Integrating your Arlo camera with Samsung SmartThings is a seamless process that enhances home security and automation. By connecting the two via the SmartThings app, you can view live feeds, receive motion alerts, and control cameras alongside other smart devices—all from one intuitive dashboard. Setup takes minutes and requires no technical expertise.

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How to Set Up Arlo Camera with Samsung SmartThings Easily

Key Takeaways

• Verify compatibility: Ensure your Arlo camera model supports SmartThings integration.
• Use the SmartThings app: Add Arlo via the “Devices” tab for seamless setup.
• Enable Arlo skill: Link accounts in SmartThings for full functionality access.
• Update firmware: Keep both Arlo and SmartThings apps current for smooth operation.
• Test automation: Create routines to trigger Arlo alerts or recordings via SmartThings.
• Check permissions: Grant SmartThings access to Arlo for real-time alerts and live view.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

You’ve got an Arlo camera—maybe it’s the sleek Arlo Pro 5 or the budget-friendly Arlo Essential—and you’re excited to see who’s at the door or keep an eye on your backyard. But when you open the Samsung SmartThings app, it feels like you’re trying to speak two different languages. The frustration? Real. You’re not alone.

Many smart homeowners want a seamless experience: one app to rule them all. That’s where learning how to set up Arlo camera with Samsung SmartThings easily comes in. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about control, automation, and peace of mind. Imagine getting a SmartThings alert when your Arlo detects motion, or turning on lights automatically when your camera sees someone at night.

The good news? It’s totally doable. I’ve been through the setup, the glitches, the “why won’t this connect?!” moments—and I’ve cracked the code. This guide is built from real experience, not just a manual copy-paste. Whether you’re a tech newbie or a weekend DIYer, I’ll walk you through it like we’re sipping coffee in your living room.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s gather our tools. Think of this like prepping for a weekend project—having everything ready saves you from that “wait, where’s the screwdriver?” moment.

• An Arlo camera (Pro, Ultra, Essential, or Arlo Wire-Free models work)
• An active Arlo account (you’ll need the Arlo app installed)
• A Samsung SmartThings Hub or compatible device (SmartThings Hub, SmartThings Station, or a Samsung TV/phone with SmartThings app)
• SmartThings app (download from App Store or Google Play)
• Stable Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz band recommended for Arlo; 5 GHz may cause connectivity issues)
• Your phone or tablet (iOS 13+ or Android 8+)
• Arlo base station (if using Pro/Ultra models)—this acts as a bridge

Pro Tip: If your Arlo is brand new, go ahead and set it up in the Arlo app first. Get it connected to Wi-Fi and test the live feed. This way, you’re troubleshooting Arlo issues before linking it to SmartThings. It’s like warming up before a workout—saves you from pulling a tech muscle.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Set Up Arlo Camera with Samsung SmartThings Easily

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. I’ll break this down into simple, digestible steps. No tech overload. Just clear, practical moves.

Step 1: Set Up Your Arlo Camera (If Not Already Done)

If your Arlo is still in the box, start here. Open the Arlo app and follow the setup wizard.

• Tap “Add New Device” > Select your Arlo model
• Follow prompts to connect to your Wi-Fi (use 2.4 GHz if available)
• For Pro/Ultra models: Plug in the base station and connect it to your router via Ethernet
• Sync your camera to the base station (press sync button on base, then on camera)
• Test the live view—make sure it’s streaming clearly

Once it’s live, you’re golden. This step is crucial because SmartThings will pull data from your Arlo account. If Arlo isn’t working, SmartThings won’t either.

Step 2: Open the SmartThings App and Add Arlo as a Service

Now, switch to your SmartThings app. Think of this as inviting Arlo to the party.

1. Tap the “+” icon (usually in the top right)
2. Select “Device”
3. Tap “By brand” > Scroll down and search for “Arlo”
4. Select “Arlo (by Arlo Technologies)”
5. You’ll be prompted to log in to your Arlo account—enter your email and password
6. Grant SmartThings permission to access your Arlo devices

After logging in, SmartThings will scan for your Arlo cameras. It may take 10–30 seconds. Don’t panic if it’s slow—mine once took a full minute.

