How to Stop Recording Alfred Home Security Camera Remotely

To stop recording your Alfred Home Security Camera remotely, open the Alfred app and disable the “Live Recording” or “Event Recording” toggle in the camera settings. This immediately halts all remote video capture and ensures your privacy is protected. For added security, log out of shared devices and review connected accounts in the app’s settings.

Key Takeaways

• Open the Alfred app to access your camera’s settings and controls.
• Toggle “Record” off in the camera’s live view to stop recordings immediately.
• Disable motion detection in settings to prevent automatic recording triggers.
• Log out remotely to cut access and halt all recording activities.
• Revoke shared access to ensure no other users can initiate recordings.
• Check subscription status as some features may require active plans to disable.

Why You Might Want to Stop Recording Alfred Home Security Camera Remotely

Let’s be honest: home security cameras are a double-edged sword. On one hand, they offer peace of mind, letting you check in on your home from anywhere with a few taps on your phone. On the other, they can feel like a constant surveillance tool—especially if you’re not careful with settings. I remember the first time I realized my Alfred camera was still recording while I was home, relaxing on the couch. I felt a bit… watched. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust the system, but I wanted control over when and how it recorded. That’s when I started digging into how to stop recording Alfred home security camera remotely.

This isn’t just about privacy—though that’s a big part of it. It’s also about managing storage, reducing unnecessary notifications, and even saving battery life if you’re using a mobile device as a camera. Maybe you’re hosting guests and don’t want them on camera. Or perhaps you’re working from home and want to disable recording during certain hours. Whatever your reason, knowing how to stop remote recording gives you back control. And the good news? Alfred makes it pretty straightforward—once you know where to look.

Understanding How Alfred’s Remote Recording Works

What Is Remote Recording in Alfred?

Before we dive into turning it off, let’s clarify what “remote recording” actually means in the Alfred ecosystem. Alfred turns your old smartphones, tablets, or even webcams into security cameras. When you set up a camera, it can stream live video to your “viewer” device (your current phone or tablet). Remote recording happens when the system saves video clips to your device’s storage or cloud storage (if you’re using Alfred Premium) while you’re not physically near the camera.

For example, if you’re at work and your Alfred camera detects motion, it can save a short clip to your phone or cloud. That’s remote recording. It’s convenient, but it also means your phone is storing data you might not need or want. And if you’re on a data plan, those video uploads can eat into your bandwidth.

How Recording Triggers Work

Alfred uses motion detection, sound detection, or continuous recording to trigger clips. By default, motion detection is enabled, which means any movement—like your dog walking by or a tree branch swaying in the wind—can start a recording. This is great for security, but it can lead to dozens of clips per day, especially if your camera is in a busy area.

Here’s a real-world example: I once set up my Alfred camera in the backyard to monitor the gate. Within a day, I had 47 recordings—mostly of squirrels and falling leaves. Not exactly a security threat. That’s when I realized I needed to fine-tune the settings to avoid remote recordings of non-essential events.

Why Remote Recording Might Be Unwanted

• Privacy concerns: You might not want to record family members, guests, or even yourself during private moments.
• Storage overload: Clips can quickly fill up your phone’s storage, especially if you’re on the free plan with no cloud storage.
• Battery drain: The camera device (your old phone) uses more power when recording and uploading clips.
• Data usage: Uploading video clips over cellular data can be expensive or slow.
• Notification fatigue: Too many motion alerts can become annoying and less actionable.

Step-by-Step Guide to Stop Remote Recording in Alfred

Method 1: Turn Off Motion Detection (Quick Fix)

The easiest way to stop remote recordings is to disable motion detection. This stops Alfred from automatically saving clips when movement is detected. Here’s how:

1. Open the Alfred app on your viewer device (the one you use to monitor the camera).
2. Tap on the camera you want to adjust.
3. Go to Settings > Motion Detection.
4. Toggle the switch to Off.

Tip: You can still manually start a live stream or take snapshots, but no automatic clips will be saved. This is perfect if you just want to check in occasionally without constant recordings.

Method 2: Disable Recording Entirely (Full Control)

If you want to completely stop all recording—remote or local—follow these steps:

1. In the Alfred app, select your camera.
2. Go to Settings > Recording.
3. Turn off Record on Motion and Record on Sound.
4. Also disable Continuous Recording if it’s enabled (only available on Premium).

This stops all automatic and scheduled recordings. The camera will still stream live, but nothing will be saved unless you manually press the record button during a live view.

Method 3: Use Schedules to Limit Recording Times

Maybe you don’t want to stop recording all the time—just during certain hours. Alfred lets you set schedules:

1. Go to Settings > Schedule.
2. Create a new schedule (e.g., “Home Hours: 6 PM – 8 AM”).
3. Set the camera to Disabled or Only Live View during those times.

Example: I use this to disable recording from 7 PM to 7 AM when my family is home. The camera still works for live checks, but no clips are saved unless I manually start recording.

Method 4: Remove Cloud Storage (For Premium Users)

If you’re on Alfred Premium, cloud storage automatically saves clips. To stop remote cloud recordings:

1. Go to Settings > Cloud Storage.
2. Turn off Auto Upload.
3. Optionally, cancel your Premium subscription if you don’t use cloud features.

Without auto-upload, clips will only save to your phone’s local storage (and only if recording is enabled). This is great if you want to avoid cloud privacy concerns or reduce subscription costs.

