Many hidden cameras use infrared night vision so they can still record in the dark. You can’t see infrared light with your own eyes, but most phone cameras can. Turn off the lights, open your camera app, and point it at the object you’re checking. If there’s an infrared camera nearby, it’ll show up on your screen as a small bright white or purple dot that isn’t visible in the room itself. Not sure your phone picks this up? Point a TV remote at the lens and press a button, if the tip lights up on screen, your camera can see infrared just fine. For anything that isn’t using infrared, a flashlight works just as well. Turn off the lights again and slowly sweep your phone’s flashlight across shelves, vents, and any of the objects on your suspect list. A camera lens catches light differently than the surface around it, so look for a small glint that shifts as you move the light.

If there’s a mirror in the room, it’s worth a quick check too. Touch your fingertip to the surface. On a normal mirror, there’s a small visible gap between your finger and its reflection. If your finger seems to touch its reflection with no gap at all, that can be a sign of a two-way mirror hiding something behind it.

What To Do If You Find Something Suspicious?

If you think you’ve found a hidden camera, don’t immediately remove or damage it. Take photos of the object and its location, leave the room if you feel uncomfortable, and contact the property owner, booking platform, or local authorities if necessary. Keeping a record of what you found can also be helpful if you need to report it later.