Setting motion detection on your Arlo Pro camera is quick and easy—just open the Arlo app, select your camera, and customize motion zones for precise alerts. Adjust sensitivity and notification settings to reduce false alarms and stay informed only when it matters most.

How to Set Motion on Arlo Pro Camera in Simple Steps

Key Takeaways

• Open the Arlo app: Access settings to configure motion detection quickly.
• Select your camera: Choose the Arlo Pro device you want to adjust.
• Enable motion detection: Toggle on to activate alerts and recordings.
• Adjust sensitivity: Set low, medium, or high to reduce false alarms.
• Define activity zones: Focus detection on specific areas for better accuracy.
• Test the setup: Trigger motion to confirm alerts and recordings work properly.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Ever come home to find your Arlo Pro camera didn’t alert you about the delivery guy, or worse—your neighbor’s cat triggered ten notifications in a row? You’re not alone. Many Arlo users struggle with motion sensitivity, false alerts, or missing critical activity entirely. It’s frustrating when a smart security system feels anything but smart.

That’s why learning how to set motion on Arlo Pro camera in simple steps isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Whether you’re protecting your front porch, monitoring your backyard, or keeping an eye on the garage, proper motion detection makes all the difference. You want real alerts, not noise.

I learned this the hard way after missing a package theft because my camera was set to ignore motion near my front steps. After digging through the settings, I realized the solution was simpler than I thought. With the right setup, your Arlo Pro can become a reliable, quiet guardian—only chiming in when it truly matters.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to set motion on Arlo Pro camera in simple steps, based on real-world testing, trial and error, and what actually works. No fluff. Just practical, no-nonsense advice.

What You Need

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

• Your Arlo Pro camera (Pro 2, Pro 3, or Pro 4—this guide works for all)
• The Arlo app (iOS or Android, updated to the latest version)
• Smartphone or tablet (to access the app)
• Stable Wi-Fi connection (motion settings sync via the cloud)
• Arlo Smart subscription (optional but recommended) for advanced features like AI detection and custom activity zones

No extra tools, no hardware tweaks—just your phone and the app. The process is entirely digital, which makes how to set motion on Arlo Pro camera in simple steps accessible even if you’re not tech-savvy.

Pro Tip: Make sure your Arlo app is updated. Older versions sometimes have bugs with motion settings, especially with newer camera models. Check for updates in your app store before starting.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Set Motion on Arlo Pro Camera in Simple Steps

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Select Your Camera

Start by opening the Arlo app on your phone. You’ll land on the home screen, which shows all your connected cameras. Tap the camera you want to adjust—say, your front door cam.

Once you’re on the camera’s live feed, tap the gear icon in the top right corner. This opens the settings menu. This is where the magic happens.

Think of this as your camera’s control room. Everything from night vision to audio settings lives here. But today, we’re focused on motion—specifically, how to set motion on Arlo Pro camera in simple steps.

Watch out: If you have multiple cameras, double-check you’re adjusting the right one. I once changed motion settings on my backyard cam when I meant to tweak the porch one. Lesson learned.

Step 2: Navigate to “Motion Detection” Settings

Inside the camera settings, scroll down until you find “Motion Detection”. Tap it. You’ll see a toggle for “Motion Detection” at the top—make sure it’s turned on (blue).

Below that, you’ll find several options:

• Motion Sensitivity (Low, Medium, High)
• Activity Zones (custom areas to monitor)
• Smart Alerts (if you have Arlo Smart)
• Audio Detection (separate from motion, but useful)

This is the core of how to set motion on Arlo Pro camera in simple steps. Let’s break down each setting.

Step 3: Adjust Motion Sensitivity (Low, Medium, High)

Motion sensitivity controls how easily the camera picks up movement. Think of it like a volume knob for alerts.

Start with Medium if you’re unsure. It’s a good middle ground. But here’s what I’ve found in real use:

• High sensitivity: Great for low-traffic areas, but will catch birds, shadows, and swaying trees. Expect more false alerts.
• Medium sensitivity: Best for most homes. Catches people and cars without overreacting.
• Low sensitivity: Ideal for busy streets or windy yards. Only triggers on larger, closer movements.

I use Medium on my front porch and Low on my backyard cam (which faces a busy sidewalk). It’s all about context.

Personal insight: I once set my garage cam to High. Within an hour, it alerted me to a leaf blowing across the driveway. Not helpful. Switched to Medium—problem solved.

Step 4: Set Up Activity Zones (Highly Recommended)

This is the game-changer. Activity Zones let you draw specific areas on your camera’s view where motion should be detected—and ignore the rest.

To set it up:

1. Tap “Activity Zones” in the Motion Detection menu.
2. You’ll see a grid overlay on your camera’s live feed.
3. Tap the “+” icon to create a new zone.
4. Drag the corners to cover only the area you care about—like your front steps, driveway, or garage door.
5. Name it (e.g., “Front Door” or “Driveway”) and save.

You can create up to three zones per camera. Use them to ignore sidewalks, trees, or busy streets.

For example, my front door cam has a zone covering the porch and steps, but ignores the street. No more false alerts from passing cars.

Warning: Don’t make zones too small. The camera needs enough space to detect motion. I tried a tiny 2×2 ft zone once—missed every delivery. Go for at least 3×3 ft.

Step 5: Enable Smart Alerts (If You Have Arlo Smart)

Here’s where things get smarter. If you subscribe to Arlo Smart ($2.99/month per camera or $9.99 for unlimited), you unlock AI-powered detection.

In the Motion Detection menu, look for “Smart Alerts”. Tap it and enable:

• Person Detection (alerts only when a person is seen)
• Vehicle Detection (great for driveways)
• Package Detection (identifies boxes on porches—perfect for delivery alerts)

This is a huge upgrade over basic motion. Instead of getting alerts for every leaf and shadow, you only get meaningful ones.

I enabled Person Detection on my front door cam. Now, I only get alerts when someone walks up—no more false alarms from squirrels or wind-blown trash.

Pro Tip: Smart Alerts work best with clear, well-lit views. If your camera faces direct sunlight or heavy shadows, accuracy drops. Position your camera to avoid glare.

Step 6: Fine-Tune Audio Detection (Optional but Useful)

Arlo Pro cameras also detect sound. This is separate from motion, but you can use it to reduce false alerts.

Go to “Audio Detection” in the settings. You can set sensitivity (Low, Medium, High) and even create audio-only alerts.

For example, I set my garage cam to alert only when it hears glass breaking or loud bangs. Combined with motion, it’s a powerful combo for detecting break-ins.

But be careful: High audio sensitivity can trigger on barking dogs, sirens, or even loud TVs. I once got an alert from my neighbor’s karaoke night. Oops.

Step 7: Test Your Settings (Don’t Skip This!)

This is the most important step. Never assume your settings work—test them.

Here’s how I test:

1. Go outside and walk into your activity zone.
2. Check your phone for a notification.
3. Have a friend drive by (if testing vehicle detection).
4. Place a box on your porch (for package detection).

If you don’t get an alert, go back and:

• Increase motion sensitivity
• Expand your activity zone
• Reposition the camera (angle matters!)

I test every time I change settings. It takes 5 minutes and saves hours of frustration later.

Real talk: I once set up a new camera, didn’t test, and missed a package theft. Now, I test like it’s a ritual.

Step 8: Adjust Based on Time of Day (Optional)

Arlo Pro cameras have Day/Night modes that affect motion detection.

By default, motion sensitivity stays the same all day. But you can tweak it:

• At night: Lower sensitivity to avoid false alerts from insects, shadows, or streetlights.
• During the day: Increase sensitivity for better coverage.

To set this:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Video Settings” > “Night Vision”.
2. Choose “Auto” for automatic mode switching.
3. Then go back to Motion Detection > Motion Sensitivity.
4. You can’t set different sensitivity levels for day/night in the app, but you can manually adjust it at sunset/sunrise.

Or, if you’re tech-inclined, use Arlo Routines (in the app) to automatically change sensitivity based on time.

I use a routine to lower sensitivity at 8 PM and raise it at 7 AM. It’s one less thing to worry about.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After setting up motion detection on over a dozen Arlo Pro cameras (for my home, my parents, and a few rentals), I’ve learned a few hard-earned lessons.

1. Don’t Rely on Default Settings

Arlo’s default motion settings are “good enough” but not optimized. They’re designed to work out of the box, not for your specific environment.

Always customize. Your front yard isn’t the same as your neighbor’s. Adjust for your lighting, traffic, and layout.

2. Watch Out for False Triggers

Common culprits:

• Direct sunlight: Causes glare and hot spots that look like motion.
• Wind-blown trees/leaves: Especially in spring and fall.
• Streetlights or car headlights: Can trigger at night.
• Pets: If you have dogs or cats, they’ll trigger alerts unless you use Smart Alerts.

