How to Hide an Arlo Home Security Camera

A security camera only works as a deterrent if the wrong people don’t spot it first. Fortunately, the Arlo Pro 6 and Pro 5S are compact enough to tuck into tight spaces and blend into everyday surroundings — as long as you know a few tricks. This guide covers five practical ways to hide an Arlo camera indoors without losing the wide-angle coverage that makes these cameras so effective.

Stealth Basics: What to Know Before You Start

Before picking a hiding spot, there are a couple of things worth addressing. First, the standard magnetic mount that ships with Arlo cameras is designed for elevated outdoor use — typically six feet or higher on a wall or soffit. For most indoor hiding scenarios, however, it’s better to ditch the mount entirely and use the camera as a tabletop unit. The Arlo Pro 6 sits flat and stable on any level surface, and its 160-degree field of view means it can cover most of a room even from a low, tucked-away position.

Second, the IR night vision LEDs glow faintly in the dark and can give away the camera’s position. If catching an intruder is the goal, it’s worth keeping night vision on and accepting that tradeoff. On the other hand, if the camera is being used to monitor a different situation — a nanny cam setup, for example — disabling night vision in the Arlo Secure app will keep things much less conspicuous. Additionally, keep an eye on the LED indicator on the front of the camera. When the battery runs low, it will blink. A small strip of black electrical tape over it solves the problem without affecting performance.

5 Ways to Hide an Arlo Camera

1. Corner Shelf Among Keepsakes

A corner shelf is one of the most effective spots for an Arlo camera, and it’s hiding in plain sight. Because the 160-degree lens is designed to capture most of a room from a single corner angle, placing the camera among framed photos, books, or decorative objects keeps it functional while making it nearly invisible. The key is to keep the status LED covered and to make sure nothing is blocking the lens directly. In most cases, anyone walking into the room won’t give it a second look.

2. Inside a Fake Plant

Fake plants make surprisingly good camouflage for small security cameras. Simply nestle the Arlo into the base of the planter and arrange the leaves around it, taking care not to block the lens. Artificial foliage is soft and repositionable, which makes it easy to get the angle right. Because most homes have at least one decorative plant on a shelf or side table, this option tends to look completely natural in context.

3. Change the Camera’s Color with a Silicone Skin

The standard white Arlo finish can stand out against dark walls, wood surfaces, or bookshelves. A silicone skin for the Arlo Pro 6 slips over the camera body and comes in multiple colors — black, green, and brown options are available — making it much easier for the camera to blend into its surroundings. The skins are cut to leave the lens, sensors, and ports fully accessible, so performance is unaffected. This method works especially well in combination with the corner shelf or fake plant approaches described above.

4. Inside a Tissue Box

This method is a classic for a reason. The Arlo Pro 6 is compact enough to fit inside a standard tall tissue box. Remove the tissues, cut a small hole aligned with the camera lens, position the camera inside, and secure it with a small piece of tape. Then replace the tissues around it. A box with a busy printed pattern will disguise the cutout almost completely. As a bonus, a tissue box is the kind of object that fits naturally on a nightstand, end table, or shelf — no one questions why it’s there. For best results, look for a box with a pattern rather than a solid color, since the hole is much harder to spot against a printed background.

5. Behind a Decorative Object with a Clear Sightline

Placing the camera just behind a larger decorative item — a vase, a stack of books, a small sculpture — can effectively conceal it from casual observation while still leaving the lens with a clear angle on the room. The 160-degree field of view means the camera doesn’t need to be positioned front and center to capture most of the space. In contrast to mounting on a wall, this approach requires no tools and can be adjusted easily if the camera needs to be repositioned.

A Note on Night Vision and Detection Zones

When the camera is placed indoors in a non-standard position, it’s worth spending a few minutes in the Arlo Secure app to configure a detection zone. This limits motion alerts to a specific area of the frame, reducing false triggers from movement at the edges of the 160-degree view. Moreover, if night vision is disabled to keep the camera stealthy, consider placing a small plug-in night light nearby — enough ambient light will allow the camera’s color night vision sensor to capture usable footage without the IR LEDs giving away the camera’s position.

If you’re looking for an in-depth look at the Arlo Pro 6’s specs and features, our full review covers everything from battery life to subscription costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you turn off the LED on an Arlo camera?

The front status LED cannot be disabled through the app, but a small strip of black electrical tape placed over it will stop it from blinking without affecting camera performance in any other way.

Will hiding the Arlo camera inside something block the motion sensor?

It can. The Arlo Pro 6 uses a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor in addition to video-based detection. Dense materials like thick fabric or cardboard placed directly in front of the sensor window may reduce sensitivity. For best results, make sure the front face of the camera has a clear, unobstructed opening — as with the tissue box hole method.

Can Arlo cameras be used without the magnetic mount?

Yes. The Arlo Pro 6 stands upright on its own and can be placed on any flat surface without a mount. The camera also has a threaded screw hole on the bottom that’s compatible with many standard tripod and tabletop mount accessories if a more secure placement is needed.

Is it legal to use a hidden security camera at home?

In most U.S. states, recording video in your own home without audio is generally legal. However, laws vary by state and situation — particularly regarding bathrooms, bedrooms, and audio recording. It’s worth checking the laws in your specific location before setting up any hidden camera.