What to look for when you arrive at an Airbnb
When you check into an Airbnb, scan the room for small devices that don't belong to the normal furniture or decor. Hidden cameras are often disguised as everyday objects: smoke detectors, alarm clocks, phone chargers, picture frames, or air fresheners. Look at the ceiling corners, shelves, and anywhere a lens could point at the bed or bathroom without being obvious.
Check the bathroom and bedroom first — these are the rooms where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Run your hand along the top of door frames and look inside any decorative items that face the bed. If something looks new, out of place, or positioned oddly toward where you sleep or shower, that's worth investigating further.
Look for small holes or lens reflections. A camera lens, even a tiny one, will reflect light back at you if you shine a light source at it from different angles. Use your phone's flashlight and scan the room slowly, paying attention to reflections that don't match the surface they're on.
Key Takeaways
- Hidden cameras in Airbnbs are often disguised as smoke detectors, clocks, chargers, or picture frames — check these objects first in bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Scan for small lens reflections by shining your phone's flashlight at suspicious objects from different angles, since camera lenses reflect light distinctly.
- Check the Airbnb's listing photos against the actual room to spot new objects the host added after the photos were taken.
- If you find a camera, take photos of it, document the location, and report it to Airbnb when ready — do not touch or remove it.
- Your phone's camera can sometimes detect infrared light from night-vision cameras, though this method is less reliable than visual inspection.
Compare the listing photos to what's actually in the room
Before you unpack, pull up the Airbnb listing on your phone and look at the photos the host provided. Any object in the actual room that wasn't in those photos is something the host added after the listing was created. This doesn't automatically mean it's a camera — hosts add furniture, decorations, and equipment all the time — but it's a reason to look more closely.
Pay special attention to objects positioned to face the bed or bathroom. A new smoke detector directly above the bed, or a new picture frame on the nightstand angled toward where you sleep, warrants closer inspection. If you're uncertain whether something was in the original photos, you can ask the host directly: "I noticed this [object] in the room — was this here when the listing photos were taken?"
Use your phone's camera to detect infrared cameras
Some hidden cameras use infrared light to see in the dark, which is invisible to your eye but visible through your phone's camera. Open your phone's camera app and point it at objects you're suspicious of. If an infrared camera is active, you may see a faint red or purple glow on your phone's screen that you can't see with your naked eye.
This method is less reliable than visual inspection because not all phone cameras detect infrared equally, and some cameras don't use infrared at all. It's a supplementary check, not a primary one. If you see a suspicious glow, investigate that object more carefully with your flashlight.
Check Wi-Fi networks and ask about recording
Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and look at the available networks. Some hidden cameras broadcast their own Wi-Fi network with names like "Camera," "IP Camera," or the manufacturer's name. If you see a network that looks like it belongs to a camera and wasn't mentioned in the Airbnb listing or house rules, that's a red flag.
Before you settle in, read the house rules and any messages from the host. Legitimate Airbnbs that have security cameras in common areas (not bedrooms or bathrooms) will disclose this clearly in the listing itself, not in a message after you book. If the listing says "security cameras on property," it should specify exactly where — common areas only, never private rooms.
What to do if you find a camera
If you discover a camera in a bedroom, bathroom, or any private space, do not touch it or remove it. Take clear photos of the camera and its location, including any visible serial numbers or manufacturer markings. Document the time and date.
Leave the property when ready if you feel unsafe. Report the camera to Airbnb through the app or website — go to your booking, select "Report a problem," and describe what you found with your photos. Airbnb takes these reports seriously and will investigate. You can also contact local police and file a report, since hidden cameras in private spaces are illegal in most jurisdictions.
Keep your photos and the Airbnb confirmation number. If Airbnb asks for more information or if you decide to pursue the matter further, you'll have documentation of what you found and when.
Prevention: what to check before you book
Read the reviews carefully. If previous guests mention cameras, surveillance, or privacy concerns, that's a warning. Look at the listing photos closely — if the bedroom or bathroom photos are blurry, taken from odd angles, or seem to avoid showing certain areas, that's suspicious.
Check the host's response rate and how long they've been hosting. Established hosts with many reviews and fast response times are statistically less likely to have hidden cameras, though this isn't a may provide. New hosts or those with few reviews warrant extra caution.
Message the host before booking and ask directly: "Are there any cameras in the bedrooms or bathrooms?" A legitimate host will answer clearly. If they're evasive, don't book.
Understand what you're actually looking for
A hidden camera small enough to conceal is usually the size of a pen cap or smaller. It needs a lens (which looks like a small dark circle or dot), a power source (battery or wired), and often a way to transmit or store video. The most common types are pinhole cameras (the size of a thumbtack), spy cameras disguised as everyday objects, or small wireless cameras.
Legitimate security cameras in common areas are much larger and obvious — they look like cameras. They're mounted visibly on walls or ceilings, and the host discloses them in the listing. If you see something that looks like a real security camera in a common area and it was mentioned in the listing, that's not a hidden camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a hidden camera detector app to find cameras?
Apps that claim to detect hidden cameras by scanning for radio frequencies or magnetic fields are unreliable and often don't work as advertised. Visual inspection with your flashlight and checking for lens reflections is more effective. Your phone's camera infrared detection is the only app-based method with any real merit, and even that is inconsistent.
What if I'm not sure whether something is a camera?
If an object looks out of place, is positioned to face the bed or bathroom, or wasn't in the listing photos, ask the host what it is. A straightforward answer like "that's a motion-sensor light" or "that smoke detector came with the building" should satisfy you. If the host is defensive or won't explain, consider leaving.
Are hidden cameras common in Airbnbs?
Hidden cameras in private spaces are rare, but they do happen. Thousands of Airbnbs operate without incident, but even a small number of violations is serious. Taking five minutes to inspect your room is a reasonable precaution that costs nothing.
What if the host says there are cameras but they're only in common areas?
Cameras in living rooms, kitchens, and hallways are legal in most places if disclosed in the listing. Cameras in bedrooms, bathrooms, or any private space are illegal everywhere. If the listing clearly states where cameras are and they're only in common areas, that's legitimate. If you're uncomfortable with that, you can cancel and book elsewhere.
Can I request a refund if I find a camera?
Yes. Report the camera to Airbnb when ready with your photos. Airbnb's policy prohibits hidden cameras in private spaces, and you should be may have access to to a refund and the ability to rebook elsewhere. Document everything — your photos, the time you found it, and your report to Airbnb.