How to disable syncing in Arlo cameras
If your Arlo cameras keep syncing footage, settings, or devices when you want them to stay separate, the issue is usually tied to Arlo’s cloud account sync and device sharing. This article shows you how to stop that behavior in Arlo cameras so your cameras stop uploading or synchronizing the way they do now.
Quick fix
The fastest fix is to turn off cloud recording and remove any shared access that is forcing sync behavior. In the Arlo app, open your camera settings, disable modes and automations tied to recording, then remove the camera from any shared account or base station link that keeps it connected. For most people, stopping sharing and turning off recording is enough.
Why this happens
Arlo cameras are built to sync through your Arlo account, base station, and cloud settings. If recording, sharing, or automation is enabled, the cameras keep sending data and staying linked across devices. That is normal behavior for the system, not a sign that the camera is broken.
How to fix it
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Turn off cloud recording for each camera.
Open the Arlo app and go to the camera you want to stop syncing. Open its settings and disable recording, motion-triggered capture, and any mode that starts recording automatically. This stops the camera from pushing new video into your Arlo account. -
Remove the camera from shared access.
In the Arlo app, go to Account, then select Shared Access. Remove anyone who should not receive updates from the camera. If another person still has access, the camera continues to sync activity into that shared account. -
Disable automations and schedules.
Open the Modes or Automation section in the Arlo app and turn off any rules that arm the camera, start recording, or trigger alerts. A schedule that keeps re-enabling recording is one of the most common reasons syncing keeps coming back after you think you turned it off. -
Unlink the camera from the base station or SmartHub.
If your Arlo camera is connected through a base station or SmartHub, remove the camera from that hub first. Go into Device Settings, choose the camera, and select Remove Device or Unpair. Then add it back only if you want it connected without the old sync rules. -
Sign out of other devices using the same Arlo account.
If you use Arlo on a phone, tablet, and desktop, sign out everywhere except the one device you want to keep. Then change your Arlo password. This cuts off background syncing from another logged-in device that is still controlling the cameras. -
Reset the camera and set it up again without shared sync settings.
Press the camera reset button according to the camera body instructions, then add it back in the Arlo app as a fresh device. During setup, skip old shared settings, old automations, and any base-station rules you do not need. A clean re-add clears out leftover sync behavior that a normal settings change does not remove.
Common error messages
“Camera is syncing with another account”
This means the camera is still linked to a second Arlo login or shared owner.“Device already added”
Arlo still has the camera tied to the old account, hub, or device list.“Sync failed”
The app tried to apply your changes, but the camera did not accept the new setting profile.
When this means it’s a bigger problem
If syncing keeps turning back on after you remove sharing, disable automations, and reset the camera on a fresh setup, the problem is no longer a settings issue. That pattern points to a stuck account link, a base station pairing problem, or a camera firmware fault that needs official Arlo support to clear.