Solution? Use Activity Zones to ignore these areas. Or enable Smart Alerts to filter out non-human movement.

3. Position Your Camera Wisely

Where you mount the camera affects motion detection more than any setting.

• Height: 7–8 ft is ideal. Too low = pets trigger it. Too high = misses people.
• Angle: Aim for a 30–45 degree angle downward. Too steep = misses motion at the edge of the frame.
• Obstructions: Avoid placing it behind glass (causes glare) or in direct wind (shakes the camera).

I once mounted a camera behind my porch glass. The reflections made it useless. Moved it to a side bracket—problem solved.

4. Update Your Firmware

Arlo releases firmware updates that improve motion detection algorithms. An outdated camera might miss alerts or overreact.

To update:

1. Go to Settings > My Devices > [Camera Name].
2. Tap “Firmware” and install any available updates.

I update every few months. It’s quick and often fixes detection issues.

5. Use the “Test Motion” Feature (Hidden Gem)

The Arlo app has a built-in tool to test motion detection in real time.

To use it:

1. Go to your camera’s live feed.
2. Tap the three dots (⋮) in the top right.
3. Select “Test Motion”.
4. Walk into the frame. The app will show if motion is detected and which zone triggered it.

This is perfect for fine-tuning activity zones. I use it every time I reposition a camera.

6. Don’t Over-Reliance on One Camera

No single camera can cover everything. I have three Arlo Pro cameras:

• One for the front door
• One for the driveway
• One for the backyard

Each has different motion settings. The front door cam uses Smart Alerts. The backyard cam uses Low sensitivity to ignore the street. The driveway cam uses Vehicle Detection.

Layered coverage = better security.

Final warning: Never disable motion detection entirely. Even if you don’t get alerts, motion events are still recorded. It’s your backup if something happens.

FAQs About How to Set Motion on Arlo Pro Camera in Simple Steps

1. Why am I getting too many false alerts?

It’s usually one of three things: motion sensitivity is too high, you’re missing activity zones, or your camera faces a busy area. Try lowering sensitivity, adding zones to ignore sidewalks/trees, or enabling Smart Alerts to filter out non-human movement.

2. Can I set different motion settings for day and night?

Not directly in the app. But you can use Arlo Routines to automatically change sensitivity at sunset and sunrise. Or manually adjust it twice a day. I use routines—it’s worth the 2-minute setup.

3. Do I need Arlo Smart for motion detection?

No. Basic motion detection works without it. But Arlo Smart adds Person, Vehicle, and Package Detection, which drastically reduces false alerts. I recommend it if you get more than 3–4 alerts per day.

4. Why isn’t my camera detecting motion at night?

Check your night vision mode. Go to Settings > Video Settings > Night Vision and make sure it’s set to “Auto”. Also, ensure the IR LEDs aren’t blocked (dirt, spiderwebs, etc.). Clean the lens with a microfiber cloth.

5. How many activity zones can I create?

Up to three per camera. Use them strategically—don’t try to cover the entire frame. Focus on high-value areas like doors, windows, and driveways.

6. Can I set motion detection to only alert during certain hours?

Yes! Use Arlo Routines. For example, create a routine that turns off motion alerts at night, or only enables them when you’re away. You can even set it to only alert for “Persons” during work hours.

7. My camera missed a delivery. What went wrong?

Most likely, the package was outside your activity zone, or the motion sensitivity was too low. Check your zone coverage and test with a real box. Also, enable Package Detection (with Arlo Smart) for better results.

Final Thoughts

Setting motion on your Arlo Pro camera doesn’t have to be confusing. With the right approach—custom zones, proper sensitivity, and maybe a dash of AI—you can turn a noisy, unreliable system into a quiet, trustworthy guardian.

Remember, how to set motion on Arlo Pro camera in simple steps is all about customization. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Your home, your habits, and your environment matter.

Start with Medium sensitivity. Add activity zones. Test, adjust, test again. If you’re serious about reducing false alerts, get Arlo Smart. It’s the single biggest upgrade for motion detection.

And most importantly—don’t set it and forget it. Check your settings every few weeks, especially after storms, new landscaping, or changes in your routine.

Your Arlo Pro is more than a camera. It’s peace of mind. And with these steps, it’ll finally work the way it’s supposed to.

Now go tweak those settings. Your future self (and your notification list) will thank you.