Setting a custom schedule for each Arlo camera is simple and gives you precise control over when your cameras record and send alerts. Using the Arlo app, navigate to “Settings” > “Camera Schedules” to create, edit, or assign unique activity zones and time-based rules tailored to your needs. This feature enhances privacy, conserves storage, and ensures 24/7 surveillance without unnecessary footage.

How to Set Schedule for Each Arlo Camera A Complete Guide

Key Takeaways

• Access schedules via the Arlo app under camera settings for easy customization.
• Set unique schedules per camera to match activity zones and routines.
• Use geofencing for automatic arming based on your smartphone’s location.
• Enable sunrise/sunset triggers for dynamic, time-based automation.
• Test schedules to verify timing and avoid missed recordings or false alerts.
• Sync schedules with modes to streamline security and energy efficiency.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Ever come home to a camera that recorded your neighbor walking their dog at 3 PM—while missing the real action at midnight? Or maybe you’ve been woken up by a notification every time your cat jumps on the porch?

It’s frustrating. And honestly, it defeats the whole purpose of having smart security. That’s where knowing how to set schedule for each Arlo camera a complete guide comes in handy. It’s not just about turning things on or off—it’s about customizing your security to match your real life.

Let’s say you work from home on weekdays but leave town every other weekend. Or maybe your front door gets heavy foot traffic during the day, but your backyard needs more attention at night. Without schedules, your Arlo cameras are just recording everything—wasting storage, draining batteries, and flooding your phone with false alerts.

I learned this the hard way when my Arlo Pro 3 kept recording my kids playing in the backyard during daylight hours. I didn’t need 8 hours of “happy family moments” clogging up my cloud storage. I needed peace of mind—and control.

Scheduling isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re using Arlo Ultra, Arlo Pro 5, Arlo Essential, or even older models like the Arlo Q, setting up time-based rules gives you fewer false alerts, longer battery life, and smarter monitoring.

And the best part? You don’t need to be a tech wizard. With this how to set schedule for each Arlo camera a complete guide, you’ll go from overwhelmed to in control—fast.

What You Need

Before we dive into the steps, let’s make sure you have what you need. The good news? Most of it’s already in your hands.

• Arlo cameras (any model: Pro, Ultra, Essential, Q, etc.)
• Arlo app (download from iOS App Store or Google Play)
• Smartphone or tablet (iOS 12+ or Android 8.0+)
• Stable Wi-Fi connection (or cellular data, if you’re on the go)
• Arlo Smart subscription (optional, but highly recommended for advanced scheduling features)
• Your calendar or daily routine notes (yes, really—this helps!)

Pro tip: If you’re using battery-powered cameras (like Arlo Pro or Essential), make sure they’re charged or connected to a solar panel. You don’t want to set up a schedule only to find the camera died overnight.

Don’t have an Arlo Smart plan yet? Don’t worry. Basic scheduling works without it. But if you want activity zones, AI detection, or longer recording windows, the $3–$15/month plan is worth it—especially when combined with smart schedules.

Now, let’s get into the real meat: how to set schedule for each Arlo camera a complete guide—step by step.

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

This isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every camera might need a different schedule. Your front door? Maybe active from 7 PM to 7 AM. Your driveway? Active 24/7. Your backyard? Only when you’re not home.

Here’s how to set it up—clear, simple, and foolproof.

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In

First things first—open the Arlo app on your phone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged in to the correct account (if you have multiple).

You should see your camera dashboard. It might show live feeds, recent recordings, or battery levels. Don’t worry about the clutter. We’re going to the settings.

Tap the three-line menu (usually in the top-left or bottom-right, depending on your device) to open the main navigation panel.

Quick tip: If you’re on an iPhone, make sure the Arlo app has permission to send notifications. Otherwise, you won’t get alerts even if your schedule is active.

Step 2: Go to “Settings” and Select Your Camera

From the menu, tap “Settings”. You’ll see a list of all your devices—cameras, base stations, doorbells, etc.

Now, tap on the specific camera you want to schedule. Let’s say it’s your Front Door Cam. Tap on it.

Here’s where things get interesting. You’ll see options like “Camera Name,” “Video Settings,” “Motion Detection,” and—yep—“Schedule”.

This is your control center for that camera. And yes, you can repeat these steps for every camera you own. One at a time, but totally worth it.

Common mistake: People skip this step and try to set a global schedule. But each camera is unique. Your backyard cam might need nighttime coverage, while your garage cam only needs motion during business hours.

