Easily set specific recording times on your Arlo camera through the Arlo app by navigating to “Schedule” under “Mode” and customizing active hours for each day. This precise control enhances surveillance efficiency, ensuring your camera only records when needed—saving storage and reducing false alerts.

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How to Set Certain Time on Arlo Camera for Perfect Surveillance

Key Takeaways

• Access Schedules: Use the Arlo app to create custom recording schedules.
• Set Time Blocks: Define start/end times for camera activity in Settings.
• Enable Geofencing: Automate surveillance based on your smartphone’s location.
• Adjust Time Zones: Ensure correct time zone for accurate scheduling.
• Review Activity Zones: Pair schedules with motion zones for precision.
• Sync Firmware: Update camera software to avoid scheduling glitches.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Imagine this: You come home after a long day, only to find your Arlo camera hasn’t recorded anything important—because it was off during the critical window. Maybe it was set to record all night, draining the battery, or worse, it missed your delivery or a suspicious visitor entirely. That’s where how to set certain time on Arlo camera for perfect surveillance becomes more than just a tech chore—it’s peace of mind.

Many Arlo users assume their cameras run 24/7, but that’s not always ideal. Constant recording wears down batteries, fills up storage, and can even trigger false alerts. Instead, scheduled recording lets you focus your camera’s attention when it matters most—like when you’re away, at night, or during peak delivery hours.

The good news? Setting up time-based schedules on Arlo cameras is easier than you think. Whether you’re using an Arlo Pro, Arlo Ultra, or a simple Arlo Essential, the process is similar. And once you nail it, your surveillance becomes smarter, more efficient, and way more effective.

This guide walks you through how to set certain time on Arlo camera for perfect surveillance—step by step, with real-life examples and no fluff. Let’s get your camera watching the right moments, not every moment.

What You Need

Before diving in, make sure you have everything ready. You don’t need fancy tools or a tech degree—just a few basics:

• Your Arlo camera(s) – Any model (Pro, Ultra, Essential, etc.) connected to your Arlo account

< Arlo app (iOS or Android) – Make sure it’s updated to the latest version

• Wi-Fi connection – Stable and strong enough for the camera to stay online
• Arlo account credentials – You’ll need to log in
• Smartphone or tablet – The Arlo app doesn’t support desktop scheduling
• Optional but helpful: A notebook or digital note to jot down your ideal recording times

No need to reset your camera or buy anything extra. This is all done through the app—no wires, no hardware changes. Just you, your phone, and a few minutes of your time to master how to set certain time on Arlo camera for perfect surveillance.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Set Certain Time on Arlo Camera for Perfect Surveillance

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In

Start by unlocking your phone and opening the Arlo app. If you haven’t used it in a while, you might need to log in. Enter your email and password—same as your Arlo account.

Once you’re in, you’ll land on the home screen, which shows all your connected devices. This is your command center. Look for your camera(s) listed there—they’ll appear as tiles with live previews or status icons.

Tip: If your camera shows “Offline,” check Wi-Fi or power. A camera that’s disconnected can’t follow schedules, so fix connectivity first.

This first step is simple, but it’s the foundation. Without access to the app, you can’t set any schedules. Think of it like unlocking your front door before you can rearrange the furniture inside.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Schedule” or “Mode” Section

Now, tap on the camera you want to schedule. A small menu will pop up—usually with options like “Live View,” “Library,” and “Settings.” Tap “Settings” (it looks like a gear icon).

Inside Settings, scroll down until you find a section called “Modes & Rules” or “Schedule”. The exact name depends on your Arlo model and app version, but it’s always near the top.

Tap that section. You’ll see your current mode (like “Armed” or “Home”) and possibly some default schedules. This is where the magic happens—where you’ll customize how to set certain time on Arlo camera for perfect surveillance.

Warning: Don’t confuse “Rules” with “Schedule.” Rules are for motion zones and sensitivity. Schedule is for time-based automation.

