With the increasing need for home security, having a reliable and efficient app becomes paramount. The Arlo app for iPhone is a game-changer in the world of home security, offering seamless control and monitoring of your Arlo cameras from the convenience of your iPhone. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the features, benefits, and how-tos of the Arlo app, ensuring you can make the most out of this cutting-edge technology.
Whether you are a tech-savvy homeowner or someone new to the world of smart home security, this guide will equip you with all the knowledge you need to harness the power of the Arlo app for iPhone. From setting up your devices to managing notifications and accessing recordings, let’s delve into the world of Arlo and discover how it can revolutionize your home security.
Getting Started with Arlo App
Setting up the Arlo app on your iPhone is the first step towards effortless home security. To begin, head to the App Store and search for “Arlo.” Once you’ve found the app, tap on the “Get” button to initiate the download. The app will start installing on your iPhone, and you can monitor the progress from your home screen.
After the installation is complete, locate the Arlo app icon on your home screen and tap on it to launch the app. You will be greeted with a welcome screen that prompts you to either log in to an existing account or create a new one. If you already have an Arlo account, simply enter your login credentials. If this is your first time using Arlo, tap on the “New to Arlo? Sign up” option to create a new account.
Creating a New Arlo Account
To create a new Arlo account, you will need to provide some basic information. Tap on the “New to Arlo? Sign up” option, and the app will guide you through the registration process. Start by entering your email address and creating a strong password. Make sure to choose a password that is unique and not easily guessable.
Once you’ve entered your email and password, tap on the “Next” button. The app will ask you to confirm your email address by sending a verification email. Check your inbox for the verification email from Arlo and click on the provided link to verify your email address. This step is important to ensure the security of your Arlo account.
After verifying your email address, you will be prompted to enter your first and last name. Provide these details and tap on the “Next” button. The app will then ask you to enter your phone number. While providing your phone number is optional, it can be useful for account recovery and additional security measures. If you choose to provide your phone number, enter it and tap on the “Next” button.
Finally, the app will ask you to agree to the Arlo Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Take some time to review these documents, and if you agree, check the box indicating your acceptance. Tap on the “Next” button to proceed.
That’s it! You’ve successfully created a new Arlo account. The app will now prompt you to add devices to your account. If you already have Arlo cameras set up, tap on the “Add Device” button and follow the on-screen instructions to sync your cameras with the app. If you don’t have any devices yet, you can skip this step for now and add them later.
Syncing Arlo Cameras with the App
If you already have Arlo cameras set up, it’s essential to sync them with the Arlo app to access their live feed and recordings. To do this, tap on the “Add Device” button on the home screen of the app. The app will guide you through the syncing process step-by-step.
Start by selecting the type of device you want to add. Arlo offers various camera models, such as Arlo Pro, Arlo Ultra, and Arlo Baby. Choose the appropriate camera model from the list. If you’re unsure which model you have, refer to the documentation that came with your Arlo camera or contact Arlo customer support for assistance.
After selecting the camera model, the app will instruct you to put your camera into sync mode. Refer to the camera’s user manual for specific instructions on how to enter sync mode. Once the camera is in sync mode, tap on the “Continue” button in the app.
The app will now attempt to detect the camera. Make sure your iPhone is within close proximity to the camera during this process. If the app successfully detects the camera, it will display a confirmation message. Tap on the “Continue” button to proceed.
Next, you will need to name your camera. This step is particularly useful if you have multiple cameras set up as it helps you identify each device easily. Choose a descriptive name for your camera and tap on the “Continue” button.
The app will now prompt you to connect your camera to your Wi-Fi network. Select your network from the list of available networks and enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted. Make sure to enter the correct password to establish a successful connection. Once the camera is connected to your Wi-Fi, tap on the “Continue” button.
Finally, the app will ask you to position your camera. Follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the camera’s angle and ensure it is pointing in the desired direction. Once you’re satisfied with the camera’s position, tap on the “Continue” button.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully synced your Arlo camera with the Arlo app. Repeat this process for each additional camera you want to add to your account.
