7 Ways to Find Hidden Cameras – Tried and Tested Tips from Experts (2024)

• Shelves
• Pens
• Computer mice
• Tiny holes in the wall
• Stuffed toys
• Lava lamps
• Clocks
• Clothes hooks

Note that this isn’t an exhaustive list. Snoopers can be creative in hiding spy cams so keep an open mind if you want to find one. Also, don’t halt your search after you’ve found just one. You never know how many cameras a person might have hidden in a room.

7 Ways to Spot Hidden Cameras

Here are seven ways to detect hidden cameras in any room. Keep in mind, even if you follow all of these steps, you might still miss a hidden camera as no method is foolproof. They do greatly improve your chances of finding a spy cam if one is hidden in the room, though. We’ll start with the simplest ones.

1. Look for Odd Objects

It’s a good practice to thoroughly scan your surroundings whenever you enter a new room. Keep an eye out for slightly moved or misplaced objects. Scan any non-essential items you find or anything that looks off.

In some cases, a person bugs the room in a hurry and can leave traces. Look for misfitted electrical outlets, sticky door locks, and debris close to walls. If you’re in a familiar space and you notice a new object, make sure to check it. Whenever you come across a sketchy-looking device, you can always Google search its brand or model number to see if you’re dealing with a hidden camera gadget.

In unfamiliar spaces like hotel rooms and Airbnbs, take a closer look at clocks, smoke detectors, and air filters. If you find a low-hanging clock, painting, or two smoke detectors close to each other, you have a strong reason to inspect them. Also, examine all electronic devices and unplug the ones you don’t expect to use.

Remember that if a device carries a secret camera, unplugging or turning it off won’t necessarily turn off the camera. This is because spy cams can also have in-built batteries that can keep them going for hours or even days. Cover suspicious devices with a towel or piece of clothing just to be safe.

If there’s a mirror in your room, test it to ensure it’s not a two-way mirror. Check if the mirror is installed on top of the wall or built into it. You have good reason to be suspicious it if it’s built inside the wall like a window. You can also try knocking on the mirror and observing the sound it makes. Knocking on a two-way mirror would make a different, hollower sound than an ordinary one.

Pros:

• • • • • No additional equipment required
        • DIY
        • Reasonably effective

Cons:

• • • • • Not foolproof
        • Requires considerable knowledge and experience
        • Time-consuming

2. Use a Flashlight

The flashlight method works best in dark conditions. Use a bright light and shine it across the room, especially on suspected areas. Carefully look for a reflection, especially blue or purple, as you move the light around.

The naked eye isn’t very sensitive to tiny reflections which means you won’t always pick up a camera lens just by flashing a light on it. You might have a better chance of detecting the infrared light spy cams emit with a smartphone camera.

Pros:

• • • • • Low cost
        • DIY
        • Quick

Cons:

• • • • • Low efficacy
        • Requires a high-intensity flashlight
        • Works best in dark conditions

3. Use Your Smartphone Camera

Most surveillance cameras emit infrared light while working. While you can’t see infrared radiation, your phone can help. However, not all phone cameras will help, especially not rear cameras as they have infrared filters.

First, run a test to ensure that your smartphone camera detects infrared light. Take any remote control, point its front LED towards your phone’s front camera, and press a button on it. You’ll see a burst of white or purple light within the LED which confirms your phone can see infrared.

Turn off the lights and close the blinds so the room is pitch black. Use your phone’s camera to detect sources of infrared radiation. If you discover any white or purple flashing spots, it’s likely a camera lens. Remember that most phones are likely to detect infrared only if you use the front camera.

Pros:

• • • • • DIY
        • No additional equipment or apps required
        • No internet connection required

Cons:

• • • • • Not all phones detect infrared
        • Low efficacy
        • Not as convenient

4. Scan the Wi-Fi Network

Scanning the local Wi-Fi network for a hidden camera works only if it’s wireless and is on the same network as you. This means you only have a partial chance of detecting a spy cam this way, but it’s worth a shot.

