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Sharing your Arlo camera lets trusted people view live video and recordings without giving them your login. This guide walks you through the how to share Arlo camera access process, shows how to set permissions, and explains how to revoke access when needed.
Sharing access to your Arlo cameras is one of the most useful features for homeowners, renters, and small business owners. Who needs it? Anyone who wants a trusted friend, family member, or professional to check on a property while you’re away. What does it do? It lets another person see live streams and recorded clips without handing over your master login. Where does it happen? Inside the Arlo mobile app or web portal. When should you use it? Anytime you travel, hire a pet‑sitter, or need a contractor to verify a job site. Why is it better than sharing passwords? It keeps your account secure, lets you control exactly what each person sees, and you can revoke access instantly.
Did you know? Over 70 percent of Arlo users share camera access with at least one other person, according to a 2023 Arlo user survey. That statistic shows how common and trusted the feature has become. Think of sharing access like giving a spare key to a neighbor you trust—only you can take the key back whenever you want.
Key Takeaways
- Easy invitation: Send an email invite from the Arlo app to grant view‑only or admin rights.
- Granular permissions: Choose which cameras each person can see and whether they can change settings.
- Instant revocation: Remove access with one tap if a guest no longer needs it.
- Security first: Use two‑factor authentication and unique passwords for every shared account.
- Multiple users: Up to 10 people can be added per camera, perfect for families or small businesses.
- Cross‑platform: Shared users can view footage on iOS, Android, or web browsers.
- Troubleshooting tips: Common issues like missing invites or permission errors are solved in minutes.
📑 Table of Contents
- Understanding the Basics of How to Share Arlo Camera Access
- Step‑by‑Step Guide: How to Share Arlo Camera Access via the Mobile App
- Managing Permissions and Revoking Access
- Sharing with Family, Guests, and Professionals
- Troubleshooting Common Sharing Issues
- Best Practices for Secure Sharing
- Conclusion
Understanding the Basics of How to Share Arlo Camera Access
What You Need Before You Start
Before you begin the how to share Arlo camera access workflow, make sure you have the following ready:
- An active Arlo account with at least one camera online.
- The latest version of the Arlo app installed on your phone (iOS or Android).
- The email address of each person you want to invite.
- Two‑factor authentication enabled on your Arlo account for extra security.
Having these items prepared saves time and prevents the most common errors.
Types of Access You Can Grant
Arlo offers two main permission levels:
- View‑only: The guest can watch live video and playback recordings but cannot change any camera settings.
- Admin: The guest can view video, adjust motion zones, change video quality, and even add or remove other users.
Choose view‑only for most family members or pet‑sitters. Reserve admin rights for a trusted tech‑savvy partner or a professional installer.
Step‑by‑Step Guide: How to Share Arlo Camera Access via the Mobile App
Open the App and Select Your Camera
Launch the Arlo app and sign in with your primary credentials. Tap the Devices tab at the bottom. Choose the camera you want to share. If you have multiple cameras, you can repeat the process for each one.
Visual guide about smartphone sharing camera access
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Tap the Sharing Icon
On the camera’s live view screen, locate the Share icon (it looks like a person with a plus sign). Tap it to open the sharing menu. This is the core of the how to share Arlo camera access process.
Enter the Guest’s Email Address
Type the email address of the person you want to invite. The app will validate the format instantly. You can add up to ten email addresses per camera.
Choose Permission Level
Select either View‑only or Admin from the dropdown. A short description appears under each option to remind you what the guest can do.
Send the Invitation
Press Send Invite. The guest receives an email with a link to accept the invitation. They must create an Arlo account (or sign in) before the camera appears in their app.
Confirm the Guest Has Accepted
Return to the sharing screen. You will see a status indicator: Pending until the guest accepts, then Active. If the invite expires (after 7 days), you can resend it with one tap.
Managing Permissions and Revoking Access
Adjusting Permissions After the Fact
Sometimes you need to change a guest’s level. Go back to the sharing screen, tap the guest’s name, and select a new permission. The change takes effect immediately—no need for the guest to log out.
