Setting the time and day on your Arlo camera takes just minutes and ensures accurate event timestamps and reliable scheduling. Use the Arlo app to sync your camera’s clock automatically or manually adjust settings under Device Settings > Time Zone for precise control—ideal for security logs or automation rules.

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How to Set Time and Day on Arlo Camera in Minutes

Key Takeaways

• Open the Arlo app to access camera settings quickly and easily.
• Sync time automatically via device settings for accurate timekeeping.
• Enable location services to ensure correct day and time zone.
• Manually adjust time if automatic sync fails or shows errors.
• Check for firmware updates to avoid time-setting bugs and glitches.
• Restart the camera after changes to apply settings properly.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

You’ve just installed your Arlo camera—maybe it’s a sleek Pro 5 or a trusty Essential—and everything’s working great… except the timestamp on your recordings says 3:47 AM when it’s clearly noon. Frustrating, right?

That’s why knowing how to set time and day on Arlo camera in minutes is essential. Accurate time and date stamps aren’t just about convenience. They’re crucial for security footage, event tracking, and even syncing with smart home routines.

I learned this the hard way when I had to review footage of a package delivery. The timestamps were off by hours, making it impossible to pinpoint when the delivery happened. After a few frustrating minutes, I realized the camera was still on factory settings—time zone wrong, daylight saving ignored.

Don’t make the same mistake. Whether you’re setting up a new Arlo camera or troubleshooting after a power outage, getting the time right is quick, easy, and absolutely worth it.

And the best part? You don’t need to be a tech genius. In fact, with the right steps, you can master how to set time and day on Arlo camera in minutes—literally.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you have everything ready. The good news? Most of what you need is already in your hands.

• Your Arlo camera (any model: Pro, Ultra, Essential, etc.)
• Your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android)
• The Arlo app (download it from the App Store or Google Play if you haven’t already)
• Wi-Fi connection (2.4 GHz recommended for most models)
• Your Arlo account (sign up in the app if you don’t have one)
• Access to your router settings (optional, but helpful if time sync issues persist)

That’s it. No special tools, no cables, no tech support calls. Just your phone, the app, and a few minutes of your time.

Pro Tip: Make sure your phone’s date and time are set to automatic. If your phone is wrong, your camera will be too. I once spent 20 minutes troubleshooting a camera only to realize my phone was stuck in 2019. Oops.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Set Time and Day on Arlo Camera in Minutes

Now let’s walk through the process. I’ll break it down into simple, foolproof steps. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just trying to fix a glitch, this guide will help you get accurate time and date on your Arlo camera—fast.

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Log In

Grab your phone and open the Arlo app. If you haven’t logged in yet, enter your email and password. If you’re new, tap “Create Account” and follow the prompts.

Once inside, you’ll see your camera feed or device list. Make sure your camera is online (you’ll see a green indicator or “Online” status).

This is your command center. From here, you can control every setting—including time and date. It’s where the magic happens for how to set time and day on Arlo camera in minutes.

Warning: If your camera shows “Offline,” check your Wi-Fi connection first. A camera that’s not connected can’t sync time properly.

Step 2: Access Your Camera’s Settings

Tap on the camera you want to adjust. This opens the live feed. Look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner—that’s your settings menu.

Tap it. You’ll see a list of options like “Device Info,” “Video Settings,” and “Audio.” We’re looking for “Time & Date” or “Date & Time”—the exact name varies slightly by model, but it’s always there.

For Arlo Pro 4, Essential, and newer models, it’s under “Device Settings.” For older Pro 2 or Pro 3, it might be under “Advanced Settings.”

Don’t worry—the app guides you. Just tap around a little. You’ll find it.

Step 3: Enable Automatic Time and Date (Recommended)

Once you’re in the Time & Date section, you’ll see two options:

• Automatic (syncs with your phone’s time)
• Manual (you set the time yourself)

Choose “Automatic.” This is the easiest and most reliable way to set time and date on your Arlo camera. It uses your phone’s GPS and network time to keep everything accurate—even during daylight saving changes.

