I’ve had the same problem. I adjust the audio sensitivity to a level I get no false triggers (level 2). When there is an automation change (home to away, etc), ST resets the audio sensitivity for a camera to 3 (factory setting?). It also resets the audio sensitivity for the camera in the Arlo app (also resets the name to the factory camera serial number?). This doesn’t happen for all 4 of my cameras, sometimes only 1 camera might change. With the audio sensitivity at 3, tons of false triggers.
i have the same problems.
pls write the smartthings suport, i hope we will get a fix.
New user here, and looking for some guidance. I have my one of my Arlo’s pointed out towards the lake and setting sun at our summer home. I want to capture a short video clip each evening, preferably right at sunset. In other words, no sensor triggers, just video for 30 seconds at sunset each day. I’ve played around with the ST routines, but can’t get it to work. Likely it’s a “user error” so any help from the Community would be appreciated.
James
It can be done!
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Create a virtual switch “Sunset” -
Use ‘Smart Lighting’ rule to turn on the virtual switch at Sunset / off after time allows for recording -
Use IFTTT to Start Recording Arlo when switch is turned on
New user here, and lost. I want to be able to tell Alexa (Amazon Echo) to BOTH turn the cameras off and on by voice, but also, if on, to “arm” them to record on motion/sound. The default when I integrated the Smarthings, Arlo Pro cameras and Echo seems to be simple off and on through a custom mode in the Arlo Pro app. A bit confused on how to turn off/on AND arm/disarm. Icing on the cake would be voice control of all of that…
I created a virtual switch “Cameras” with Smart Lighting rule to turn all 5 off or on with Alexa. Helpful when going to mow or just be outside.
I always keep Arlo in my custom armed mode. I found it easier to just turn on or off the cameras in SmartThings. IFTT has arm / disarm for Arlo but it doesn’t allow (that I’ve seen) to choose my custom mode. So you could create rule there for Alexa.
Robert,
New to IFITT also. Could you walk me through how to set up Start Recording Arlo? I haven’t been able to figure that part out.
Thanks so much.
James
Maybe I don’t fully understand your use case, but I think that both turning on/off AND arm/disarm is unnecessary. I guess what I am saying is what is the point of having them on if they aren’t going to be recording?
For example, what I have done is setup a mode (I am using the ST one that appears after you integrate them, but I think any mode works) and then select it. In my case the mode just records video when motion detected. I then just turn the cameras on or off using ST. For example when everyone is gone all the cameras are on and thus will record. When people are home only a subset of the cameras are on. Since I have set it up I have never changed the “mode” in Arlo. I simply turn a camera on or off.
Now the one limitation I see is that if you want to have different recording options based on a ST mode, such as trigger by motion only during the day but motion and sound at night maybe, this isn’t really possible as of now. Beyond that though I think it works pretty with the exception of the stupid losing settings bug.
Lastly, I think we will soon see some sort of official integration with Alexa which may allow for mode changes. My only basis for this is the new Echo Show touts the ability to tell Alexa to view a camera stream. In order for that to work there has to be some form of integration and I don’t know why they would limit it to just the show, but who knows. Even then they may not allow mode changes but again why not right? Time will tell! Good luck.
I was about to react to the use case question but after thinking it through about “on/off”, you may be right. I often just pull up the android or web app to look at the cameras live. I think turning them on first is an extra “click”, but then again, what’s the big deal. So technically, if I turn them on through automation, then why not arm them? Oddly, I’m a former software developer, rather successful actually, and haven’t really been thinking through all the logic possible with Alexa/Echo, SmartThings hubs and devices, my LiftMaster MyQ garage doors (so far not supported by anyone), and my honeywell thermostat. I need to step back and think about how I want all of this to work. What I DO know is I need a second ECHO hub upstairs for voice commands as I’m tired of shouting…
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I agree with you on the extra annoying click part. I am not a huge fan of that either, but I find the longer I have the cameras the less often I go watch a stream just for fun so it really isn’t a major issue for me. I am not certain why they chose to integrate in the way they did. I am guessing it was the easiest. Using on off makes it just like any other switch in ST rather than finding a way to do modes.
I am also in the same boat about how I want everything to work. I have a lot of “stuff” and it all generally works, but I never take the time to step back and say how do I really want this to function. I really need to do that.
I highly recommended the second echo. I have 4 in my house and just preordered the new Echo Show. The dots are cheap and what I use for my upstairs areas. I don’t use them to play music really so they are perfect. Ohh and I just double checked the Echo Show Amazon page and they even have the arlo logo there as an official smarthome partner so something is clearly coming! 
Amazon has already announced that Arlo and the Ring doorbell Will be able to display video on the new echo show from the beginning. More camera partners will be added later. 
Ask Alexa to show you the front door or monitor the baby’s room with compatible cameras from Ring and Arlo.
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Yep, but as with everything very little detail beyond that. I am curious to see if they add the ability to control the cameras on/off and modes as well or simply view a stream. It is interesting that the Arlo website makes zero mention of the integration at all.
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I am going to preorder the Echo Show as well. If only the Chamberlain/Liftmaster garage doors with wifi had support I would be all set.
There used to be a community created SmartThings/Chamberlain integration, but Chamberlain shut it down from their side. They’ve decided they want total control for security and liability reasons. Even their official integrations, like with Wink, limit what you can do with the door. They really just want people to use their MyQ feature.
WOW! The Echo Show looks really awesome and I can’t wait to try it out with Arlo security cameras. Just a question, does both Arlo (1st gen) and Arlo Pro work with Echo Show? In the Arlo vs Arlo Pro comparison, knowing this is really important.
well this is starting to become frustrating, i have 3 arlo pros, and i use the smart alarm app because i need to be able to use a keypad.
i followed the instructions above to select cameras and triggers in SMH but everytime i switch back to check the arlo app after setting different routines, “ARMING, DISARMING, STAY”, the MODE configurations in ARLO APP reset and change…
what am i doing wrong?
If you’re using the Arlo cameras in ST, you pretty much have to stop using the Arlo app. ST recording and control happens in the ST SHM and records to the Samsung cloud. You’ll see in the Arlo app that Smartthings mode is full of rules like camera A motion causes camera B to do nothing. This is by design.
I use Arlo modes to do all my recording and only use ST integration for motion triggers
Does “Active” in SmartThings mean “Armed” or just “power on/ready”?
Can you elaborate how you have those differentiated? I currently am trying to use both and I am getting a lot of duplication.
All of my Arlo cameras are outside.
In the Arlo app I keep the system set to the Armed mode. I make all of my Arlo settings in the Arlo Armed mode. (Sensitivity, recording length, notifications). The ‘Smartthings’ mode is flaky at best and gets reset sometimes.
In the Smartthings app I use the motion trigger to turn on my outside lights during the night using the Smart Lighting smart app.
In SHM I do not have the Arlo cameras used for motion because they pick up the street and the neighbors driveway sometimes and I don’t want intrusion alerts for that.
I also use the Smartthings app (routines and Smart Lighting) to turn the cameras off and on with the cameras switch capability. So when I leave the cameras turn on and when I get home they turn off. When you ‘Switch Off’ the camera in Smartthings it turns it off in the Arlo app and the camera will not respond to anything.
Here is what it looks like in both apps when a camera is switched off:
