Want to record with Arlo without paying for subscription? Many people do. Luckily, it’s possible, and there are a few ways to do it.
Use a smart hub for local storage backup with your Arlo camera, accessing recordings without a subscription. Alternatively, some Arlo models offer a week’s cloud storage for free. Choose based on control and convenience.
Pre-Requisites for Recording Without Subscription
To record Arlo without a subscription, you must have the necessary prerequisites. These pre-requisites include:
Arlo Camera
The first prerequisite for recording Arlo without a subscription is an Arlo camera. Arlo cameras come in different models, and some may not support local storage. Therefore, you must ensure that you have an Arlo camera supporting local storage.
Base Station or Smart Hub with Local Storage Provision Port
The second pre-requisite is a base station or smart hub with a local storage provision port. The base station or smart hub is the central device that connects all your Arlo cameras and allows you to access the footage. The local storage provision port can be a USB or MicroSD port. However, not all base stations or smart hubs have local storage capability. For instance, the VMB3500 and VMB300 base stations do not have local storage capability.
FAT32 Formatted USB or MicroSD
The third pre-requisite is a FAT32 formatted USB or MicroSD. The local storage device is where the footage will be stored. Therefore, you must ensure the local storage device is compatible with your base station or smart hub. The local storage device must also be formatted in the FAT32 file system.
Hardware and Component Requirements
The fourth pre-requisite is that your system must meet the hardware and component requirements to integrate local storage successfully. You need the necessary devices, such as a compatible router, Ethernet cable, and power source, to connect your base station or smart hub to the internet and power it.
You can record Arlo without a subscription by ensuring that you have these prerequisites.
Setting Up Arlo Camera
You need to set up local storage on your camera to record Arlo without a subscription. Here’s how to set up your Arlo camera with local storage:
- First, ensure a compatible base station or SmartHub with an attached USB or microSD card. With a base station or SmartHub, you can set up local storage.
- Once you have the necessary equipment, download the Arlo Secure app and create an account.
- Next, sync your Arlo camera to the base station or SmartHub. Follow the instructions in the app to complete the setup process.
- Once your camera is synced, enable local storage on the Arlo Secure app. This will allow your camera to save footage to the attached USB or microSD card.
- You can save footage to the cloud as well, but keep in mind that you need a subscription to access cloud storage for a limited amount of time.
- Finally, test your camera to make sure it’s working properly. You can do this by recording and playing a short clip on the Arlo Secure app.
Following these steps, you can set up your Arlo camera to record without a subscription. Remember that local storage has limitations, so it’s important to regularly check and manage your saved footage to ensure you have enough space.
Leveraging Local Storage Options
Want to save videos without paying? Use local storage. This lets you save videos on a USB or microSD in your base station.
To enable local storage, you need to sync your Arlo camera to your base station and then activate local storage in the Arlo Secure app. Depending on your model and setup, you can store up to a week’s footage on a local or cloud storage drive.
One advantage of local storage is that you can access your footage even when you’re not on your home network. By default, local storage is set up to be accessible only on your home network, but you can follow instructions on the Arlo website to enable remote access.
Another advantage of local storage is that you don’t have to worry about subscription fees. With cloud storage, you must pay a subscription fee to access your footage beyond a certain period. But with local storage, you can store as much footage as your storage device can hold without worrying about additional costs.
However, one thing to remember is that local storage has limitations. If your storage device gets full, you need to delete old footage to make room for new recordings manually. Additionally, local storage is vulnerable to theft or damage, so keeping your storage device in a secure location is important.
Overall, leveraging local storage options is a great way to record Arlo footage without a subscription. It’s easy to set up, doesn’t require additional costs, and allows you to access your footage remotely. Just make sure to keep in mind the limitations and take necessary precautions to keep your footage secure.
Can Arlo cameras record continuously without a subscription?
Yes, Arlo cameras can record continuously without a subscription, but some limitations exist.
Firstly, you will need a compatible base station or Smart hub with an attached USB or microSD card to record footage from the Arlo cameras without a subscription. Once you have the necessary equipment, you can enable local storage on the Arlo Secure app once the camera is synced to the base station.
However, it’s important to note that you will have cloud recording storage with a subscription. This means that you can only store footage locally on the USB or microSD card. Depending on the size of the storage device, this could limit the footage you can store and how long you can keep it.
Additionally, if you are recording continuously without a subscription, you may need to delete old footage to make room for new recordings manually. This can be time-consuming and may require you to regularly check the storage device to ensure there is enough space.
Overall, while recording continuously without a subscription is possible, it may not be the most convenient or practical option for everyone. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons and determine what works best for your needs and situation.
