Arlo Essential User manual

Essential Spotlight Camera
User Manual

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Contents
1. Get to Know Your Essential Series Camera 5
Get the Arlo app................................................................................................................................... 5
Meet your Essential Spotlight Camera ............................................................................................ 6
Do more with Arlo................................................................................................................................ 7
2. Get Started 8
Use the Arlo app for installation and setup.................................................................................... 8
Charge your camera indoors............................................................................................................. 8
Use the sync button to wake the camera ....................................................................................... 9
Check the LED .................................................................................................................................... 10
Find a good location for your camera ........................................................................................... 10
Wall mount your camera.................................................................................................................. 10
Connect an optional Essential Solar Panel (sold separately .................................................... 11
Test motion detection ...................................................................................................................... 11
Position your camera to detect motion in specic areas .......................................................... 12
Arm your camera to detect motion................................................................................................ 13
3. WiFi Setup and Connections 14
WiFi connection options .................................................................................................................. 14
Tips for optimal WiFi performance ................................................................................................ 14
Connect your mobile device to a 2.4 GHz WiFi network during setup.................................... 15
Move your camera’s WiFi connection to a SmartHub or base station .................................... 16
Move your camera’s WiFi connection to a direct router connection ...................................... 17
4. Use Your Essential Series Camera 18
View your camera feeds ................................................................................................................... 19
Record clips from live video............................................................................................................. 19
Take a snapshot from live video ..................................................................................................... 19
Turn the camera spotlight on and o manually.......................................................................... 20
Motion detection activity zones...................................................................................................... 21
2-Way Audio........................................................................................................................................ 22
Turn the camera’s siren on and o manually............................................................................... 23
View recordings and snapshots...................................................................................................... 23

Arlo Essential Series Wire-Free Camera
3Contents User Manual
5. Modes, Rules, and Alerts 26
Arm or disarm all your Arlo devices ............................................................................................... 26
Modes................................................................................................................................................... 26
Select a mode..................................................................................................................................... 27
Mute Notications ............................................................................................................................. 27
Rules for modes ................................................................................................................................. 28
Change motion sensitivity ............................................................................................................... 28
Control whether the spotlight turns on when motion is detected.......................................... 28
Use a rule to activate the camera’s siren....................................................................................... 29
Add a rule with an optional base station siren trigger ............................................................... 29
Manage alerts ..................................................................................................................................... 30
Schedule when your camera is armed.......................................................................................... 30
Set up Arlo Geofencing..................................................................................................................... 31
Geofencing with multiple mobile devices.................................................................................... 33
Custom modes................................................................................................................................... 35
6. Change Your Settings 37
Two-step verication ........................................................................................................................ 37
Use face or ngerprint authentication .......................................................................................... 38
Customize your prole ..................................................................................................................... 39
Change your Arlo password............................................................................................................. 40
Reset a forgotten password............................................................................................................. 40
Grant access to friends ..................................................................................................................... 41
Change the time zone....................................................................................................................... 43
Camera settings ................................................................................................................................. 43
Video Settings..................................................................................................................................... 44
Adjust the audio settings.................................................................................................................. 45
Adjust the icker setting................................................................................................................... 45
Restart the camera from the Arlo app ........................................................................................... 46
View device information................................................................................................................... 46
Remove a device from your account ............................................................................................. 46
Optional SmartHub and Base Station settings............................................................................ 46
7. SmartHub SD Card Storage 49
Insert a microSD card ....................................................................................................................... 49
View the SD card status .................................................................................................................... 50

Arlo Essential Series Wire-Free Camera
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View available SD card storage ....................................................................................................... 50
Turn SD card recording o and on ................................................................................................. 50
Change the SD card overwrite setting........................................................................................... 50
Format a microSD card..................................................................................................................... 51
Safely eject an SD card ..................................................................................................................... 51
View videos on a microSD card....................................................................................................... 51
8. SmartHub or Base Station USB Storage 53
View the USB storage device status ............................................................................................... 54
View available USB device storage................................................................................................. 54
Turn USB recording o and on ....................................................................................................... 54
Change the USB device overwrite setting..................................................................................... 55
Format a USB device......................................................................................................................... 55
Safely eject a USB storage device................................................................................................... 55
View videos on a USB device........................................................................................................... 56
9. Arlo Connect 57
Use Arlo with Amazon Alexa............................................................................................................ 57
Add your camera to the Google Assistant app ............................................................................ 58
Use Arlo with IFTTT ........................................................................................................................... 59
10. Troubleshooting 60
Scan a QR code during setup.......................................................................................................... 60
Arlo doesn’t discover your camera during setup ........................................................................ 61
Troubleshoot Arlo Geofencing........................................................................................................ 61
Can’t see video streams in a browser ............................................................................................ 62
WiFi signal interference .................................................................................................................... 62
Not receiving push notications..................................................................................................... 63
Use the sync button to reset the camera...................................................................................... 64

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1. Get to Know Your Essential Series
Camera
See the essential details, day or night. Arlo Essential Spotlight captures video in 1080p
resolution, with an integrated spotlight and color night vision. Wire-free and weather
resistant, Arlo Essential works indoors or out. Set it up yourself in just a few steps and get
notied through the free Arlo app. When your camera detects motion, it uses a WiFi link to
your internet connection to stream video to your Arlo account in the Cloud
Get the Arlo app
Download the Arlo app. The Arlo app lets you create an Arlo account in the cloud and set up
and manage all your Arlo devices.
Note: If you already use the Arlo app, make sure that you’re using the latest version. To nd
out if an update is available, go to the app store and search for Arlo.

