How to Connect Your Arlo Camera to Google Assistant

By Brianne Sandorf

Feb 28, 2022

2 min read

Arlo doesn’t work with just Alexa. It works with Google Assistant too.

Here’s how to get set up.

1. Get an Arlo camera

Last we heard, not all of Arlo’s cameras work with Google Assistant. But you can pick any of the following and still connect with Google:

Arlo Ultra 2
Arlo Pro 3
Arlo Pro 4
Arlo Essential
Arlo Essential Indoor
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
Arlo Video Doorbell
Arlo Essentials Video Doorbell Wire-Free

To learn about other Arlo cameras, visit our full Arlo camera review.

2. Get a Google Home or Nest Hub

Your Arlo cameras should work with any Google Home or Nest Hub. But to view the feed, you need a device with a screen.

Try either the Nest Hub or Nest Hub Max for the full effect.

Skip the hardware

You technically don’t need a Google Home or Nest Hub to set up an Arlo camera with Google Assistant. Use the Google Home app to add the camera without any hardware. You can then view the camera feed on your phone by asking Google to open the Nest or Arlo apps.¹

3. Set up your Arlo camera

The Arlo app will tell you everything you need to know about setting up your new Arlo camera. Just follow its instructions.

Once you’ve set everything up, give the camera a little test to make sure it’s working. Troubleshoot the Wi-Fi connection too.

4. Set up your Nest Hub

Go into the Google Home app. Select the Add+ sign, then choose “Set up device.”

The app will show an option titled “Have something already set up?” Choose this option, then select Arlo from the list of smart devices. You’ll then log into your Arlo account.

5. Add Arlo camera

You can also use the search icon to find and select the Arlo device. Google may make you verify your device before it will link to your account.

Then choose whichever Arlo cameras you want to connect to your account and then you'll have the option to name each one. We recommend naming them something easy to identify each one like "Arlo Doorbell".

6. Check your Arlo feed using Google Assistant

Say, “Okay Google, show outdoor Arlo Doorbell on Nest Hub Max.” (Make sure to use the correct names of your cameras and Google Home devices.)

And that’s it! Everything is set up so that you can view your camera feed.

Recap

Setting up an Arlo camera with Google Assistant isn’t difficult, though it can be a little anti-intuitive at times. We’ve hopefully provided everything you need to work through the process.

Google Assistant/Amazon FAQ

Not every Arlo camera will be right for every person.

If you live with someone you don’t trust or have kids or valuables you want to keep an eye on, we’d start with an indoor security camera.

But if your main goal is to keep intruders out, we’d definitely prioritize home security cameras like an outdoor security camera or video doorbell.

We hope that helps. If you find you don’t like the sound of Arlo cameras in general, you can always try the Nest Cam IQ. They’re a similar value to Arlo (although they tend to run at a higher price point). You can get either an indoor or outdoor version.

Or, if you prefer something cheaper, here are suggestions for not-so-pricey security cameras.

Arlo cameras don’t work with every available protocol or smart home platform. (For instance, they don’t currently work with Thread.)

We’ve created a few tables that show compatibility with Arlo indoor and outdoor cameras.

Arlo outdoor camera smart integrations

Model	Arlo Ultra 2	Arlo Pro 3	Arlo Pro 4	Arlo Essential
Amazon Alexa	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Google Assistant	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
IFTTT	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Apple HomeKit	Yes	Yes (with VMB4540 SmartHub)	Yes	Yes
Details	View on Amazon	View on Amazon	View on Amazon	View on Amazon

Data effective 2/28/2022. Offers subject to change.

Sources:

Written by

Brianne Sandorf

After five years with Reviews.org, Brianne can and will tell you which internet or mobile provider you should sign up for. She’s talked with internet customers across the U.S. and beyond and addresses their real-life concerns in every piece she writes. Brianne also created the ratings system for the Reviews.org internet service provider reviews and wrote most of them. Brianne channels her lifelong interest in detective work by hunting for obscure, need-to-know information about internet service providers. She’s always learning so that she can pass her knowledge on to Reviews.org readers. Her writing and expertise have appeared in numerous other publications, including Move.org, Parents.com, and the Stanford student blog. Her work for Reviews.org is also cited in a research paper about smart home assistants titled “Expert-Generated Privacy Q&A Dataset for Conversational AI and User Study Insights.” Brianne is a homegrown Utahn who loves to travel and see new places. She graduated from Westminster College with a double major in honors and creative writing. After 20 years in a 8,000-person city, she now lives in Murray, a bustling metropolis of 50,000 where she and her husband raise their two little girls.