Exploring the Arlo App Interface
Now that you’ve set up the Arlo app and synced your cameras, let’s explore its user-friendly interface. The Arlo app is designed to provide easy access to all the features and functionalities you need to monitor and control your Arlo cameras effectively.
The Home Screen
Upon launching the Arlo app, you will be greeted with the home screen. This screen serves as the central hub for all your Arlo devices and provides a quick overview of their status. The home screen displays a thumbnail view of each camera, allowing you to see the live feed at a glance.
At the top of the home screen, you will find the Arlo logo and the name of your account. Tapping on the account name will open a drop-down menu where you can access account settings, notifications, and other account-related options.
Beneath the account name, you’ll see a search bar that allows you to search for specific recordings or events. This feature can be handy when you’re looking for a particular incident captured by your Arlo cameras.
Below the search bar, you’ll find the camera thumbnail view. Each thumbnail represents a camera synced with your Arlo app. You can tap on any thumbnail to view the live feed from that camera in full screen.
On the right side of each thumbnail, you’ll see a series of icons. These icons represent different camera statuses and provide quick access to specific features. For example, a green checkmark icon indicates that the camera is online and functioning correctly. Tapping on this icon allows you to enable or disable the camera.
Below the camera thumbnails, you’ll find additional options such as “Modes,” “Library,” and “Settings.” We will explore these options in more detail in the following sections.
Navigating the App Menu
To access the various features and settings of the Arlo app, tap on the menu icon located in the top-left corner of the home screen. The menu icon resembles three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other. Tapping on this icon will open the app menu, providing quick access to different sections.
Once the app menu is open, you’ll see a list of options, including “Devices,” “Library,” “Modes,” “Settings,” and more. Let’s explore each of these options in detail:
Devices
The “Devices” section allows you to manage and customize your Arlo cameras. Tapping on “Devices” will display a list of all the cameras synced with your Arlo app. From here, you can view the live feed, adjust camera settings, enable or disable specific cameras, and more.
To access the settings for a particular camera, tap on the camera name in the “Devices” list. This will open a new screen where you can configure various camera settings, such as video quality, motion detection sensitivity, and audio settings.
Additionally, the “Devices” section provides options to add new cameras, remove existing cameras, or sync additional devices like Arlo doorbells or lights. Explore the “Devices” section to fully customize and manage your Arlo camera system.
Library
The “Library” section is where you can access and manage all the recorded videos captured by your Arlo cameras. Tapping on “Library” will display a timeline view of your recordings, with the most recent videos at the top.
Scrolling through the timeline allows you to navigate to specific dates and times to find the recordings you’re looking for. You can also use the search bar at the top of the “Library” screen to search for specific events or footage.
To play a recording, simply tap on thethumbnail of the desired video. This will open a playback screen where you can view the recording in full screen. From the playback screen, you can also download or share the recording with others.
The “Library” section offers additional features to help you manage your recordings effectively. For example, you can filter the timeline by specific cameras, date ranges, or motion detection events. This allows you to quickly find relevant footage without scrolling through a large number of recordings.
Furthermore, the “Library” section provides options to delete or save recordings to your device or cloud storage. By saving important footage, you can ensure it is easily accessible even if your Arlo cameras’ local storage fills up.
Explore the “Library” section to make the most out of your Arlo camera recordings and efficiently manage your home security footage.
Modes
The “Modes” section in the Arlo app allows you to customize the behavior of your Arlo cameras based on specific situations or schedules. Tapping on “Modes” will display a list of pre-defined modes, such as “Armed,” “Disarmed,” or “Schedule.” These modes determine how your cameras respond to motion detection and recording triggers.
To customize a mode, tap on its name in the “Modes” list. This will open a new screen where you can configure various settings for that mode. For example, you can specify the cameras that should be active in a particular mode, adjust motion detection sensitivity, or set up custom rules for recording and notifications.
By utilizing the “Modes” feature, you can create tailored settings for different scenarios. For instance, you might want your Arlo cameras to be armed and actively record when you’re away from home but switch to a schedule-based mode when you’re at home to prevent unnecessary notifications.
Take the time to explore the “Modes” section and experiment with different settings to find the configuration that best suits your home security needs.
