Essential Indoor Camera User Manual
Contents 1. Get to Know Your Camera 5 Front and back views........................................................................................................................... 5 Privacy Shield........................................................................................................................................ 5 Get the Arlo app.................................................................................................................................... 6 Do more with Arlo....
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Select a mode...................................................................................................................................... 27 Arm or disarm all devices.................................................................................................................. 28 Rules for modes.................................................................................................................................. 28 Change motion sensitivity..............
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Can’t see video streams in a browser............................................................................................. 52 WiFi signal interference..................................................................................................................... 52 Reset the camera to its factory settings......................................................................................... 54 8. Arlo Connect 55 Use Arlo with Amazon Alexa......................
1. Get to Know Your Camera Protect your home while away, without compromising your privacy when at home. Your Arlo Essential Indoor Camera captures 1080p video and offers a way to reassure your privacy with an automated privacy shield, controllable through the Arlo app. Receive motion alerts and use 2-way Audio to hear and speak to visitors. You can place your camera on a flat surface or mount it to a wall.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 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 find out if an update is available, go to the app store and search for Arlo. Features • Capture clear details in full high-definition. Record video in 1080p for a clear picture. • Protect your privacy.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Do more with Arlo • Add more Arlo cameras and devices. Cover more areas in and around your home by adding cameras, security lights, and more. • Upgrade your Arlo subscription.
2. Get Started Protect your home while away without comprising your privacy when at home. Arlo Essential Indoor Camera captures 1080p video and offers a way to reassure your privacy with an automated privacy shield, controllable through the Arlo App. Receive motion alerts and use 2-way audio to hear and speak to visitors. Use the Arlo app for installation and setup The free Arlo app helps you complete setup and guides you through the installation process. 1.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Plug in your camera indoors Your Essential Indoor Camera is a wired product powered by a USB cable and a 5V 2A power adapter. A micro USB cable and power adapter came in the box with your camera. The cable and power adapter are for indoor use only. 1. Connect the micro USB charging cable to your camera. 2. Connect the other end of the charging cable to the power adapter and plug it into a power outlet.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera • Solid amber. An internet connectivity error occurred. Make sure that your WiFi router is connected to the internet and your camera is connected to your WiFi network. • Alternating blue and amber. A firmware update is in progress. Wall mount your camera You can place your Essential Indoor Camera on a flat surface or you can mount it on a wall. Your camera comes with a mount and a screw kit.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 6. Align the camera with the wall plate, and push the camera onto the wall plate. 7. Slide the camera base down until you hear an audible click. 8. Plug in the camera. 9. Tilt and swivel to adjust the camera angle. Note: To unmount your Essential Indoor Camera, slide the camera up until you hear an audible click, then pull the camera away from the wall plate.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 6. Move the slider to adjust the motion sensitivity level as needed. This motion sensitivity setting is used during the motion detection test. It is not automatically applied to the camera rules used by modes to arm your camera. When you are satisfied with a particular motion sensitivity level in the test, note the setting so that you can add it to your rules. 7. Edit the rule for your camera to enter the motion sensitivity level that you want to use.
3. WiFi Setup and Connections When you install and set up your camera, the Arlo app guides you through the process of connecting the camera to your router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi network or to an optional Arlo SmartHub or base station. WiFi connection options When you install your camera you can connect it directly to your router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi band, or you can connect the camera with WiFi to an Arlo SmartHub VMB5000 or VMB4540, or an Arlo base station VMB4500 or VMB4000.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera These materials can reduce WiFi signal strength if they are located between WiFi devices: • Unusually thick walls and ceilings • Brick • Concrete • Stone • Ceramic • Glass, especially mirrors • Metal • Large quantities of water, such as the water in a fish tank or water heater Connect your mobile device to a 2.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Connect your iOS (Apple) device to a 2.4 GHz network 1. Unlock your device and tap Settings. 2. Tap Wi-Fi, near the top of the list of Settings options. 3. Turn on WiFi by tapping the switch next to Wi-Fi at the top. Note: WiFi is activated when the switch is green. 4. Select a 2.4 GHz WiFi network. This is commonly indicated by a 2, 2.4, or 2G at the end of the network name. 5. If prompted, enter the password for the network.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 3. Follow the Arlo app instructions to set up your SmartHub or base station and connect it to the Internet. 4. Tap Settings > My Devices. 5. Select your camera. 6. Scroll down and tap Remove Device. Your device is reset and removed from your account. 7. From My Devices, tap Add New Device > Cameras > Essential. 8. Follow the Arlo app instructions to add the camera. 9.
