Arlo RTSP: How-To Guide [2023]

written by

Doug Stevenson

updated August 04, 2023

I have been going through my ever-increasing smart security camera arsenal and wondered if my Arlo camera supports RTSP out of the box.

The possibility of me being able to control all my smart security cameras from a single software drove me to do a deep dive into this subject.

But little did I know that this was such a hot topic that I knew I had to make this one-stop article on whether Arlo actually supports RTSP.

Arlo cameras such as Arlo Ultra, Arlo Q, Arlo Q Plus, Arlo Baby, and Arlo Pro 2 support RTSP out of the box and therefore are capable of recording nonstop to the Arlo Cloud. But Arlo encrypts the RTSP stream and does not allow third parties to access the streams.

What is RTSP?

Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) is a system implemented for security cameras mainly in order to communicate and transmit media from a server to an endpoint device.

The primary USP of this implementation is that you can view footage directly from the servers without needing to store the file in your system.

RTSP also allows select simple commands to be implemented to the footage, such as play, pause, etc.

This can seem similar to a tech that we nowadays use very often- live streaming.

Technically, RTSP is the intermediary channel between the viewer and the live stream.

RTSP is implemented across most CCTV cameras out in the market, and this is what allows the cameras to record 24x7 to their connected local or cloud servers.

But the best part about RTSP is that since it is a universal protocol, it is possible for centralized software such as Blue Iris to manage and view multiple RTSP streams.

Provided we have access to the RTSP stream in hand, we can use Blue Iris or any supported live stream management software to display all cameras irrespective of brand.

Does Arlo Support RTSP?

The good news is that Arlos is one of the few battery-operated smart security cameras that support RTSP out of the box.

But that is where the good news ends, as there is not much utility you can expect even though the system is RTSP compatible.

Arlo streams are encrypted and therefore, can only be accessed via Arlo's cloud servers.

This means that you cannot integrate other centralized security camera solutions with Arlo, which makes it a major dealbreaker for a lot of folks.

In fact, there are a lot of users already on forums complaining about this very issue, with many even claiming the RTSP implementation is false advertising.

But Arlo is not to blame here, as encrypting its live stream is in fact a great security feature for Arlo cameras

This essentially means that nobody other than you can access your live streams, but it comes at the cost of you needing to use the Arlo app to view the footage.

Also, the fact that viewing 24x7 live footage is a premium feature placed behind a paywall is also a major factor that is enraging quite a lot of users.

Is Arlo Not Recording? How to Fix

If you are facing issues relating to your Arlo camera not recording, then the best way to move forward is to perform some tried and tested troubleshooting steps.

Unfortunately, the smart security camera gear is still in its infancy stages, and issues such as this pop up from time to time, and Arlo cameras are no exception.

Power Cycle the Arlo Camera

A power cycle, contrary to its intimidating name, is simply a hardware-level reboot for your Arlo camera.

This ensures that your Arlo camera performs at its most optimal condition.

Power cycling also helps in getting rid of any misbehaving charges from within the Arlo system, which might have been contributing to your Arlo camera not responding.

To perform a power cycle on your Arlo cameras, follow the steps given below:

Disconnect the Arlo camera from its power source aka its batteries.
Let the Arlo camera sit idle for about a minute in its powered-off state.
Insert the batteries into the Arlo camera. If the batteries are old, then it is best to swap them with a fresh pair.
Let the Arlo cameras sit idle for about a minute in their powered-on state.

Perform the power cycle multiple times in order to get the best results from your Arlo camera.

Factory Reset the Arlo Camera

A factory reset will provide you with a clean slate, wiping out the whole device and letting you start afresh.

In this day and age of smart devices utilizing both the software and hardware seamlessly for their functionality, it is imperative to wipe the system once every six months or so.

This makes sure to wipe out any abnormal process that might have crept into your Arlo camera when it was performing its million operations every day.

To perform a factory reset on your Arlo camera, simply follow the steps below:

Locate the Reset or Sync button on the body of the Arlo camera, usually located next to the battery compartment.
Press and hold the button till the led indicators blink blue.

Wait for about a minute for the reset process to complete.

Do note that you will need to set up your Arlo camera from scratch on your Arlo app too.

If your Arlo app shows your previously registered device, delete the listing and initiate the pairing process again.

Final Thoughts

If you are still facing issues with your Arlo camera, then it is best to contact Arlo support for professional help.

I hope my article on whether Arlo natively supports RTSP out of the box has been a helpful read and has aided you with the same.

Have a good day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does Arlo support Blue Iris?

Arlo cameras do not support Blue Iris, as Arlo encrypts their video RTSP streams and does not allow third parties to access them.

Are RTSP and ONVIF the same thing?

Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) is the protocol that lets you have limited control over live streams.

Open Network Video Interface Forum is an open industry forum that works towards making multiple security products compatible with each other via a common standard like RTSP.

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