Setting a schedule for your Arlo camera is simple and ensures optimal security coverage when you need it most. Using the Arlo app, navigate to “Settings” > “Modes & Rules” to create custom schedules for recording, motion detection, or geofencing—perfect for arming your system at night or while away. Automate your home security effortlessly with time-based or location-based triggers for smarter, hands-free monitoring.

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How to Set Schedule for Arlo Camera: A Complete Guide

Key Takeaways

• Access the Arlo app: Open the app to manage your camera’s schedule easily.
• Create custom modes: Set unique recording schedules for different times or days.
• Use geofencing: Enable location-based automation to arm/disarm cameras automatically.
• Adjust sensitivity settings: Reduce false alerts by fine-tuning motion detection zones.
• Sync with smart home: Integrate schedules with Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control.
• Review schedule logs: Check activity history to optimize timing and performance.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Ever come home after a long day, only to realize your Arlo camera didn’t record that suspicious noise in the backyard? Or worse—your camera recorded everything, including your neighbor’s cat walking by at 3 a.m., flooding your storage with useless clips?

That’s where knowing how to set schedule for Arlo camera a complete guide comes in. Scheduling your Arlo camera isn’t just about convenience—it’s about smarter security. You save battery, reduce false alerts, and get recordings only when they matter. Whether you’re at work, on vacation, or just trying to sleep without constant notifications, a well-set schedule keeps your home protected without driving you crazy.

Think of it like setting your coffee maker to brew at 7 a.m.—only this time, it’s your security system waking up when you need it most.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s gather what you’ll need. Don’t worry—this isn’t a hardware overhaul. Most of what you need is already on your phone or tablet.

• Arlo app (iOS or Android) – Make sure it’s updated to the latest version
• Your Arlo account – Logged in and synced with your camera(s)
• Stable Wi-Fi connection – Your base station or camera needs to be online
• Arlo camera(s) – Any model (Pro, Pro 2, Pro 3, Pro 4, Ultra, Essential, etc.)
• A few minutes – Seriously, this takes less time than making a sandwich

Bonus: If you’re using a SmartHub or Base Station, it helps with stability—especially for outdoor cameras. But even standalone Wi-Fi cameras like the Arlo Essential can handle scheduling just fine.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Set Schedule for Arlo Camera A Complete Guide

Now, let’s walk through the process. I’ll keep it simple, like I’m showing my cousin how to do it over FaceTime. No tech jargon, no confusion. Just clear, doable steps.

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In

Grab your phone or tablet and launch the Arlo app. If you’ve used it before, you’ll see your camera feed right away. If not, tap “Log In” and enter your email and password.

Once you’re in, you’ll land on the Devices tab—this is where all your cameras live. Make sure the camera you want to schedule is online (you’ll see a green dot next to it).

Tip: If your camera shows “Offline,” check Wi-Fi, power, and the base station. A scheduled camera won’t work if it can’t connect.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Settings” for Your Camera

Tap on the camera you want to schedule. This opens the live feed. Now, look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner—this is your Settings menu.

Tap it. You’ll see options like “Device Info,” “Video Settings,” and “Motion Detection.” But we’re looking for “Schedule”—it’s usually near the top.

Tap “Schedule.” Welcome to your new best friend for smarter security.

Step 3: Choose Your Schedule Type

Now you’ll see two main options:

• Custom Schedule – You pick the exact days and times (e.g., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday–Friday)
• Geofencing – The camera turns on/off based on your phone’s location (great for when you leave/come home)

For this guide, we’ll focus on Custom Schedule—it’s the most flexible and reliable. Geofencing is handy, but it depends on your phone’s GPS, which can glitch.

Tap “Custom Schedule” to begin setting your times.

Step 4: Create Your First Schedule (e.g., “Work Hours”)

Tap the “+” icon to add a new schedule. You’ll see a screen that looks like a weekly calendar.