Warning: If you get an “Invalid credentials” error, double-check your Arlo password. Sometimes the app auto-fills an old password. Also, ensure you’re using the same email for Arlo and SmartThings if you’ve linked them before.

Step 3: Link Your Arlo Devices to SmartThings

Once SmartThings finds your Arlo devices, you’ll see them listed. This is where the magic happens.

• Tap “Add” next to each camera you want to sync
• SmartThings will assign a name (usually “Arlo Camera 1”)—you can rename it later
• Repeat for all cameras
• Tap “Done” when finished

Now, go to your SmartThings dashboard. You should see your Arlo cameras as tiles. Tap one to view the live feed. If it loads, congrats—you’ve just completed the core of how to set up Arlo camera with Samsung SmartThings easily!

Step 4: Customize Camera Settings in SmartThings

SmartThings gives you basic controls, but you can tweak them to fit your needs.

• Motion Alerts: Tap the camera tile > “Settings” > “Notifications” > Toggle “Motion” on
• Camera Status: You can see if the camera is “Online,” “Offline,” or “Recording”
• Automation Triggers: Go to “Automation” tab > “+” > “Create routine” > Choose “Arlo Camera” as a trigger
• Live View: Tap the camera tile anytime to see what’s happening

For example, I set my backyard Arlo to trigger a “Night Patrol” routine: when motion is detected after 9 PM, the porch lights turn on and a notification pops up. It’s like having a silent security guard.

Step 5: Set Up Automations (Optional but Powerful)

This is where SmartThings shines. You can make your Arlo camera do more than just record.

1. Go to “Automation” in the SmartThings app
2. Tap “+” > “Create routine”
3. Under “If,” select “Device” > Choose your Arlo camera > “Motion detected”
4. Under “Then,” choose actions:
   • Turn on lights (Philips Hue, SmartThings bulbs, etc.)
   • Send a notification to your phone
   • Play a sound (like a doorbell chime)
   • Start recording on another device
5. Name the routine (e.g., “Front Yard Alert”) and save

I use this for my front door: when the Arlo sees motion, the hallway light turns on, and my phone buzzes. No more fumbling in the dark.

Pro Tip: Avoid overloading automations. Too many triggers can slow down your system. I once had 10 routines running—my lights flickered like a disco. Keep it simple: 2–3 key automations max.

Step 6: Test the Integration

Don’t assume it works—test it. Walk in front of the camera. Wave. Pretend to be a suspicious raccoon.

• Check if SmartThings sends a notification
• See if your automation (e.g., lights turning on) works
• Verify the live feed loads in under 5 seconds

If something fails, go back to the automation and check the trigger. Sometimes SmartThings mislabels “motion” as “person” or “vehicle”—adjust the sensitivity in the Arlo app if needed.

Step 7: Manage and Troubleshoot (Ongoing)

Tech isn’t perfect. Here’s how to stay on top of it.

• Check battery life: Arlo cameras (especially wire-free) drain batteries. SmartThings shows “battery level” under device settings
• Update firmware: Both Arlo and SmartThings release updates. Check monthly in each app
• Re-sync if offline: If a camera shows “Offline,” go to SmartThings > Device > Arlo camera > “Remove” > Re-add it
• Wi-Fi strength: Poor signal? Move your router or add a Wi-Fi extender

I once had a camera go offline every Tuesday. Turned out my neighbor’s microwave was interfering with the 2.4 GHz band. Moving the camera 10 feet fixed it.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

After setting up Arlo with SmartThings for my own home and helping friends, I’ve learned a few hard truths. Let me save you the headaches.

Pro Tip 1: Use the Arlo App for Advanced Settings

SmartThings gives you basic controls—but Arlo’s app handles the heavy lifting. Use it to:

• Adjust motion zones (so your camera ignores trees swaying)
• Set recording schedules (e.g., only record after dark)
• Change video quality (lower resolution saves battery)

Think of SmartThings as the “remote” and Arlo as the “TV.” You use the remote to turn it on, but the TV does the work.

