How to Connect Arlo Products to Amazon Devices
Love Arlo products? Love Amazon devices? Want to link them together?
You aren’t the only one. Arlo has a whole page about connecting its cameras to your Alexa app. We’ll walk you through the information Arlo provides while adding our own helpful twist.
1. Get an Arlo camera.
All of Arlo’s cameras work with Alexa, so you have your pick.
Arlo currently sells the following:
- Arlo
- Arlo Q
- Arlo Q Plus
- Arlo Pro
- Arlo Pro 2
- Arlo Pro 3
- Arlo Pro Floodlight Camera
- Arlo Baby
- Arlo Ultra
- Arlo Essential
- Arlo Go
- Arlo Video Doorbell
- Arlo Lights
To learn more about Arlo cameras, check out our comprehensive Arlo review.
2. Get an Amazon device.
Ideally, you want to connect your Arlo camera to an Amazon device with or connected to a screen. You can use any of the following:
- Echo Show
- Echo Spot
- Fire TV
- Fire TV Stick (second gen)
- Fire TV Edition smart TVs
3. Set up your Arlo camera.
Follow the instructions in the Arlo app to get your camera up and running. Then make sure the camera is on and connected to your Wi-Fi.
4. Set up your Amazon device.
There’s an app for this too. Your Alexa app will guide you through setting up your Echo or other Amazon product.
Again, check that your smart device is on and hooked to your internet before moving to the next step.
5. Enable the Arlo skill.
There are two ways to enable the Arlo Alexa skill on your Amazon device.
You can simply say, “Alexa, enable Arlo skill.” Alexa will then direct you to your Alexa app so that you can link to your Arlo account.
You can also start in the Alexa app. Search for the Arlo skill, then select Enable.
6. Link accounts.
The Alexa app directs you to log into your Arlo account so that you can link everything up.
The Alexa app will ask for permission to access your Arlo account. (You have to accept if you want to link the two.) Alexa will then notify you that your accounts are successfully connected.
7. Discover Arlo camera.
You need to “discover” your Arlo devices in your Alexa app. Once again, Alexa will guide you through the process.
Once you’ve completed discovery, you can use voice commands to access your Arlo cameras.
8. Check your Arlo feed using Alexa.
To view your Arlo camera feed, just say, “Alexa, show me Arlo Pro” (or whatever name you choose for your camera).
To make the feed disappear, say, “Alexa, hide Arlo Pro.”¹
Recap
It’s not hard to set up an Arlo-Alexa ecosystem. You just need a minute to sit down and figure everything out. And with these instructions, you’ll be on your way.
Arlo/Amazon FAQ
What are Arlo cameras compatible with?
Arlo cameras are compatible with a variety of products, services, and protocols. We’ve broken it all down for you into tables for outdoor and indoor cameras.
Model | Arlo Pro 2 | Arlo Pro 3 | Arlo Ultra | Arlo Essential | Arlo Go |
Amazon Alexa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Google Assistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
IFTTT | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Apple HomeKit | Yes | Yes (with VMB4540 SmartHub) | Yes | No | No |
Details | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Data effective 12/01/2020. Offers subject to change.
What about the Arlo and Arlo Pro? The original Arlo isn’t compatible with Apple HomeKit, but the Arlo Pro is. And they both work with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.
Model | Arlo Q | Arlo Q Plus | Arlo Baby |
Amazon Alexa | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Google Assistant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
IFTTT | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Apple HomeKit | No | No | Yes |
Details | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Data effective 12/01/2020. Offers subject to change.
Can I use Arlo cameras with devices without a screen?
Our understanding is that you can still use your cameras with a regular Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Studio, etc. You can’t view the feed, but you can at least arm and disarm the cameras.
Which brings us to the next FAQ question.
Can I turn my Arlo cameras on and off with Alexa?
You can tell Alexa to arm or disarm your Arlo cameras. To do that, Arlo requires you to set up a PIN. You must say this Assistant PIN out loud when turning the cameras on or off, just as a safety measure.
Sources:
- Arlo, “What Alexa Commands Can I Use with Amazon Devices to View My Arlo Cameras?” August 2019. Accessed July 15, 2020.
- Babu Mohan, AndroidCentral, “You Can Now Arm or Disarm Your Arlo System with Alexa” December 2019. Accessed July 14, 2020.