Settings
The “Settings” section in the Arlo app allows you to customize various aspects of the app and your Arlo camera system. Tapping on “Settings” will open a new screen with different options to explore.
Account Settings
Within the “Settings” section, you’ll find “Account Settings” where you can manage your Arlo account details. This includes options to edit your account information, change your password, update your email address, or manage connected third-party accounts like Google or Apple.
Take the time to review your account settings and ensure all the information is up to date. This will help maintain the security and functionality of your Arlo app and camera system.
Notification Settings
The “Notification Settings” within the “Settings” section allow you to customize how and when you receive notifications from your Arlo cameras. Tapping on “Notification Settings” will open a new screen where you can adjust preferences for push notifications, email alerts, and sound alerts.
For push notifications, you can specify which events trigger notifications, such as motion detection, audio detection, or low battery. You can also choose the sound and vibration patterns for the notifications to distinguish them from other alerts on your iPhone.
Similarly, email alerts can be customized to specify the types of events that trigger an email notification. You can also set up email schedules to receive summary reports of camera activity at specific intervals.
Lastly, the sound alerts settings allow you to choose the sound played when a notification is received. You can select from a range of pre-installed sounds or even upload your own custom sound.
By fine-tuning your notification settings, you can strike the perfect balance between staying informed about security events and minimizing unnecessary interruptions.
Camera Settings
The “Camera Settings” within the “Settings” section allow you to further customize the behavior and functionality of your Arlo cameras. Tapping on “Camera Settings” will display a list of all the cameras synced with your Arlo app.
From here, you can tap on a camera’s name to access its specific settings. These settings include video quality, motion detection sensitivity, audio settings, night vision preferences, and more. Adjusting these settings ensures your Arlo cameras are optimized for your specific home security needs.
Additionally, the “Camera Settings” section provides options to enable or disable features like geofencing, which uses your iPhone’s location to automatically arm or disarm your cameras based on your proximity to your home.
Explore the “Camera Settings” section to fine-tune your Arlo camera configurations and maximize their effectiveness in keeping your home secure.
Customizing Arlo App Settings
To truly personalize your Arlo experience, it’s important to customize the app settings according to your specific needs. The Arlo app offers a range of customization options that allow you to tailor the app to your preferences and enhance your home security.
Adjusting Motion Detection Sensitivity
One of the key features of the Arlo app is its motion detection capabilities. By default, the app is set to a moderate motion detection sensitivity level, but you can adjust this setting to suit your requirements.
To adjust the motion detection sensitivity, start by opening the Arlo app on your iPhone. From the home screen, tap on the menu icon in the top-left corner to access the app menu. In the menu, tap on “Settings,” followed by “Camera Settings.”
From the list of cameras, choose the camera for which you want to adjust the motion detection sensitivity. This will open the camera’s specific settings screen.
Within the camera settings, look for the “Motion Detection” option. Tap on it to access the motion detection settings for that camera.
Here, you’ll find a slider that allows you to adjust the motion detection sensitivity. Moving the slider to the right increases the sensitivity, making the camera more responsive to motion. Moving it to the left decreases the sensitivity, making the camera less likely to trigger recordings for minor movements.
Experiment with different sensitivity levels to find the setting that works best for your environment. Keep in mind that setting the sensitivity too high may result in frequent recordings triggered by non-essential movements, such as passing vehicles or tree branches swaying in the wind. Conversely, setting it too low may cause the camera to miss important events.
It’s recommended to start with a moderate sensitivity level and make adjustments based on your specific needs and the camera’s location.
Setting Up Activity Zones
Activity zones allow you to define specific areas within the camera’s field of view where you want to focus motion detection. By setting up activity zones, you can reduce false alarms and ensure that the camera captures relevant events.
To set up activity zones, open the Arlo app and navigate to the specific camera’s settings screen as described earlier. Within the camera settings, look for the “Activity Zones” option and tap on it.
On the activity zones screen, you’ll see the live feed from the camera, with a grid overlay. This grid represents the camera’s field of view, and you can customize it to create activity zones.
