If you're security-minded, you probably check your hotel or Airbnb before you get comfortable. Part of this might mean checking the mirror for hidden cameras. You may be able to spot them just by searching around the frame, or you can use tools that detect light and radiofrequency. To help, we'll answer some of your biggest questions about locating these tricky cameras.

Question 2 of 7:

Can I find a camera just by looking at the mirror?

  1. 1
    Yes—you might find a camera with a physical inspection. To spot a hidden camera, spend a few minutes looking around for small holes in the wall or random wires that don't look like they belong. Pay attention to flashing or blinking lights, too.[2] You might look for wires or a small blinking light near along the mirror's frame, for instance.
    • Spy cameras are getting smaller and smaller, so get really close to look for the camera lens.
  2. 2
    You might find a camera by determining if the mirror is two-way. You've probably heard the old trick about touching the mirror. Simply touch the mirror with your fingertip—if there isn't a gap between your fingertip and the reflection, it's probably a two-way mirror. At this point, you can try to take the mirror off of the wall or keep searching for a hidden camera.[3]
    • Do you see a small gap between your fingertip and the reflection? Great! This means it's a standard mirror and there's nothing to worry about.
  3. Advertisement
Question 3 of 7:

Can I use a flashlight to detect a camera?

  1. You can try it, but you might have a hard time pinpointing a camera's reflection. Some people argue that a flashlight, even one on your phone, works to reflect a hidden camera's lens while others say it's too tricky to spot a camera reflection in the mirror's reflection. It's definitely worth a try, though![4]
    • If you want to try the flashlight tip, stand really close to the mirror and slowly shine the light over the entire surface, changing the angle as you go. Look for a very small reflection of light that's not coming from your flashlight.
Question 4 of 7:

Do hidden cameras need wifi?

  1. Possibly—cameras either need to be plugged in or connected to the wifi. Don't feel like physically searching for a camera? Check the wifi network to see if a hidden camera is connected. Run a scanner like Fing or WiFiman, which pulls up all the connected devices. It will also show you the name, hardware, and IP address of each connected device. The scanner may reveal that there's a camera connected to the network.[5]
    • This tip works best for smaller wifi networks since large networks will show lots of connected devices.
    • Not sure if a listed device is a camera? Sometimes, it can be tricky to tell what an unknown device is. Write down the IP address and run it through a port scanning app, which can give you some useful clues.
  2. Advertisement
Question 5 of 7:

Are there apps to detect cameras in mirrors?

  1. Camera detecting apps are available, but they have mixed reviews. You can download an app like Glint Finder or Hidden Camera Detection that emits red light. This can reflect off of a hidden camera lens behind the mirror. Reviewers note that these work best when you're within 3 or 4 feet (0.91 or 1.22 m) of the camera, so it might work well if you're scanning a mirror.[6]
    • To use the app, open it on your device so your phone emits red light. If you can, turn off the lights in your room and slowly sweep the red light over the mirror. Look for the tiny white reflection of a camera lens.
Question 6 of 7:

Is there equipment that can find a camera?

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    Is there a device that can detect a camera?
    Luigi Oppido
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Well, if there's a camera hidden in a wall, you can try detecting it with a red strobe light app on your phone. Point the strobing light to the wall and scan it, as the camera lens will reflect the red light — even if it's a pinhole camera. For a greater chance of identifying the reflection, turn on another phone's camera and look for the reflection on the wall through the screen.
Advertisement

About This Article

Jessica Gibson
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Jessica Gibson is a Writer and Editor who's been with wikiHow since 2014. After completing a year of art studies at the Emily Carr University in Vancouver, she graduated from Columbia College with a BA in History. Jessica also completed an MA in History from The University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 111,263 times.
53 votes - 86%
Co-authors: 9
Updated: September 20, 2022
Views: 111,263
Advertisement