Setting a schedule on your Arlo cameras is simple and ensures 24/7 security without unnecessary recordings. Using the Arlo app, navigate to Settings > Schedule to create custom recording times, arm/disarm modes, or geofencing rules tailored to your routine. This feature maximizes efficiency, reduces false alerts, and keeps your home protected exactly when needed.

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How to Set Schedule on Arlo Cameras: A Complete Guide

Key Takeaways

• Access modes first: Navigate to Modes to create or edit camera schedules.
• Use custom modes: Build tailored schedules for specific days and times.
• Leverage geofencing: Automate schedules based on your smartphone’s location.
• Set time triggers: Schedule cameras to activate at sunrise, sunset, or custom times.
• Enable/disable easily: Toggle schedules on/off without deleting them permanently.
• Check activity zones: Ensure scheduled recordings capture relevant areas only.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Imagine this: You’re on vacation, sipping coffee on a beach, when your phone buzzes with yet another motion alert—your Arlo camera caught the neighbor’s cat again. Or worse, it’s recording 24/7, eating through cloud storage and your patience. Sound familiar?

That’s where knowing how to set schedule on Arlo cameras becomes a game-changer. Scheduling lets you control when your cameras are active, so you’re not drowning in false alerts or wasting storage. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about peace of mind.

Whether you want to monitor your home at night, avoid recording during work hours, or save battery life on your wireless cams, scheduling is the smart move. In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process—step by step, like we’re chatting over coffee. No tech jargon, just real talk from someone who’s been there.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you’re set up for success. Here’s what you’ll need to get started with scheduling your Arlo cameras:

• An Arlo account (free or Pro, doesn’t matter—scheduling works on all tiers)
• Arlo app installed on your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android)
• Arlo base station or SmartHub (if using wired or hybrid systems like Arlo Ultra or Pro series)
• Your Arlo cameras (any model: Pro, Ultra, Essential, Wire-Free, etc.)
• Stable Wi-Fi connection (for real-time syncing and app control)
• Access to your router (only if you’re setting up geofencing or need to troubleshoot connectivity)

Don’t worry if you’re using a mix of indoor and outdoor cams. The how to set schedule on Arlo cameras a complete guide process is nearly identical across models. The app does most of the heavy lifting.

One thing to note: If you’re using Arlo Secure plans, you’ll get extra features like AI detection and longer cloud storage, but scheduling works the same whether you’re on the free tier or paid.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Set Schedule on Arlo Cameras A Complete Guide

Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. I’ll walk you through setting up schedules for one camera first, then show you how to apply it to multiple devices. Trust me—it’s easier than setting your coffee maker’s timer.

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In

Grab your phone and open the Arlo app. If you’re not already logged in, do that now. Make sure you’re on the home screen where you see all your cameras listed.

Pro tip: If your app feels sluggish, try restarting it. Sometimes a quick refresh helps sync schedules faster. Also, ensure your app is updated—Arlo rolls out bug fixes often, and outdated versions can mess with scheduling.

Step 2: Navigate to “Modes” (Not “Settings”)

Here’s where most people get confused. You don’t set schedules under individual camera settings. Instead, you use Modes—Arlo’s built-in automation system.

Tap the “Modes” tab at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see default modes like “Armed,” “Disarmed,” and maybe “Away” or “Home” if you’ve set up geofencing.

Think of Modes as “moods” for your cameras. “Armed” means recording and alerting. “Disarmed” means off or in standby. Schedules tell your cameras when to switch between these moods.

Step 3: Create a Custom Mode (Optional but Recommended)

While you can use default modes, I recommend creating a custom mode for better control. For example, “Night Watch” for 10 PM to 6 AM or “Workday” for 8 AM to 5 PM.

1. Tap “+ Add Mode”
2. Name it something clear, like “Evening Patrol” or “Sleep Mode”
3. Choose which cameras should be armed (recording) and which should be disarmed (off)
4. Tap “Save”

For instance, I have a camera in my living room that faces the street. I keep it armed at night but disarmed during the day when I’m home. My backyard cam stays armed 24/7. Custom modes let me set this per camera.

