Modes and rules let you tell your Arlo system what to do in different situations. Each mode uses one or more rules to control your Arlo system. For example, you can set your Arlo system to record a 30-second video when the motion sensor is activated on a specific camera and alert you via email.

How do Arlo Modes and Rules Work?
Arlo Modes Arlo modes give you control over how your cameras respond to motion or sound. Modes let you tell your Arlo cameras to respond differently at different times. For example, you probably don’t want to receive an alert about motion in the living room while you’re doing yoga there. You might want to turn on a different mode when you’re away on vacation than when you’re out at the store for an hour. You can create your own modes, but the Arlo Secure app comes with these modes:

• Armed. Detection is on for this camera.
• Disarmed. Detection is off for this camera.
• Schedule. Manage detection based on a schedule.
• Geofencing. You can arm, disarm, or resume a schedule mode when you arrive at, or leave, a given location based on your mobile device location.

You can customize the Armed and Schedule modes and you can add new modes. You might want to create a mode in which some motion sensors and cameras are active but others aren’t. For example, when you’re sleeping, you might want your exterior cameras to be active, but your interior cameras to be inactive.
Note: You can create different modes for the same camera, but the camera can only use one mode at a time

For each mode, you can set the rules following these options:

• Trigger device. The trigger device is the camera that detects motion or sound. You can adjust the motion and sound sensitivity to minimize false alarms.
• Trigger. Triggers can be motion detection, audio detection, or both. You can adjust the camera’s sensitivity to motion and sound to reduce false alarms. You can also specify up to three activity zones for your camera to monitor.
• Devices. You must select the Arlo device that will do the action caused by the trigger that has been set.
• Action. Each device that responds to motion or sound can record video, take a snapshot, or do nothing. You can adjust the length of the video recording from a minimum of ten seconds to a maximum of five minutes. If your camera includes an integrated siren or if you use an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station, you can turn on a siren in response to a trigger.
• Notifications. When a trigger is detected, Arlo can send you push notifications, email alerts, or both. You can also send email alerts to friends, family members, pet sitters, or anyone who might need to respond when a camera is triggered.
• Cross-triggering. You can use motion or audio triggers to cross-trigger to other devices on the same Arlo account. Cross-triggers that can be set up, include:
  • Camera can record
  • Camera can take a snapshot
  • Video doorbells can also record and take a snapshot
  • Cameras and Arlo SmartHubs or Base Stations with the feature available can activate siren
  • Chimes will play audio (play melody, simulate home presence, activate siren)
  • The light on Pro 3 Floodlight or Arlo Security Light can be activated

To edit existing modes or rules for an Arlo device:

1. Launch the Arlo Secure app or log in to your Arlo account at my.arlo.com.
2. Click or tap Mode.
3. Click or tap the device whose mode you want to edit.
4. Click or tap the pencil icon next to the mode or rule that you want to edit.
5. Edit the mode or rule and tap Save.
6. Tap Done.

To create custom modes and rules for your Arlo device:

1. Launch the Arlo Secure app or log in to your Arlo account at my.arlo.com.
2. Tap or click Mode.
3. Tap or click the device for which you want to create a mode.
4. Tap or click Add a Mode.
5. Type a name for the mode and tap or click Next.
6. Follow the prompts to set up your trigger, motion or audio detection, actions, recording settings, and notifications:
   • Trigger Device: Select the device you want to detect motion, sound, or both.
   • Trigger. Select the type of event that you want your Arlo device to monitor. Depending on the type of camera you own, this can be motion detection, audio detection, or both.
   • Motion Settings. Use the slider to set motion sensitivity for your trigger. The higher the motion sensitivity, the more likely the camera is to detect motion that is farther away from the camera.
   • Audio Settings. Use the slider to set audio detection sensitivity for your trigger.
   • Device: Select your action device. This is the camera or device that you want to react to the trigger. For example, you can tell the Arlo Pro 4 in your backyard to start recording when your Arlo Video Doorbell is triggered.
   • Action. Select the action you want your Arlo device to take when triggered by motion or sound.
   • Recording Settings. Specify what you want your device to do when motion or audio is detected.
   • Notification. Choose if you want push notifications, email, or both.
7. Review the summary of your settings and tap or click Save. Your new mode is saved. You can now select it from the mode menu. Note: Custom modes can be set individually for cameras that are connected directly to Wi-Fi. Cameras connected to an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station can only have a single custom mode active at a time, but may have multiple rules for different cameras within the single mode.