To create an activity zone, tap and drag on the grid to select the desired area. You can resize and reposition the zone by dragging its corners or edges. Repeat this process to create multiple zones if necessary.
Once you’ve created the desired activity zones, tap on the “Save” or “Done” button to apply the changes. The camera will now focus its motion detection within the specified zones, reducing false alarms caused by movements outside those areas.
Activity zones are particularly useful if your camera is positioned in an area with potential sources of motion that you want to ignore, such as a busy street or a tree constantly swaying in the wind.
Experiment with different activity zone configurations to find the optimal setup for your specific environment and home security needs.
Scheduling Arlo Modes
The scheduling feature in the Arlo app allows you to automate the behavior of your Arlo cameras based on specific time ranges. By setting up schedules, you can ensure your cameras are armed and actively recording when needed, and disarmed during specific periods to prevent unnecessary recordings and notifications.
To set up a schedule, open the Arlo app and access the “Modes” section from the app menu. Within the “Modes” screen, tap on the “Schedule” option.
On the schedule screen, you’ll see a grid representing the days of the week and time slots throughout the day. Each cell in the grid represents a specific time range.
To create a schedule, tap on a cell and select the desired mode for that time range. For example, you might want to set the “Armed” mode during the night when you’re asleep and switch to the “Disarmed” mode during the day when you’re at home.
You can create multiple time ranges and assign different modes to each range. This allows you to create a customized schedule that aligns with your daily routine and home security requirements.
Once you’ve set up the schedule, tap on the “Save” or “Done” button to apply the changes. From now on, your Arlo cameras will automatically switch between the assigned modes based on the specified time ranges.
The scheduling feature is particularly useful if you have a consistent daily routine or specific times when you want your cameras to be active or inactive. It helps optimize your home security system and ensures you receive recordingsand notifications only when necessary.
Enabling Geofencing
Geofencing is a powerful feature in the Arlo app that utilizes your iPhone’s location to automatically arm or disarm your cameras based on your proximity to your home. With geofencing enabled, you don’t have to manually switch modes or remember to arm or disarm your cameras whenever you leave or return home.
To enable geofencing, open the Arlo app and access the “Modes” section from the app menu. Within the “Modes” screen, tap on the “Geofencing” option.
On the geofencing screen, you’ll see a toggle switch to enable or disable the feature. Toggle the switch to the “On” position to enable geofencing.
Once geofencing is enabled, the Arlo app will use your iPhone’s location to determine your proximity to your home. When you leave a specified radius around your home, the app will automatically arm your cameras. Similarly, when you enter the radius, the app will disarm your cameras.
You can customize the geofencing radius by tapping on the “Radius” option on the geofencing screen. Adjust the slider to increase or decrease the radius according to your preference.
Geofencing provides a convenient and hands-free way to manage the arming and disarming of your Arlo cameras. It ensures that your cameras are active when you’re away from home and automatically disarm when you return, without any manual intervention.
Managing Notifications and Alerts
Staying informed about the security of your home is crucial, and the Arlo app offers a range of notification and alert settings to keep you updated. By customizing these settings, you can receive timely notifications about relevant events while avoiding unnecessary interruptions.
Configuring Push Notifications
Push notifications are an effective way to receive real-time alerts on your iPhone when your Arlo cameras detect motion, sound, or other events. By default, the Arlo app is set to send push notifications for all events, but you can customize these settings to filter the types of notifications you receive.
To configure push notifications, open the Arlo app and access the “Settings” section from the app menu. Within the settings screen, tap on “Notification Settings.”
On the notification settings screen, you’ll see options to enable or disable push notifications for different events, such as motion detection, audio detection, low battery, and more. Toggle the switches next to each event to customize your notification preferences.
You can also customize the sound and vibration pattern for push notifications by tapping on the “Sound” option. Choose from the available sounds or upload your own custom sound to personalize your Arlo notifications.
By customizing push notifications, you can ensure that you receive alerts for the events that matter to you while minimizing distractions from less critical events.
Configuring Email Alerts
In addition to push notifications, the Arlo app allows you to receive email alerts for specific events captured by your Arlo cameras. Email alerts can be useful if you prefer to receive event summaries or want to keep a record of important events.
