Arlo Mobile app Version 5.4.2 removed capability to combine schedule with geofencing

[cdmcleod50]

I have 5 Arlo Pro 2 Cameras and a Base station. I was advised to update my mobile app to the latest Arlo mobile App. However, this new app destroyed my current configuration where I used both the schedule and geofencing options together. I wanted my cameras to be armed whenever I'm away from home (geofence) and unarmed when I'm home, except I want them armed at night whether I'm home or away. After spending hours online and talking or chatting with Arlo Tech support, I finally learned that they have removed that capability. I would be happy to go back to the previous version of the phone app but I don't see any way to do that.

[DannyBearAgain]

Arlo is growing more ignorant towards legacy customers unfortunately.

The effect is to push you towards a subscription plan to use their support services by way of the new UI experience.

My Warning is to never upgrade, if and when the legacy equipment becomes no longer fit for purpose, wake up and move to another brand.

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@cdmcleod50 wrote:

I wanted my cameras to be armed whenever I'm away from home (geofence) and unarmed when I'm home, except I want them armed at night whether I'm home or away. 

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Actually you can set this up.  The only limitation is that that "Arrive" won't immediately follow the schedule.  You can choose either to arm or disarm the cameras when you arrive.  So if you choose choose to arm them, you'd have to disarm them manually if you arrive during the day.  If you forget to do that, the cameras will disarm the following morning.  Similarly, if "Arrive" disarms the cameras when you arrive, you'd need to manually arm the cameras if you return in the evening.

There are some bugs with the geofencing triggering, so the system might not always detect when you arrive or leave.

The first step is to set up both Arm Home and Arm Away to arm all your cameras.  They probably are already set up that way.  Similarly, make sure standby disarms all the cameras.

• https://kb.arlo.com/000062777/About-Arlo-Routines-Modes-Rules-and-Automations

Then you will schedule the cameras to switch to Standby every morning when you are home, and to switch to Arm Home every evening when you are home.   Then set up "Leave" to switch to Arm Away, and "Arrive" to switch to either "Arm Home" or "Standby". 

Here are screenshots of the two schedule automations you need:

Be careful with the enable list (right below the automation name).  These need to be "Arm Home, Standby" for these two.  

Here are screenshots for the two geofencing automations:

Again, be careful with the enable lists.  "Arrive" is only enabled when the system is in "Arm Away" mode.  "Leave" can be always enabled.

Note that "Arrive" is set to arm the cameras - you can change the mode to standby instead if you prefer.

[cdmcleod50]

While I appear to have my system working the way I want it, partially using your suggestions, I'm still not sure I understand why. All the new terms that have been added seem to make the system much more complicated than it needs to be. Also, I found it quite ironic that after spending more than 2 hours talking or chatting with Arlo Tech support, they told me that what I was try to accomplish was not possible with the new App.

[alex_loo]

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@cdmcleod50 wrote:

While I appear to have my system working the way I want it, partially using your suggestions, I'm still not sure I understand why. All the new terms that have been added seem to make the system much more complicated than it needs to be. Also, I found it quite ironic that after spending more than 2 hours talking or chatting with Arlo Tech support, they told me that what I was try to accomplish was not possible with the new App.

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I haven't contacted support but have heard multiple times here regarding their lack of knowledge/understanding of the system they are supposed to support.

gurus like @StephenB is way more knowledgeable and helpful than support.  (up to a point I can't believe he is not working for ARLO! 🤣)