go ahead. Open your Arlo app, set up those email alerts, and take back your focus. Your future self will thank you the next time you’re in a meeting, on vacation, or just enjoying a quiet evening—without missing a thing.

And hey, if you run into trouble? Don’t stress. We’ve all been there. Just come back to this guide, double-check the steps, and remember: it’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.

Now go make your Arlo system work for you—effortlessly.