Let’s say you want your camera active during work hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Here’s how:

• Tap on Monday, then drag the time slider to set Start: 9:00 AM and End: 5:00 PM
• Repeat for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• Leave Saturday and Sunday blank (or set a different schedule later)

You can name this schedule—call it “Work Hours” or “Office Days.” It helps if you have multiple schedules.

Pro Tip: Use descriptive names like “Weekend Night” or “Vacation Mode.” It makes switching easier later.

Step 5: Set a Second Schedule (e.g., “Nighttime Monitoring”)

Now, let’s add a second schedule for nighttime. Tap the “+” again.

This time, set:

• All 7 days (Monday through Sunday)
• Start: 9:00 PM
• End: 6:00 AM

Name it “Night Watch” or “Sleep Mode.” Now your camera is active when you’re asleep and when you’re away at work.

You can overlap schedules (e.g., 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. + 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and Arlo will prioritize the most recent one. So no conflicts!

Step 6: Enable “Away Mode” (Optional but Smart)

Here’s a cool trick: Use Away Mode to override your schedule when you’re out of town.

Go back to the main Devices screen. Look for the “Away” button at the top (it might be labeled “Armed” or have a shield icon).

When you tap it, all cameras go into high-alert mode—motion detection is on, and your schedule is paused until you turn it off.

When you return, tap “Home” and your custom schedules kick back in. It’s like hitting pause on your life—but for security.

Warning: Don’t leave “Away Mode” on forever. It drains battery and fills storage with clips. Use it only when needed.

Step 7: Test Your Schedule

This is the most important step. Don’t skip it.

Wait for the time to roll around (e.g., 9 a.m. or 9 p.m.) and check your camera:

• Does the status icon show “Recording” or “Motion Enabled”?
• Does it start recording when you wave your hand in front of it?
• Do you get a notification (if alerts are on)?

If yes—great! If not, go back to the Schedule settings and double-check the time zones, days, and power status.

Also, check the Arlo app’s “Activity Log” (under the menu) to see if the schedule triggered correctly.

Step 8: Adjust for Holidays, Vacations, or Special Events

Life isn’t always predictable. Maybe you’re hosting a party or leaving town for a week.

Here’s how to tweak your schedule:

• Temporary override: Use “Away Mode” or manually disable the camera
• One-time schedule: Add a new custom schedule (e.g., “Party Night – 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.”) and delete it after
• Use geofencing: If you’re always with your phone, enable it temporarily—just remember to turn it off later

You can also set a “Vacation Mode” schedule that runs 24/7 for a week, then automatically reverts.

Personal Insight: I once forgot to turn off my “Work Hours” schedule while on vacation. My camera stayed off during the day, but someone broke in at 3 p.m.—exactly when it was supposed to be on. Lesson learned: always double-check before you leave!

Step 9: Sync Multiple Cameras (If You Have More Than One)

Got a front door cam, backyard cam, and garage cam? You don’t have to set each one individually.

In the Schedule menu, tap the “Sync to Other Devices” option (if available). Choose which cameras get the same schedule.

Or, create a “Camera Group” in the Devices tab, then apply the schedule to the whole group. Saves time and keeps everything consistent.

Step 10: Save and Exit

Once you’re happy with your setup, tap “Save” or just exit the app. Arlo syncs the schedule in the background.

You’ll see a small calendar icon on your camera’s thumbnail in the app—this means a schedule is active.

Congrats! You’ve just mastered how to set schedule for Arlo camera a complete guide.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After setting up dozens of Arlo cameras for friends and family, I’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t. Here are my hard-earned insights.

✅ Pro Tips

• Use overlapping schedules wisely: If you have a “Work Hours” and “Night Watch” schedule, make sure there’s no gap. A 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. blind spot is a burglar’s dream.
• Check time zones: Arlo uses your phone’s time zone. If you travel, your schedule might be off by an hour. Manually adjust or disable geofencing.
• Schedule firmware updates: Arlo sometimes pushes updates during off-hours. Set your schedule to avoid 2 a.m. reboots during active monitoring.
• Use “Do Not Disturb” for alerts: In the app, go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb. Set quiet hours (e.g., 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) so you’re not woken up by a raccoon.
• Label cameras clearly: “Front Door,” “Backyard,” “Garage”—not just “Camera 1,” “Camera 2.” It helps when setting individual schedules.