This is where the how to set schedule on Arlo cameras a complete guide really shines—flexibility. You’re not stuck with one global setting.

Step 4: Set a Schedule for Your Mode

Now comes the fun part: telling your cameras when to switch modes.

1. Back in the Modes screen, tap the “Schedule” option (usually near the top)
2. Tap “+ Add Schedule”
3. Choose the mode you just created (e.g., “Evening Patrol”)
4. Set the start time and end time
5. Select days of the week (e.g., Monday–Friday, weekends only, etc.)
6. Tap “Save”

Let’s say I want “Evening Patrol” from 8 PM to 7 AM, every day. I set it, save it, and boom—my front door cam starts recording at 8 PM sharp and turns off at 7 AM.

You can set multiple schedules. For example:

• “Morning Check”: 7 AM–9 AM, Monday–Friday
• “Night Watch”: 9 PM–6 AM, every day
• “Weekend Patrol”: 10 AM–8 PM, Saturday–Sunday

Arlo will follow these like a well-trained dog.

Step 5: Assign Cameras to the Schedule (Double-Check!)

This step is crucial. After saving the schedule, go back to the Modes screen and tap your custom mode.

Make sure the right cameras are armed or disarmed under that mode. It’s easy to forget this, especially if you have 4+ cameras.

I once set a “Sleep Mode” but accidentally left my garage cam armed. It kept alerting me every time the garage door opened at night—total fail. Lesson learned: always verify camera assignments per mode.

Step 6: Test the Schedule (Don’t Skip This!)

Don’t assume it works until you test it. Here’s how:

• Wait for the scheduled time to approach
• Watch the app to see if the mode changes automatically
• Trigger a motion test (wave at the camera) to confirm it’s recording (or not)

Or, do what I do: manually activate the mode to test it early. Tap the mode in the app and choose “Activate Now.” If it works, your schedule should be good.

If it doesn’t work, check:

• Is your phone connected to Wi-Fi?
• Are all cameras online (no red “offline” icons)?
• Did you set the correct time zone? (Yes, this matters!)

Step 7: Use Geofencing for Auto-Scheduling (Bonus)

Want your cameras to turn on when you leave and off when you return? Geofencing is your friend.

1. In the Arlo app, go to Settings > Account > Geofencing
2. Enable it and grant location permissions
3. Set a radius (I use 300 meters—big enough to avoid false triggers)
4. Assign modes: “Away” when you leave, “Home” when you return

Now, your cameras automatically arm when you drive away and disarm when you come home. No manual work needed.

One caveat: Geofencing uses your phone’s GPS, so keep your phone charged and location on. It’s not 100% perfect (sometimes it takes a minute to trigger), but it’s close enough for most people.

Step 8: Sync Across Multiple Cameras (Bulk Scheduling)

Got 5, 10, or even 15 cameras? You don’t need to set each one individually.

When you create a mode, you can assign multiple cameras at once. For example, I have 3 outdoor cams and 2 indoor ones. I set “Night Watch” to arm only the outdoor ones, leaving the indoor cams disarmed.

You can also copy schedules across modes. If you have a “Vacation Mode” that’s the same as “Night Watch,” just duplicate it.

Pro tip: Use camera groups (available in newer app versions) to organize them by location (e.g., “Backyard,” “Front Door”). Makes bulk changes way easier.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After setting up schedules for over a dozen Arlo cameras (and fixing my own mistakes), here are the real-world insights you won’t find in the manual.

Pro Tip #1: Time Zones Matter More Than You Think
I once set a schedule for 10 PM, but my camera didn’t turn on until midnight. Turns out, I had my phone on a different time zone than my base station. Always check both under Settings > Device Info > Time Zone. Sync them!