Step 3: Create a New Schedule (or Edit an Existing One)

Look for a button labeled “Add Schedule” or “New Mode”. Tap it. You’ll be prompted to name your schedule—something descriptive helps.

• Good names: “Night Patrol,” “Away Mode,” “Delivery Window”
• Avoid vague names: “New Schedule 1”

After naming, you’ll set the recording behavior. Choose:

• Record on Motion – Camera only records when it detects movement
• Record Continuously – 24/7 recording (great for critical areas, but uses more storage)
• No Recording – Camera is off (useful for privacy during family time)

Pick the option that fits your needs. Most users go with “Record on Motion” during high-risk hours and “No Recording” when they’re home.

This step is where you start shaping your ideal surveillance. For example, if you work from home and don’t want false alerts during Zoom calls, set “No Recording” from 9 AM to 5 PM. Then, switch to “Record on Motion” at 5:30 PM when you leave.

Step 4: Set the Time Range for Your Schedule

Now comes the core of how to set certain time on Arlo camera for perfect surveillance: the time picker.

Tap on the “Start Time” field. A clock interface will appear. Choose the hour and minute you want the schedule to begin. Do the same for “End Time.”

For example:

• Start: 6:00 PM
• End: 6:00 AM

This would activate “Night Patrol” mode every evening and turn it off at sunrise.

You can also set repeat days—choose which days of the week this schedule applies to. Maybe you only want it active on weekdays, or every night, or just weekends.

Pro insight: I once set a schedule from 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM every day—but forgot to exclude Sundays. My camera recorded my kids playing outside every weekend morning. Now I use “Weekdays Only” for work hours and a separate “Weekend” schedule.

Step 5: Save and Assign the Schedule to Your Camera

Once you’ve set the name, behavior, and time, tap “Save” or “Done.” The schedule will appear in your list of modes.

Now, you need to assign it to your camera. Go back to the “Modes & Rules” screen and look for a section called “Automated Rules” or “Schedule Activation.”

Here, you’ll see your new schedule. Toggle it on to enable it. Some versions of the app let you drag and drop schedules into priority order—place your most important ones at the top.

Double-check: Make sure the camera is set to follow the schedule. You can usually see a small clock icon or “Scheduled” label next to the camera name on the home screen.

Step 6: Test the Schedule (Don’t Skip This!)

Here’s the step most people skip—and regret. Test your schedule.

Wait for the next activation time (or manually set your phone’s clock ahead for testing). Then, trigger motion in front of the camera (walk by, wave, or use a flashlight).

Check the Arlo app’s Library tab. You should see a new recording during the scheduled time. If you set “No Recording,” confirm nothing appears.

If it doesn’t work:

• Is the schedule active (toggle on)?
• Is the camera online?
• Is the time zone correct? (Arlo uses your phone’s time zone)
• Did you save the schedule after editing?

Testing saves you from the “Why didn’t it record my package?” panic later. It’s like test-driving a car before a road trip.

Step 7: Fine-Tune and Monitor (Optional but Smart)

After a few days, review your recordings. Ask:

• Did I get false alerts during quiet hours?
• Was there a gap in coverage?
• Did the schedule activate on time?

Adjust as needed. Maybe your “Night Patrol” should start at 7 PM instead of 6 PM. Or maybe you need a separate schedule for holidays.

You can also set multiple schedules for one camera. For example:

• “Work Hours” – 9 AM to 5 PM, No Recording
• “Evening Watch” – 5 PM to 10 PM, Record on Motion
• “Overnight” – 10 PM to 6 AM, Record on Motion

This layered approach gives you perfect surveillance—no wasted battery, no missed moments.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over the years, I’ve helped friends and family set up Arlo schedules—and seen the same mistakes pop up. Here’s what to watch for:

• Ignoring time zones: Arlo uses your phone’s time zone. If you travel or change phones, double-check it. I once set a schedule in EST but my phone was still on PST—my camera stayed off 3 hours longer than planned.
• Overlapping schedules: If two schedules run at the same time, Arlo follows the first one in the list. Prioritize carefully.
• Forgetting battery impact: “Record Continuously” drains batteries fast. Use it sparingly—only for critical areas.
• Not using “Home” mode: Many users don’t know Arlo has a built-in “Home” mode (via geofencing). When your phone leaves the area, it auto-arms. Combine this with time schedules for even smarter control.
• Skipping the test: I can’t stress this enough. Test every new schedule.