❌ Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to enable motion detection: A schedule only controls when the camera is active, not whether motion triggers recording. Go to Settings > Motion Detection and make sure it’s on.
• Ignoring battery levels: If your camera runs on batteries, a long schedule can drain them fast. Check battery status weekly and recharge or replace as needed.
• Overlapping with geofencing: If both are on, geofencing usually wins. You might think your camera is on at 9 a.m., but if your phone is still at home, it might stay off.
• Not testing after changes: Always test. I once changed a schedule and forgot to save. My camera stayed off for three days. Oops.
• Setting too many schedules: It gets confusing. Stick to 2–3 main schedules (e.g., Work, Night, Vacation). You can always add more later.

Real Talk: I once set a schedule for “Weekends Only,” but my camera stayed off on Saturday because I had “Away Mode” on from a Friday night out. Always check the big picture!

FAQs About How to Set Schedule for Arlo Camera A Complete Guide

Let’s answer the questions I get asked most—by friends, family, and even Reddit strangers.

Q: Can I schedule different cameras to turn on at different times?

Absolutely! Each camera has its own schedule. Set your front door cam to run 24/7, but your backyard cam only from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Just go into each camera’s settings and customize.

Q: What if I want my camera on 24/7? Do I still need a schedule?

Technically, no. But I still recommend a schedule. Why? It lets you pause recording during quiet times (like when you’re home), saving battery and storage. Or use “Away Mode” when you’re gone. A schedule gives you control—even when it’s “always on.”

Q: Does the schedule work if my Wi-Fi goes out?

No. Arlo cameras rely on Wi-Fi (or the base station’s connection) to sync and follow the schedule. If your internet drops, the camera might stop recording or revert to default settings. Use a battery-powered camera with local storage (like Arlo Pro 4) if Wi-Fi reliability is a concern.

Q: Can I schedule my camera to turn on only when I’m not home?

Yes! Use geofencing. In the app, go to Settings > Geofencing, enable it, and set a radius (e.g., 500 meters). When your phone leaves the area, the camera turns on. When you return, it turns off. Works best with Wi-Fi or cellular data.

Q: Why isn’t my camera turning on at the scheduled time?

Check these first:

• Is the camera online? (Green dot in the app)
• Is the schedule saved and enabled?
• Is “Away Mode” or geofencing overriding it?
• Is your phone’s time zone correct?
• Are motion detection and recording enabled?

If all else fails, restart the camera and app.

Q: Can I set a schedule for just one day (e.g., New Year’s Eve)?

Yes. Create a custom schedule, pick that single day, set the time, and delete it afterward. Or use “Away Mode” for a quick override.

Q: Does Arlo charge extra for scheduling?

Nope! Scheduling is a free feature on all Arlo cameras and plans. You don’t need Arlo Smart or a subscription to use it. (Though subscriptions help with AI detection and cloud storage.)

Final Thoughts

Setting a schedule for your Arlo camera isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a game-changer. It turns a smart camera into a thoughtful security system. No more false alerts at midnight. No more missing the important moments.

By following this how to set schedule for Arlo camera a complete guide, you’ve taken control of your home’s safety. You’ve saved battery, reduced clutter, and gained peace of mind.

Now, here’s my final piece of advice: Review your schedule every 3 months. Life changes—work hours, family routines, vacations. A schedule that worked in January might not fit in July.

And if you ever feel stuck? Open the Arlo app, tap that gear icon, and remember: you’ve got this. You’re not just setting a schedule—you’re building smarter, quieter, more reliable security.

So go ahead. Set that timer. Hit “Save.” And sleep a little easier tonight.

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