I always recommend this option unless you’re in a remote area with poor phone signal. In that case, manual might be necessary (we’ll cover that in a minute).

When you select “Automatic,” the camera will sync within seconds. You might see a brief “Syncing…” message. That’s normal.

Real Talk: I once had a neighbor who insisted on manual time settings because he didn’t trust “the cloud.” Two weeks later, he missed a break-in because his camera was an hour off. Automatic is safer and smarter.

Step 4: Verify the Time Zone

Even with automatic mode, you need to confirm your time zone. This is critical—especially if you’ve recently moved or your phone’s location services are off.

Look for a field labeled “Time Zone” or “Region.” Tap it. The app will usually auto-detect your location based on your phone’s GPS.

But double-check. If you’re in Chicago, make sure it says “Central Time” and not “Mountain.” A wrong time zone means all your recordings will be mislabeled by hours.

You can also manually select your time zone from a list if auto-detection fails. Just scroll and pick the correct one.

This small step ensures that when you search for “motion at 6 PM,” you’re actually seeing 6 PM—not 5 or 7.

Step 5: Enable Daylight Saving Time (If Applicable)

If you live in a region that observes daylight saving time (DST), make sure it’s enabled.

In the same Time & Date menu, look for a toggle like “Daylight Saving Time” or “DST Adjustment.” Turn it ON.

With this on, your Arlo camera will automatically adjust for the “spring forward” and “fall back” changes. No more wondering why your camera skipped an hour in March.

Note: Some older Arlo models (like Pro 2) may not support automatic DST. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to manually adjust the time twice a year—ugh. But newer models handle it seamlessly.

Step 6: (Optional) Set Time and Date Manually

Only do this if automatic sync fails—like if you’re in a basement with no phone signal or your phone’s time is broken.

Go back to the Time & Date menu and select “Manual”. You’ll see fields for:

• Date (month, day, year)
• Time (hours, minutes, AM/PM)
• Time Zone

Enter the correct values. Use your phone’s clock or a trusted online time source (like time.gov) to get it right.

Tap “Save” when done. The camera will update immediately.

Important: Manual mode won’t adjust for DST or leap years. You’ll need to remember to update it yourself. I’ve seen people forget and end up with footage labeled “2025” in 2024. Not ideal.

Step 7: Test the Settings

Now that you’ve set the time, let’s verify it works.

1. Trigger a motion event (wave at the camera or walk in front of it).
2. Wait 30–60 seconds for the recording to upload (depends on your internet speed).
3. Open the Arlo app and go to your Library or Timeline.
4. Find the clip and check the timestamp at the bottom.

Does it match the actual time? Is the date correct? If yes—congrats! You’ve successfully mastered how to set time and day on Arlo camera in minutes.

If not, go back to Step 3 and double-check your settings. Sometimes a simple toggle off and on fixes it.

Pro Tip: If the timestamp is still wrong, restart the camera. Unplug it for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to reconnect. This forces a fresh sync with your phone.

Step 8: Sync Across Multiple Cameras (If Applicable)

Got more than one Arlo camera? Great! But don’t set each one individually.

Here’s a time-saving hack: Set one camera correctly, then use the “Sync with Primary Camera” feature (available on Arlo SmartHub-connected models).

In the app, go to your primary camera’s settings → Advanced → Sync Time with Other Devices. Toggle it on.

Now, all cameras on the same base station will inherit the correct time. No more mismatched timestamps across your front door, backyard, and garage.

This is a game-changer for large setups. I use it at my cabin with four cameras—works flawlessly.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Now that you know the steps, let’s talk about the real challenges people face—and how to avoid them.

1. Don’t Ignore Phone Time Settings

Your Arlo camera syncs with your phone’s time. If your phone is wrong, your camera will be too. I can’t stress this enough.

Go to your phone’s settings → General → Date & Time → and turn on “Set Automatically”. This uses GPS and network time to stay accurate.