Removing a User Completely
If a pet‑sitter’s job ends or a contractor finishes a project, open the sharing screen, swipe left on the user’s name, and tap Remove. The user loses access instantly. This is a key advantage of the how to share Arlo camera access system over password sharing.
Setting Time‑Limited Access (Pro Tip)
Arlo does not yet have a built‑in timer, but you can simulate it. Add a calendar reminder for yourself to remove the user on a specific date. This manual step ensures you never forget to revoke access.
Sharing with Family, Guests, and Professionals
Family Members
Give your spouse or adult children view‑only access so they can check on kids or pets. Because each person gets their own login, you maintain accountability—who watched what and when.
Short‑Term Guests (Pet‑Sitters, House‑Sitters)
Invite them with view‑only rights for the exact cameras they need (e.g., front door and backyard). Remove them the day they leave. This keeps your home secure while giving the sitter peace of mind.
Contractors and Service Pros
For a plumber or electrician, grant admin access only to the camera covering the work area. They can verify the job is done without needing to be on‑site. After the job, revoke access immediately.
Small Business Teams
If you run a boutique shop, add managers as admins on the front‑door and register cameras. They can monitor opening and closing procedures remotely. The how to share Arlo camera access workflow scales easily as your team grows.
Troubleshooting Common Sharing Issues
Invite Not Received
Ask the guest to check spam or promotions folders. Ensure you typed the email correctly. If the problem persists, delete the pending invite and resend.
Guest Cannot See Camera After Accepting
Confirm the guest is signed into the same Arlo account that accepted the invite. Sometimes users have multiple Arlo accounts; the camera only appears in the account that accepted.
Permission Changes Not Applying
Force‑close the Arlo app on the guest’s device and reopen it. Permissions sync on app restart. If still stuck, remove and re‑add the user.
Two‑Factor Authentication Blocks Guest Login
Guests must set up their own two‑factor authentication. If they use a shared phone number for codes, they may not receive the code. Advise them to use an authenticator app instead.
Best Practices for Secure Sharing
Enable Two‑Factor Authentication on All Accounts
Both you and every guest should turn on 2FA. It adds a second layer of protection beyond passwords.
Use Unique, Strong Passwords
Never reuse passwords across services. A password manager can generate and store complex passwords for each user.
Regularly Audit Shared Users
Set a quarterly reminder to review the sharing list. Remove anyone who no longer needs access. This habit prevents “orphan” accounts from lingering.
Limit Admin Rights
Only give admin rights to people who truly need to change settings. Most guests only need view‑only.
Keep the App Updated
Arlo releases security patches frequently. Update the app on all devices to benefit from the latest fixes.
Educate Your Guests
Send a short guide (or this article) to new users. Explain how to navigate the app, view recordings, and log out when finished.
Conclusion
Mastering the how to share Arlo camera access feature gives you flexibility without sacrificing security. You now know who can benefit, what permissions exist, where to find the sharing menu, when to grant or revoke access, and why this method beats password sharing. Follow the step‑by‑step instructions, apply the best‑practice tips, and you’ll keep your home or business monitored by the right people at the right times. Share confidently, stay secure, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly who’s watching.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can I share an Arlo camera with?
You can invite up to 10 users per camera. Each user gets their own login and permission level.
Can a shared user change camera settings?
Only users with Admin permission can change settings. View‑only users can watch live video and recordings but cannot modify anything.
What happens if the guest does not accept the invitation within 7 days?
The invitation expires automatically. You can resend it from the sharing screen with one tap.
Do shared users need an Arlo subscription to view recordings?
If your plan includes cloud recording, shared users can view those recordings without a separate subscription. They only need an Arlo account.
Can I share access to only certain cameras in a multi‑camera system?
Yes. You select each camera individually when sending invites, so you can grant access to just the front‑door camera, for example.
Is there a way to set an automatic expiration date for shared access?
Arlo does not currently offer a built‑in timer. The workaround is to set a personal reminder and manually remove the user when the period ends.