ARLO Secure android app

[alex_loo]

Just received and got updated to this 5.0.4_28750, on my android 14 here.

Same old question: what's new, what's fixed?

To me, it doesn't seem to fix my show-stoppers here --- (geofencing) "Automation arrive" and "Automation leave" still NOT working all the time.

Alex

[StephenB]

---

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:

But is this Arlo Ultra system that I own a security system or CCTV system because I'm now confused. Most or all in Europe will say it's the the latter.

The security system is not separate, and it is integrated with the cameras.  If you have the security system, then arming the security system from the keypad arms the cameras, and putting the security system in standby from the keypad disarms the cameras.  Similarly switching to "Arm Away" in the app puts the entire system into "Arm Away" mode, not just the cameras.  You can tell a camera to record when a home security system sensor triggers, etc.

Arlo isn't going to change that, it's a non-starter for them.

---

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:

Well, the solution is simple: the experience with Feed in those markets where the alarm system is available like the US and Canada, and Library in those that it isn't like Europe. 

---

They aren't going to do that.  Among other things it doubles their regression testing.  It also complicates support.  Have you noticed that we have to ask everyone whether they see "Feed" or Library".  And then have to explain why that matters?

Plus it would require that they go back and add the ability to install the newest cameras (Pro 5s, Gen 2, wired floodlight) in "Library".

---

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:

The latter is relatively bug free and so would require little maintenance.

---

Not my impression, and the bugs would certainly increase if they backported the new features and cameras into Library.

And although we are used to "Library" it certainly isn't perfect.  Among other things, if you have a combination of base stations and directly-connected cameras then modes and scheduling are a mess.

---

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:

Also, you can't impose on someone something so customised to a specific product that isn't available and expect it to run seamlessly. 

---

IMO they made significant mistakes when they designed Feed, including abandoning some good aspects of Library that they could have easily preserved.

But they can't and won't turn the clock back at this point.  My own imagery is that it would be like telling Britain and the EU to undo Brexit.  Easy for an American to say, but not going to happen.

So they need to design and implement a pathway to fix Feed that works for all the products that use that interface.  Not sure when that will roll out, but my personal guestimate is sometime in the first half of 2025.

[alex_loo]

---

@alex_loo wrote:

And now it's 5.0.5_28754 android app.  geofencing issues are still there, sigh.

Alex

---

And now it's 5.2.0_278761.  Do we know what's new with this?  Should I expect geofencing fixed?  

@JamesC  @BrookeN 

Alex

[Edinburgh_lad1]

New:

- Arlo Secure app will now default open to Devices when there are no widgets on your Dashboard. Otherwise, it will open to Dashboard.

- Gear icon to access Device Settings will now appear on the top right corner of each device widget, accessible from either Dashboard or Devices.

- Local Storage access for Arlo SmartHub and Base Station (VMB5000 or VMB4540) is now available from the Feed.

I'm excited about the last feature.

[alex_loo]

---

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:

- Local Storage access for Arlo SmartHub and Base Station (VMB5000 or VMB4540) is now available from the Feed.

I'm excited about the last feature.

---

I am excited too, but after checking my "feed" here, nothing's changed!  I don't see my local storage under "feed".

What's your case?

Anyone to their findings?

Alex

[alex_loo]

---

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:

- Gear icon to access Device Settings will now appear on the top right corner of each device widget, accessible from either Dashboard or Devices.

---

I don't know what this means.  anyway, again I don't see any changes with "Devices" page

Alex

[Edinburgh_lad1]

Log in/out, reinstall the app, restart the system, or might have to wait as these changes are being rolled out gradually. For example, my partner's app on Apple has updated and initially, the storage wasn't visible, but then appeared.

However, the new app also introduces adverts for non-subscribers - yes, Arlo is taking things to the new levels - but I don't know if it's the US only or all other markets, too.

Time will tell, I suppose. 

[alex_loo]

---

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:

Log in/out, reinstall the app, restart the system, or might have to wait as these changes are being rolled out gradually. For example, my partner's app on Apple has updated and initially, the storage wasn't visible, but then appeared.

However, the new app also introduces adverts for non-subscribers - yes, Arlo is taking things to the new levels - but I don't know if it's the US only or all other markets, too.

Time will tell, I suppose. 

---

so have you done above and seen the new changes?

Alex

[Edinburgh_lad1]

Yes, but on my partner's phone 

[alex_loo]

---

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:

Yes, but on my partner's phone 

---

that's iPhone right?   vs the android app I was asking about.

Anyway I also checked my wife's iPhone app.  Version 5.0.5 (8508).  No change to "feed", can't read local storage there still.  What's your partner's app version on the iPhone?

Alex

[StephenB]

---

@alex_loo wrote:

---

Anyway I also checked my wife's iPhone app.  Version 5.0.5 (8508).  No change to "feed", can't read local storage there still. 

---

I believe the change is in 5.2.  There should then be a "local" option in the feed settings filter.  Not sure if that is set by default or not.

[alex_loo]

---

@StephenB wrote:

---

@alex_loo wrote:

---

Anyway I also checked my wife's iPhone app.  Version 5.0.5 (8508).  No change to "feed", can't read local storage there still. 

---

I believe the change is in 5.2.  There should then be a "local" option in the feed settings filter.  Not sure if that is set by default or not.

---

5.2!  there is another message about this here .  But not availalbe to iPhone here.  Is it camera specific, that it's not deployed for my ultra 2 + hub?

very confusing...

Anyone with this new Feed screen to share?

Alex

Alex

[Edinburgh_lad1]

Your wife's app version is 5.0.5. You need to have 5.20 to be able to access these new features. I have Android, but the update is unavailable yet.

So, is your user interface with Library or Feed. If the former, then you should be able to access your locally recorded videos as usual. If the latter, then the new version 5.2 enables the Feed section to display your locally stored recordings.

On my partner's iPhone, there is a sliding thing/switch at the top of the screen in the Feed section, which enables you to flick between the two.

If you can't see the above, please confirm that you've restarted the system, restarted the app, logged in and out.

[StephenB]

---

@alex_loo wrote:
5.2!  there is another message about this here .  But not availalbe to iPhone here.  Is it camera specific, that it's not deployed for my ultra 2 + hub?

very confusing...

---

They almost always do a slow (staggered) rollout of firmware and app updates.  So it could take a while before you see it in the app store.