How to Detect Hidden Cameras Using Your Smartphone
Have you ever suspected that someone might be watching you—at home, in the office, or even in a hotel room? With the rise of affordable surveillance technology, hidden cameras and similar devices have become more common. Fortunately, your smartphone can help you find these devices with the help of certain apps and techniques.
Why You Should Be Concerned About Hidden Cameras
Surveillance is a part of modern life, from security cameras in public places to accidental appearances on TV news. But it’s a different story when you’re being watched in private spaces like your home, office, bathroom, or changing room. If you don’t take precautions, you could end up being recorded for hours without your knowledge, and that footage could be misused or misinterpreted.
Hidden cameras can be professionally installed or improvised using devices like Raspberry Pi, old smartphones, or tablets. The good news is that your own smartphone can help you detect these hidden devices.
Methods for Detecting Hidden Cameras with a Smartphone
While some spy gadgets seem straight out of a James Bond movie, you can use your smartphone to detect hidden cameras in two main ways:
- Detecting Electromagnetic Fields (EMF): Many smartphones can sense electromagnetic fields. By installing a special app, you can move your phone around the room. If the app detects a spike in EMF, it could indicate a hidden camera or electronic device behind a wall or inside an object.
- Detecting Reflected Light from Lenses: Some apps use your phone’s camera and flashlight to spot the reflection from a camera lens. While this method isn’t foolproof, it can help you find small objects or lenses hidden in the room.
Recommended Apps for Android and iOS
There are several apps available for both Android and iOS devices:
- iPhone: Hidden Camera Detector (about $5) is a popular choice.
- Android: Look for apps with similar names, or try Glint Finder (which detects lens reflections) and Hidden Camera Detector and Spy Cam Finder.
Some hidden cameras can also be detected using your phone’s infrared (IR) camera, or by scanning for unfamiliar devices on nearby Wi-Fi networks. If you’re especially concerned, you can invest in specialized RF (radio frequency) detectors to find wireless cameras.
How to Use Your Phone to Search for Hidden Cameras
Once you’ve installed one of the recommended apps, you can use your phone to search for cameras, microphones, and even hidden computers. Most apps work similarly: they display the approximate location of a suspicious device on your screen, so you know where to look more closely.
For example, in the Hidden Camera Detector app, a flashing red circle appears when your phone is near a camera. The app also shows a number in the center of the screen—if it goes above 100, a camera is likely nearby. The app includes an IR mode (portrait orientation only) to help find cameras that might not be detected otherwise. In this mode, move your phone around the room and look for a bright white circle, which signals the presence of a hidden device.
Tips for Effective Camera Detection
- Before you start, identify all the electronic devices in the room (TVs, computers, smart speakers, etc.), as these can cause interference.
- Experiment with different angles and positions for your phone. While it might seem best to hold your phone horizontally, the optimal position depends on your phone’s sensors. Try various angles for the best results.
- If you’re having trouble, remove your phone case. Some cases can block signals or interfere with the phone’s sensors, so you’ll get faster and more accurate results without it.
What to Do If You Find a Hidden Camera
If you discover a hidden camera, remember that it was placed to record you without your knowledge. You can report it to the appropriate authorities, but be aware that the person monitoring the camera may find out about your actions.
To block the camera, you can cover the lens with tape or glue, or try to stay out of its field of view. However, if the device is hidden in a light bulb or smoke detector, avoiding its view can be difficult.
Keep in mind that these same tips could be used against you. For example, if you use a hidden camera to monitor a nanny, someone else could use these methods to find it.