topic Re: Having a terrible arlo experience in Arlo Ultra 2

how to get my Ultra 2 to record to USB

JG_WA — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 21:11:04 GMT

Anyone else full of regret after spending hundreds of dollars on arlo products, only to find an infuriating business model full of planned obsolescence, subscription based hostage taking, and generally mediocre (at best!) products and interfaces?

I have an Ultra 2 and the free storage period ended. Now, it's not letting me use local storage, and I can't even get tech support without paying a subscription fee. I'm a tech-savvy person, but I'm pulling my hair out trying to get my system to work, and I'm deeply regretting the investments I made in this company that seems to not give a hoot about it's customers unless they're subscribers.

So, if anyone can help me figure out how to get my Ultra 2 to record to USB (though carefully and accurately following all of the steps the AI chatbot outlined for me provided no success whatsoever) or has any tips on getting my money back so I can invest in a much better company, please let me know.

Thanks!

Re: Having a terrible arlo experience

StephenB — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 12:39:29 GMT

what hub model do you have? Look for a VMBxxxx label on the hub.

Re: Having a terrible arlo experience

michaelgreen110 — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 20:01:30 GMT

No you are not alone. I to did not get a subscription instead opting to get a Smarthub and record locally to a USB. But this POS will not record any videos. I've even tried 5 different USB's. I'm already ready to throw this brand new system in the trash and just Hard wire a system in. We can put a man on the moon but can't get something that should be so simple to work to actually work. Unless you buy the subscription. Then I'm not so positive that would even work right at this point.

Re: Having a terrible arlo experience

JG_WA — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 22:51:41 GMT

Yes, it is VMB4000

Re: Having a terrible arlo experience

Edinburgh_lad1 — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 08:47:12 GMT

With VMB4000, it does record to a USB, but you won't be able to view the recordings in the app, but will need to remove the USB drive to view them on a computer. Here is a similar post: https://community.arlo.com/t5/Arlo-Pro/Is-my-base-station-VMB4000-local-storage-compatible/td-p/1894941

I too now have regrets owning the Arlo system as its quality has dropped.

Re: Having a terrible arlo experience

JG_WA — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:20:00 GMT

Yep, garbage company with garbage products and garbage customer service. Looking forward to telling all my friends and neighbors to go with any of their competitors.