To configure email alerts, open the Arlo app and access the “Settings” section from the app menu. Within the settings screen, tap on “Notification Settings.”
On the notification settings screen, scroll down to the “Email Alerts” section. Here, you can toggle the switches next to specific events to enable or disable email notifications for those events.
Additionally, you can set up email schedules to receive summary reports of camera activity at specific intervals. To set up an email schedule, tap on the “Email Schedules” option within the “Email Alerts” section. From there, you can specify the frequency and time range for receiving email reports.
Customizing email alerts allows you to stay updated on camera activity and receive event summaries directly in your inbox. It provides an additional layer of information and can be useful for record-keeping purposes.
Accessing and Managing Recordings
The Arlo app makes it effortless to access and manage your camera recordings, ensuring you never miss a moment. Whether you want to review a specific event or share footage with others, the app provides convenient features to help you efficiently navigate and control your recordings.
Accessing Recorded Videos
To access your recorded videos, open the Arlo app and tap on the “Library” option from the app menu. This will take you to the library screen, where you can browse through your recordings.
The library screen displays a timeline view of your recordings, with the most recent videos at the top. You can scroll through the timeline to navigate to specific dates and times or use the search bar at the top to search for specific events or footage.
Once you’ve located the recording you want to view, tap on its thumbnail to open the playback screen. From the playback screen, you can watch the recording in full screen, pause, rewind, or fast-forward. You can also adjust the playback speed to quickly scan through longer recordings.
While viewing a recording, you have additional options at your disposal. For example, you can take a screenshot of a particular frame by tapping on the camera icon. You can also download the recording to your iPhone or share it with others by tapping on the respective icons.
By providing easy access to your recorded videos, the Arlo app ensures that you can quickly review important events and retrieve footage when needed.
Organizing and Managing Recordings
The Arlo app allows you to organize and manage your recordings effectively, ensuring they are easily accessible and organized based on your preferences.
One way to organize your recordings is by utilizing the “Favorites” feature. To mark a recording as a favorite, open the recording in the playback screen and tap on the heart icon. This will add the recording to your favorites list, allowing you to quickly access it from the favorites section within the library screen.
You can also filter your recordings based on specific cameras, dates, or motion detection events. To apply filters, tap on the filter icon in the library screen. From there, you can choose the desired filters and apply them to refine the list of displayed recordings.
In addition to organizing recordings, the Arlo app provides options to delete or save recordings to your device or cloud storage. This helps you manage your storage space and ensures that important footage is easily accessible even if your Arlo camera’s local storage fills up.
By effectively organizing and managing your recordings, you can streamline your access to crucial footage and maintain a well-organized library for efficient home security management.
Integrating Arlo with Other Smart Home Devices
If you have other smart home devices, integrating them with your Arlo system can further enhance your home security and automation capabilities. The Arlo app offers seamless integration with popular smart home platforms, allowing you to create a cohesive and interconnected smart home ecosystem.
Integrating with Amazon Alexa
Amazon Alexa is a widely used voice assistant that can be integrated with your Arlo system to provide voice control and automation capabilities. By connecting Arlo with Amazon Alexa, you can control your Arlo cameras and access live feeds using voice commands.
To integrate Arlo with Amazon Alexa, follow these steps:
- Ensure that your Arlo cameras and Amazon Echo device are set up and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the Amazon Alexa app on your iPhone and tap on the menu icon in the top-left corner.
- Select “Skills & Games” from the menu.
- In the search bar, type “Arlo” and select the official Arlo skill from the search results.
- Tap on the “Enable to Use” button to enable the Arlo skill.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to link your Arlo account with Amazon Alexa.
- Once the integration is complete, you can use voice commands to control your Arlo cameras. For example, you can say, “Alexa, show me the front door camera” to access the live feed from your Arlo camera on an Alexa-enabled device with a screen.
Integrating Arlo with Amazon Alexa allows for convenient hands-free control of your Arlo cameras and enhances the overall smart home experience.
