Arlo Compatibility: Alexa, Google, HomeKit, and More

Arlo security cameras are some of our favorite smart domicile security options because they work with more platforms than the contest. We explore what platforms Arlo works with, how to set integrations upwards, and some things to try in one case everything'south fix.

What works with Arlo?

Video: A Quick Look at the Arlo Pro 4 Wireless Security Camera

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Amazon Alexa

Amazon Alexa is the most pop smart home option on the marketplace, and then it makes sense for Arlo to offer compatibility with Echo smart speakers and Echo Evidence smart displays. The best way to employ Alexa with Arlo is through an Echo Show, which tin play a live video feed from your Arlo Essential Spotlight Photographic camera with a quick tap or voice command.

How to hook upward Arlo to Alexa

The Arlo Skill links your Arlo account to Alexa and works with every Arlo device.

  1. Download the Alexa app for your smartphone.
  2. Select the More tab on the carte bar.
  3. Cull Skills & Games from the carte and search for Arlo.
  4. Tap Enable to use.
  5. Put in your Arlo business relationship details.
  6. Subsequently linking your business relationship, yous can assign locations and names for your cameras, which y'all use to interact with the cameras using voice commands.

You lot can also access the camera settings from the Alexa app, only at that place isn't an option to watch videos. And then the Arlo app is essential for viewing videos on your phone.

Alexa voice commands for Arlo

Action

"Alexa . . ." phrase

Arm or disarm camera "Arm [base of operations station proper name]" "Disarm [base station name]"
Actuate two-way audio on camera "Talk to [camera name/location]" "Answer [photographic camera name/location]"
Stop two-style sound or video stream "Terminate"
Bear witness live video stream "Testify [camera name/location]"
Prove well-nigh recent motion video "Bear witness the final motion detected past [camera name/location]"
Stop video stream "Hibernate [photographic camera name/location]"
Activate lights "Turn on [photographic camera name/location] light"
Change light color* "Set [photographic camera name/location] to [color]"

*None of Arlo'south current products back up irresolute the light color exclusive to the discontinued Arlo Security Light.

Cheque out our Alexa guide to learn more than.

Apple HomeKit

Apple HomeKit is the built-in smart habitation pick for iOS. Only like Alexa, yous can view videos on a supported streaming device—an Apple tree TV in this case. The biggest catch with Arlo's HomeKit compatibility is that y'all need an Arlo SmartHub base station, even with stand-alone cameras like the Arlo Pro 4. This adds a lot to the price, specially when Alexa and Google are already compatible with iOS devices.

Still, the Apple tree Home app is a slick way to integrate your devices in one place without downloading extra apps on your iPhone.

How to add Arlo cameras to Apple HomeKit

You utilise the Apple tree Habitation app to add your Arlo devices, but the process is a bit different than other brands since you need a HomeKit setup code:

  1. Launch the Apple Home app later on setting up your Arlo cameras and base of operations station in the Arlo app.
  2. Cull + and Add Accompaniment from the carte du jour.
  3. Apply your phone to scan the HomeKit code on your base of operations station—it's also in the manual.
    1. If you can't observe the setup code, you tin too link your base of operations station to HomeKit from the Arlo app.
  4. Follow the instructions to add the device to your dwelling house.

Siri voice commands for Arlo

Unlike Alexa and Google, Apple doesn't have a list of Siri commands online to assist you know what works. Still, we managed to find a few commands in Arlo's support articles that yous tin can use.

Activeness

"Hey Siri . . ." phrase

Show live video stream "Bear witness me [camera name/location]"
End video stream "Stop"

Check out our HomeKit guide to learn more.

Google Assistant

Google Assistant is similar to Alexa in terms of features and what you tin can do, simply Alexa has more voice commands—notably two-way sound. As you might look, a Google Nest Hub smart display is the best way to use Arlo cameras with Google Assistant.

How to connect an Arlo photographic camera to Google Home

To link Arlo with Google Assistant, you'll need to download the Google Dwelling app, but the procedure is like to Alexa'southward:

  1. Download the Google Domicile app.
  2. Hit the + icon in the top left corner.
  3. Select Fix device from the list—it should be the first detail.
  4. Choose the Works with Google option and search for Arlo.
  5. Enter your Arlo business relationship details to qualify the integration.
  6. Assign cameras to rooms, and you're expert to go.

You can have the Google Abode app send notifications from your cameras, only yous withal need the Arlo app to view videos on your telephone.

Google phonation commands for Arlo

Action

"Hey Google . . ." phrase

Arm or disarm camera "Turn on [photographic camera name/location] camera" "Turn off [camera proper name/location] camera"
Prove live video stream "Show [camera name/location] camera on [display]" "What'southward on [photographic camera name/location]"
Stop video stream "Stop [display]"
Activate lights "Plow on [camera name/location] light"

Check out our Google Banana guide to larn more.

