Q&A for How to Find Hidden Cameras

You'll need two phones to do this. First, download a red strobe app on one of the phones and get a red strobe going. Pull up the camera on the other phone, and scan the wall while pointing the camera and strobe light at it. If there's a hidden camera, you'll see a reflection in the phone camera.

Yes, some flash green and some flash red. You can find out more by taking a picture of it, then using Google Lens to identify the model of it. When you do that, you'll find manuals for your kind of fire detector/smoke detector that will tell you what the different lights mean. For example, there's an older model detector in my room and it flashes red, but the newer model detector in my living room has a recessed green light.

This would only work if the camera does not have a battery back-up, which a number of cameras do. Depending on the type and size of the camera, it could still be recording for hours or even days. If is is a wireless camera AND of small size, chances are (since wireless use higher power) that the battery back-up will last only a short time. If it is a wired camera (with video signal and low voltage power remotely supplied) that goes to a recorder somewhere else, there could be a battery back-up running not only for hours but even for days or weeks!

The police. There are many laws against stalkers. Make sure you have reasons of why you believe there are hidden cameras.

My answer applies only to WiFi enabled cameras, since WiFi works on 2.4GHz and 5GHz then you can use your smartphone with any application (such as Wi-Fi analyzer for Android) to scan for transmission and uncover even hidden SSIDs.

Turn out all the lights and slowly shine the flashlight around every inch of the room. Camera lenses are made with glass, so you'll see a reflection of the light on the lens if there's a camera anywhere.

No, it's probably just that the battery needs replacing.

Get a picture of the camera, and talk to the authorities. Alert people on websites such as Yelp that review the hotel. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau in the hotel's area.

Some hidden cameras may beep, but most are silent.

No, not all cameras have cords. For example, there are Wi-Fi cameras which have small aerials. However, these aerials will be conspicuous. They transmit the video data through an internet connection.

Look carefully at each item in your bedroom and bathroom. Try swiping your hands over the walls and don't forget about corners.

If you have an internet connection, even with zero reception, then you should at least be able to do the calling trick described above.

You can dismantle the door knob/handle as long as you know how reassemble it. Look for any camera parts. You could also ask a professional to dismantle it. If you find a camera, take the camera/camera parts to the police. Or take a picture of it.

If you have to go, just use the bathroom and try to cover yourself. You can look for the camera afterward to destroy it.

It's always possible for something to have a hidden camera in it, but it was most likely not put there by the manufacturer.

Tell your on-campus officer or call the police. If it is a camera, it may have been placed by a faculty member or another student, and the situation would be best left to the actual authorities instead of the school staff.

Not by human eyes, but we can see them using special devices

Electrical devices such as TVs, stereos, and amplifiers can retain electrical currents within capacitors inside their circuitry, which can hold current until discharged or retain residual current for electrical memory. This is not likely to be a sign of a hidden camera.

If the cameras are for security purposes, then that's very common and understandable. If you've seen cameras in the bathroom though, then that would be a problem.

Disassemble your clock, and check if there any 3G/Wi-Fi or camera components.

Some do, such as a game or motion-detected camera. Not all of them do though, and some with sensors are still quiet or completely silent.

Cameras are pretty much silent, so you won't hear anyone operating one.

If your phone makes a buzzing sound when in a call near a TV speaker or any electronics, you can use the phone to call someone out of the suspect area and move your phone around your suspected place.

Look carefully around your room and do not underestimate any object. Examine everything in your room until you find the camera.

There are usually not many good places to hide a camera in a bathroom, so look closely.

No, it's most likely just a signal that the exhaust is on.

All you have to do is look. Make sure you look in every nook and cranny.

It depends on your camera's resolution and what you want to do with it. Generally, it is not considered neighborly to spy on one's neighbors.

No, green light usually just means "go." It's probably just telling you that your fan is operational. If it switches to yellow or red, contact whoever installed it.

The one I've seen on a fridge was behind the brand label on the handle. When you popped the label off, the camera was behind it. You may have to hold the label up to a light to see clearly.