You can use the Arlo app to arm or disarm your Arlo devices one at a time, or simultaneously. Doing this deactivates the mode that your device was previously set to, then moves it into the Armed or Disarmed mode.

To arm or disarm a single Arlo device:

1. Launch the Arlo app or log in to my.arlo.com.
2. Tap or click Mode.
3. Select an Arlo device.
4. Tap or click the pencil icon next to Armed or Disarmed.
5. Tap Done.

To arm or disarm all your Arlo devices:

1. Launch the Arlo app or log in to my.arlo.com.
2. Tap or click Modes.
3. Tap or click Arm All Devices or Disarm All Devices.
   Note: If you have an Arlo Baby camera, Arm All Devices sets the camera to the Monitoring On mode. Disarm All Devices sets the camera to the Monitoring Off mode.

Geofencing, Schedule, and Custom modes do not remain activated when you arm or disarm a device. If you want to return your device to a Geofencing, Schedule, or Custom mode, you must manually select the device and return it to that mode.

You can set a schedule to activate and deactivate cameras automatically. Schedules recur weekly. For example, the schedule for Tuesday repeats every Tuesday as long as the schedule is turned on.

Arlo is preconfigured with the following schedule:

• Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All motion sensors are on.
• All other times. All motion sensors are off.

The following instructions are the same if you’re logged in to your Arlo account using the Android app, iOS app, or web browser.

To set a schedule for a camera:

1. Launch the Arlo app or log in to your Arlo account at my.arlo.com.
2. Tap or click Mode.
3. Select a device.
4. Tap or click Schedule.
5. Tap the pencil icon or click > next to Schedule. The Schedule page displays.
6. Tap or click Add. The Add Schedule page displays.
7. Set the days and times for your new schedule. Note: To add an overnight schedule such as 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., you need to add two separate schedules, as shown in the screenshot below. First, add 8:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., then add 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
8. Tap or click Done. Your new schedule is saved.

Geofencing is a virtual fence that helps to discover when something or someone enters or exits a pre-defined zone. You can use Arlo Geofencing to arm, disarm, or resume schedule modes when your mobile device is In Zone or Out of Zone.

To configure your mobile device for more accurate geofencing:

1. Enable GPS or location services so that Arlo can locate your device. Location is required.
2. Wi-Fi is optional but highly preferred.

Note: By default, your Android device enables the overall location service, though you need to grant permission to each app you install. If location services have been turned off for your Android device, you can switch it back on with a few taps.

1. Start the Settings app and tap Location.
2. If it’s off, turn on Use location by swiping the button to the right.

Note: If location services have been disabled for your iOS device, you can turn it back on with a few taps.

1. Start the Settings app, then tap Privacy.
2. At the top of the page, tap Location Services and, if disabled, turn it on by swiping the button to the right.

To set up geofencing for the first time and set up modes:
Note: As you tap through the Arlo Secure app instructions, the geofencing wizard displays various prompts. Click OK, got it or Don’t show this message again as you move through the steps.