4. Use Your Essential Indoor Camera When you open the Arlo app, the Devices page displays your camera feeds.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera The Privacy Shield Your Essential Indoor Camera comes with an integrated Privacy Shield to give you an extra level of privacy. The Privacy Shield automatically covers the camera lens when the camera is disarmed, and opens when the camera is armed. Motion detection, audio detection, and the camera microphone are turned off when the Privacy Shield is closed.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Close the Privacy Shield when using an optional SmartHub or base station Arming or disarming your SmartHub or base station arms or disarms all the cameras connected to that SmartHub or base station. If you only want to disarm your Essential Indoor Camera, but want the other cameras on your SmartHub or base station to remain armed, you can use one of the methods below.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera or fingerprint authentication (if applicable). This provides an extra layer of security to protect your privacy. 3. To stop viewing and listening to the live feed, tap Stop . Pan and zoom video You can pan and zoom your video feed. 1. Open the Arlo app. on the camera feed. 2. Tap Play On a mobile device, use the pinch gesture to zoom, and touch and drag to move around the zoomed-in frame. On a computer, double-click to zoom.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Change the camera order 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Settings. 3. Under DEVICE SETTINGS, tap Device Order. 4. If you are using a smartphone or tablet, tap Edit at the top of the page. A list icon displays. 5. Tap and hold the list icon and drag each device to the correct position on the list. 6. Tap Save. Rotate a camera feed image 180 degrees 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Settings > My Devices. 3. Select the camera. 4. Tap Video Settings. 5. Rotate the image.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 6. Move the zone to the desired position in the camera feed image. 7. To reposition or resize the zone, tap and hold the zone and move it. 8. To customize the zone name, tap Edit and enter a name. If you’re using a web browser, click > next to the zone name. 9. Tap Save. Change an activity zone 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Settings > My Devices. 3. Select the camera. 4. Under VIDEO, tap Activity Zones. 5. Tap a zone to select it. 6.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 2-Way Audio The camera includes a microphone that supports 2-Way Audio. 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap the camera feed image. 3. Tap the microphone icon . 4. The first time you use 2-Way Audio, allow Arlo to use your phone’s microphone. 5. Tap the microphone button. 2-Way Audio is activated. A Tap to mute microphone button displays below the camera feed. This button toggles mute on and off. 6. To turn off 2-Way Audio, tap the x on the upper-left corner of the page.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Access cloud recordings cameras record when they are in an armed mode and they detect motion or sound. Your Arlo recordings are sent to your Arlo account in the cloud and stored in your library. Recordings are encrypted with your user name and password. You can access your recordings from the Arlo app on your mobile device or by using a web browser to visit https://my.arlo.com/#/login. You can download recordings from the cloud and save them.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 5. Tap Done. Download recordings 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Library. 3. Tap a recording. 4. Tap Download. 5. Tap OK to confirm. Make a recording a favorite 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Library. 3. Tap a recording. 4. Tap Favorite. Share recordings 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Library. 3. Tap a recording. 4. Tap Share. 5. Share the file. Donate recordings for research You can donate video or snapshot files to Arlo to use for research and development of Arlo products. 1.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Delete recordings 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Library. 3. Tap a recording. 4. Tap Delete. 5. Tap OK to confirm.