You need to install a network scanner app for this method to work. Search for Network Scanner on Google Play or the App Store and install any app that looks authentic to you and has a good user rating. Keep in mind legitimate apps don’t need a bunch of unnecessary app permissions.

Connect to the Wi-Fi network and scan it using the app. This will help you see all other devices connected to it. Look for any signs that may give away the presence of a camera. Most hidden cameras are named IPcamera by default and users don’t bother changing them.

Make sure you connect to CyberGhost VPN when using Wi-Fi at a hotel or any other public place. We secure your traffic with military-grade encryption, which keeps you safe from snoopers hiding on the network who may want to track your internet activity or hack into your device.

Pros:

• • • • • Low cost
        • No additional equipment required
        • DIY

Cons:

• • • • • Needs technical know-how
        • Low efficacy
        • Requires Wi-Fi network access

5. Use a Phone Call to Detect Interference

Surveillance cameras tend to emit radio waves that can interfere with signals if you’re on a phone call. If you’re on a call and move your phone close to a working camera, you might notice crackling, buzzing, or general signal interference.

To detect a spy cam this way, call a friend and ask them to stay on the call as you move the phone around the room. Put the call on speaker and move your phone close to suspicious areas and devices. If you notice an increase in interference at a particular spot, you might just have found a hidden camera.

Note that this isn’t a foolproof method either, as not all cameras emit radio waves and your phone may not always pick up interference even if a camera is present.

Pros:

• • • • • Low cost
        • No additional equipment or apps required
        • DIY

Cons:

• • • • • Makeshift method
        • Time-consuming
        • Low efficacy

6. Use a Hidden Camera Detector App

Installing a hidden camera detector app on your smartphone is a good option as it lets you take an all-in-one approach to find different sorts of hidden cameras. A typical cam detector app uses radiofrequency, infrared, and lens glare detection plus network scanning – all of the methods above summed up into one app.

Using a camera detection app makes your search easier and more effective, but you can never trust an app with your data. The recent row on period-tracking apps collecting and sharing users’ data gives us good reason to believe any other third-party app can harvest your data.

Connect to CyberGhost VPN and protect your digital identity before you install and use unknown apps. We hide your IP address to make your online identity and activities more private. Always try to install trusted apps to reduce the risk of data harvesting.

Pros:

• • • • • Takes an all-in-one approach
        • Reasonably effective
        • No additional equipment required

Cons:

• • • • • Not as effective as dedicated devices
        • Apps may harvest your data
        • Quality apps may be expensive

7. Use a Specialized RF Detector

Last, but certainly not least, using a dedicated RF camera detector is an effective way of confirming the presence of secret recording devices. The device is extremely sensitive to the radio waves wireless cameras emit.

That means it lets you detect bug devices easily, no matter how well they’re hidden. If the device detects radiofrequency, it gives you audible signals that get more frequent as you move closer to the source.

You can buy RF detectors on common marketplaces like Amazon. Although it may get heavy on the pocket, buying the device can be a good investment if you’re a frequent traveler.

Pros:

• • • • • DIY
        • One-time investment
        • High efficacy

Cons:

• • • • • Expensive
        • Short working range
        • Requires operational skills

Bottom Line

Taking away someone’s right to privacy is a heinous crime. As much as it’s wrong, there will always be bad people who want to snoop on your private time. This is why you must never let your guard down.

Keep out an eagle’s eye for suspicious objects and signs that someone may be spying on you. Scan your room thoroughly with the methods I’ve discussed above whenever you visit a new hotel or Airbnb. Most importantly, protect your devices because cybercriminals can always spy on you through your own camera if they want. Install CyberGhost VPN to secure devices now.

We have dedicated apps for all types of devices including Android and iOS mobile phones. CyberGhost VPN makes sure no one can see what you do online, not even us. We follow a strict no-logs policy that dictates we never track, store, or share any of your data.

Regardless of where you go, always make sure you follow good cyber security practices on your holiday.

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