IFTTT

IFTTT is a subconscious jewel for maximizing smart dwelling house compatibility—it's an online automation service yous can link with hundreds of other products, including Arlo. Most of these services aren't officially compatible with Arlo under normal circumstances, but IFTTT'southward specialty is bringing products together in surprising ways:

  • Turn on lights: Plow on your Philips Hue smart lighting when your Arlo starts recording or detects motion if y'all want to deter intruders or light a path at dark.
  • Log information: Create a Google Docs spreadsheet to automatically log Arlo's battery life or motion events to help you programme when to charge or schedule your camera.
  • Anticipate visitors: Automatically pause Spotify music streaming when Arlo spots move, and then you know when someone'southward coming up the forepart steps.
  • Remember meetings: Activate Arlo Pro iv's spotlight when you lot have a Zoom meeting to nourish because we all have days when nosotros need an extra reminder.

Here'due south everything Arlo tin can do in an IFTTT applet.

arlo ifttt options

Screenshot: John Carlsen, SafeWise

The biggest issue with IFTTT is that you tin can't create more than five custom applets (routines) without paying a monthly fee for IFTTT Pro or Pro+. This means complimentary users need to scour the library of published applets in hopes of finding one that works perfectly.

Honestly, information technology's way easier to create a custom applet, merely the limitations on the gratuitous plan aren't for everyone. IFTTT Pro+ is powerful just more useful for diehard hobbyists than the average user.

Check out our IFTTT guide to learn more than.

Samsung SmartThings

Samsung SmartThings links your Arlo camera to other SmartThings-compatible devices in much the same style every bit IFTTT does. Unfortunately, SmartThings requires an Arlo base of operations station to work, so we don't recommend information technology for stand-alone cameras like the Arlo Pro 4 unless you lot want to pay a premium.

Nevertheless, information technology's a great option for folks with an Arlo hub and SmartThings gear to add some cameras into the mix. Nosotros like the thought of linking Arlo cameras with contact sensors to record whenever someone opens the front door. Or you could try a siren for something more startling.

Once you link your Arlo account to SmartThings, yous can employ every Arlo device (except the Arlo Audio Doorbell and Arlo Become) in smart home routines via the SmartThings app. We recommend following Arlo'southward instructions for linking to SmartThings for the smoothest transition.

This integration has some quirks—y'all control virtually everything through the SmartThings app while the Arlo app stays in SmartThings Mode. The simply Arlo setting you tin't change in SmartThings is the movement sensitivity of your cameras, and you lot'll demand the Arlo app for full access to your library of recordings.

As with many smart habitation integrations, using Arlo with SmartThings isn't ever foolproof. We came across multiple reports of cameras not working correctly but oasis't had a hazard to examination Arlo with SmartThings yet. We call back SmartThings has more potential than other smart home platforms, and then it's worth trying out if yous want richer options than viewing a smart security camera on an Echo or Nest Hub.

Check out our SmartThings review to larn more.

FAQ

Can Alexa arm Arlo?

Yep, only you have to ready the Assistant PIN feature commencement.

Will Arlo Pro 4 work with an old base station?

All wireless Arlo cameras (including Arlo Pro iv) are compatible with the following base station models:

  • VMB5000
  • VMB4540
  • VMB4500
  • VMB4000

The VMB3000 and VMB3500 base of operations stations aren't uniform with newer Arlo cameras.

How do I connect my Arlo camera without a base station?

Newer Arlo cameras (except the Arlo Ultra ii) connect directly to Wi-Fi and don't require a base of operations station unless you want local video storage, improved battery life, and compatibility with Apple HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings. Older cameras still need a base of operations station and normally include it in a starter kit.

Does Arlo work with Matter

While Arlo is part of the Matter smart home standard, it doesn't have specific compatibility notwithstanding.

Does Arlo make a home security system?

Arlo only announced a security arrangement at CES 2022 that uses all-in-1 sensors to detect motion, open up windows, lite, temperature, and smoke alarm sirens. There'south no specific release date however.

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Disclaimers

Production prices and availability are accurate as of the date/fourth dimension indicated and are subject to modify. Whatsoever cost and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of buy volition apply to the purchase of this production. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided "as is" and is subject to modify or removal at any fourth dimension.

†Google, Google Nest, Google Assistant, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.

John Carlsen

Written by

John Carlsen

John is a technology journalist specializing in smart home devices, security cameras, and home security systems. He has over nine years of experience researching, testing, and reviewing the latest tech—he was the Smart Home Editor for Peak Ten Reviews and wrote for ASecureLife before joining SafeWise as a Staff Writer in 2020. John holds a Available's degree in Communications, Journalism accent from Utah Valley University. In his spare fourth dimension, he enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and starting countless DIY projects he has however to complete.

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