1. Launch the Arlo Secure app on your device.
2. Tap Mode > preferred Arlo device > Geofencing. The Arlo Secure app Would Like to Use your Location prompt displays.
3. Tap OK or Allow. If you are using an Apple device with iOS 13 or newer, you will receive another prompt later, when you are not actively using the app. You will need to tap Change to Always Allow to keep your Geofencing preferences running at all times. Note: Geofencing works only if Arlo can locate your mobile device.
4. Tap the Address field, type the address location that you want your geofence to center around, and tap Next. The geofence radius displays as Medium.
5. (Optional) To change your radius setting, tap the radius icon, select a radius size, and tap Next. Radius size options are Small, Medium, or Large (approximately 150 meters, 250 meters and 500 meters, respectively).
6. Enter a name for your location and tap Next.
7. Select an Away mode and tap Next. Note: When your mobile device is Out of Zone, the Arlo device defaults to the Away Mode. Most people select Armed or Custom Mode while they are away.
8. Select a Home mode and tap Next. Note: When your mobile device is In Zone, the Arlo device defaults to Home Mode. Most people select Disarmed or Custom Mode while they are home. If you have more than one enabled mobile device, you might be asked to select an Arlo device to connect it to.
9. (Optional) Tap the preferred mobile device and tap Next.
10. Tap Save > Finish. Geofencing has been set up on your Arlo device.

An Activity Zone focuses motion detection on a specific area within your camera’s field of view. When your Arlo camera detects motion, it determines whether the motion occurred within the Activity Zone(s) that you created. If motion is detected within an Activity Zone, the Arlo Secure app notifies you, and the recording is uploaded to your video Library.

How do Activity Zones affect video recording? When motion is detected and Activity Zones are in use, Arlo will check to see if there is activity within the zone. If there is activity in the zone, a notification will be sent (unless filtered out by Smart notification preferences). If Record Video is enabled in Modes and Rules, the video will be saved in the Library. If Record Video is not enabled, then no recording will be saved and you will not receive a notification. If Local Storage is in use, all videos will be saved regardless of whether the activity is in the zone or not.

What you need
If you’re subscribed to an Arlo plan, you can use Activity Zones with the following cameras:

• Arlo Ultra series
• Arlo Pro series
• Arlo Essential series
• Arlo Go series
• Legacy cameras (Arlo Wire-Free, Arlo Q, Arlo Q Plus, Arlo Baby)

If you’re not subscribed to an Arlo plan, you can connect the following cameras to continuous AC power to use Activity Zones:

• Arlo Pro 4
• Arlo Pro 3
• Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
• Arlo Pro 2
• Arlo Pro
• Arlo Q
• Arlo Q Plus
• Arlo Baby

Depending on your camera model, you can create up to three or five Activity Zones per camera, with up to four or eight anchor points to determine the size and shape of the zone.

To create Activity Zones:

1. Launch the Arlo Secure app or log in to my.arlo.com.
2. Tap or click the settings (gear) icon under that camera that you want to create an Activity Zone for. Note: If you are creating an Activity Zone for a camera that is compatible with Auto Zoom and Tracking, ensure that Auto Zoom and Tracking is turned off. Activity Zones can be impacted when Auto Zoom and Tracking is enabled.
3. Tap or click Activity Zones.
4. Tap or click the + icon at the upper-right corner.
   1. To resize the Activity Zone, drag the corners of the zone.
   2. Tap or click and hold within the Activity Zone to reposition it.
   3. To customize the Activity Zone name, tap or click the pencil icon.
5. Enter a name for the Activity Zone and tap or click Done. Your settings are saved.

What is the Arlo vehicle detection feature? The Arlo vehicle detection feature detects cars, trucks, buses, motorbikes, and bicycles, and allows you to receive rich notifications when your Arlo camera detects a vehicle. Rich notifications allow you to see alerts from your lock screen that include images of what your camera recorded.

Consider the following factors when using the animal detection feature:

• Distance. Your Arlo camera can detect vehicles up to 100 feet away, depending on their size. For example, your Arlo camera will have an easier time detecting a truck that’s 100 feet away compared to a small car.
• Lighting. If a vehicle’s head lights are aiming directly at your Arlo camera, your Arlo camera might not detect the vehicle.
• View. Your Arlo camera must have a clear view of the vehicle to detect it. If a vehicle is behind a tree or other objects, your Arlo camera might not detect it.
• Speed. The Arlo vehicle detection feature detects vehicles moving up to 20 miles per hour. If a vehicle is moving faster than 20 mph, your Arlo camera might not detect it.