Integrating with Google Assistant
Google Assistant is another popular voice assistant that can be integrated with your Arlo system to provide voice control and automation capabilities. By connecting Arlo with Google Assistant, you can control your Arlo cameras and access live feeds using voice commands.
To integrate Arlo with Google Assistant, follow these steps:
- Ensure that your Arlo cameras and Google Assistant-enabled device (such as a Google Nest Hub) are set up and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the Google Home app on your iPhone.
- Tap on the menu icon in the top-left corner.
- Select “Home Control” from the menu.
- Tap on the “+” button to add a new device.
- In the list of available devices, locate and select “Arlo” from the options.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to link your Arlo account withGoogle Assistant.
Once the integration is complete, you can use voice commands to control your Arlo cameras. For example, you can say, “Hey Google, show me the backyard camera” to access the live feed from your Arlo camera on a Google Assistant-enabled device.
Integrating Arlo with Google Assistant allows for seamless voice control of your Arlo cameras and enhances the overall smart home experience.
Troubleshooting and Tips for Arlo App
While the Arlo app is designed to provide a seamless and user-friendly experience, occasional hiccups may arise. Here are some troubleshooting tips and valuable insights to help you resolve common issues and optimize your usage of the Arlo app for uninterrupted home security.
Ensuring Stable Internet Connection
A stable internet connection is crucial for the Arlo app to function properly and provide real-time access to your cameras and recordings. If you’re experiencing connectivity issues with the app, ensure that your iPhone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network or has a strong cellular data signal.
If you’re using Wi-Fi, make sure that your router is functioning correctly and that you’re within its range. Additionally, consider restarting your router to refresh the connection. If you’re using cellular data, check your signal strength and consider moving to an area with better coverage.
Resetting the Arlo App
If you encounter any app-related issues, such as crashes or unresponsiveness, a simple solution is to reset the Arlo app. To do this, close the app completely by swiping it away from the multitasking screen. Then, relaunch the app and see if the issue persists. This action refreshes the app and can resolve minor glitches.
Updating the Arlo App
Keeping your Arlo app up to date is essential for optimal performance and access to the latest features and bug fixes. Regularly check for app updates in the App Store and ensure that you have the latest version installed on your iPhone. App updates often address known issues and introduce improvements to enhance your user experience.
Rebooting Arlo Cameras
If you’re experiencing issues specific to your Arlo cameras, such as poor video quality or connectivity problems, consider rebooting the cameras. To do this, locate the power source of each camera and disconnect it for a few seconds. Then, reconnect the power source and wait for the camera to restart. This simple action can often resolve temporary camera-related issues.
Optimizing Camera Placement
The placement of your Arlo cameras plays a significant role in their performance and effectiveness. Ensure that your cameras have a clear line of sight to the areas you want to monitor and that there are no obstructions blocking the view. Consider adjusting the camera angle or repositioning the camera if necessary.
Additionally, be mindful of the distance between your cameras and your Wi-Fi router or access point. If the Wi-Fi signal is weak in certain areas, it can affect camera connectivity and performance. In such cases, consider relocating your router or using Wi-Fi range extenders to improve signal strength.
Updating Camera Firmware
Arlo regularly releases firmware updates for their cameras to improve performance, introduce new features, and address known issues. It’s essential to keep your cameras’ firmware up to date to ensure optimal functionality. To update your camera firmware, open the Arlo app and navigate to the “Devices” section. Select the desired camera and access its settings. Within the settings, look for the “Device Info” or “Firmware Update” option. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
By following these troubleshooting tips and implementing best practices, you can resolve common issues and optimize your usage of the Arlo app for seamless home security management.
In conclusion, the Arlo app for iPhone is a powerful tool that revolutionizes home security. With its comprehensive features, customizable settings, and seamless integration with other smart home devices, Arlo provides an effortless and effective way to monitor and protect your home. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can harness the full potential of the Arlo app and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your home is secure.
Whether you are a tech aficionado or a novice user, the Arlo app’s intuitive interface and user-friendly design make it accessible to everyone. Take charge of your home security today and experience the convenience and reliability offered by the Arlo app for iPhone.
