Featured image for how to set notification sound for arlo cameras on iphone
Image source: community.arlo.com
Customize your Arlo camera alerts in seconds by adjusting the notification sound directly through the Arlo app on your iPhone. Navigate to Settings > Notifications > Sound to choose a distinct tone that ensures you never miss a motion or event alert again.
“`html
How to Set Notification Sound for Arlo Cameras on iPhone Easily
Key Takeaways
- Open the Arlo app and tap your camera’s settings to begin sound customization.
- Enable push notifications in iPhone Settings for Arlo to receive alerts.
- Select unique tones under Notification Sounds to distinguish camera alerts.
- Test the sound after setup to ensure it plays correctly on your iPhone.
- Update iOS and Arlo app regularly to avoid sound delivery issues.
- Disable Do Not Disturb to guarantee Arlo notifications are always heard.
Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem
You’re in the middle of a Zoom call when your Arlo camera sends a notification. Instead of a subtle chime, you hear a loud, jarring sound—or worse, nothing at all. That’s the reality many iPhone users face when trying to customize Arlo camera alerts.
Getting the notification sound just right isn’t just about convenience—it’s about peace of mind. Whether it’s a package delivery, a pet at the door, or a potential security concern, you want to know exactly when your Arlo sees something. But the default settings don’t always cut it. That’s why learning how to set notification sound for Arlo cameras on iPhone easily can make a huge difference in your daily life.
I’ve been there: fumbling with settings, restarting the app, even checking my phone’s volume. After a few frustrating evenings, I cracked the code. And today, I’m sharing it with you—no tech degree required.
What You Need
Before we dive in, let’s make sure you have everything you need. Don’t worry—this isn’t a hardware-heavy task. Most of what you need is already on your phone.
Visual guide about how to set notification sound for arlo cameras on iphone
Image source: community.arlo.com
- An iPhone (iOS 13 or later recommended)
- The Arlo app (downloaded from the App Store)
- A logged-in Arlo account with at least one active camera
- iPhone settings access (you’ll need to tweak a few system-level options)
- A quiet moment (5–10 minutes is plenty)
No extra cables, no third-party tools. Just your phone and the app. And if you’ve already got the Arlo app installed? You’re 80% of the way there. This guide will walk you through how to set notification sound for Arlo cameras on iPhone easily—step by step.
Step-by-Step Guide to How to Set Notification Sound for Arlo Cameras on iPhone Easily
Let’s get to the good stuff. These steps are designed to be foolproof, even if you’re not a tech whiz. I’ll walk you through each screen, button, and setting with real-world clarity.
Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In
Start by unlocking your iPhone and opening the Arlo app. If you’re not logged in, tap “Sign In” and enter your Arlo account credentials.
Once inside, you should see your camera dashboard—live feeds, event history, and device status. Make sure your camera is online. If it shows “Offline,” check your Wi-Fi or power source before continuing.
Pro insight: If you’ve recently updated iOS or the Arlo app, log out and back in to refresh permissions. I’ve had notifications stop working after an update—this quick reset often fixes it.
Step 2: Navigate to Account Settings
Tap the profile icon in the top-left corner of the app (it usually looks like a person or gear). This opens your Account Settings menu.
From here, scroll down and tap on “App Settings”. This is where most notification controls live—not in the camera settings, but in the app’s global preferences. It’s a common mix-up, so don’t feel bad if you’ve looked elsewhere!
This section holds the key to how to set notification sound for Arlo cameras on iPhone easily. We’re getting close.
Step 3: Access Notification Settings
Inside “App Settings,” look for “Notifications” and tap it. You’ll see a list of notification types:
- Motion Alerts
- Sound Alerts
- Doorbell Presses
- System Alerts (battery, connectivity, etc.)
Each has a toggle switch. Make sure the ones you care about (like motion or doorbell) are turned on. But we’re not done—this just enables notifications. The sound itself is handled by your iPhone.
Warning: If a notification type is off, you won’t get any sound—even if your phone volume is maxed. Always double-check these toggles first.
Step 4: Customize Notification Sounds via iPhone Settings
Here’s where many people get stuck. The Arlo app doesn’t let you pick custom sounds directly. Instead, it uses the default iOS notification sound for Arlo.
To change the sound, you need to go to your iPhone’s Settings app—not the Arlo app. Open Settings > Notifications > Arlo.
Tap on “Sounds” under the “Notification Sounds” section. You’ll now see a list of all available iPhone alert tones—from “Note” to “Siren” to “Chime.”
Scroll through and pick one that fits your needs. I personally love “Ping”—it’s subtle but noticeable, perfect for a home office. For security alerts, I switch to “Urgent” so I never miss it.
Tap to select. You’ll hear a preview. Hit “Back” when done.
Pro tip: Use “None” if you want visual-only alerts (great for nighttime). Or set a different sound for Arlo than your other apps—this way, you instantly know it’s a camera alert.
Step 5: Enable Critical Alerts (For Urgent Situations)
If you want your Arlo alerts to break through Do Not Disturb or Silent mode (like a fire alarm), enable Critical Alerts.
While still in Settings > Notifications > Arlo, scroll down and toggle on “Critical Alerts”.
You’ll get a warning: “This app will be able to bypass your phone’s silent switch.” Tap “Allow.”
Now, even if your phone is on silent or in Do Not Disturb, Arlo alerts will play at full volume. This is essential for security cameras—especially if you’re asleep or in a noisy room.
Real-life example: I enabled this after a package was stolen. Now, if someone lingers near my front door, I hear it—no matter what mode my phone is in.
Step 6: Adjust Notification Grouping and Previews
While you’re in the iPhone notification settings, take a moment to tweak “Notification Grouping” and “Show Previews”.
- Set “Group By App” to keep all Arlo alerts together.
