The Tool Desk
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First, identify where the recording is stored
- Cloud recording: Find the event in Library or Feed, download it, and share the file or use Arlo’s Share option.
- Local recording: Use supported in-app access or safely eject the USB drive or microSD card, then copy the MP4 to a computer before sharing.
- Leaving Arlo Secure: Download anything important before the subscription end date. Arlo says cloud recordings are deleted within 48 hours after the plan ends.
Arlo’s app instructions differ between the Library and Feed layouts, and menu labels can vary by version. Use the section below that matches what you see.
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Save a cloud recording from the Library
On iPhone or iPad
- Open the Arlo Secure app and tap Library.
- Tap a date marked with a green circle, then open the recording.
- Tap Download.
- Open the saved video in Photos or the device’s video library and play it to confirm the copy works.
Arlo’s iOS instructions also allow selecting multiple videos with Select in the upper-right corner. See Arlo’s Library download instructions for the interface details.
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- Open the Arlo Secure app and tap Library.
- Select a highlighted date and open the recording.
- Tap the three-dot menu, then tap Save to Photos.
- Check the device’s Photos or Gallery app and play the saved clip.
Android clips are saved to the device’s video library. Arlo’s documentation describes bulk selection through the three-dot menu; menu placement may depend on app version. If no file appears, see the troubleshooting section below.
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On a computer
- Sign in at my.arlo.com.
- Open Library, choose a date marked with a green circle, and select the clip.
- Use the download or save control and choose a location on the computer.
- Open the downloaded file and confirm it plays before moving or deleting anything.
A browser download saves the file to the computer, not directly to a phone’s photo library. Arlo’s Library guidance also describes selecting multiple clips on the web interface.
If your app shows Feed instead of Library
Open Feed and locate the recorded event. Open its options menu and look for Download, Save, or Share. The Feed interface has separate Arlo instructions, so do not assume its controls are in the same place as Library. If direct sharing is unavailable, save the clip first and share the resulting file from Photos, Gallery, or your computer. Arlo’s documentation links to separate Library and Feed and sharing guidance.
Share a cloud recording
In the Library interface, open the clip’s Options (…) menu and choose Share. Select one of the methods offered by the phone or computer; available options depend on the apps installed. Arlo also documents sharing or copying a link through email. The relevant controls are described in Arlo’s video-sharing instructions.
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- Share a link when convenient access is enough. A link is not the same as a local copy: the recipient needs connectivity, and access may depend on the link remaining available.
Before sending sensitive footage, check whether it reveals a home address, children, license plates, entry codes, or other private details. Send it only to intended recipients.
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Give someone ongoing camera access
For household or recurring access, use Grant Access rather than sending one clip. Arlo’s documented path is:
- Open Settings.
- Under Account, choose Grant Access.
- Tap Add or +.
- Enter the person’s name and email address.
- Select the cameras they may access.
- Choose whether to grant access rights, then send the invitation.
Access rights can let the invited person change account and camera settings. Grant them only when that level of control is necessary. For a single incident, a file or link avoids giving ongoing camera access. Details are in Arlo’s Grant Access and sharing guidance.
Use local storage as a backup
Where the camera and storage hardware support it, local recording does not require an Arlo service plan. It is not available on every Arlo camera and is not a universal replacement for cloud storage: remote access depends on the model and network, and Arlo says only automatically triggered recordings are saved locally. Manual recordings remain cloud-only. Check the exact device model and compatibility before buying storage; Arlo’s local-storage overview lists supported configurations.
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Compatible storage and requirements
Arlo documents local storage through SmartHub/Base Station models VMB4000, VMB4500, VMB4540, and VMB5000. The VMB5000 uses microSD rather than a USB port. Some Arlo Go, Go 2, and Q Plus cameras have camera-specific microSD support. For supported hubs using USB, Arlo specifies a USB 2.0 Type-A device with at least 16 GB. NAS devices and drives with multiple partitions are not supported.
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- Arlo Secure Early Warning System Unlocks Advanced Features: Get 60-Day Video History, Intelligent Alerts, 24/7 Emergency Response & more. After 1-mo trial, a paid plan is required; live streaming & basic alerts work without a subscription.
- Smart Alerts That Keep You Informed: Get notifications for person and vehicle recognition, along with pet and package detection. Intelligent detection helps reduces false alerts and keeps you connected wherever you are.
- Real-Time Response and Control: View animated previews of the event, trigger the siren, and take action instantly from your phone to stay aware and respond quickly to activity at your home.
- Clear 2K Video with Broad Coverage: Capture detail with 2K resolution and a 130° field of view, making it easy to monitor activity, packages, and outdoor areas with confidence.
When the Base Station formats a storage device, its FAT32 process supports up to 2 TB; formatting a larger drive reduces usable capacity to a maximum of 2 TB. Formatting erases existing files, so copy anything you need elsewhere before formatting and do not remove the device while formatting is in progress. See Arlo’s local-storage setup requirements.
Enable local recording
- Insert the compatible USB device into the SmartHub/Base Station, or insert a microSD card into a compatible VMB5000 or camera.
- In the Arlo Secure app or at my.arlo.com, open Settings > My Devices in the Library layout, or select the device through Devices in newer layouts.
- Select the SmartHub/Base Station and open Storage Settings.
- Enable Record Locally and check the storage status, available space, and overwrite setting.
Local clips may continue recording during an internet outage only if the camera and SmartHub/Base Station remain powered and the configuration is working. Local storage does not guarantee remote viewing or sharing.
