Setting motion detection on your Arlo camera is quick and essential for maximizing home security—simply open the Arlo app, select your camera, and customize motion zones and sensitivity to reduce false alerts. Enable notifications and smart detection features to get real-time alerts only when people, vehicles, or animals are detected, ensuring you never miss a critical event.

How to Set Motion Detection on Arlo Camera for Better Security

Key Takeaways

• Open the Arlo app to access motion detection settings quickly.
• Adjust sensitivity levels to reduce false alerts and improve accuracy.
• Define activity zones to focus on critical areas and ignore distractions.
• Enable notifications to get real-time alerts when motion is detected.
• Test detection range to ensure optimal coverage and camera placement.
• Update firmware regularly for enhanced motion detection features and security.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let me paint a picture: It’s late at night. You’re in bed, half-asleep, when your phone buzzes. A notification from your Arlo camera. “Motion detected.” You grab your phone, heart racing, only to see your neighbor’s cat strolling through your yard—again.

Sound familiar? That’s the irony of motion detection. It’s supposed to keep you safe, but if it’s set up poorly, it becomes more noise than signal. False alerts, missed real threats, and constant notifications can turn your smart security system into a source of stress, not peace of mind.

That’s exactly why learning how to set motion detection on Arlo camera for better security is a game-changer. It’s not just about turning it on—it’s about customizing it so it works for you, not against you. Whether you’re protecting your home, monitoring your kids, or just tired of chasing shadows, the right setup makes all the difference.

Over the years, I’ve tested every Arlo model—from the basic Arlo Essential to the Pro 4 and Ultra 2—and I’ve learned that motion detection is only as good as your settings. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to get it right, with real-world tips, pitfalls to dodge, and the little tweaks that turn “meh” into “wow.”

Let’s fix your false alarms and make sure you never miss a real threat again.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you have everything ready. The good news? Most of what you need is already in your Arlo kit. Here’s your quick checklist:

• Your Arlo camera (any model: Essential, Pro, Ultra, etc.)
• Arlo app installed (iOS or Android) – make sure it’s updated
• Your smartphone or tablet (for setup and monitoring)
• Wi-Fi connection (for cloud-based features and notifications)
• Arlo SmartHub or base station (if using Pro/Ultra models—required for local storage and advanced detection)
• Arlo Smart subscription (optional but recommended) for person/package/animal detection and cloud history
• A few minutes of quiet time – you don’t want to rush this

Pro tip: If you’re using an Arlo Pro or Ultra, the SmartHub isn’t just a fancy box—it’s the brain behind better motion detection. It processes AI-based detection locally, which means faster, smarter alerts with less false positives. If you don’t have one, consider it. It’s a small investment for a big upgrade in how you set motion detection on Arlo camera for better security.

Also, make sure your camera is charged or plugged in. Nothing kills a setup session faster than a dead battery halfway through.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Set Motion Detection on Arlo Camera for Better Security

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Navigate to Your Camera

Open the Arlo app on your phone. Tap on the camera you want to adjust. If you have multiple cameras (like one at the front door, one in the backyard), do this one at a time. Trust me—jumping between them mid-setup is a recipe for confusion.

Once you’re on the camera’s live view, tap the Settings icon (usually a gear or three dots). You’ll see a menu—look for “Motion Detection” or “Detection Settings.”

Tip: If you’re using an Arlo Essential (Wi-Fi-only), your options might be simpler. Pro and Ultra users get more advanced controls. But don’t worry—I’ll call out differences as we go.

Step 2: Enable Motion Detection and Choose Your Detection Type

First, make sure motion detection is turned on. You’d be surprised how many people think it’s active when it’s actually off.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. You’ll see a few options:

• Basic Motion Detection – detects any movement (light changes, shadows, bugs, etc.). This is default and often too sensitive.
• Smart Motion Detection (available with Arlo Smart subscription) – uses AI to distinguish between people, vehicles, animals, and packages.
• Custom Detection – lets you define specific zones and sensitivity (more on this next).

For how to set motion detection on Arlo camera for better security, I always recommend upgrading to Smart Motion Detection if you can. It’s like giving your camera a brain. Without it, you’re stuck with every rustling leaf triggering an alert. With it, your camera can tell the difference between your dog and a stranger at the door.

Enable Smart Motion and select the types you want to be notified about. For most homes, I suggest:

• ✅ People
• ✅ Vehicles
• ✅ Packages (if you get deliveries)
• ❌ Animals (unless you want to track your pets)

Warning: Don’t turn off “People” thinking you’ll get fewer alerts. You’ll just get more false positives from other motion types. Smart detection is your best filter.

Step 3: Set Up Motion Zones (The Secret to Fewer False Alarms)

This is the most important step. Without motion zones, your camera treats your entire field of view as fair game. That’s why you get alerts every time a leaf blows or a car drives by on the street.

Tap on “Motion Zones” or “Detection Zones” in the settings. You’ll see a grid overlay on your camera’s view. Now, draw boxes over the areas where you want motion to be detected.

