Arlo’s smart home features can greatly enhance the functionality of your security system, offering more convenience, automation, and integration with other smart devices. Here’s a guide to understanding and using Arlo’s smart home features:
1. Arlo Smart (Subscription Service)
Arlo Smart is a subscription service that provides advanced features, including intelligent alerts, cloud storage, and enhanced video quality. There are different plans (Essential, Premier, Elite) based on the number of cameras and features you need.
Key Features of Arlo Smart:
- Person, Vehicle, Animal, and Package Detection: Arlo Smart uses AI to differentiate between people, animals, vehicles, and packages, so you only get alerts for the most relevant events.
- Cloud Storage: Store video footage securely on the cloud. Depending on your plan, you can store clips for 30 days or longer.
- Advanced Video Quality: Stream and record in higher video resolutions (e.g., 4K for compatible cameras).
- Activity Zones: Create custom zones in the camera’s field of view to monitor specific areas (like a driveway or front door) and receive alerts only when movement happens in those zones.
2. Smart Notifications and Alerts
Arlo Smart provides more sophisticated notifications than just basic motion detection. By enabling Smart Alerts, you can:
- Receive specific alerts for person detection (important for security).
- Get notifications for vehicle and animal detection if you set up your cameras accordingly.
- Enable package detection to know when a delivery is made, especially useful for porch pirates.
How to Set Up Smart Notifications:
- Open the Arlo app or log into the web portal.
- Go to Settings > Notifications > Smart Notifications.
- Choose which types of alerts you want (e.g., Person, Vehicle, Package, Animal).
- Customize how you’d like to receive notifications (via push notifications, email, etc.).
3. Activity Zones
Activity Zones allow you to focus your camera’s motion detection on specific areas of the camera’s view. This is helpful if you want to avoid receiving alerts for less important activity (e.g., a tree moving in the wind) while focusing on key areas like doorways, driveways, or windows.
How to Set Up Activity Zones:
- In the Arlo app, tap Settings.
- Select My Devices and choose the camera you want to configure.
- Tap Activity Zones.
- Draw or adjust the zones on the camera’s live feed to focus on specific areas of interest.
- Save the settings, and your camera will now only alert you when motion occurs within those defined zones.
4. Integration with Voice Assistants (Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant)
Arlo integrates with popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, giving you hands-free control over your cameras and home security.
How to Integrate with Alexa:
- Open the Alexa app and go to Skills & Games.
- Search for “Arlo” and enable the Arlo skill.
- Link your Arlo account to Alexa.
- Once connected, you can say commands like:
- “Alexa, show me the front door camera.”
- “Alexa, arm my Arlo security system.”
How to Integrate with Google Assistant:
- Open the Google Home app.
- Tap + > Set up device > Works with Google.
- Search for “Arlo” and link your account.
- Use voice commands such as:
- “Hey Google, show me the backyard camera.”
- “Hey Google, is the front door camera armed?”
5. IFTTT (If This Then That) Integration
IFTTT is a powerful automation platform that lets you create custom actions between Arlo and other smart devices in your home. For example, you could set it up so that when Arlo detects motion, your smart lights turn on, or when Arlo records video, it’s automatically saved to a cloud storage service like Google Drive.
How to Set Up IFTTT:
- Create an account on IFTTT.com.
- Search for the Arlo service and connect your Arlo account.
- Browse or create applets to link your Arlo system to other devices or services (e.g., “When Arlo detects motion, turn on the porch lights”).
6. Geofencing
Geofencing allows your Arlo system to automatically arm or disarm based on your location. When you leave your home, your cameras can automatically arm themselves; when you return, they can disarm.
How to Set Up Geofencing:
- Open the Arlo app and go to Settings > Geofencing.
- Choose Create Geofence and set your home’s location by adjusting the radius.
- Select Arm or Disarm your system when you enter or leave this zone.
- You can set different actions based on whether you or family members are home.
7. Arlo Secure (Mobile App Features)
Arlo Secure is the mobile app version that allows you to manage your cameras on the go, receive live video feeds, view event recordings, and respond to alerts. It also offers features like:
- Two-way audio: Speak to visitors or intruders through your camera’s built-in microphone and speaker.
- Live view: Watch live video feeds from your cameras at any time.
- Cloud video storage: Store recorded video clips in the cloud for easy access from anywhere.
How to Use Arlo Secure:
- Download the Arlo Secure app from your app store.
- Log into your Arlo account.
- Use the app to access live streams, check recordings, and receive notifications.
8. HomeKit Integration (Apple Devices)
For Apple users, Arlo integrates with Apple HomeKit, which allows you to control Arlo cameras via the Apple Home app and Siri.
How to Set Up HomeKit:
- Open the Arlo app.
- Go to Settings > My Devices > [Select a camera].
- Tap HomeKit Setup and follow the instructions to pair your camera with the Apple Home app.
- Once connected, you can use Siri voice commands, such as:
- “Hey Siri, show the front door camera.”
- “Hey Siri, record video on the driveway camera.”
9. Smart Siren and Security Features
Arlo also offers a smart siren (available on some models) that can be triggered in the event of a security breach. The siren can be activated manually through the app or automatically based on motion or other triggers.
How to Use the Smart Siren:
- In the Arlo app, go to Settings > Siren.
- You can set the siren to sound when specific events occur, like when motion is detected or when a camera goes offline.
- Activate the siren remotely if needed.
Conclusion:
Arlo’s smart home features significantly enhance the value and usability of your security system. From voice assistant integrations to automated triggers and advanced notifications, these features provide convenience, peace of mind, and added security. Setting them up is straightforward, and once activated, they allow your Arlo cameras to seamlessly integrate into your smart home ecosystem.