5. Modes, Rules, and Alerts You can arm or disarm your Arlo cameras and devices, and you can set up a schedule to automatically arm each device. When your camera is armed, it detects motion. Modes and rules let you tell your Arlo system what to do automatically in different situations. For example, you can set your Arlo system to record a video when it detects motion and send you an email alert. Modes Arlo modes give you control over how your Arlo cameras respond to motion.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 3. Select your camera or your optional Arlo SmartHub or base station, if you use one. A list of modes displays. 4. Tap a mode to activate it. The mode turns on immediately. The mode stays active until you change it. Arm or disarm all devices You can arm or disarm all your Arlo devices simultaneously. Doing this deactivates other modes, such as Schedule, Geofencing, and Custom modes for all your Arlo devices. To arm or disarm all your Arlo devices: 1. Open the Arlo app. 2.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Change motion sensitivity You can edit a rule to change the motion sensitivity level for your cameras. 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Mode. 3. Select your camera or your optional Arlo SmartHub or base station, if you use one. A list of modes displays. 4. Tap Edit next to the mode. 5. Tap Edit next to the rule. 6. Under If the following, tap Edit next to Motion is detected. 7. Move the slider to adjust the sensitivity level for motion detection for this camera.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Add a rule with an optional base station siren trigger If you pair your camera to an optional Arlo Base Station with Siren VMB4000 or VMB4500 (sold separately), you can create a rule to trigger the base station siren. For your camera’s built-in siren, see Use a rule to activate the camera’s siren on page 29. To add a rule with a base station siren trigger: 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Mode. 3. Tap the camera or your optional Arlo SmartHub or base station, if you use one.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 4. Tap Add a Mode. 5. Enter the mode name and tap Next. 6. Select the trigger device and tap Next. This is the camera that detects motion. 7. Enter the trigger device settings for the When motion is detected section and then tap Next. 8. Use the slider to set the motion sensitivity for the trigger device and tap Next. Higher motion sensitivity settings usually trigger your camera to capture videos more frequently. 9. Select an action device and tap Next.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 4. Tap Add a Mode. 5. Enter a new mode name such as Armed Outdoors and tap Next. 6. Select one of your outdoor cameras. 7. Follow the Arlo app instructions. 8. When you reach the Summary screen, tap Save. Your SmartHub or base station modes appear. 9. Tap Edit next to the mode you just created. 10. Tap Add Rule to add the rest of your outdoor cameras. Remember to include all your outdoor cameras in the rule for this mode. Do not add any indoor cameras. 11.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Mute Notifications Mute Notifications temporarily silences push notifications to your mobile device, while videos continue to be recorded. This is great for a party when you don’t need to be notified of friends in your backyard. You can mute notifications from the Arlo app. If you use Arlo Secure, you can also activate Mute Notifications directly from push notifications. To mute notifications: 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Settings > Mute Notifications. 3.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 7. Set the days and times for your new schedule. Note: To add an overnight schedule such as 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., you need to add two separate schedules. First, add 8:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., then add 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. 8. Tap Done. Edit a schedule 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Mode. 3. Select your camera or your optional Arlo SmartHub or base station, if you use one. A list of modes displays. 4. Tap Schedule 5. Tap Edit . next to Schedule. 6. Tap a green box. 7.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera To improve geofencing accuracy, make sure that your mobile device meets these conditions: • WiFi is turned on. • GPS or location services are turned on. Prepare your mobile device for geofencing 1. Enable GPS or location services so that Arlo can locate your device. 2. Enable WiFi. 3. Download the Arlo app and log in on each mobile device that you plan to enable for geofencing.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 6. To change the radius setting, tap Radius and select a radius size. Radius sizes are Small, Medium, and Large (approximately 150 meters, 250 meters, and 500 meters, respectively). 7. Tap Device Location and enter a name for your location. 8. Tap Away Mode and select a mode. Your camera uses the Away mode when your mobile device is outside the radius of your camera’s location.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera To review which mobile devices participate in geofencing, open the Arlo app and check the Enabled Devices page in Geofencing settings (in the Modes section of the Arlo app). Remove any devices that you don’t want to trigger Home/Away mode changes. Make sure that these conditions are met: • Your Arlo devices are online. • Geofencing is enabled. • Your friends’ and family’s mobile devices are added to your account.