Step 3: Tap “Schedule” and Choose “Custom”

Inside your camera’s settings, tap “Schedule”. You’ll see two options:

• Always On – Records 24/7 (not recommended for battery cams)
• Custom – Lets you set specific times (this is what we want)

Tap “Custom”. Now you’re in the scheduling zone.

The screen will show a 7-day calendar view (Sunday through Saturday), with time blocks across the top. Each block represents an hour.

By default, it might show “Active” from 12 AM to 12 AM (24/7). We’re going to change that.

Step 4: Set Your Active Time Blocks

Tap on the first day (e.g., Monday). A pop-up will appear with a timeline from 12 AM to 12 AM.

Here’s how to set it:

• Drag the start time slider to when you want the camera active (e.g., 6 PM)
• Drag the end time slider to when you want it inactive (e.g., 6 AM)
• Tap “Save”

Now your camera will only detect motion and record between 6 PM and 6 AM on Monday.

Want it active during the day too? Tap “Add Another” in the same pop-up and set a second block (e.g., 8 AM to 4 PM).

You can add up to three time blocks per day. Perfect for someone who works from home but leaves for a few hours in the afternoon.

Real-life example: My backyard camera is active from 8 PM to 6 AM (overnight security) and 10 AM to 2 PM (when delivery people come). The rest of the time? It’s off, saving battery and reducing noise.

Step 5: Repeat for Each Day (or Copy Settings)

Now tap on Tuesday and set the same schedule—or a different one. Maybe you work late on Wednesdays? Set it to stay active until 10 PM.

Here’s a time-saver: if most days are the same, tap “Copy to All” in the top-right corner. This applies your Monday schedule to every day.

Then, just tweak the exceptions. For example:

• Friday: Add a block from 11 PM to 2 AM (party night!)
• Saturday: Set to active all day (you’re home and want full coverage)
• Sunday: Off completely (you’re away)

You’re building a personalized security rhythm—not a rigid rule.

Warning: Don’t forget to set Sunday. I once copied Monday to all days but forgot to adjust Sunday—ended up with alerts while I was on vacation. Not fun.

Step 6: Set Different Schedules for Each Camera

Now go back to the main “Settings” menu and select your next camera—say, your Garage Cam.

Repeat Steps 3–5. But this time, maybe you only want it active:

• Weekdays: 7 AM to 9 AM (when you leave for work) and 5 PM to 7 PM (when you return)
• Weekends: Off (you’re home all day)

Your Backyard Cam? Maybe only active at night (8 PM to 6 AM) and during the day when you’re away (10 AM to 4 PM, weekdays).

See how each camera gets its own custom schedule? That’s the power of knowing how to set schedule for each Arlo camera a complete guide.

No more wasted recordings. No more false alarms. Just smart, efficient monitoring.

Step 7: Enable Motion Detection (If It’s Off)

Sometimes, even with a schedule, your camera won’t record. Why? Because motion detection is turned off.

Go back to your camera’s settings and tap “Motion Detection”.

Make sure the toggle is On. You can also adjust sensitivity here—high for busy areas, low for quiet zones.

Bonus: If you have an Arlo Smart plan, you can enable AI detection (person, vehicle, package). This way, your camera only records when a person walks by—not a leaf blowing in the wind.

Pro tip: Test your schedule by walking in front of the camera during an “active” time. Check the app to see if it records. If not, double-check motion detection and Wi-Fi signal.

Step 8: Use “Geofencing” for Automatic On/Off (Optional)

Here’s a game-changer: Geofencing. It uses your phone’s location to turn cameras on or off when you leave or arrive home.

Go to “Settings” > “Geofencing” (in the main menu, not per camera).

Turn it on, then set your “Home Zone” (your address). Now:

• When you leave: Cameras turn on
• When you arrive: Cameras turn off (or go to a “home mode”)

You can even combine geofencing with your custom schedule. For example:

• Cameras are always on at night (schedule)
• Cameras turn off during the day when you’re home (geofencing)

This is perfect for people with irregular schedules. No more forgetting to arm the system.

Note: Geofencing requires location permissions and a stable internet connection. If your phone loses signal, it might not trigger correctly.

Step 9: Review and Adjust Weekly

Life changes. So should your schedules.

Every few weeks, check your recordings. Are you getting too many alerts? Not enough? Is a camera missing important events?

Maybe your dog started barking at 4 PM every day—triggering motion. Or your neighbor installed a bright porch light that’s causing glare at night.

Go back to your schedules and tweak them. Maybe:

• Add a motion zone to exclude the sidewalk
• Shorten the active time during the day
• Increase sensitivity for nighttime

Your Arlo system should adapt to you—not the other way around.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After years of using Arlo cameras (and making every mistake possible), here are the real-world insights that don’t show up in the manual.

