Direct Storage Access is an additional way to access videos stored locally on your Arlo SmartHub. Instead of removing the microSD card or USB storage device and plugging it into your computer to view recordings, Direct Storage Access enables a fast way to directly view recordings through the Arlo Secure App. When you use Direct Storage Access, your Arlo recordings never touch the Arlo cloud, providing seamless point-to-point access.

Direct Storage Access allows you to view the last 30 days of videos in the Arlo Feed. If you want to view videos older than 30 days, you will need to connect your USB or microSD device to a PC or Mac.

To set up Direct Storage Access, you need:

• The Arlo Secure App
• An Arlo SmartHub (VMB5000 or VMB4540)
• A Wi-Fi router
• A USB drive or microSD device that is compatible with your Arlo SmartHub

Set up Direct Storage Access

To set up Direct Storage Access for your Arlo system, you must first insert a compatible USB or microSD device into your Arlo SmartHub. For detailed information about setting up local storage backups, visit: How do I set up local storage backups using my Arlo SmartHub or Base Station?

After you have inserted a compatible storage device, you must enable local storage recording in the Arlo Secure App. When local storage recording is enabled, you can set up Direct Storage Access.

To enable Direct Storage Access:

1. Launch the Arlo Secure App.
2. Tap Devices.
3. Select your Arlo SmartHub.
4. Tap Storage Settings.
5. Tap the Record Locally switch to the on position.
6. Tap Local Storage Settings.
7. Tap the View Recordings switch to the on position.

After you enable Direct Storage Access, your recordings are accessible when you are on the same home network as the Arlo SmartHub. To access recordings when outside the home network, Arlo recommends configuring a VPN on your router and mobile device to establish a secure connection to your Arlo SmartHub. Contact your router manufacturer for specific configuration details.

You can also enable Port Forwarding as an alternative to using a secure VPN to access your storage recordings in the Arlo Secure App.

Note: To enable Port Forwarding, you might need to contact your Internet service provider (ISP) to request permission for traffic to be allowed through the external port that is defined by the Arlo Secure App.

To enable Port Forwarding after Direct Storage Access is enabled:

1. Launch the Arlo Secure App.
2. Tap Devices.
3. Select your Arlo SmartHub.
4. Tap Storage Settings.
5. Tap the Record Locally switch to the on position.
6. Tap Local Storage Settings.
7. Tap the View Recordings switch to the on position.
8. Tap Port Forwarding.
9. Tap the Port Forwarding switch to the on position.
10. Enter the relevant Port Forwarding information in your router settings to enable access outside the local network.
11. If correctly entered, the Status will change to Available.
12. To change the ports assigned for Direct Storage Access, tap Refresh to have a new port randomly assigned.

Note: If Port Forwarding is deactivated, locally stored videos will only be accessible when you are on your home network or connected remotely via VPN. Your router settings will remain unchanged. If you deactivate Port Forwarding in the Arlo Secure App, remember to also remove the Port Forwarding settings for Arlo on your router.

Remotely accessing local storage recordings with Direct Storage Access

When Direct Storage Access is enabled, your Arlo recordings can be viewed in the Arlo Secure App under the Storage Settings in the Arlo SmartHub Device Settings. Your recordings will not contain a thumbnail because they are not saved to the Arlo cloud. Direct Storage Access allows you to view the last 30 days of videos in the Arlo Secure App. If you want to view videos older than 30 days, you will need to connect your USB or microSD device to a PC or Mac.

Note: You cannot manually record or capture a snapshot to a local storage device. Manual recording and snapshots are only available when you record to the Arlo cloud. You also are unable to delete specific recordings from your Arlo SmartHub through Direct Storage Access. Deleting recordings must be done by connecting the USB or microSD device to a PC or Mac.

To access your Direct Storage Access recordings in the Arlo Secure App when you are on your local network:

1. Launch the Arlo Secure App.
2. Tap Devices.
3. Select your Arlo SmartHub.
4. Tap Storage Settings to view the last 30 days of video recordings.