topic Re: Can I use my Arlo Ultra 2 cameras without a Plan? in Arlo Ultra 2

Can I use my Arlo Ultra 2 cameras without a Plan?

klowetx — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 17:14:04 GMT

Arlo's basic plan prices are going up by $50+ per year. Is it possible to use my Arlo Ultra 2 cameras without a plan? If so, how?

Re: Can I use my Arlo Ultra 2 cameras without a Plan?

StephenB — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 18:06:22 GMT

@klowetx wrote:

Is it possible to use my Arlo Ultra 2 cameras without a plan? I

Yes. This gives you some idea of what features you have with no subscription.

https://kb.arlo.com/000062312/What-options-will-I-have-when-the-Arlo-trial-ends

If you don't have local storage set up now, then I suggest getting that working before you cancel. It's not the best experience, and I think it's important to try it out in order to prevent any surprises.

Re: Can I use my Arlo Ultra 2 cameras without a Plan?

Dgmi — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 18:56:03 GMT

if I understand it correctly,

you don’t have access to online recordings without a plan.

I haven’t tried setting up local storage yet to see how difficult it is to setup and how good it works,

but I’ll be looking into that option also before ‘jumping ship’

Re: Can I use my Arlo Ultra 2 cameras without a Plan?

StephenB — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 20:59:26 GMT

@Dgmi wrote:

I haven’t tried setting up local storage yet to see how difficult it is to setup and how good it works,

but I’ll be looking into that option also before ‘jumping ship’

If you see "Library" in your app menu, then this guide will be useful:

https://kb.arlo.com/000062337/What-is-Direct-Storage-Access-and-how-do-I-use-it

If you see "Feed" and "Dashboard" instead, then this guide is the relevant one:

https://kb.arlo.com/000062997

Re: Can I use my Arlo Ultra 2 cameras without a Plan?

alex_loo — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 01:57:25 GMT

@Dgmi wrote:
if I understand it correctly,
you don’t have access to online recordings without a plan.

correct. And since the initial trial subscription gives you everything including the "nice" cloud, you end up wasting your time NOT figuring out what it really means without the subscription (for example, the pain to set up your local router, for local recording).

I haven’t tried setting up local storage yet to see how difficult it is to setup and how good it works,
but I’ll be looking into that option also before ‘jumping ship’

difficult or not, it depends on how techie you are. ARLO won't help and tell you the steps to do it anyhow.

Alex

Re: Can I use my Arlo Ultra 2 cameras without a Plan?

StephenB — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 13:03:52 GMT

@alex_loo wrote:

I haven’t tried setting up local storage yet to see how difficult it is to setup and how good it works,

but I’ll be looking into that option also before ‘jumping ship’

difficult or not, it depends on how techie you are. ARLO won't help and tell you the steps to do it anyhow.

They do provide the basic steps here:

https://kb.arlo.com/000062337/What-is-Direct-Storage-Access-and-how-do-I-use-it

Details depend on what router you use, and also your internet service provider. Lots of possibilities there, with new routers (and ISP changes) happening all the time.

No idea how much tailored advice Arlo support can give, but we often do provide that here.