Hidden camera guides
Short, practical guides for checking a room, a car or a single object for a hidden camera. Each one says where the lens usually sits, what gives it away, which phone check fits, and what that check will miss.
A phone can look for lens reflections, list cameras on a Wi-Fi network you join, hear nearby Bluetooth devices and notice electronics with its magnetic sensor. It cannot see a camera that is switched off, records only to a memory card, or sits on a network you are not connected to. The guides are written with both halves of that in mind.
Detection basics
How hidden cameras give themselves away, and what a phone can and cannot check.
- Bug and RF detectorsHow RF bug detectors work, and why a phone is not one
- Find hidden cameras with a phoneUsing the phone in your pocket to look for hidden cameras
- Hidden camera detector appWhat can a hidden camera detector app actually do?
- Hidden camera finder techniqueHow to find a camera lens by the light it sends back
- How to detect hidden camerasThe signals that give a hidden camera away
- How to find hidden camerasHow to find hidden cameras in a room, one zone at a time
- Infrared camera checkHow to spot a night-vision camera by its infrared glow
- Spy camera detector typesWhich kind of spy camera detector do you actually need?
Check a place
Room-by-room sweeps for the places people most often ask about.
- Airbnb and vacation rentalsHow to check an Airbnb or vacation rental for hidden cameras
- Apartment and bedroomHow to check your apartment and bedroom for hidden cameras
- Bathroom checkChecking a bathroom for hidden cameras, step by step
- CarHow to check a car for hidden cameras and trackers
- Changing room checkA quick way to check a changing room or fitting room for hidden cameras
- Dorm or hostelChecking a shared dorm or hostel room for hidden cameras
- Hotel roomIs there a hidden camera in your hotel room? A practical check
- OfficeHow to check an office or meeting room for hidden cameras
Check a specific object
Where the lens usually sits in common disguises, and how to test each one.
- Air freshenerIs that air freshener actually a camera?
- Air purifierHow to tell a normal air purifier from one with a camera
- Alarm or wall clockHow to tell whether a clock is hiding a camera
- BookCould a book on the shelf be hiding a camera?
- ButtonWhat does a button camera look like on clothing?
- Ceiling fanCan a ceiling fan hide a camera, and how do you check?
- Coat or towel hookHow to tell whether a wall hook is hiding a camera
- Doorbell cameraWhen is a doorbell camera a hidden camera problem?
- GlassesHow can you tell if someone's glasses are recording you?
- HatHow to tell if someone's hat has a camera in it
- Keychain or key fobWhat a keychain camera looks like and how to catch one
- Lamp or desk lampHow to find a camera hidden in a lamp
- Light bulbIs that light bulb actually a camera?
- MirrorHow to check a mirror for a camera behind the glass
- Motion sensorIs that motion sensor in the corner really a camera?
- PenHow to recognize a pen camera, on a desk or in a pocket
- Phone chargerCould the USB charger by the bed be a camera?
- Picture frameChecking photo frames and wall art for a hidden lens
- PlantHow to check a potted plant for a hidden camera
- Power stripWhy is there a power strip pointed at the bed?
- ScrewHow to spot a camera disguised as a screw head
- Shower headHow to check a shower head for a hidden lens
- Smoke detectorHow to tell if a smoke detector is a hidden camera
- Speaker or Bluetooth speakerHow to check a speaker for a hidden camera
- Teddy bear or stuffed animalHow to check a teddy bear or stuffed animal for a camera
- TV and set-top boxCan your TV be watching you? Two different cases to check
- VentHow to look for a camera behind an air vent
- Wall outletWhat a hidden camera in an outlet cover looks like
- Water bottleCan a water bottle hide a camera? Here is how to tell