If your Arlo camera isn’t sure it detected a vehicle, you’ll receive this message: “Arlo thinks it saw a vehicle”. If you would like to help improve Arlo’s algorithm, you can verify that Arlo detected a vehicle in your Library and donate the video footage when prompted by your Arlo app.

What types of vehicles can the Arlo vehicle detection feature detect?
Vehicle refers to a car, truck, bus, motorbike, and bicycle.

What’s the range of the Arlo vehicle detection feature; how close do vehicles have to be to Arlo?
Your Arlo camera can detect vehicles up to 100 feet away, depending on their size. For example, your Arlo camera will have an easier time detecting a truck that’s 100 feet away compared to a small car.

Does the Arlo vehicle detection feature work during the day and at night?
Yes. However, if a vehicle’s head lights are aiming directly at your Arlo camera, your Arlo camera might not detect the vehicle.

What is the Arlo animal detection feature?
The animal detection feature allows you to receive rich notifications when your Arlo camera detects an animal. Rich notifications allow you to see alerts from your lock screen that include images of what your camera recorded. The Arlo animal detection feature detects any animal larger than a small rodent.

Consider the following factors when using the animal detection feature:

• Distance. The Arlo animal detection feature detects all animals except small rodents within 50 feet of your Arlo camera. If a large animal is too far away, your Arlo camera might register it as a small rodent, and it won’t notify you.
• Lighting. At night, animals must be within 25 feet of your Arlo camera to be detected.
• View. Your Arlo camera must have a clear view of an animal to detect it. If an object, such as a tree, is partially blocking the animal, your Arlo camera might not detect it.

If your Arlo camera isn’t sure it detected an animal, you’ll receive this message: “Arlo thinks it saw an animal. If you would like to help improve Arlo’s algorithm, you can verify that Arlo detected an animal in your Library and donate the video footage when prompted by your Arlo app.

What types of animals can the Arlo animal detection feature detect?
The Arlo animal detection feature detects any animal except for insects and small rodents. When an animal is detected, a rich notification alert is sent to your home screen.

Does my Arlo camera need a clear view to detect an animal?
Yes. If an object, such as a tree, is partially blocking the animal your Arlo camera might not detect it.

How close do animals need to be for the Arlo animal detection feature to work?
The Arlo animal detection feature detects all animals except small rodents within 50 feet of your Arlo camera. If a large animal is too far away, your Arlo camera might register it as a small rodent and won’t notify you.

Does the Arlo animal detection feature work during the day and at night?
Yes. Your Arlo camera uses the infrared sensor to detect animals up to 25 feet away.

Does Arlo camera need a clear view to detect a vehicle?
Yes. If a vehicle is partially blocked by an object, your Arlo camera might not detect it.

Does Arlo detect fast moving vehicles?
The Arlo vehicle detection feature works best in driveways and cul-de-sacs. It detects vehicles moving up to 20 miles per hour. If a vehicle is moving faster than 20 mph, your Arlo camera might not detect it.

How does the Arlo person detection feature work?
Using advanced algorithms, your Arlo security cameras alert you when a person is detected and filters out everyday movement, such as tree branches. This feature ensures that you see what’s important and reduces the amount of unwanted alerts. The person detection feature also allows you to search your recording library for videos containing people.

By selecting what notifications, you want to see, Arlo will intelligently give you a more personal and purposeful home security experience. Your Arlo camera will continue to record all videos to your Library, but you will only receive push notifications based on your selections.

Note: E-mail notifications are not affected by the alert selections.

• People:
  • Allows for Person Detection so you know who is coming and going. Arlo can tell the difference between people and other objects.
• Vehicles:
  • Allows for Vehicle Detection so you can monitor your driveway or turn it off to ignore vehicles driving up and down your street.
• Animal:
  • Allows for Animal Detection to keep an eye on your pets or monitor animals that come onto your property.
• All Other Motion:
  • If All Other Motion is turned off, Arlo will only notify you of the other object types you have selected (People, Vehicles, or Animal).

Tip: Select People and unselect All Other Motion to only be notified when people are detected.