6. Change Your Settings Once you set up your Arlo account, you can access it by using 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. Two-step verification Two-step verification helps protect your account by adding another layer of security when you log in to your Arlo account. Arlo will verify your identity anytime you sign in with a new device.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Set up two-step verification 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Settings. 3. In the ACCOUNT section, select Profile > Login Settings > Two-Step Verification. 4. Tap the switch next to Enable. 5. Select your verification method. Note: Your Arlo account email is an automatic back-up option. 6. Follow the instructions in the app to complete your two-step verification setup. Add a phone number or device to two-step verification 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Settings. 3.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera A Face ID compatible device (iPhone X, iPad Pro 2018, or newer) • Android devices: Android OS version 6.0 or higher A compatible Android device with fingerprint authentication Turn fingerprint authentication on and off for the Arlo app 1. Enable fingerprint authentication on your iPhone or Android device. 2. Open the Arlo app. 3. Tap Settings. 4. In the ACCOUNT section, select Profile > Login Settings. 5.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 6. Upload your preferred profile picture. 7. Tap Save at the bottom of the page. Edit profile settings You can enter your name, add a profile photo and home address, and opt-in or opt-out of Arlo news and support updates. 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Settings. 3. In the ACCOUNT section, select Profile > Edit Profile. 4. Enter your profile settings. 5. Tap Save at the bottom of the page.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 5. Tap the link provided in that email. 6. Enter a new password. 7. Tap Submit. Your password is reset. Grant access to friends You can add friends to your Arlo account. Friends can view live streams from your cameras; record video clips; view, share, mark as favorite, and delete clips from your library; and take snapshots. Friends are granted limited access to some of the settings and features of your Arlo account.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 3. Under ACCOUNT, tap Grant Access. 4. Tap Add or +. 5. Enter your friend’s first name, last name, and email address. 6. Tap the Arlo devices that you want your friend to access. 7. To grant access rights to your friend, tap Allow Access Rights. Selecting Allow Access Rights allows this friend to change your account and camera settings. 8. Tap Send Invite. An email message is sent inviting your friend to create an Arlo account.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 6. Tap Yes. Change the time zone 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Settings > My Devices. 3. Tap the camera. 4. Tap Time Zone. 5. Tap a time zone. If you’re using a mobile device, your settings are saved. 6. If you’re using a computer, click Save. Camera settings You can view or change the settings for each camera using either of these methods: • Tap Settings > My Devices and select the camera • Tap Menu or the Device Settings icon below the camera feed.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 2. Tap Settings > My Devices. 3. Tap the camera. 4. Tap Camera LED. 5. Turn the LED off and on. If you’re using a mobile device, your settings are saved. 6. If you’re using a computer, click Save. Video Settings Change the video quality You can set the video resolution. Higher video quality uses more bandwidth. Using a lower resolution setting reduces the WiFi bandwidth that is required. 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Settings > My Devices. 3. Tap the camera. 4.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Adjust the audio settings You can adjust the settings to turn the microphone off and on, and adjust the speaker. 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Settings > My Devices. 3. Tap the camera. 4. If you’re using a mobile device, tap Audio Settings. 5. Adjust the settings: • Microphone toggle turns the microphone off and on. • Speaker. To turn the speaker off and on, tap Speaker. • Speaker Volume. Move the slider to increase or decrease the volume on the camera’s integrated speaker.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 2. Tap Menu or the Device Settings icon below the camera feed 3. Turn your camera off on the Device Settings page. Restart the camera from the Arlo app Note: If you paired your camera to an optional SmartHub or base station, you can use the Arlo app to restart the SmartHub or base station, but not the camera. 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Settings > My Devices. 3. Select the camera. 4. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap Restart.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Optional SmartHub and Base Station settings You can pair your camera to an optional Arlo SmartHub model VMB5000 or VMB4540 or Base Station with Siren model VMB4500 or VMB4000. The Arlo app lets you specify SmartHub or base station settings. Change your SmartHub or base station name 1. Open the Arlo app. 2. Tap Settings > My Devices. 3. Tap the SmartHub or base station. 4. Tap Edit next to the name. 5. Enter a new name. 6. Tap Save. Restart your SmartHub or base station 1.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Base station siren button The Base Station with Siren model VMB4000 has a button located on the top. WARNING: The loudest siren setting, which is the default for the siren, is more than 100 decibels. Do not test the siren while people or pets are close to the base station. Prolonged exposure to the siren might cause hearing damage. Pressing this button turns the siren on and off.
