Paying Arlo Subscriber Request – Let Doorbell Button Press Trigger Recording Without Motion

[cyberjunkyfreak]

Hi Arlo team,

I’m a paying Arlo Secure Plus Unlimited subscriber, and I’m genuinely surprised this basic feature still isn’t available:

Why can’t the video doorbell record when someone presses the button unless motion detection is turned on?

This limitation makes the doorbell far less useful in real-world situations. I often disable motion alerts when family is going in and out constantly—but I still need the system to record if someone (especially a stranger) rings the bell. Right now, unless motion is on, there’s zero footage. That defeats the purpose of a video doorbell.

Please give users the option to trigger recordings on doorbell press, regardless of motion settings. Better yet, allow it to trigger other Arlo cameras too, just like you do with motion detection. This is a simple firmware/app logic tweak that would have a major impact.

As a long-time subscriber who’s invested in the Arlo ecosystem, I’m hoping this request is taken seriously. Your system is capable—just missing that one obvious, user-friendly option.

Thanks,

Luigi

[cyberjunkyfreak]

Just to clarify why this is so important:

I have multiple Arlo cameras, including battery-powered ones, and the doorbell is set to an active standby routine. If I enable recordings on all motion—just to catch someone ringing the bell—it ends up triggering unnecessary recordings on every camera.

This means:

• Battery drain skyrockets on my wireless cameras
• I get dozens of pointless clips every time my kids re-enact Home Alone out front (which, trust me, happens at least 100 times a day)
• It clutters up my library and reduces the signal-to-noise ratio for actual security events

All of this could be avoided if the doorbell press itself were allowed to independently trigger recordings—without needing motion detection enabled.

This isn’t just a convenience request—it’s about making the system practical for real-life use cases. Appreciate your consideration to this request.

Thanks again,

Luigi

[StephenB]

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@cyberjunkyfreak wrote:

Why can’t the video doorbell record when someone presses the button unless motion detection is turned on?

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FWIW, I agree it really should do this.

[ShayneS]

Thank you for your feedback, we greatly appreciate the community’s contribution. I will provide this information to the appropriate team for future consideration.

[LeeDock]

I just bought the Arlo 2K Doorbell to replace my "Skybell" so they would all be on the same software.  I spent a few hours trying to find the "Button Pressed" option the Arlo Doorbell 2K and then found this discussion.  This is the Skybell Option.  

I may return the Arlo Doorbell and reinstall the Skybell.  I only want motion detection after midnight until 7am and not during the day.  With our dog and gardening it would trigger dozens of times.  Please let us know when this will be enabled.  Thanks,  Lee