For example:

• At your front door: Draw a zone covering the porch and walkway.
• In the backyard: Zone in the patio, back door, and gate—but exclude the street and sidewalk.
• Near a window: Avoid the glass area where sunlight changes trigger motion.

You can create up to 3 zones per camera (on most models). Use them wisely. I once had a client who zoned their entire yard—and got 30 alerts a day. After we narrowed it to just the back door and driveway? Down to 2–3 real alerts per week.

Pro move: Name your zones (e.g., “Front Porch,” “Garage Entrance”). This helps you quickly identify which area triggered an alert in the app.

And here’s a personal trick: Test your zones. Walk through the area yourself and watch the app. If you trigger a zone, great! If not, adjust the size or position. It’s like calibrating a motion light—but smarter.

Tip: If you have an Arlo Ultra or Pro 4, you can use 3D Motion Detection (with the SmartHub). It uses depth sensing to ignore small objects and distant motion. Turn this on if available—it’s a huge upgrade.

Step 4: Adjust Sensitivity Levels

Now, tweak the motion sensitivity. This controls how much movement is needed to trigger an alert.

You’ll see a slider—usually from 1 (very low) to 10 (very high). Here’s my rule of thumb:

• Low sensitivity (3–4): For areas with lots of background movement (trees, bushes, busy streets). Good for backyards or side yards.
• Medium (5–6): Default setting. Works well for front doors, driveways, patios.
• High (7–8): Only if you need to catch very small movements (like someone trying to pick a lock). Use sparingly—it increases false alerts.

I keep mine at 5 for the front door and 4 for the backyard. Why? Because the backyard has trees that sway in the wind. At 6, I was getting alerts every time a branch moved. Dropping it to 4 cut false positives by 70%.

Note: Sensitivity is per camera, not per zone. So if you have multiple zones, pick a sensitivity that works for the most critical one. You can’t set different sensitivities for different zones (yet).

Step 5: Set Up Notification Preferences

Now, let’s make sure you get alerts the way you want—without going crazy.

Go to Notifications in the Arlo app. Here, you can choose:

• Push notifications (to your phone)
• Email alerts (for backup or if you’re away)
• Smart notifications (only for people, packages, etc.)

For how to set motion detection on Arlo camera for better security, I recommend:

• ✅ Push notifications: Turn on, but only for Smart Motion events (people, vehicles, packages).
• ✅ Email: Turn on for “Person Detected” or “Package Detected”—especially if you’re at work or on vacation.
• ❌ Basic motion: Turn this off. It’s just noise.

Also, enable “Do Not Disturb” hours if needed. For example, I set mine to mute notifications from 10 PM to 6 AM—unless it’s a person or vehicle. That way, I sleep soundly, but still get alerts if someone’s at my door at 2 AM.

Bonus: Use Arlo Routines (in the app) to link motion to other actions. For example:

• “When motion is detected at night, turn on the porch light.”
• “If a package is detected, send a text to my spouse.”

Step 6: Schedule Detection (Optional but Powerful)

Not all times of day need the same level of security. That’s where scheduled detection comes in.

In the motion settings, look for “Schedule” or “Detection Schedule.” You can set different detection rules for:

• Day vs. night
• Weekdays vs. weekends
• Vacation mode

For example:

• During the day (8 AM–6 PM): Only detect people and packages.
• At night (6 PM–8 AM): Detect people, vehicles, and packages—plus send a louder alert.
• On weekends: Same as night, since we’re home less.

This is huge for reducing alert fatigue. I used to get alerts every time the mailman walked by at 3 PM. Now, I only get notified if someone’s there after dark or if a package is delivered.

And when I go on vacation, I enable Vacation Mode—which increases sensitivity and sends all alerts to both me and my neighbor. Peace of mind, sorted.

Step 7: Test and Refine (The Most Important Step)

Don’t skip this. Set it and forget it is a myth.

After you’ve configured everything, test it. Walk through your zones. Have someone drive by. Drop a package on the porch. Watch the alerts in real time.

Ask yourself:

• Did I get an alert for real activity?
• Did I miss anything important?
• Did I get false alerts (bugs, shadows, wind)?
• Were the notifications timely and clear?

Adjust as needed. Maybe your sensitivity is too high. Maybe a zone is too wide. Tweak it. Test again. Repeat.

I do a “motion audit” every 3–6 months—especially after seasons change (more leaves in fall, more bugs in summer). What worked in spring might not work in winter.

Pro tip: Use the Activity History tab in the app to review past alerts. Look for patterns. “Every alert at 7 AM is from the tree”? Time to adjust that zone.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After setting up motion detection on dozens of Arlo cameras—for myself, family, and clients—here are the real-world lessons I’ve learned.

Tip 1: Use SmartHub for Smarter Detection
If you have an Arlo Pro or Ultra, always use the SmartHub. It enables AI-powered detection (people, vehicles, etc.) and processes motion locally. Without it, you’re stuck with basic motion—which means more false alerts. It’s not just a storage device—it’s your camera’s brain.