7. Troubleshooting Scan a QR code during setup During setup, the camera must scan a QR code from the Arlo app when you’re adding the camera to your 2.4 GHz WiFi network. If your camera doesn’t emit a chime sound after scanning the QR code, then the QR code wasn’t successfully scanned. If your camera didn’t scan the QR code: • If you use a screen protector on your mobile device, remove the screen protector during QR code scanning. • Move your mobile device farther from, or closer to the camera lens.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Arlo doesn’t discover your camera during setup If you’re trying to set up and connect your Arlo camera directly to your WiFi router—without an Arlo SmartHub or base station—and Arlo doesn’t discover your camera, here are some things to check to identify and correct the problem. When you’re using the Arlo app to add your camera, check the following: • After you tap Add Device in the Arlo app, select Arlo Essential Indoor Camera.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera • Geofencing stopped working because the location sharing settings for a mobile device changed. See Prepare your mobile device for geofencing on page 35. • A task-killing app is interfering with Arlo Geofencing. A task-killing app, such as Shutapp or Doze, can disable Arlo Geofencing. To use Arlo Geofencing, disable any apps that suppress the Arlo app. • Geofencing for your mobile device on your friend’s Arlo account isn’t working.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Make sure that your camera displays three or four bars of signal strength in the area where you intend to install it. The camera can work when signal strength is at one or two bars, but might go out of range intermittently due to fluctuations in the environment. Not receiving push notifications You must be logged in to the Arlo app to receive Arlo alerts on your smartphone or mobile device. Arlo registers your device for push notification when you log in.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Check the Arlo app notification settings on an Android device Make sure that you allow the Arlo app to receive push notifications. The Arlo app push notifications can be disabled on iOS and Android devices. 1. Tap the Settings icon for your Android device. 2. Tap Application Manager > Arlo. 3. Make sure that the Show Notifications setting is selected.
8. Arlo Connect Use Arlo with Amazon Alexa With the Arlo Skill and Alexa, you can access your Arlo devices using voice commands and view a live camera feed on your Echo Show, Fire TV, or Fire tablet. Alexa can also notify you when motion is detected by your Arlo cameras.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera • “Alexa, stop.” Stop an activity and return to your device’s home screen. • “Alexa, hide .” Stop streaming from a camera and return to your device’s home screen. • “Alexa, go home.” Return to your device’s home screen. • “Alexa, show the last motion detected by my .” To use this command, your Arlo subscription must include viewing past video clips for your camera.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera For more information, see Google Assistant Help: Control smart home devices. Use Arlo with IFTTT You can use the Arlo app with IFTTT (If This Then That), a free cloud-based service that connects smart home devices and applications. To add Arlo to your IFTTT app, visit ifttt.com/arlo. To learn more about Arlo and IFTTT, visit arlo.com/community.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Support For product updates and web support, visit http://www.arlo.com/en-us/support/. Arlo Technologies, Inc. 2200 Faraday Ave. Suite 150 Carlsbad, CA 92008 USA Document publication date: September 2021 PN 202-50025-02 Trademarks © Arlo Technologies, Inc. Arlo, Arlo logo, and Every Angle Covered are trademarks of Arlo Technologies, Inc. Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Radiation Exposure Statement: This equipment complies with IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator and your body. Déclaration d’exposition aux radiations: Cet équipement est conforme aux limites d’exposition aux rayonnements IC établies pour un environnement non contrôlé.
