topic Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless. in Arlo Smart

App updated and now the system is completely useless.

ObiDon — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 19:30:36 GMT

I updated the app and now all of the custom modes don't work. The interface is no longer intuitive and I am completely frustrated with trying to get my system setup like it was before. Is it possible to go back to the version of the app I was using before? If not, Will I be able to get a refund for the unused portion of my subscribed plan?

Thanks in advance!

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

BrookeN — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:17:46 GMT

Hi,

You can not go back to the old version of the app. Custom modes is only available to some users as of now, however we are hoping to have it available to everyone in the future.

The cameras need to be set up under modes and you can also create schedules. I would start here with this information and make sure each camera is set up correctly:

https://kb.arlo.com/000062777/About-Arlo-Routines-Modes-Rules-and-Automations

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

toodaze — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:26:14 GMT

Same issue for me, my app updated on the 12th rendering my ARLO system useless, but wife's phone still worked until it updated a day later. Now hers is useless, so it is the ARLO APP update proven. They need to fix ASAP, or why have useless cameras all over my house. Being my payment renewal is only a week away, I will be shopping for a new system, ARLO doesn't seem to have their act together.

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

toodaze — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:27:52 GMT

If modes won't open in the 1st place, your fix is useless maybe just fix the app ASAP so we can use our system

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

BrookeN — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:32:11 GMT

Can you send me a screenshot of what you are seeing? Can you uninstall the app and then reinstall the app and see if that helps?

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

toodaze — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:47:03 GMT

I have uninstalled, cleared cache, everything, reinstalled base. Immediately after this week's update, modes is stuck at getting status. It is connecting because while restarting the base, modes changes to offline, then after connecting, goes back to getting status. Being my wife's phone did work until her's updated a day later, is absolute proof it is the app not working with Samsung Galaxy S10 plus

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

BrookeN — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:35:40 GMT

You are still on the old user interface. As a troubleshooting step it will be recommended that you update the app to the newest version.

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

toodaze — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:49:27 GMT

I already did that twice, including restarting my phone and clearing cache before reinstalling. That did not work

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

toodaze — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:56:21 GMT

Looking at the app store comments for the last 2 days, it appears that this is a problem with others as well, not just me

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

BrookeN — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:21:04 GMT

Open the app and add a Pro 5, once you add the Pro 5 (even though you don't have one) it will start that firmware update.

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

toodaze — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 14:52:27 GMT

That process got the new app activated, only to find out that scheduling is longer compatible with my Galaxy S10??? So now I have to physically turn on and off the cameras all day?? Unacceptable, I bought a product that worked, and now ARLO changes the rules. TERRIBLE

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

BrookeN — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:21:38 GMT

The schedule is compatible with the S10. Will you explain more what behavior you are seeing?

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

toodaze — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:51:10 GMT

Attached is a screenshot of the schedule grayed out, and if I try and do it through modes/automations, it appears everything is correct, but I still have to manually change modes, the automations don't work. Is there some simple toggle I'm missing?

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

BrookeN — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:11:24 GMT

The custom modes is not available to everyone as of yet, however we are hoping to have it available to everyone soon.

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

toodaze — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:17:14 GMT

Does that go for the mode automations as well? as the do not work either.

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

StephenB — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:27:37 GMT

@toodaze wrote:

Does that go for the mode automations as well? as the do not work either.

The schedule automations do work (switching between Arm Away, Arm Home, and/or Standby). But they do need to be enabled in the right modes.

The general rule is that each automation needs to be enabled in the modes it is switching from, not the mode you are switching to.

So in your case,

7:50a weekdays will only run if the system is in Arm Away already
9:30p everyday will only run when the system is in Arm Home already.
3:30p and 5:30a everyday will only run when the system is in Standby already

I suspect that is not what you want. Maybe test by enabling all the schedule automations in all three modes.

Re: App updated and now the system is completely useless.

jguerdat — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:27:41 GMT

Custom modes are limited these days to just setting them up and editing them. There's currently no way to activate them via manual or automation settings although, as @BrookeN said, the rollout should complete soon.