Arlo cameras are known worldwide for their superior performance and high-quality video. Arlo cameras are very easy to set up. To use Arlo cameras, you have to buy a subscription, but many users are unaware that they can also be used without a subscription. Without a subscription, you can use live view, motion alerts, and local storage. However, you cannot use cloud recording and advanced AI detection. In this blog, we will guide you through installing and using Arlo cameras without a subscription. How to use a Vivint camera without a subscription can be read here.
What You Can Do With an Arlo Subscription
Before installing the camera, find out which features are free and which are paid.
Live View Streaming
With a paid plan, you can open the Arlo app at any time and see live video of your home to see what’s going on at home or who’s at the door.
Motion Alerts / Notification
You can use basic motion detection, which means that whenever the camera detects movement, a text message will be displayed on your phone.
Local Storage (Depending on Your Arlo Model)
Some models allow you to record video clips to a USB or SD card via the Smart Hub, giving you free video recording without a subscription or cloud storage.
2-Way Audio (Supported Models)
If your camera has a microphone and speakers, you can talk and listen to visitors and kids through the Arlo app.
Device Management In the Arlo App
You can get full control of the camera with the ARLO app, change and customize any setting, and customize any camera.
Basic Home Monitoring
Without a subscription, the Arlo camera works like a regular camera, sending alerts, letting you watch live video, and monitoring your home 24/7.
According to Arlo, without a subscription, you will receive motion alerts, but you won’t get notifications specifying whether a person, package, animal, or vehicle was detected.
Rich Notification(Photo Preview)
With a paid plan, when the camera detects motion and sends a notification, it also includes a photo, which is the notification itself. Without a plan, a simple motion-detection text is sent without a photo.
e911 or Advanced Security Features
It provides you with emergency call features and advanced monitoring tools that are not available without the plan.
How to Set Up Arlo Camera Without Subscription
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Download the Arlo App
First, install the Arlo Camera app from the Google Play Store for Android and the App Store for iPhone. If you already have an account, log in. If not, create a new account. The app will make the entire setup process easier after creating an account.
Step 2: Add Your Camera
In the Arlo app, select the Add New Device tab to add the camera. Select your Arlo model. After selecting the Pro, Ultra, and Essential camera models, the app will show step-by-step instructions on the screen. When prompted, press the Sync button on the camera to connect to Wi-Fi or the Smart Hub.
Step 3:Connect Your Arlo Camera to Wi-Fi.
Many Arlo cameras only support 2.4GHz HD Wi-Fi. If your Wi-Fi is 2.4GHz, the camera will not work. To connect the camera to Wi-Fi, enter the Wi-Fi name and password in the Arlo app. When the camera is connected to Wi-Fi, the LED lights will turn solid blue, which means the camera is online.
Step 4: Add Local Storage (This Makes Recording Free!)
If you have one of these devices:
When using your device without a subscription, you can store free video clips on USB and microSD cards only when it has a compatible smart hub or base station.
The Arlo Smart Hub VMB4540/VMB5000 and Arlo Base Station VMB5000 have features that let you plug in a storage device to which the camera can save motion-triggered video locally. This is useful for users who want to use Arlo cameras without a subscription, so they don’t have to pay a fee.
How to Enable Local Storage(No Subscription):
To record video locally in the Arlo system, insert a USB or microSD card into the Smart Hub or Base Station. Open the Arlo app. Navigate to the Storage settings (located under Second Settings). Video is stored on the device. You can also enable local storage to view the video at any time, from anywhere. Enable direct storage access. It lets you record video without a subscription.
Step 5: Place and Mount Your Camera
Follow the tips below for the best performance.
Outdoor Tips
Outdoor Tips
Keep the camera at 7 to 9 feet high so it can capture good movement. Point the camera towards the places you want to capture. Do not point the camera directly at the sun. Doing so will cause sunlight to fall on the camera lens, which can blur the video, and the movement will not be recorded properly. Keep the camera in the shade of a safe object so it is protected from wind, rain, and dust, and can be used for a long time.
Indoor Tips
IDo not place the camera near glass, as this can cause blurry video. Keep the Wi-Fi router a few feet away from microwaves and other electronics. Place the camera in doorways, stairwells, and other places where people naturally pass. The mounting brackets and screws provided with the camera prevent it from falling or moving
Step 6:Customize Motion Detection
Adjusting the motion sensitivity low and high can determine how easily the camera sends alerts. Setting it low can help avoid false alarms and delays.
Turn on push notification alerts automatically saved to my mobile when the camera detects something.
Change recording settings. This means you can set how long the video will be recorded after motion detection.
Proper Settings Help Reduce False Alerts and Save Battery. By using appropriate settings and camera options, you can prevent false alerts and save storage and battery life.
How Local Storage Works on Arlo (Without Subscription)
Store videos on your device without a monthly fee, so they will be displayed on your device, not in the cloud.
1 Use an Arlo Base Station or SmartHub
Arlo models, such as the Arlo Pro Ultra series, require a connection to an Arlo Smart Hub or Arlo Base Station to utilise Local Storage, as these models do not support Direct Local Storage.
2️⃣ Insert a USB Drive or microSD Card
You can plug a USB flash drive, external hardware, or microSD card into the USB port or microSD slot inside the base station or smart hub.
3️⃣ Enable Local Recording from the Arlo App
You can plug a USB flash drive, external hardware, or microSD card into the USB port or microSD slot inside the base station or smart hub. Then you can store the videos in them.
To do this, open the Arlo app.
Go to “My Device” in Settings and select either “Base Station” or “Smart Hub”.
Enable local storage in storage settings.
Now, after motion is detected, your videos will be stored on a USB or microSD card.
Features You Lose Without a Subscription
Cloud Video History
It means that your videos will not be saved on an online server cloud, so if your phone breaks or the camera is reset, old videos will not be recovered.
Smart AI Detection
Intelligent AI detection is available in the paid plan that recognises humans, vehicles, and packages. Without the plan, only a simple alert is received.
Activity Zones
With a subscription, you can set specific areas on the screen that you want to monitor. This feature is not available in the free version. You can receive alerts for any location.
Emergency Response Features
With the Subscription, you get the option of an emergency call and a quick response. These safety features are not available in the free version.
How to View Videos Without a Subscription
1. Directly on Your Phone (Remote Access)
If you are using local storage, you can watch videos in two ways. Some newer Arlo smart hubs have a feature that allows direct storage access. Enabling this lets you save the entire video and watch it in the Arlo app, even when you are away from home. This will give you a feature similar to cloud storage without a subscription.
2. By Removing the USB Drive/SD Card
Simply remove the USB drive and SD card from the base station, then plug them into your computer. You can view the day and date by day. This can be done when your base station and hub do not support remote.
Final Thoughts
Arlo cameras work well without a subscription, but you can’t use some premium features. According to Arlo, an Arlo Secure subscription gives you features like advanced AI detection that can recognize people, vehicles, animals, and packages, as well as cloud storage for up to 2K video recordings saved for up to 7 days. You can’t back up recordings from multiple cameras. The Activity Zone feature sends and simulates false alerts. This feature is also not available.