Privacy isn't a given anymore. You walk into an Airbnb, a gym locker room, or even a rented office space, and there’s that nagging itch in the back of your brain. Is someone watching? It sounds like paranoia—until it isn't. With the rise of "nanny cams" and pinhole lenses available for twenty bucks on major retail sites, the barrier to entry for digital voyeurism has basically hit zero.
Honestly, knowing how to find out if there is a hidden camera isn't just for conspiracy theorists. It's a survival skill in a world where tech evolves faster than the laws meant to restrain it. You’ve probably seen those viral TikToks where people find cameras in smoke detectors or alarm clocks. Some of those are staged for clout, sure, but the underlying threat is very real. Security researchers at companies like Kaspersky have documented a steady rise in these incidents over the last five years.
The physical sweep: Use your eyes, not just your phone
The first thing you do when you enter a room is look. Just look. You don’t need a $500 RF detector yet. You need to think like a creep. If you wanted to record someone without them knowing, where would you put the lens? You’d want a clear line of sight to the bed, the shower, or the desk.
Check the obvious spots first. Smoke detectors are the classic choice because they have a bird's-eye view of the entire room. Look for a tiny, shiny circle that doesn't quite match the rest of the plastic. Other common hiding spots include power adapters, alarm clocks, and even wall hooks. Yes, people sell wall hooks with cameras built into the tiny hole where a screw should be.
Look for wires that don't make sense. Why is there a USB cable plugged into a random outlet behind a plant? If you see a device that looks "off"—maybe it's a brand you don't recognize or it's positioned at an awkward angle—trust your gut. Pick it up. Feel if it's warm. Cameras generate heat when they're recording or transmitting data over Wi-Fi.
👉 See also: Heat Recovery Ventilation: Why Your New Home Might Be Making You Tired
Don't forget the mirrors. The old "fingernail test" is a bit of an urban legend (where a gap between your finger and its reflection means it's a real mirror), but it’s not foolproof. A better way? Turn off the lights and press your phone’s flashlight directly against the glass. If it's a two-way mirror, the light will penetrate to the other side, and you'll see the room or the camera lens behind it.
Why the flashlight trick actually works
Most camera lenses are made of glass. Glass reflects light. It's that simple. When you scan a room with a bright light—even just your smartphone's LED—you’re looking for a "glint." This is a tiny, pinpoint reflection of blue or purple light.
You have to be methodical. Move slowly. Scan every inch of the room from different angles. A lens might be hidden behind a mesh speaker grill or a dark piece of plastic on a television. By changing your perspective, you increase the odds of catching that telltale shimmer. It’s tedious. It’s boring. But it’s the most effective manual way to find a camera without spending a dime.
Technical detection: Scanning the digital airwaves
If a camera is recording you, it usually needs to send that footage somewhere. Most modern hidden cameras use the local Wi-Fi network to stream live video to the owner's phone. This is their biggest weakness.
You can use an app like Fing or WiFiman to see every device connected to the network you’re using. If you see a device labeled "IP Camera," "Cam," or a string of numbers that looks like a manufacturer's ID (like Hikvision or Dahua), you’ve got a problem.
But here’s the catch: smart creeps don't use the guest Wi-Fi. They’ll have a separate, hidden SSID or use a cellular hotspot.
Hunting for infrared light
Many hidden cameras are designed to see in the dark using Infrared (IR) LEDs. Human eyes can’t see IR light, but many digital cameras can. Here is a quick trick: take your phone into a pitch-black room and turn on the front-facing "selfie" camera.
Why the front one? Because most high-end smartphones (like iPhones) have IR filters on their main rear cameras to improve photo quality, but the front camera often lacks this filter. Point the phone around the room while looking at the screen. If you see a pulsing or steady white/violet light that isn't visible to your naked eye, you’ve likely found an IR light source. This is a massive giveaway for how to find out if there is a hidden camera in low-light conditions.
Professional tools vs. DIY methods
If you travel a lot for work or stay in high-risk areas, you might want to invest in a dedicated RF (Radio Frequency) detector. These devices beep when they pick up signals from wireless transmitters.
But don’t get overconfident. A cheap $30 detector from an online marketplace is basically a toy. It’ll beep at your phone, the microwave, and the neighbor's router. Professional-grade bugs often use "burst transmission," where they save video and send it in a quick, high-speed burst once an hour to avoid detection. Unless your detector is on and you’re watching it at that exact second, you’ll miss it.
There are also "lens finders." These are small devices with a ring of red LEDs and a viewing port. You look through the hole while the lights flash. When the red light hits a camera lens, it reflects back intensely, making the lens look like a bright red dot. These are surprisingly effective because they don't rely on the camera being "on" or transmitting; they rely on physics.
What to do if you actually find one
Finding a camera is a high-stress moment. Your heart will probably start racing. Do not—and I cannot stress this enough—destroy the camera immediately.
If you're in a rental, like an Airbnb, the first thing you do is take photos and videos of the camera and its location. Use your phone to document everything. Then, cover it. Throw a towel over it or put a piece of tape over the lens.
Call the police. Recording someone in a private space like a bedroom or bathroom is a crime in almost every jurisdiction. In the United States, these are often "Peeping Tom" laws or more serious felony wiretapping and surveillance statutes. If you're in an Airbnb, contact their safety team immediately after calling the authorities. They have a strict policy against undisclosed cameras in common areas and a total ban on cameras in private areas.
💡 You might also like: How to Make Action Figure ChatGPT: The Real Way to Give Toys a Brain
The legal grey area of "common areas"
It gets tricky in some hotels or shared living spaces. Usually, cameras are allowed in hallways, lobbies, or outdoor areas. However, the moment that lens points into a space where you have a "reasonable expectation of privacy," the law flips. Even if a host says, "I have cameras for security," they cannot have them in your bedroom. Period.
Real-world examples: Where they hide
In 2019, a family traveling in Ireland found a hidden camera inside a smoke detector in their Airbnb. They only found it because the father was a professional IT security consultant and decided to scan the Wi-Fi network. He saw a device named "IP Camera" and was able to access the live stream of his own family.
In another case in South Korea, over 1,600 people were secretly filmed in motel rooms. The cameras were hidden inside hair dryer holders, wall outlets, and digital TV boxes. The footage was being live-streamed to a subscription website. This wasn't one rogue host; it was a massive, organized criminal ring.
These aren't stories to scare you into never leaving your house. They're examples of why being observant matters. Most hosts are great people just trying to make a buck. But the small percentage of bad actors makes these checks necessary.
Summary of actionable steps for your next trip
Don't let the fear of surveillance ruin your vacation, but don't be a passive guest either.
✨ Don't miss: UF CS: Why Everyone is Frantic About Getting Into Florida’s Top Tech Program
- The 60-second sweep: Walk through the room and look for anything that looks out of place or "too new" for the surrounding decor.
- The Light Test: Use your phone’s flashlight to check for lens glints in objects like clocks, smoke detectors, and wall art.
- Network Audit: Download a network scanning app like Fing. Check for any devices labeled "Camera," "Cam," or "IP" on the local Wi-Fi.
- Check the "Holes": Inspect any small holes in the walls or furniture. Use a toothpick or a needle if you're suspicious of a tiny opening in a device.
- Infrared Scan: In a dark room, use your front-facing phone camera to look for invisible IR lights.
- Verify Mirrors: Use the flashlight-against-the-glass trick to ensure you aren't being watched from behind a two-way mirror.
If you find something, document it, cover it, and leave the premises. Contact local law enforcement and the booking platform immediately. Your safety and privacy are more important than any security deposit.