How to See if There Are Hidden Video Cameras in Your Airbnb

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Vacation rentals have grown in popularity over the last decade. And with them, horrifying instances of hidden cameras inside guest areas. You may have come across stories of travelers finding hidden cameras in their rooms.1 

But despite popular services like Airbnb and Vrbo banning indoor cameras, hidden cameras may still be lurking in your guest suite. With whole TikTok pages dedicated to the topic, it's no surprise that 58% of the 2,000 people surveyed worried about hidden cameras in their vacation rental.2

Next time you use Airbnb, Vrbo, or other vacation rental services, try a few of these tips to check for hidden cameras. Then, take a look at what you should do if you find one.



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1. Scan the room

Hidden cameras come in shockingly small packages. Ordinary objects like smoke detectors, picture frames, and alarm clocks can fit tiny pinhole cameras inside.

A backpack on a nightstand, a smoke detector over the bed, and holes in walls are all worth investigating. Basically, look for items the feel out of place. For example, items that the host might normally remove if left by a previous guest or devices facing private areas of your space.  

“Cameras need power to work, so a good starting point is to look at what's plugged into the outlets. And pay extra attention in sensitive areas like bathrooms and bedrooms,” said safety expert Cathy Pedrayes.

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Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise

2. Use the lights

Like standard security cameras, hidden cameras have a reflective lens and infrared lights used to see in the dark. Knowing this, you can search your room for clues around any suspicious spots. 

Shine the a flashlight (your phone's light works too) to look for the blue-tinted reflection of the camera lens. You can also try turning out the lights and looking for the dim infrared glow of a camera's night vision turning on.3 

Checklist
Check hanging items

While you’re on the search, check behind mirrors, artwork, and other wall decorations.

3. Try some tech

SafeWise recommends
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 *Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

While you may be diligent in your search, you can still miss some craftier hiding spots. You may want to consider an app, like Fing, that can check to see what devices are connected to the Airbnb’s Wi-Fi. There are also many hidden camera finding apps that can help.

For under $50, you can even get a little pocket-sized device that detects cameras, listening devices, and other potentially nefarious items in a room.

Pedrayes has an easy hack that’s free: “If the camera has infrared technology, you can use the front-facing camera on your phone or computer to scan the room. Make sure the lights are all off and it's dark. If there's a camera, you'll see a big spotlight on your phone, and then you can walk up to it and inspect it further.”

Pedrayes recommends testing this technique before you leave home. Remote controls use the same infrared technology as cameras. So, point your remote at your front-facing camera and see if you can see the light. If it doesn’t work with your phone, try your laptop camera.

What to do if you find a camera hidden in your rental

Okay, so you took all the steps and found a camera in your rental. Now what? Here's Thomas Feiter, CEO of Fighter Law, with his tips for what to do when you find a camera in your rental:

  1. Don't Touch or Unplug the Device

Your first instinct might be to rip the camera out or cover it up, but that's exactly what you shouldn't do. “Leave the device exactly where it is,” Feiter advises. “Tampering with it could destroy crucial evidence you'll need later, both for criminal charges and civil claims.”

  1. Document Everything

Pull out your phone and start recording immediately. Take photos and videos from multiple angles showing the camera's exact location. “Get wide shots of the entire room, then close-ups of the device itself,” says Feiter. “Make sure to capture any wiring or connections visible.”

  1. Contact Police First

Skip the rental platform's customer service and dial 911. “This is a criminal matter, not just a customer service issue,” Feiter explains. “Recording someone without consent in private areas is a serious crime in most states. You need an official police report to protect your rights.”

  1. Alert the Rental Platform

After police are notified, contact the vacation rental platform immediately. Most major platforms like Airbnb and VRBO have 24/7 emergency hotlines for safety issues. “Document all communications with the platform,” Feiter notes. “Take screenshots of your messages and save confirmation numbers.”

  1. Secure Alternative Accommodation

Don't spend another night in that property. “Your safety comes first,” says Feiter. “Most rental platforms will arrange emergency relocation and cover the costs when safety violations are involved.”

  1. Check for Additional Devices

While waiting for police, do a thorough scan of the property. Common hiding spots include smoke detectors, alarm clocks, air fresheners, picture frames, and electrical outlets. “Use your phone's flashlight to look for lens reflections,” Feiter suggests.

  1. Preserve Your Digital Privacy

Change any passwords you might have entered while in the rental. “If someone was recording, they might have captured you typing passwords or other sensitive information,” warns Feiter.

What NOT to Do

“Never confront the property owner directly,” Feiter cautions. “Let law enforcement handle that interaction. Also, avoid posting about it on social media until you've filed official reports – this could interfere with the investigation.”

FAQ

Yes, but only on the outside of rentals. As of April 30, 2024, Airbnb has barred hosts from setting up indoor cameras and strictly forbids hidden cameras inside guest areas. 

Outside of the rental, cameras are allowed, but inside no cameras are allowed.

If you find a camera, take a video or photos of your findings, cover the camera, and call the local police’s non-emergency number. Then, contact the rental company. Make sure to leave a review online so others can avoid the rental.

Technically, yes, but only through outdoor cameras in open areas. Hosts are not allowed to set up any kind of indoor camera.


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Related articles on SafeWise

Sources

  1. The Atlantic, "Airbnb Has a Hidden Camera Problem." Accessed May 20, 2025. 
  2. IPX 1031, “Survey: Do Airbnb Guests Trust Their Hosts?” Accessed May 20, 2025. 
  3. TikTok, Malwaretech, "How to find hidden cameras in AirBnBs."Accessed May 20, 2025. 

Disclaimers

*Product prices and availability are accurate as of post date and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina is a safety and security expert with over 25 years of experience. She has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. After testing thousands of devices, apps, services, and more, her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Plus, she has tested hundreds of pieces of security and safety equipment over the years. Places published: CBS, MTV, CVS, Rachael Ray, eBay, Reader’s Digest, ConsumerAffairs, and more. Certifications: Fire Service Training, Oklahoma State University. Awards: Received the Experience Leader certificate from Authority, putting her “in the top 25% among the thousands of professional content creators analyzed by Authory for the Fall 2023 audit.” You can view more of Alina's work at alinabradford.com.

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