Security Camera with an App: Pros and Cons
Does a security camera really need an app?
Does a security camera really need an app?
The pros of getting a security camera with an app are centered on convenience, peace of mind, and immediacy. If something scary — like a break in — takes place, you’ll be notified and can request law enforcement right away. The cons are relatively minor for most people, but include things like feeling overwhelmed with notifications or dealing with a slow or poorly-designed app. |
The days of an app being a quirky add-on for the technophiles are long gone.
Even the most old-school-cool grandparents can find value in quickly picking up their phone to see what went bump in the night. Or show off birds visiting their yard to friends at lunch.
Keeping an eye on pets while at work, making sure elderly parents are alright, and checking that an important package made it to your front door are all possible, anytime, anywhere if your security camera has an app.
Even the best security camera cannot actively intervene in a dangerous situation unless it’s paired with an app or a security system.
App notifications and alerts let you scare off a package thief via camera audio, instantly call the police if a break in is taking place, request first responders for sick or elderly relatives, and give firefighters a head start on saving your home.
Getting a security camera with an app puts you in full control of your home, no matter where you are.
While most security plans come with an online account, for many people the app quickly becomes their primary way of controlling and managing cameras, doorbells, and lights, simply because it’s so convenient.
Customizable alerts make it easy to build a system that takes all of your needs in mind. For example, Arlo Secure plans come with Person and Vehicle Recognition, as well as Package Detection and Fire Detection (currently in test mode).
There are endless ways to customize these features to work for your family. Our customers use them to know when kids get back from school, see when a family car or a courier is parked in the driveway, or figure out if their dog is digging up the yard (again) while they’re at work.
The negatives of getting a security camera with an app have to do mostly with the app itself being non-functional. Make sure to check out app reviews before deciding if your camera of choice will be easy to manage on your phone.
It can take a bit of upfront work to figure out which notifications you want and which will clutter up your home screen. If the app doesn’t allow you to customize your notification preferences, the constant chatter may be tiring.
If you opt for wire-free cameras and have issues with internet connectivity it may be hard to monitor your camera feed. In this case, an app may still be helpful if you use a camera with LTE connection.
Alternatively, if you yourself are often in an area with low service where you can’t monitor cameras because apps don’t work, you may be better off requesting 24/7 professional monitoring services.
Not all security camera apps are built equal, and a buggy, slow app may not be worth the hassle. Make sure to vet your security camera provider carefully before investing in their security camera and the companion app.
Camera footage can be stored in the cloud for you to review later, but is generally deleted and security providers follow strict protocols for keeping the data in your app safe. It’s a good idea to chat with a customer service agent if you’re not sure how your data is managed by the app.
Keep an eye on everything and everyone important to you, whether you’re next door or miles away. The Arlo Secure App lets you customize alerts and notifications so you’re the first to hear about things that matter most. Set up detection alerts for flames, certain sounds (like glass breaking), familiar persons, as well vehicles and packages with a few taps.
If you’re connected to Wi-Fi or have a data plan you should be able to monitor your cameras, receive alerts, and use the app like you normally would in another country.
It depends on what you purchased from your provider as well as their offerings. If you bought a security camera or another device (like a video doorbell) but didn’t sign up for a security plan, you may still be able to use the app but it will have limited features.
Be sure to choose a hard-to-guess password for your security account and set-up two-factor authentication from the very beginning (it’s easy to forget about it once you install the app).
