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 these ten blogs, we will guide you on how to install and use Arlo cameras without a subscription.
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, meaning that whenever the camera detects any 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 and SD via the Smart Hub, giving you free video recording without any 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 subscription, the Arlo camera works like a normal camera, sends alerts, you can also watch live video, monitors the house, and you can keep an eye on the house 24/7, without a subscription.
Arlo Features You Don’t Get Without a Subscription
With the help of AI Power Detection, you can know if there is a person, package, animal, or vehicle at the door. A simple notification is sent to you without a Subscription.
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 that comes with it. Without a plan, a simple motion detection text is received 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.
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 allow you to plug in a storage device that you can connect to, allowing the camera to save motion-triggered video locally. This is useful for users who want to use Arlo cameras without a subscription, so there is no need 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 Settings. Storage. Second Settings. Video is stored on the device. You can also enable local storage to view the video anytime or from anywhere. Enable direct storage access. This allows you to record video without having to purchase a subscription.
Step 5 : Place and Mount Your Camera
Follow the tips below for the best performance.
Outdoor Tips
Keep the camera seven to nine feet high so that it can record 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 the sunlight to fall on the lens of the camera, which can blur the video, and the movement will not be recorded properly. Keep the camera in the shade of a safe object so that the camera can be protected from wind, rain, dust, and can be used for a long time.
Indoor Tips
Do 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 good settings and camera options properly, you can prevent false alerts, save storage, and battery.
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 to access direct storage. By enabling this, you can save the entire video and watch it in the Arlo app, even if 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 and plug it 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. With Arlo Secure, you get features like advanced AI detection that recognizes people, vehicles, animals, and packages. You can’t use cloud storage. You can’t back up recordings from multiple cameras. The Activity Zone feature sends images with false alerts and simulates false alerts. This feature is also not available.