Unlocking Arlo's Features: A Guide to What Might Be Missing
Sometimes, you might buy an Arlo camera expecting a specific feature, only to find it's not available in your app settings. This can be confusing, but the reason is usually related to one of three things: your subscription plan, your specific camera model, or your system's configuration. This guide will help you understand why certain Arlo features might appear to be missing and how to enable them if possible.
## 1. The Arlo Secure Subscription Plan
This is the most common reason for "missing" features. While Arlo cameras work out of the box for live streaming and basic motion alerts, their most powerful AI and storage capabilities are reserved for subscribers of an Arlo Secure plan.
### Features Requiring an Arlo Secure Subscription:
- Cloud Recording History: The free plan does not store any recordings in the cloud. If you want to view video clips from past events, you need a subscription which provides 30 days of rolling storage.
- Smart Notifications: This includes AI-powered detection that can tell the difference between People, Animals, Vehicles, and Packages. Without a subscription, you will only get generic "Motion Detected" alerts.
- Cloud Activity Zones: The ability to define specific areas for motion detection (e.g., ignoring the pavement and only watching your driveway) is a premium feature.
- Emergency Response: The one-tap buttons in the app to call fire, police, or medical services are part of the subscription.
How to Check: Open your Arlo app, go to Settings > Subscription. If it shows "No Plan" or your trial has expired, you will need to subscribe to unlock these features.
## 2. Camera Model and Hardware Differences
Not all Arlo cameras are created equal. Newer and higher-end models have hardware capabilities that older or more basic models lack.
### Hardware-Specific Features:
- 4K Video Streaming: This is exclusive to the Arlo Ultra and Ultra 2 models. The Arlo Pro series tops out at 2K or 1080p resolution.
- Integrated Spotlight: The built-in, motion-activated spotlight is a feature of the Arlo Pro 3, Pro 4, and Ultra series. The Pro 2 and older models do not have this hardware.
- Integrated Siren: While the Base Station has a siren, many newer cameras like the Pro 3 and Ultra have their own siren built-in. If you have an older model, the siren function is only available on the Base Station.
- Field of View: The Arlo Ultra series offers a 180-degree field of view, which is wider than the 160-degree or 130-degree view on Pro series cameras.
How to Check: Identify your exact camera model (it's usually written on the camera body or the original packaging). A quick search on the Arlo website for that model's specifications will give you a definitive list of its hardware features.
## 3. System Configuration and Power Source
Some features only become active depending on how your system is set up.
### Configuration-Dependent Features:
- Continuous Video Recording (CVR): This allows the camera to record 24/7, like traditional CCTV. It is only available on mains-powered cameras (e.g., Arlo Q, Arlo Baby, or a Pro/Ultra camera that is plugged in) and requires a separate CVR subscription plan. It cannot be used on a battery-powered camera.
- Local Storage Backup: The ability to save recordings to a USB drive or microSD card requires a compatible Arlo SmartHub or Base Station (VMB4540, VMB5000, etc.). If your cameras connect directly to your home Wi-Fi, you will not have this option. The feature also needs to be enabled and configured in the SmartHub's storage settings.
- Active Activity Zones: As mentioned earlier, even if you have a subscription, Activity Zones will only work if the camera is plugged into a mains power source.
By understanding the interplay between your subscription, hardware, and configuration, you can get a much clearer picture of what your Arlo system is capable of and why a feature you're looking for might not be immediately visible.