How To Access Arlo Local Storage?
To record Arlo footage without a subscription, you must set up local storage on your Arlo SmartHub or Base Station. You can use a USB device or microSD card as a second location to store Arlo video recordings locally. Here’s how you can access Arlo’s local storage:
- Connect a USB device or microSD card to your Arlo SmartHub or Base Station. Make sure the device is compatible with your Arlo device.
- Open the Arlo app on your smartphone or tablet and log in to your account.
- Tap on the “Settings” icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Select the “My Devices” option.
- Choose the device that you want to enable local storage for.
- Tap on the “Local Storage” option.
- Toggle the switch to enable local storage.
- Choose the location where you want to store the recordings.
- You can choose to save recordings to a USB device or microSD card.
- If you want to view the recordings saved on local storage, go to the “Library” section of the app.
- Select the device that you want to view recordings for.
- Choose the “Local Storage” option.
- You can now view the recordings saved on the USB device or microSD card.
Only automatically triggered recordings are saved locally to the connected USB device. Manual recordings are only saved to the cloud.
Following these simple steps, you can easily access Arlo’s local storage and record footage without a subscription.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you are experiencing issues with recording on your Arlo device without a subscription, there are a few common problems that you may need help with. Here are some troubleshooting steps that you can take to resolve these issues:
1. Check Your Device Settings
Ensure your Arlo device is set up correctly and the correct settings are enabled. Check that the device is connected to your network and properly configured to record video.
2. Check Your Storage Options
If you use local storage, ensure your device has enough storage space. If you are using cloud storage, ensure that your subscription is up to date and has enough space on your account.
3. Check Your Internet Connection
If your Arlo device is not recording, it may be due to a poor internet connection. Check that your internet connection is stable and that your device is connected to your network.
4. Check Your Camera Positioning
If your Arlo device is not recording, it may be due to the positioning of your camera. Ensure that your camera is positioned correctly and pointing in the right direction.
5. Check Your Motion Detection Settings
If your Arlo device is not recording, it may be due to incorrect motion detection settings. Check that your motion detection settings are correctly configured and set up to detect motion in the right areas.
Following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve any issues you may encounter when recording on your Arlo device without a subscription.
Legal Implications of Recording Without Subscription
Recording without a subscription may seem convenient and cost-effective, but it is important to consider the legal implications. Below are some important things to remember before recording without a subscription.
Privacy Laws
It is important to be aware of privacy laws in your area when recording without a subscription. In some states or countries, recording audio may be illegal without all parties’ consent. Additionally, if you are recording in a public space, you may need permission from the property owner or a permit from the local government.
Liability
Recording without a subscription can also increase your liability. If someone is injured on your property or an incident requires investigation, the lack of recorded footage may make it difficult to prove your innocence. Additionally, if you are recording without a subscription and the footage is lost or stolen, you may be liable for any damages or losses.
Quality of Footage
Without a subscription, you may only have access to limited storage options, which can affect the quality of your footage. Local storage options may be limited in terms of storage capacity, and cloud storage may be limited when footage is stored. This can make it difficult to review footage in the event of an incident, which could impact your ability to prove your case.
In summary, recording without a subscription may seem like a good idea, but it is important to consider the legal implications before making a decision. Be aware of privacy laws in your area, understand your liability, and consider the quality of your footage before deciding to record without a subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to use Arlo Pro 4 without a subscription?
Yes, it is possible to use Arlo Pro 4 without a subscription. You can still use the camera to live stream and receive motion alerts. However, without a subscription, you won’t be able to access cloud storage for recorded footage. Instead, you can set up local storage on your Arlo base station.
Do I need an Arlo subscription if I have a hub?
No, you do not need an Arlo subscription if you have a hub. The hub provides local storage for recorded footage, which means you can access your footage without a subscription. However, you must purchase a subscription if you want to access cloud storage.
Which Arlo cameras offer free recording?
Arlo offers free recording for some cameras, including the Arlo Essential, Arlo Essential XL, and Arlo Go. These cameras come with a limited amount of cloud storage for recorded footage. However, you must purchase a subscription if you want to access additional cloud storage.
How do I manually record on my Arlo camera?
You can use the Arlo app or website to record on your Arlo camera manually. Select the camera you want to record from, then click the record button. You can also set up a schedule for recording or use motion detection to trigger recordings.
Do Arlo cameras record when offline?
Arlo cameras can still record when offline, but you will need to have local storage set up on your base station. If you do not have local storage set up, your camera cannot record when offline. Keep in mind that with a subscription, you will be able to access cloud storage for recorded footage.