How to Cancel Arlo Secure in 2026 (Keep Your Cameras Working)
Arlo Secure costs $7.99-17.99/month ($95.88-215.88/year) for cloud recording and AI detection. Here's how to cancel without losing camera functionality — and what still works for free.
⚡ Good News: Unlike Ring, Arlo cameras still do live streaming, motion alerts, and 2-way audio WITHOUT a subscription. You only lose cloud recording, activity zones, person/package/vehicle detection, and 30-day video history.
What You Keep vs Lose Without Arlo Secure
Still works (free):
✅ Live streaming from all cameras
✅ Motion-triggered notifications
✅ Two-way audio
✅ Manual recording (you start/stop)
✅ Smart home integrations (Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit)
✅ Local storage via USB on Arlo base stations (if you have one)
Requires subscription:
❌ Cloud video recording (7 or 30 day history)
❌ AI detection (person, package, vehicle, animal)
❌ Activity zones
❌ Rich notifications (thumbnail previews)
❌ 4K cloud streaming (Pro cameras)
❌ Emergency response/smoke alarm detection
Step 1: Download Your Cloud Recordings
Open the Arlo app or go to my.arlo.com
Go to Library
Select recordings you want to keep
Click Download (one at a time — no bulk download)
Cloud recordings are deleted after your subscription ends
Step 2: Cancel Arlo Secure
Log in to my.arlo.com
Go to Settings → Subscription
Click Cancel Plan
Confirm cancellation
Your plan stays active until the end of the billing period
If subscribed through Apple/Google: Cancel in device Settings → Subscriptions, not through Arlo.
Free Workaround: Local Storage
If you have an Arlo base station (SmartHub or older base), you can record to a USB drive for free:
Insert a USB drive into the base station
Settings → Local Storage → enable recording
Recordings save locally — no cloud subscription needed
Limitation: Newer WiFi-only Arlo cameras (Essential, Go 2) don't support base stations
Alternatives With No Monthly Fee
Wyze Cam v3 ($35 + free cloud): 14 days of cloud recording included free. Local microSD recording. $1.99/mo for Cam Plus (AI detection).
Eufy cameras ($40-100, no subscription): Local storage, AI detection, NO monthly fee ever. HomeBase stores up to 16TB locally.
Reolink ($40-80, no subscription): Local NVR recording, 4K cameras, no cloud required. Best for DIY home security.
Apple HomeKit Secure Video (iCloud+): If you're already paying for iCloud+ ($2.99/mo), add HomeKit cameras at no extra cost. End-to-end encrypted.
💡 The Security Camera Subscription Trap
Ring ($3.99-12.99/mo), Arlo ($7.99-17.99/mo), Nest ($6-12/mo) — companies sell cameras cheap and profit on subscriptions. A 4-camera Arlo setup with Secure costs $200+ in cameras plus $216/year in subscriptions. A 4-camera Eufy system costs $300 total with ZERO ongoing fees. Over 3 years: Arlo = $848 vs Eufy = $300.
🔍 Find All Your Subscriptions
Arlo is just one subscription. Upload your bank statement and find every recurring charge.