6Get to Know Your Essential Series Camera
Arlo Essential Series Wire-Free Camera
User Manual
Meet your Essential Spotlight Camera
Your camera includes an integrated battery that can’t be removed.
Front view
Rear view
Bottom view
Sync button
Charging port
cover
Camera LED
Screw mount hole
Spotlight
Microphone
Ambient
light sensor
Speaker
Camera lens Weather
resistant

7Get to Know Your Essential Series Camera
Arlo Essential Series Wire-Free Camera
User Manual
Features
• Capture clear details in full high-denition. Record video in 1080p for a clear picture.
• Designed to withstand heat, cold, rain, or sun. Camera can be used indoors or out.
• Receive alerts when motion is detected. Notications are sent directly to your phone.
• See in color, even at night. The integrated spotlight lets you see color night vision.
• Clearly hear and speak with visitors. Tap a button in the app to use 2-Way Audio.
• Easily recharge your camera. Connect the included power cable to the camera.
• Use the built-in siren to deter unwanted guests. Siren can be triggered remotely or
automatically during an event.
• Keep an eye on what matters with a wide eld of view. 130° viewing angle lets you see
more.
• Security in the palm of your hand. Watch live streams or recorded video from your
smartphone or tablet using the Arlo app.
• Take action faster. Get notications when your camera spots people, packages, vehicles,
or animals with Arlo Smart1.
Do more with Arlo
You can add these options, which are sold separately:
• Add more Arlo cameras and devices. Cover more areas in and around your home by
adding cameras, security lights, and more.
• Pair your camera to an optional Arlo SmartHub or base station (VMB5000, VMB4540,
VMB4500, or VMB4000, sold separately). An Arlo SmartHub securely connects your camera
to the internet via your home router, provides long range connectivity, and added battery
life.
• Add the Arlo Essential Solar Panel (VM3600). Connect a solar panel to your camera and
harvest power from the sun to keep your camera battery charged. See Connect an optional
Essential Solar Panel (sold separately on page 11.
• Upgrade your Arlo subscription. For more information, visit What are the available Arlo
subscription plans and how much cloud recording is available?.
1 Arlo Smart service not available in certain counties. See www.arlo.com/ArloSmart for details.

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2. Get Started
Use the Arlo app for installation and setup
The free Arlo app helps you complete setup and guides you through the
installation process.
1. Open the Arlo app and connect to your WiFi network.
If you don’t have the app, you can download it and create your Arlo
account.
Once you set up your Arlo account, you can access it from the Arlo
app on a smartphone or tablet, or from a computer using a web browser. If you’re using a
computer, enter https://my.arlo.com/#/login in the address bar of the browser.
2. Open the Arlo app and connect to your WiFi network. Then select Add Device and add
your camera.
Charge your camera indoors
A micro USB charging cable came in the box with your camera. This cable is for indoor use
only. The camera includes an integrated battery that can’t be removed.
To charge your camera:
1. Open the cover for the micro USB charging port on your camera.

9Get Started
Arlo Essential Series Wire-Free Camera
User Manual
2. Connect the micro USB charging cable to your camera.
3. Connect the other end of the charging cable to a USB charging source such as a USB
charging port or an AC power adapter.
The battery charges automatically. The camera LED lights solid blue when the camera is
fully charged.
Use the sync button to wake the camera
The button on the bottom of your camera is the sync button. You can use the sync button for
dierent purposes, depending on whether your camera is shut down or in normal operating
mode.
When you unbox your camera, it is shut down to reduce battery usage before installation. We
recommend that you follow the instructions in the Arlo app to wake and install the camera.
When the camera is shut down, pressing the sync button does the following:
• Press and hold the sync button for 1–2 seconds. The camera wakes and the LED ashes
blue for two minutes. Follow the instructions in the Arlo app to add your camera to your
Arlo account.
• Quick press. No change. The camera remains shut down.
If the LED doesn’t ash, no matter how long you press the sync button, the camera battery is
likely at 0% charge. Recharge your camera and try pressing the sync button again.
Sync button
Charging port
cover

10Get Started
Arlo Essential Series Wire-Free Camera
User Manual
Check the LED
The LED on the camera lights when the camera is powered on. The LED changes color and
blinks depending on the camera’s charge level and to indicate the status of activities such as
pairing the camera and updating the camera rmware.
• Slow blinking blue. The camera is in the process of pairing to a WiFi network.
• Fast blinking blue. The camera paired with a WiFi network.
• Blinking amber. The camera is out of range, a connection error occurred during pairing, or
the camera battery charge is low (15% or less).
• Alternating blue and amber. The camera failed to pair with the WiFi network, or a
rmware update is in process, or a reset is in process.
Find a good location for your camera
Select a location for your camera with a clear vantage point to fully optimize the wide eld
of view. For the best experience, choose a location with a strong WiFi signal. You can check
the WiFi signal strength in the Arlo app. For information about WiFi connections, see WiFi
connection options on page 14.
Wall mount your camera
Your camera comes with a mount and a screw kit.
1. Place the mount and secure it with screws.
If you’re mounting the camera on drywall, use the drywall anchors we provide.
2. Attach the camera to the mount.