Arlo cameras are powerful, flexible, and packed with smart features — but like any tech, they work best when set up right. The problem? Most people never go beyond the default settings.

Here’s how to get the most out of your Arlo camera — from installation to motion zones — plus some real-world fixes for common issues.

📡 Optimize Placement for Better Motion Detection

Arlo’s motion detection uses infrared (PIR), which works best when motion crosses the sensor — not comes directly at it.

Tip: Mount the camera at an angle to cover horizontal movement (e.g., across your porch), and not head-on (e.g., directly facing a door).

Bonus: Keep it 6–7 feet high, angled slightly downward, to reduce false triggers from distant movement like passing cars.

🎯 Customize Your Motion Zones (Seriously)

In the Arlo app, you can draw custom zones to focus on the areas that matter — like your gate, not the sidewalk.

This reduces false alerts and saves battery life on wire-free models.

💬 Set Up Smart Notifications (And Avoid Alert Fatigue)

Arlo can alert you for people, vehicles, animals, or all three. If you’re getting too many alerts:

• Go to Device Settings → Smart Notifications
• Toggle off unnecessary categories (e.g., animals)

Stay notified of real threats — not squirrels.

🔋 Fix for Fast Battery Drain

If your Arlo battery drains quickly, try these fixes:

• Lower video resolution (1080p is usually enough)
• Shorten clip length under Recording Settings
• Disable audio unless needed
• Place camera in an area with strong Wi-Fi signal

🕵️‍♂️ Fix for Missed Motion Events

Are you missing key events or getting footage too late? Here’s what to do:

• Turn off “Activity Zones” temporarily to test range
• Make sure the camera isn’t behind glass (IR sensors won’t work)
• Use “Record Until Activity Stops” instead of time-based clips

🗂️ Use Local Storage With SmartHub

If you’re tired of cloud subscriptions, Arlo lets you record locally using a USB drive or microSD card via the SmartHub.

Heads-up: You’ll need to access local recordings from your home network only — unless you enable “Direct Storage Access” in the app.

📆 Schedule Your Recording Times

You don’t need 24/7 recording. Use modes to schedule when cameras should arm/disarm — like during work hours, at night, or when everyone’s asleep.

Smart + simple = longer battery + less cloud clutter.

Final Thoughts

Arlo cameras are among the smartest on the market — but they’re even better when you take full control of the settings.

So whether you’re protecting your porch, your driveway, or your entire home — tune your camera to your lifestyle. The more intentional your setup, the more effective your security.

👉 Still stuck with your Arlo setup? We offer free one-on-one consultations — no sales, just help.

📷 Explore more smart tips and guides in our Smart Security Devices section.