- Choose “Always” for “Show Previews” if you want to see the alert message without unlocking your phone.
This helps you quickly identify what triggered the alert—motion at the back door vs. a doorbell press—without opening the app.
Bonus: If you have multiple Arlo cameras, you can assign different sounds to each by using custom notification categories (more on that in Pro Tips).
Step 7: Test Your Setup
Now, let’s make sure it works. Here’s how to test:
- Put your phone on silent or Do Not Disturb (if you enabled Critical Alerts).
- Ask a friend (or use your hand) to trigger motion in front of your Arlo camera.
- Listen. You should hear your chosen sound—clear, loud, and unmistakable.
If nothing happens:
- Double-check the Arlo app’s notification toggles (Step 3).
- Ensure your iPhone’s ringer isn’t muted (check the side switch).
- Restart the Arlo app and test again.
Once it works, you’ve successfully mastered how to set notification sound for Arlo cameras on iPhone easily. High five!
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Now that you’ve got the basics down, let’s level up. These are the real-world lessons I’ve learned after setting up Arlo systems for friends, family, and even my own home.
Use Different Sounds for Different Cameras
If you have multiple Arlo cameras (e.g., front door, backyard, garage), you can assign unique sounds to each. Here’s how:
- Go to Arlo app > Devices > [Camera Name].
- Tap “Device Settings” > “Notifications”.
- Turn on “Custom Notifications”.
- Now, when you go to iPhone Settings > Notifications > Arlo, you’ll see separate entries for each camera.
Set the front door to “Chime,” the backyard to “Ping,” and the garage to “Urgent.” Now, you’ll know where the alert came from just by the sound.
Don’t Overlook Volume Levels
Even with the perfect sound, if your iPhone’s media or ringer volume is too low, you’ll miss it. Always check:
- Ringer volume (use the side buttons when no audio is playing).
- Media volume (adjust while playing music or video).
I once spent 20 minutes troubleshooting a “silent” camera—only to realize my ringer was at 10%. Oops.
Watch Out for App Updates
Arlo and iOS updates sometimes reset notification permissions. After any major update, revisit Settings > Notifications > Arlo to make sure your sound and Critical Alerts are still active.
Use Focus Modes Wisely
iOS 15+ introduced Focus modes (Work, Sleep, Personal). These can block Arlo notifications unless you allow them.
To fix: Go to Settings > Focus > [Your Mode] > Apps > Allow Notifications and add Arlo.
Common mistake: Assuming Focus mode won’t affect camera alerts. It does. Always check.
Silent Mode vs. Do Not Disturb
Remember: Critical Alerts only bypass Do Not Disturb, not the physical silent switch. If your phone is on silent (ringer switch down), Critical Alerts won’t play unless you enable “Emergency Bypass” in the Arlo app’s notification settings.
To enable: In the Arlo app, go to Account > App Settings > Notifications > Emergency Bypass and turn it on.
FAQs About How to Set Notification Sound for Arlo Cameras on iPhone Easily
Let’s tackle the questions I get most often—straight from real users.
Q: Why isn’t my Arlo notification making any sound?
A: This is usually a three-part issue. First, check the Arlo app’s notification toggles (Step 3). Second, verify your iPhone notification sound is set (Step 4). Third, ensure your phone isn’t muted or in a Focus mode that blocks Arlo. I’ve fixed 90% of “silent” issues with this checklist.
Q: Can I use a custom sound I downloaded from the internet?
A: Not directly through Arlo. iPhone only allows custom sounds if they’re added to the “Ringtones” folder via iTunes or Finder. But here’s a workaround: Use a sound editing app (like GarageBand) to convert your favorite sound to .m4r format, then sync it to your phone. Now it’ll appear in the Arlo notification sound list.
Q: Will changing the sound affect other apps?
A: No. The sound you pick for Arlo is only for Arlo. Other apps (like Messages or Mail) keep their own sounds. This is why I love iOS—it keeps things separate and organized.
Q: What’s the best sound for security alerts?
A: I recommend “Urgent” or “Siren” for critical alerts. They’re loud, distinctive, and hard to ignore. For everyday motion (like pets), go with something softer like “Ping” or “Chime” to avoid noise fatigue.
Q: Can I set different sounds for motion vs. doorbell?
A: Yes! In the Arlo app, under App Settings > Notifications, you can enable separate alerts for motion and doorbell. Then, in iPhone Settings > Notifications > Arlo, you’ll see two entries: “Arlo” and “Arlo Doorbell.” Assign different sounds to each. I use “Chime” for motion and “Doorbell” (surprise!) for the doorbell.
Q: Why do I get a notification but no sound?
A: This usually means the sound file is missing or corrupted. Try this: Go to iPhone Settings > Notifications > Arlo > Sounds, pick a different sound, then switch back to your original choice. This often “refreshes” the audio.
Q: Does this work with Arlo Pro, Arlo Essential, or Arlo Ultra?
A: Yes. The notification system is the same across all Arlo cameras. Whether you have a $50 Essential or a $200 Ultra, the steps for how to set notification sound for Arlo cameras on iPhone easily are identical.
Final Thoughts
Setting up the perfect Arlo notification sound on your iPhone isn’t about flashy tech—it’s about feeling in control. Whether it’s a gentle chime for a package delivery or a loud siren for a break-in, the right sound keeps you informed without driving you crazy.
You now know how to set notification sound for Arlo cameras on iPhone easily, from basic toggles to pro-level customization. Remember: test it, tweak it, and make it yours.
And if you ever forget? Just come back to this guide. Think of it as your Arlo notification cheat sheet—always here when you need it.
Now go ahead, pick your sound, and enjoy that peace of mind. Your home’s security just got a whole lot smarter.
“`