Real story: A friend set a “Delivery Window” from 1 PM to 3 PM. But his camera was in “Home” mode (off) because his phone was nearby. We fixed it by adding a rule: “If motion detected during Delivery Window, record regardless of mode.” Now it works perfectly.

Another pro tip: Use Arlo’s geofencing (in Settings > Modes & Rules) to automatically arm/disarm when you leave or arrive. Pair it with time schedules for a hands-free system. For example:

• When you leave home → Camera switches to “Away” mode
• At 10 PM → Camera switches to “Overnight” mode (even if you’re home)

This combo is the secret to how to set certain time on Arlo camera for perfect surveillance—effortless, intelligent, and reliable.

FAQs About How to Set Certain Time on Arlo Camera for Perfect Surveillance

Q: Can I set different times for different cameras?
A: Absolutely! Each camera has its own settings. You can have your front door camera record at night, your backyard camera only during the day, and your garage camera on 24/7. Just repeat the steps for each one. I have four cameras, and each has a unique schedule—no problem.

Q: What if my phone is in a different time zone?
A: Arlo schedules are based on your phone’s current time zone, not the camera’s location. If you’re traveling, your schedules will shift. To avoid this, either:

• Manually adjust schedules before travel
• Use geofencing (which relies on your location, not time zone)

I once forgot this and my camera didn’t arm until midnight local time—while I was still in a different country. Lesson learned!

Q: Can I schedule recordings for holidays or special events?
A: Not directly, but you can create a temporary schedule. Name it “Holiday Mode,” set the dates, and activate it manually. Or, use the “One-Time Event” feature (if your plan supports it) to record for a specific duration. I do this for family gatherings—turn off recording during parties, then re-enable it after.

Q: Why isn’t my schedule activating?
A: Check these first:

• Is the schedule toggle ON?
• Is the camera online and charged?
• Is there a conflicting mode (like “Home”) overriding it?
• Is your phone’s date/time set correctly?

Most issues are simple fixes. I once had a schedule not working for days—turned out my phone’s battery saver mode was blocking background app refresh.

Q: Does scheduling affect cloud storage?
A: Yes, but in a good way. Scheduled recording reduces unnecessary footage, which saves cloud space. If you use “Record on Motion” only at night, you’ll have far fewer clips than 24/7 recording. This is a win for both storage and battery life.

Q: Can I set a schedule to turn off the camera light at night?
A: Yes! In the same “Modes & Rules” section, look for “Night Vision” or “Status Light” settings. You can disable the LED during certain times. I turn off the light at night—my neighbors appreciate not having a red glow in their windows.

Q: Is there a way to set recurring schedules (like every Friday)?
A: Yes. When setting the schedule, tap “Repeat” and choose “Custom.” Then select specific days (e.g., only Fridays). This is perfect for weekly routines—like turning on surveillance during your weekly grocery delivery window.

Final Thoughts

Setting a certain time on your Arlo camera isn’t about being paranoid—it’s about being smart. You’re not just recording everything; you’re recording what matters. Whether it’s keeping an eye on your home at night, avoiding false alerts during work hours, or saving battery life, how to set certain time on Arlo camera for perfect surveillance gives you control without complexity.

Remember: Start simple. Set one schedule—maybe nighttime recording—and test it. Then add more as needed. Use descriptive names, test every change, and don’t be afraid to tweak things after a week.

And if you ever get stuck? The Arlo app has a built-in help section, or you can reach out to support. But with this guide, you’ve got everything you need to build a surveillance system that works for you, not against you.

So go ahead—open that app, name your first schedule, and hit save. In a few minutes, your Arlo camera will be doing its job at the right time, every time. That’s not just surveillance. That’s peace of mind.

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