Choose what happens when storage fills
- Automatic Overwrite on: When available space falls below 20%, the oldest recordings are deleted to make room.
- Automatic Overwrite off: The app warns when storage is low, but local recording can stop when the device is full.
Export important incidents promptly and keep a second copy somewhere separate. Arlo documents the overwrite behavior in its local-storage setup guidance.
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Retrieve and share a locally stored clip
Try in-app access where supported
Direct Storage Access is documented for VMB4540 and VMB5000 hubs, subject to model and network conditions. Some local recordings can be viewed through the Arlo app, particularly when the phone is on the same network. Consult Arlo’s Direct Storage Access information for the supported setup.
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- Arlo Secure Early Warning System Unlocks Advanced Features: Get 60-day video history, AI detection, and emergency response. A paid plan is required after trial. Live streaming and basic alerts work without a subscription.
- Smart Detection with Custom Alerts & Event Summaries: Receive alerts that matter like a person at your door or a vehicle in your driveway. AI-generated event captions summarize activity, and keyword search helps you quickly find important activity.
- Built for Real Emergencies for Fast Response When It Matters: Trigger emergency response directly from the app to contact police, fire, or medical services tied to your camera’s location with pre-filled details for faster access.
- Clear Detail with Wide-Angle Coverage: Capture activity with 2K High Dynamic Range (HDR) video and a 160° panoramic field of view. See sharp video with enhanced contrast to see faces and movement clearly in any lighting, day or night.
Copy the recording using a computer
- In the Arlo app, select the SmartHub/Base Station and open Storage Settings or Local Storage Settings.
- Choose Safely Eject and wait for the process to finish.
- Remove the USB drive or microSD card, connect it to a computer, and open the Arlo folder.
- Copy the required MP4 file to the computer before sharing it or transferring it to a phone.
Do not simply pull the device while it is mounted. Removing it can risk file integrity and may interrupt recording on some systems. Arlo notes that removing storage from older VMB4000/VMB4500 Base Stations may interrupt local recording; some configurations use a second device to avoid that interruption. Local filenames include camera serial number, video number, date, and clip tag; dates use YYYYMMDD. See Arlo’s local video retrieval instructions.
Arlo does not support sharing locally stored videos directly from the Arlo account. Copy the MP4 to a computer or phone, then attach it to a message or upload it to a trusted file-sharing service. For sensitive footage, restrict access to the intended recipient.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How long cloud recordings remain available
Retention depends on the plan, product, account, and region; do not assume every Arlo account keeps footage for the same number of days. Arlo currently advertises 60-day video history for plans listed on its U.S. Arlo Secure page, while its support material also refers to 7-, 30-, or 60-day periods depending on plan or product. Check the retention shown in your own account and download anything you need before its deadline. If canceling, Arlo says cloud clips are deleted within 48 hours after the subscription end date; see its subscription cancellation guidance.
Troubleshoot missing clips, controls, or files
A clip is visible, but Download or Share is missing
- Confirm you opened a recorded event, not a live stream.
- Check whether the app shows Feed or Library and use the matching workflow.
- Check whether the clip is stored locally; local clips must be copied out before sharing.
- Confirm the account and plan still provide access to the cloud recording and that its retention period has not passed.
- Update the app or use the web dashboard at my.arlo.com.
The recording will not save to a phone
- Allow Arlo access to photos and videos in the phone’s app permissions.
- Check Photos/Gallery and the Downloads folder, and make sure the device has free storage.
- Try downloading through the web dashboard to a computer.
Local storage shows no recordings
- Verify the camera is paired with a compatible SmartHub/Base Station and Record Locally is enabled.
- Check that the system is armed or that the selected custom mode has Record Video enabled.
- Confirm the storage status is ready and there is space available.
- Remember that manual recordings and snapshots may not be stored locally; Arlo documents local storage for automatic triggers.
The storage device is not recognized
- Check the exact hub model and compatibility, and use a USB 2.0 Type-A device with at least 16 GB for supported USB hubs.
- Do not use a NAS or multi-partition drive.
- Back up files before using Arlo’s format control; formatting erases data, and the Base Station’s FAT32 formatting supports up to 2 TB.
- Never remove the device while the app says it is formatting.
The downloaded video will not play
Confirm the download completed and try a current media player. For a local MP4 that will not open in the default player, Arlo suggests updating the player or trying VLC; it is a playback fallback, not an Arlo requirement. Do not change the file extension to force playback. If the file appears corrupted, retrieve the original again from the cloud or storage device.
A recording has disappeared
Possible causes include cloud retention expiring, a canceled plan, local automatic overwrite, deletion by someone with account access, formatting, or the event never being recorded. Arlo says deleted or expired Library items cannot be recovered; canceled-plan cloud clips are deleted within 48 hours after the plan end date. Check the relevant storage location and account access, but do not count on recovery after deletion. See Arlo’s Library retention guidance and its cancellation information.
Preserve footage that may be evidence
Arlo does not provide a formal chain-of-custody service. If a clip may be relevant to a dispute, insurance claim, police report, or court matter, preserve it carefully:
Quick Recap
- Download the original promptly, before cloud retention or local overwrite removes it.
- Keep the original file unedited and retain its filename and metadata. If context matters, preserve nearby clips too.
- Make at least two copies in separate locations and check that each copy opens.
- Record the camera name, date, time zone, approximate event time, and who received a copy and when.
- Share a duplicate through a secure method rather than sending the only copy. If you need a trimmed or annotated version for convenience, make it separately and retain the original unchanged.
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