Pro Tip 1: Use “Activity Zones” to Reduce False Alerts

Even with a perfect schedule, your camera might still record the wrong things.

Go to “Motion Detection” > “Activity Zones” and draw a box around the area you want to monitor—like your front door or driveway.

Now, motion in the garden or street? Ignored. Only activity in the zone triggers a recording.

This cuts down on alerts by 60–70%, based on my experience.

Pro Tip 2: Sync Schedules with Your Smart Home

Arlo works with Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT. Use this to your advantage.

For example: “When I say ‘Goodnight’ to Alexa, turn on all outdoor cameras and set them to ‘Away Mode’.”

Or: “When my Ring alarm arms, activate the backyard cam.”

It’s like giving your security system a brain.

Pro Tip 3: Label Cameras Clearly

Don’t name your cameras “Camera 1,” “Camera 2.” That gets confusing fast.

Instead, use names like:

• Front Door – West
• Backyard – North
• Garage – Overhead

Now, when you’re setting schedules, you know exactly which camera you’re adjusting.

Common Mistake 1: Forgetting to Set “Off” Times

Many people set an “on” time but forget to set an “off” time. Result? Camera stays on 24/7.

Always double-check that your end time is correct—especially if you’re using “Copy to All.”

Common Mistake 2: Ignoring Daylight Saving Time

Your schedules don’t auto-adjust for DST. If you set 8 PM to 6 AM, it’ll stay that way—even when the clocks change.

Manually check your schedules twice a year. Or use geofencing as a backup.

Common Mistake 3: Overloading with Too Many Time Blocks

Three time blocks per day is the max. But do you really need three?

Most people only need one or two. Keep it simple. More blocks = more chances for errors.

My rule: If you can’t explain your schedule in one sentence, it’s too complicated.

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

Let’s tackle the questions I get asked all the time—straight, honest, and from real experience.

Q: Can I set different schedules for each camera?

Absolutely. And you should! Each camera sees a different part of your home. Your front door might need nighttime coverage, while your backyard cam only needs to be active when you’re away. That’s exactly why how to set schedule for each Arlo camera a complete guide is so powerful.

Q: Do I need an Arlo Smart subscription to use schedules?

No. Basic scheduling works without a subscription. But if you want AI detection, longer recording windows, or cloud storage, the Arlo Smart plan (starting at $3/month) is worth it. It also unlocks advanced features like package detection and person recognition—perfect for refining your schedules.

Q: What if my camera doesn’t follow the schedule?

First, check that:

• Motion detection is turned on
• The camera is connected to Wi-Fi (or has cellular backup)
• There are no firmware updates pending

Then, test it by walking in front of the camera during an “active” time. If it records, the schedule is working. If not, restart the camera and re-save the schedule.

Q: Can I set a schedule to turn the camera off completely?

Yes. Just set the active time to 0 hours—like 12 AM to 12 AM with no blocks. Or use “Always Off” if available. The camera won’t record or send alerts. Great for when you’re home or on vacation.

Q: How do I schedule cameras when I’m traveling?

Two options:

• Set a full-time active schedule (24/7) while you’re away
• Use geofencing—it automatically arms all cameras when you leave town

You can also set a one-time schedule: “Active from June 1 to June 10.” Just adjust the days manually before you leave.

Q: Can I control schedules from the web portal?

Yes! Go to my.arlo.com and log in. You’ll see the same scheduling options as in the app. Great for making changes on a bigger screen.

Q: What if I have a base station? Does it affect scheduling?

No. Scheduling is per camera, not per base station. Even if you have multiple cameras connected to one base station, each one can have its own unique schedule. The base station just manages connectivity—it doesn’t control recording times.

Final Thoughts

Setting up schedules for your Arlo cameras isn’t just about convenience—it’s about control, efficiency, and peace of mind.

You’re not just turning cameras on and off. You’re telling your system: “This is when I need you. This is what matters.”

With this how to set schedule for each Arlo camera a complete guide, you’ve learned how to:

• Customize schedules per camera
• Use time blocks, geofencing, and activity zones
• Avoid common mistakes and false alerts
• Keep your system smart and adaptive

Now, here’s your action plan:

1. Open the Arlo app tonight
2. Pick one camera and set a custom schedule
3. Test it over the weekend
4. Repeat for the rest

And remember: your schedule isn’t set in stone. Life changes. So should your security. Check your settings every few weeks, tweak as needed, and enjoy the freedom of a system that works with you—not against you.

You’ve got this. And now, you’ve got the guide to back you up.