Pro Tip #2: Use “Do Not Disturb” for Alerts (Even with Schedules)
Schedules control recording, but alerts are separate. Go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb to mute alerts during certain hours. I use this from 11 PM to 6 AM so my phone doesn’t wake me up.

Pro Tip #3: Test During Daylight Saving Changes
Clocks shift, and so do schedules. I’ve had cameras turn on an hour early during DST. Test your schedule the week before and after the time change.

Common Mistake: Forgetting to Save
You’d be surprised how many times I set a schedule, closed the app, and realized I never hit “Save.” Always double-check. The app usually gives a confirmation, but don’t skip it.

Common Mistake: Overlapping Schedules
If you set “Night Watch” from 8 PM–6 AM and “Morning Check” from 5 AM–8 AM, they’ll conflict. Arlo will follow the last saved schedule. Avoid overlaps or use clear time gaps.

Common Mistake: Ignoring Battery Life
Scheduling helps, but if your battery-powered cam runs 24/7, it’ll die fast. Use schedules to limit active hours, especially for wireless models. I get 3 months on a charge with 8 hours of daily recording.

And here’s a real-life scenario: My sister-in-law set her Arlo to record only when her kids were at school. She forgot to disarm it during holidays, so it kept recording and filled up her cloud storage. Moral of the story: review your schedules seasonally.

FAQs About How to Set Schedule on Arlo Cameras A Complete Guide

Let’s tackle the questions I get most often—straight from real users.

Q: Can I schedule different cameras for different times?
A: Absolutely. Create multiple modes (e.g., “Front Door Night,” “Backyard 24/7”) and assign each camera to the right mode. One cam can be on a schedule while another runs all day. Total control.

Q: Will schedules work if my Wi-Fi goes out?
A: If your base station loses Wi-Fi, schedules should still run locally, but it’s not guaranteed. I’ve had it work during short outages, but not for days. For critical monitoring, use cellular backup (available on some SmartHubs).

Q: Can I set a one-time schedule (like for a vacation)?
A: Not directly. But here’s a workaround: Create a “Vacation Mode” that arms all cameras, then manually activate it. When you return, switch back to your regular schedule. No need to delete anything.

Q: Why isn’t my schedule changing modes?
A: Check these:

• Is the schedule saved and active?
• Are all cameras online?
• Is your phone’s time correct?
• Is there an overlapping schedule?

Restart the app and base station if needed. Usually fixes it.

Q: Does scheduling affect cloud storage or AI features?
A: Nope. If you’re on an Arlo Secure plan, AI detection (like person vs. package) only works when the camera is armed. So if it’s disarmed at 9 AM, it won’t record or analyze motion until you arm it again. Saves storage and processing power.

Q: Can I schedule cameras to record only when I’m not home?
A: Yes! Use geofencing (Step 7 above) to automatically arm cameras when you leave and disarm when you return. It’s the closest thing to “set and forget.”

Q: Are there limits to how many schedules I can create?
A: Arlo allows up to 10 modes and 20 schedules per account. More than enough for most homes. If you hit the limit, consolidate (e.g., merge “Weekend Morning” and “Weekend Evening” into one “Weekend” schedule).

Final Thoughts

Setting up schedules on your Arlo cameras isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for making your smart home actually smart. No more false alerts. No more wasted storage. Just clean, focused monitoring when you need it.

Remember: The how to set schedule on Arlo cameras a complete guide isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. Start simple—maybe just one schedule for nighttime—and build from there.

Use custom modes, test thoroughly, and don’t fear geofencing. And if something goes wrong? Restart, recheck, and try again. I’ve reset my schedules more times than I’d like to admit, and now they work like a charm.

Your cameras should serve you, not the other way around. With scheduling, you’re in control. So go ahead—set that schedule, enjoy your peace of mind, and finally stop getting alerts about the neighbor’s cat.

And hey, if you ever get stuck, just open the app, take a breath, and remember: You’ve got this. Happy scheduling!

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