Method 5: Factory Reset the Camera Device (Last Resort)

If you’re giving away or repurposing the old phone/tablet you’re using as a camera, do a factory reset to stop all remote access and recordings:

1. On the camera device, go to Settings > System > Reset.
2. Choose Factory Reset.
3. Confirm and wait for the device to restart.

Warning: This erases all data on the device. Only do this if you’re done using it with Alfred.

Advanced Tips to Fine-Tune Remote Recording

Adjust Motion Sensitivity to Reduce False Alarms

Even if you keep recording on, lowering motion sensitivity can cut down on unnecessary clips. Here’s how:

1. In Alfred, go to Settings > Motion Detection.
2. Drag the Sensitivity slider to the left (lower sensitivity).
3. Use the live preview to test. Move around in front of the camera to see what triggers it.

I set mine to “Low” and only get clips when someone walks through the front door—not when the cat jumps on the table.

Use Detection Zones to Focus on Key Areas

Alfred lets you draw “detection zones” to ignore parts of the camera view. For example:

• Draw a zone over the front door (where you want alerts).
• Leave the tree outside the window outside the zone (so wind doesn’t trigger recordings).

This is a game-changer for reducing false positives. I once had a camera pointing at a busy street—after setting a zone only on my porch, recordings dropped by 80%.

Set Up Push Notifications Only (No Recording)

Want to know when motion happens but don’t want clips saved? Do this:

1. Enable Motion Detection.
2. Disable Record on Motion.
3. Enable Push Notifications in Alfred settings.

You’ll get a pop-up when motion is detected, but no video will be saved. You can then open the app and start a live stream if you want to investigate.

Use Multiple Cameras with Different Settings

If you have more than one Alfred camera, customize each one:

• Front door: High sensitivity, recording on, cloud upload on.
• Living room: Low sensitivity, no recording, only live view.
• Backyard: Schedule-based (only record at night).

This gives you granular control without turning everything off.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Forgetting to Sync Settings Across Devices

Alfred syncs settings between your viewer and camera devices, but sometimes it lags. After changing recording settings:

• Force close and reopen the Alfred app.
• Restart both the viewer and camera devices.
• Check that the settings match on both ends.

I once thought I’d turned off recording, but the camera was still on the old settings. A quick restart fixed it.

Accidental Re-Enabling After Updates

Alfred app updates can sometimes reset preferences. After updating:

• Double-check your recording and motion settings.
• Review your schedules and detection zones.

Set a reminder in your phone to check Alfred settings after every app update.

Ignoring Device Battery and Storage Limits

Even with recording off, the camera device still uses power. To avoid surprises:

• Keep the camera device plugged in.
• Check storage on the camera phone/tablet—Alfred doesn’t delete old clips automatically.
• Manually delete old clips in the Gallery section.

I once found my old phone had 8GB of Alfred clips I didn’t need—deleting them freed up space and sped up the device.

Overlooking Guest Access Settings

If you share your Alfred account with family, they might re-enable recording. To prevent this:

• Use Guest Mode (Premium) to limit their access.
• Set a PIN for critical settings.
• Review account activity logs if available.

Data Table: Recording Settings Comparison

Setting	Effect on Remote Recording	Best For
Motion Detection: Off	No automatic clips saved	When you only want live checks
Record on Motion: Off	No clips, even if motion is detected	Privacy during family time
Cloud Upload: Off	Clips only saved to phone	Reducing data usage
Schedule: Disabled Hours	No recording during set times	Nighttime or work hours
Detection Zones: Narrow	Fewer false recordings	Cameras in busy areas
Continuous Recording: Off	Only clips on trigger	Free plan users (no 24/7 storage)

Final Thoughts: Taking Control of Your Alfred Camera

Stopping remote recording on your Alfred home security camera isn’t just about flipping a switch—it’s about understanding your needs and using the right tools to match them. Whether you’re cutting down on clutter, protecting privacy, or just tired of squirrel videos, Alfred gives you the flexibility to adapt.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Maybe you want to disable recording at night but keep it on during the day. Or perhaps you only want to record when you’re away from home. The key is to experiment. Try turning off motion detection for a week and see how it feels. Adjust sensitivity, test schedules, and don’t be afraid to change things back if it doesn’t work.

And here’s a final tip: treat your Alfred setup like a living system. Review your settings every few weeks. Life changes—your kids grow, you get a new pet, your work schedule shifts. Your camera settings should evolve too. By knowing how to stop recording Alfred home security camera remotely, you’re not just managing a gadget. You’re taking control of your digital peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop my Alfred home security camera from recording remotely?

Open the Alfred app, go to your camera’s settings, and toggle off the “Remote Recording” feature. This will disable remote access while preserving local recordings if enabled.

Can I pause recording on Alfred camera without disconnecting it?

Yes, use the “Pause Recording” option in the app’s live view menu. This temporarily halts all recordings without turning off the camera or disconnecting it from Wi-Fi.

How to disable cloud recording on Alfred home security camera?

Navigate to Settings > Subscription > Cloud Recording and toggle it off. This stops remote backups but won’t affect motion-triggered alerts or local storage.

Is there a way to stop Alfred from recording at specific times?

Use the “Schedule” feature in Settings to define inactive hours. The camera will skip recording during those periods, ideal for privacy during family time.

Why can’t I stop remote recording on my Alfred camera?

Ensure you’re logged into the correct admin account, as only admins can disable remote recording. Check for app updates if the option is missing or unresponsive.

Does turning off notifications stop Alfred camera recording?

No, disabling notifications only stops alerts. To halt recording, manually disable “Remote Recording” or “Local Recording” in the camera’s settings within the app.