topic Custom modes in new app in Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Gen

Custom modes in new app

PMH1 — Sat, 10 Feb 2024 18:36:39 GMT

I was just forced to upgrade my phone app following the purchase of a new 2nd generation doorbell. While some of the app features are nice, it is absolutely infuriating that I cannot create custom modes and simply switch between them when using the app. I do not want to come up with intricate automations/rules to set my cameras in a way that would be so much simpler to configure and select a customized mode. I have different sets of cameras on depending what I am doing in my house and yard, and the uses are not confined to some kind of fixed weekly or hourly schedule. Please add this functionality as quick as possible or I will be looking to other camera solutions.

Re: Custom modes in new app

jguerdat — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 14:50:01 GMT

Just an FYI - the limitation of only 3 modes is due to the security hub (NOT a SmartHub) supporting only those 3 modes. In many, but not all, cases, you can use those 3 modes regardless of the names for anything you want. Generally, use Standby as your custom mode unless you really need it to disarm cameras.

Re: Custom modes in new app

Edinburgh_lad1 — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 15:40:25 GMT

You're not the only one expressing infuriation and showing dismay at the new GUI. Overall, it's a step back, especially that Arlo have made it very difficult for the user to use it to your advantage, or to access local storage. I'm especially very concerned that users are forced to adopt this new GUI.

Your request to have a functionality added will probably be ignored, as many requests and pleas for fixes on this forum. Arlo knows best, and that's that. I've actually not seen a positive comment about the new modes yet: what Netgear had was very good and well thought out; this new approach is flawed and lacking in flexibility.

To help you with setting up modes, you might want to look for my post where I discuss it. Hopefully it'll save you lots of time that I'd initially wasted trying to work out different modes.

Re: Custom modes in new app

Edinburgh_lad1 — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 15:44:05 GMT

> Just an FYI - the limitation of only 3 modes is due to the security hub (NOT a SmartHub) supporting only those 3

> modes. In many, but not all, cases, you can use those 3 modes regardless of the names for anything you want.

> Generally, use Standby as your custom mode unless you really need it to disarm cameras.

This sounds like a hardware limitation, but it's not. (And @jguerdat you should stop pulling wool over people's eyes by your comments.)

So, if you can use the 3 modes however you want to, what was the reason for calling them such (other than to confuse?) and why can the names not be edited then?

Re: Custom modes in new app

PMH1 — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 16:30:42 GMT

Thanks for the replies and additional context.

@jguerdat I am not using any hubs, just have the cameras directly connected to the network. Regardless if this is a hardware limitation with the hub in my situation I struggle to see why it should apply to me. And I understand I can simply use the three modes each customized to my needs (ignoring their fixed names), but I need more than three.

@Edinburgh_lad1 I posted mainly because it seems the only way to voice feedback to developers. I’ve also come up with an imperfect workaround, but fundamentally I just need more modes for my use case. I’m also unhappy about the forced upgrade. I get that companies have a vision they want to execute but this limitation was an unwelcome surprise.

Re: Custom modes in new app

jguerdat — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:28:36 GMT

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:

This sounds like a hardware limitation, but it's not. (And @jguerdat you should stop pulling wool over people's eyes by your comments.)

So, if you can use the 3 modes however you want to, what was the reason for calling them such (other than to confuse?) and why can the names not be edited then?

I never said it was a hardware limitation but that it was due to the security hub only supporting those 3 modes. Those modes on the buttons are also labeled Arm Away, Arm Home and Standby so the app also identifies them as such.

AM I totally happy with the limitations? No. However, for many/most folks, this doesn't seem to be a limitation since 3 modes, regardless of how they're named, can be utilized to do what's needed (I also lost my custom modes but have a working solution with those 3). There are certainly cases where it's a deal-breaker but you and I shouldn't be the ones telling others who's right and wrong.

I'm just trying to inform how to use the system. Whether that suits anyone else is a personal choice not to be dictated by others.

Re: Custom modes in new app

jguerdat — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:34:54 GMT

@PMH1 wrote:

@jguerdat I am not using any hubs, just have the cameras directly connected to the network. Regardless if this is a hardware limitation with the hub in my situation I struggle to see why it should apply to me. And I understand I can simply use the three modes each customized to my needs (ignoring their fixed names), but I need more than three.

It's not a hardware thang. The decision, not made by any users including me (I have no official connection to Arlo), was a corporate one for the software to echo what's available on the security hub. I sure hope they understood the howling that was sure to take place when only 3 modes were to be available. I managed to make my system work reasonably well downsizing from multiple custom modes but also realize that can't possibly be true for everyone.

FWIW, I use Standby for that purpose but also have to manually enable certain cameras to fit my needs (disarm backyard cameras while leaving the front one armed and vice versa). To do this, I have to edit those camera rules and simply toggle the motion detection off.

YMMV

Re: Custom modes in new app

JamesC — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 21:39:13 GMT

We’ve heard your feedback, and the development team is working hard to deliver a similar custom modes experience that legacy users have come to enjoy while maintaining all the new improvements and features included in the latest version of the Arlo Secure App. We will keep the community up to date as we approach the release of this highly anticipated feature.

Thank you all for your continued feedback in helping make the Arlo experience the best it can be!

For more information about the latest Arlo Secure App, see here: https://www.arlo.com/en-us/new-arlo-secure-app