How to use your phone to detect hidden cameras

Small, inexpensive and easy to install, small and hidden cameras can be installed without the knowledge of passing tourists.

However, they are unaware that they have the perfect tool to find these hidden cameras; their smart phones.

To see in the darkness of apartments, these hidden cameras by owners or managers use infrared, a spectrum of light that is invisible to our eyes.

And this infrared light, your smartphone’s camera sensor can see. On newer phones, the rear camera can capture infrared (IR) light; On other devices, like the Pixel 6, it will work with both front and rear cameras.

How to determine if your phone can capture infrared

To check your smartphone’s infrared detection, use accessories like a TV remote, soundbar, or streaming player like Roku. By pressing a button, direct the infrared beam towards your phone’s camera.

If you see a small steady or flashing light on the screen (no matter what color, red, pink, purple, etc.), then your smartphone can distinguish infrared light. If it doesn’t work with the camera system on the back of your phone, try the front camera on the side of the screen.

play detective

Once in the apartment, make the room as dark as possible to check for a hidden camera with infrared illumination. Darkness will automatically turn on this infrared light.

Slowly scan the room with your phone, if there is a hidden infrared camera, you should be able to find it.

On the other hand, if this hidden camera does not have infrared, this method will not work.

Another means of detection, this camera must necessarily be connected to a local network. You can then use an app (iOS and Android) like flipper. Many network analyzers are available in online stores.