Bonus: It also fixes issues with smart home devices, calendars, and even your microwave (if it has Wi-Fi).

2. Watch for Time Zone Drift

Sometimes, after a power outage or Wi-Fi drop, the camera may default to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). That means your 3 PM footage shows up as 9 PM.

If you notice a sudden time jump, check your time zone setting. It might have reset. Just re-select your region and save.

3. Avoid Manual Mode Unless Necessary

Manual time is a trap. It works—until you forget to update it for DST, leap years, or travel.

Stick to automatic. It’s smarter, safer, and saves you time in the long run.

4. Use a Strong Wi-Fi Signal

Weak Wi-Fi = delayed syncs. If your camera is in a basement or far from the router, consider a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network.

I added a Google Nest Wifi extender to my backyard, and my Arlo camera’s time sync improved instantly.

5. Update the Arlo App Regularly

Arlo pushes updates that fix bugs, including time-sync issues. If your camera is acting weird, check for app updates first.

Go to the App Store or Google Play → Search “Arlo” → Update if available.

6. Don’t Skip the Restart

When in doubt, restart. Unplug the camera (or remove the battery), wait 10 seconds, plug it back in.

This clears temporary glitches and forces a fresh time sync. It’s the “have you tried turning it off and on again?” of Arlo troubleshooting.

Real-Life Example: My neighbor’s Arlo camera was stuck at 12:00 AM for days. We tried everything—except a restart. After 10 seconds off, it synced perfectly. Sometimes the simplest fix is the best.

FAQs About How to Set Time and Day on Arlo Camera in Minutes

Let’s tackle the questions I hear most often—from friends, family, and even Reddit threads.

Q: Why is my Arlo camera showing the wrong time?

Usually, it’s one of three things: your phone’s time is wrong, the time zone is set incorrectly, or the camera lost Wi-Fi and defaulted to UTC. Double-check those settings first. If all else fails, restart the camera.

Q: Does Arlo adjust for daylight saving time automatically?

Yes—but only if you enable it. In the Time & Date settings, make sure “Daylight Saving Time” is turned ON. Newer models (Pro 4, Ultra 2, Essential) handle this seamlessly. Older models may not.

Q: Can I set the time without the app?

Nope. The Arlo app is required. There’s no web interface or physical buttons to adjust time. It’s app-only, which keeps things simple but means you need your phone handy.

Q: What if my phone is in airplane mode?

Then your camera can’t sync. The app needs internet to communicate with Arlo’s servers. Turn off airplane mode, reconnect to Wi-Fi, and try again. Or use another phone/tablet logged into your Arlo account.

Q: My camera is offline. Can I still set the time?

No. The camera must be online to receive time updates. Fix the connection first—check Wi-Fi, restart the router, or move the camera closer to the router. Once online, the time will sync automatically (if set to “Automatic”).

Q: Will changing the time affect my recordings?

No. It only changes the timestamp label on future clips. Past recordings keep their original timestamps. So if you fix the time today, old footage won’t magically update—but new ones will be accurate.

Q: Can I set different times for different cameras?

Only manually, and it’s not recommended. If you have two cameras in different time zones (like a vacation home), you could set them manually. But it’s a hassle. Better to use automatic and let each sync to its location.

Final Thoughts

Setting the time and day on your Arlo camera isn’t just a setup step—it’s a security essential. Accurate timestamps help you track events, review footage, and even provide evidence if needed.

And the truth is, you don’t need to spend hours on it. With the right steps, you can master how to set time and day on Arlo camera in minutes—literally.

Stick to automatic mode, double-check your time zone, enable daylight saving, and restart if things go wonky. These simple habits save you time, stress, and confusion down the road.

Remember: your camera is only as smart as the settings you give it. Take five minutes now to get it right, and you’ll thank yourself every time you check your feed.

Now go open that Arlo app, fix that timestamp, and enjoy peace of mind—knowing your camera is watching, and watching on time.

You’ve got this. And if you ever get stuck? Just restart. It fixes more than you think.

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