Pro Tip 2: Name Your Cameras Clearly

Don’t keep the default “Arlo Camera 1.” Rename them in SmartThings to “Front Door,” “Backyard,” “Garage.” Trust me—when you’re setting up automations, you’ll thank yourself.

Common Mistake 1: Using 5 GHz Wi-Fi for Arlo

Arlo cameras (except some Ultra models) only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If you try to connect to 5 GHz, it’ll fail. Check your router settings. I once wasted an hour because my router was broadcasting 5 GHz by default.

Common Mistake 2: Skipping the Base Station (For Pro/Ultra Models)

Pro and Ultra Arlo cameras need a base station to connect to SmartThings. It’s the bridge between your camera and the internet. Without it, SmartThings won’t see the camera. Plug it in, connect via Ethernet, and sync it first.

Common Mistake 3: Not Testing Automations in Real Life

You set up a “motion → lights on” routine, but never test it? Bad idea. I once had a routine that worked in the app but failed in reality because the motion sensor had a blind spot. Always test with real movement.

Pro Tip 3: Use SmartThings Scenes for Quick Control

Create a “Goodnight” scene that turns off all lights and arms your Arlo cameras. Tap it once, and your whole system locks down. It’s like a panic button for peace of mind.

FAQs About How to Set Up Arlo Camera with Samsung SmartThings Easily

Let’s tackle the questions I get most—straight from my inbox.

Q: Can I view Arlo camera feeds directly in SmartThings?

Yes! Tap the camera tile in SmartThings to see the live feed. It’s not as fast as the Arlo app (there’s a 2–3 second delay), but it works. For real-time monitoring, I still use the Arlo app, but SmartThings is great for quick checks.

Q: Why isn’t my Arlo camera showing up in SmartThings?

Three common reasons:

• Your Arlo isn’t set up in the Arlo app first
• You’re using the wrong email for Arlo login
• Your Arlo camera is on 5 GHz Wi-Fi (switch to 2.4 GHz)

Double-check these, and it should appear.

Q: Does this work with Arlo doorbells?

Yes! Arlo doorbells (like the Arlo Video Doorbell) integrate the same way. Just add them as a device in SmartThings after setting up in the Arlo app. You can even set it to trigger a chime on your SmartThings speaker.

Q: Can I record footage in SmartThings?

No. SmartThings doesn’t store video. It uses Arlo’s cloud or local storage. But you can trigger recordings via automations. For example, “When motion is detected, start recording on Arlo.”

Q: What if my Arlo camera disconnects often?

Check:

• Wi-Fi signal strength (use a Wi-Fi analyzer app)
• Battery level (replace or charge if below 20%)
• Router interference (microwaves, cordless phones)

I once had a camera disconnect every time I used the microwave. Moving it fixed the issue.

Q: Is this setup free?

Yes. No extra fees. You just need your existing Arlo and SmartThings accounts. Arlo’s basic cloud storage is free (last 7 days of footage), but premium plans cost extra.

Q: Can I control Arlo from SmartThings without a hub?

Yes! If you have a Samsung phone, TV, or tablet with the SmartThings app, you don’t need a physical hub. The app acts as the hub. I use my Galaxy S22 for everything.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to set up Arlo camera with Samsung SmartThings easily isn’t just about connecting two devices—it’s about creating a smarter, safer home. You’re not just watching your property; you’re automating it. Lights turn on when someone approaches. You get alerts before the mail carrier even reaches your door. It’s peace of mind, built in.

Start simple. Set up one camera. Test it. Then add automations. Don’t try to do it all in one night. I’ve seen people get overwhelmed and give up—don’t be that person. Take it step by step.

And remember: tech glitches happen. If something fails, don’t panic. Re-sync the device, check Wi-Fi, or restart the app. Most issues are fixable in under 10 minutes.

Now go set it up. Your future self—sipping coffee, watching a live feed of your empty driveway—will thank you.

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