topic Re: The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up. in Arlo

The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up.

Hairfarm — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 20:35:26 GMT

Basically, this is what I'm trying to achieve. I have five cameras. I want to disable four of the cameras at 7 AM and re-enable them at 7 PM.

For the fifth camera, I want that on all day.

1. Four cameras off at 7 AM at on at 7 PM.

2. One camera on 24/7

How do I accomplish this seemingly easy task using this convoluted software?

This was easily accomplished before the update.

thanks,

Re: The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up.

Edinburgh_lad1 — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 21:55:37 GMT

I think I'll be able to help.

For Arm Home, you need your camera to record 24/7.

For Arm Away, you need your camera to record 24/7, as well as the remaining 4 cameras to record from 7pm until 7am.

For automations, you need the 4 cameras end at 7am, and you need another automation the 4 cameras to start at 7pm. When editing these, you need to 'take action' to 'arm away', and for the other you need 'arm home', as in these screenshots.

Re: The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up.

BrookeN — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:55:08 GMT

This also has the steps you can use to set up a schedule like you are describing.

https://kb.arlo.com/000062942/How-do-I-add-a-Schedule-Automation-to-my-Arlo-system

Re: The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up.

Hairfarm — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 22:39:43 GMT

What mode do I leave it in? Arm Home or Arm Away?

Re: The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up.

Hairfarm — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 22:42:30 GMT

What mode do I leave it in? Arm Home or Arm Away?

Re: The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up.

StephenB — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:56:20 GMT

@Hairfarm wrote:

What mode do I leave it in? Arm Home or Arm Away?

What I generally recommend is to

set up Arm Away to arm all cameras
set up Arm Home to arm all cameras
set up Standby to arm just the one camera you want always armed.

Create two schedule automations

one to switch to Standby in the morning
ont to switch to Arm Home at night

These are both activated in both Arm Home and Standby modes, but not Arm Away.

With this set up, you can start up the schedule by manually putting the system in Standby (during the day) or alternatively manually putting it in Arm Home at night. The schedule will then continue to run.

When you leave for vacation, you can manually switch to Arm Away, and all cameras will remain armed until you switch modes manually when you return home.

The disadvantage here is that you when you want to disarm the 24x7 camera for a while, you need to go into the device settings and temporarily turn it off. (You could also modify standby, but that is more work).

Screen shots for this are:

These are set up for sunrise/sunset, but of course you can use your times instead.

Pay particular attention to bit right below the automation name - where it says "Arm Home, Standby". It is essential to get that part right.

Re: The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up.

alex_loo — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:15:22 GMT

@Hairfarm wrote:
Basically, this is what I'm trying to achieve. I have five cameras. I want to disable four of the cameras at 7 AM and re-enable them at 7 PM.
For the fifth camera, I want that on all day.

1. Four cameras off at 7 AM at on at 7 PM.
2. One camera on 24/7

How do I accomplish this seemingly easy task using this convoluted software?

This was easily accomplished before the update.

thanks,

You can try following steps:

Routines >> modes >> arm away, then under device rules, put in ALL of your 5 cameras, making sure each is "motion & audio -> record & notify"
Routines >> modes >> arm home, then under device rules, put in ONLY your 24/7 camera, making sure it is "motion & audio -> record & notify"
Routines >> automations >> 3-dots >> add schedule, add:
- name "switch to daytime"
- when "7:00am" and click the whole week, then save
Routines >> automations >> 3-dots >> add schedule, add:
- name "switch to night time"
- when "7:00pm" and click the whole week, then save
Routines >> modes >> arm away, then under "automation", make sure only "switch to daytime" is enabled
Routines >> modes >> arm home, then under "automation", make sure only "switch to night time" is enabled
Routines >> modes >> standby, then under "automation", make sure BOTH "switch to daytime" and "switch to night time" are NOT enabled

Hope this helps.

Alex

Re: The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up.

alex_loo — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 04:23:45 GMT

@alex_loo wrote:
@Hairfarm wrote:
Basically, this is what I'm trying to achieve. I have five cameras. I want to disable four of the cameras at 7 AM and re-enable them at 7 PM.
For the fifth camera, I want that on all day.

1. Four cameras off at 7 AM at on at 7 PM.
2. One camera on 24/7

How do I accomplish this seemingly easy task using this convoluted software?

This was easily accomplished before the update.

thanks,
You can try following steps:
Routines >> modes >> arm away, then under device rules, put in ALL of your 5 cameras, making sure each is "motion & audio -> record & notify"
Routines >> modes >> arm home, then under device rules, put in ONLY your 24/7 camera, making sure it is "motion & audio -> record & notify"
Routines >> automations >> 3-dots >> add schedule, add:
name "switch to daytime"
when "7:00am" and click the whole week, then save
Routines >> automations >> 3-dots >> add schedule, add:
name "switch to night time"
when "7:00pm" and click the whole week, then save
Routines >> modes >> arm away, then under "automation", make sure only "switch to daytime" is enabled
Routines >> modes >> arm home, then under "automation", make sure only "switch to night time" is enabled
Routines >> modes >> standby, then under "automation", make sure BOTH "switch to daytime" and "switch to night time" are NOT enabled
Hope this helps.

Alex

apoligies I have missed out the most important step for 3 and 4 above!

for (3), there should be 1 more step:

Add action >> Change mode to "Arm Home", then SAVE

for (4), there should be 1 more step:

Add action >> Change mode to "Arm Away", then SAVE

Hope I haven't been too confusing here.

Alex

Re: The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up.

StephenB — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 12:18:28 GMT

@alex_loo wrote:
You can try following steps:

Routines >> modes >> arm away, then under device rules, put in ALL of your 5 cameras, making sure each is "motion & audio -> record & notify"

Routines >> modes >> arm home, then under device rules, put in ONLY your 24/7 camera, making sure it is "motion & audio -> record & notify"

Yes, that is another way. It preserves the use of standby, which makes it a bit easier to disable all the cameras. But it is more work to disable the schedule when you go away for a while.

Re: The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up.

alex_loo — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 21:38:02 GMT

@StephenB , I agree with your point but then since @Hairfarm has been very specific with his use cases, I won't plan for more "typical" situations for him, at this stage. First things first.

Alex

Re: The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up.

StephenB — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 21:44:31 GMT

@alex_loo wrote:

I agree with your point but then since @Hairfarm has been very specific with his use cases, I won't plan for more "typical" situations for him, at this stage. First things first.

Both approaches are reasonable, I just thought it would be useful to post the main difference between them.

@Hairfarm of course should choose whichever he thinks will work for him.

Re: The software for the new Arlo app is so utterly convoluted I can't recreate my previous set-up.

Hairfarm — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 20:02:03 GMT

These are the screenshots used to get the results I want:

I added all five cameras to the Standby mode but deactivated four of them except for the fifth one I needed on 24/7.

Then I built an automation using the Standby mode and another using the home mode.

When I go out of town I'll activate all five cameras and disable the two automations so that they don't interfere with Away mode.
Hope that makes sense.
Seems like there are several different ways to accomplish my desired system. Not sure if tat's a good thing or a bad thing (?)