Tip 2: Avoid Overlapping Zones
Don’t make your motion zones too big or too close together. Overlapping zones can cause double alerts or confusion. Keep them focused on key entry points: doors, gates, driveways.

Tip 3: Watch for Glare and Reflections
Sunlight on windows, car windshields, or shiny surfaces can trigger motion. If you’re getting alerts at certain times of day, check for glare. Adjust the camera angle or reposition it slightly.

Tip 4: Don’t Ignore Firmware Updates
Arlo regularly updates camera firmware to improve motion detection. Check for updates monthly. A recent update for the Arlo Pro 4 fixed a bug where motion zones weren’t saving correctly. Small fix, big impact.

Common Mistake: Setting Sensitivity Too High
I’ve seen this so many times. People crank sensitivity to 10, thinking “more is better.” But high sensitivity means every bug, leaf, and shadow triggers an alert. You’ll ignore notifications out of frustration. Start low, test, then increase only if needed.

Common Mistake: Forgetting About Weather
Rain, snow, and wind can mess with motion detection. If it’s stormy, you might get more false alerts. Consider temporarily lowering sensitivity during bad weather—or use Smart Motion to filter out weather-related motion.

Pro Insight: Combine with Other Sensors
For how to set motion detection on Arlo camera for better security, don’t rely on cameras alone. Pair them with Arlo door/window sensors or smart locks. If a door opens and motion is detected, that’s a real threat. If motion is detected but no door opened? Probably just the cat.

FAQs About How to Set Motion Detection on Arlo Camera for Better Security

Q: Why am I still getting false alerts even with Smart Motion?

Great question. Smart Motion helps, but it’s not perfect. Bugs at night, fast-moving animals, or low-light conditions can still trigger alerts. Make sure:

• Your zones are tight and focused.
• You’re using 3D Motion Detection (if available).
• You’ve turned off “Animals” in Smart Motion unless needed.
• Your camera isn’t pointing at a busy street or tree.

Also, update your firmware. Arlo improves AI detection with every update.

Q: Can I set different motion zones for day and night?

Not directly—but you can use schedules to change detection rules. For example, at night, you might want to detect vehicles in the driveway (which you ignore during the day). Set up a nighttime schedule with different Smart Motion filters.

Q: How do I stop my Arlo from recording every little movement?

Turn off Continuous Recording and rely on motion-triggered recording only. In the camera settings, go to “Recording” and select “Record on Motion.” Pair this with Smart Motion and motion zones, and you’ll only record what matters.

Bonus: Use Arlo Smart to filter recordings by event type. You can quickly find “Person Detected” clips without scrolling through hours of footage.

Q: My Arlo camera isn’t detecting motion at all. What’s wrong?

First, check the basics:

• Is motion detection turned on?
• Is the camera charged or powered?
• Is it connected to Wi-Fi or the SmartHub?

Then, test with a bright light or quick movement. If it still doesn’t work, try:

• Rebooting the camera.
• Re-adding it to the app.
• Checking for firmware updates.

If nothing works, contact Arlo support. Sometimes it’s a hardware issue.

Q: Can I set up motion detection on multiple cameras at once?

Not really. Each camera has its own settings. But you can save time by:

• Using the same Smart Motion filters across all cameras.
• Copying zone layouts (draw similar shapes).
• Setting up routines that apply to all cameras (e.g., “Night Mode”).

It’s a bit manual, but worth it for consistent security.

Q: Does Arlo motion detection work without a subscription?

Yes—but with limits. Without Arlo Smart:

• You get basic motion detection (all movement).
• No person/vehicle/animal filtering.
• Only 7 days of cloud storage (if using a base station).

For how to set motion detection on Arlo camera for better security, I strongly recommend the subscription. The AI detection alone is worth it.

Q: What’s the best placement for motion detection?

Place your camera:

• At eye level or higher (to avoid glare and tampering).
• Covering entry points: front/back doors, garage, basement windows.
• With a clear view—no obstructions like plants or decorations.
• Out of direct sunlight (to avoid false alerts from changing light).

Aim for a 45-degree angle toward the area you want to monitor. This gives the best depth for Smart Motion.

Final Thoughts

Setting up motion detection on your Arlo camera isn’t just a tech task—it’s about peace of mind. When it’s done right, you stop worrying about false alarms and start feeling secure.

Remember: how to set motion detection on Arlo camera for better security isn’t a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing process. Test it. Tweak it. Adapt it to your life.

Start with the basics: enable Smart Motion, set tight zones, adjust sensitivity, and schedule alerts. Then, refine over time. Use the app’s history to learn what’s working and what’s not.

And if you’re still getting too many alerts? Don’t give up. Try the SmartHub, check for glare, or rethink your camera placement. Small changes make a big difference.

Your home is your sanctuary. Let your Arlo camera be a silent guardian—not a noisy annoyance. With the right setup, you’ll get the alerts that matter, when they matter.

Now go grab your phone, open the Arlo app, and take 10 minutes to fine-tune your motion detection. Your future self will thank you the next time someone rings your doorbell at midnight—and you actually want to know who it is.