What to look for when you arrive at an Airbnb
When you check into an Airbnb, scan the room for small devices that could be cameras. Look for pinhole lenses — tiny dark dots — in smoke detectors, alarm clocks, phone chargers, picture frames, and air purifiers. Cameras can be as small as a grain of rice, so check anything that sits on a shelf or nightstand and has a view of the bed or bathroom.
Pay attention to objects that seem out of place or don't match the room's style. A high-end camera disguised as a USB charger in a budget listing, or a brand-new device among older furniture, warrants closer inspection. Use your phone's flashlight to look for the telltale glint of a lens — it will reflect light differently than plastic or fabric.
Check the bathroom and bedroom first, since those are the spaces where guests have the strongest expectation of privacy. Look behind mirrors, inside towel racks, and above the toilet. In bedrooms, examine the area above the headboard, inside air vents, and anywhere with a direct sightline to the bed.
Key Takeaways
- Pinhole cameras are often hidden in everyday objects like smoke detectors, clocks, chargers, and picture frames that have a view of the bed or bathroom.
- Use your phone's flashlight to look for the reflective glint of a lens, which appears different from the surface of plastic or fabric.
- Check the bathroom and bedroom first, focusing on areas above the toilet, behind mirrors, and above the headbed.
- If you find a camera, photograph it, document the location, and report it to Airbnb when ready through the app or website.
- You can also use a radio frequency detector to scan for wireless cameras, though these devices cost money and require some technical knowledge to use correctly.
Using your phone to detect cameras
Your phone's camera can reveal infrared cameras that are invisible to the naked eye. Turn off the lights, open your phone's camera app, and look at the room through the screen. Infrared LEDs will show up as bright white or purple dots on your phone's display, even though you cannot see them with your eyes. Sweep the camera slowly across the room, paying special attention to objects pointing at the bed or bathroom.
This method works because most phone cameras are sensitive to infrared light, while human eyes are not. The camera will pick up the infrared glow from night-vision cameras that would otherwise be completely hidden. This is a free check that takes two minutes and requires nothing but your phone.
What to do if you find a camera
Do not touch, move, or disable the camera. Photograph it in place, including the surrounding area so the location is clear. Write down the exact time you found it and which room it was in. Take a photo of the listing name and address from your Airbnb app so you have proof of which property it was.
Report the camera to Airbnb when ready. Open the app, go to your reservation, select "Report a safety issue," and describe what you found. Include your photos and the time you discovered it. Airbnb takes these reports seriously and will investigate. You may be offered a refund or rebooking at another property.
You can also contact local law enforcement and file a report. Hidden cameras in private spaces are illegal in most places, and police will want to know about it. Provide them with the same photos and documentation you gave to Airbnb.
Radio frequency detectors and their limits
A radio frequency (RF) detector is a handheld device that picks up wireless signals from cameras, phones, and other electronics. You can buy one online for $20 to $100. Sweep it around the room, and it will beep or light up when it detects a signal. This can catch wireless cameras that your phone's infrared method might miss.
The downside is that RF detectors pick up all wireless signals, not just cameras. Your phone, the listing's Wi-Fi router, and the neighbor's devices will all trigger it. You have to know what signal you are looking for, which takes experience. A detector is useful if you are a frequent traveler and want a second layer of checking, but it is not necessary for a single trip.
If you buy a detector, read the manual and test it at home first so you understand what normal background signals look like. This will help you spot unusual signals when you are at the listing.
What Airbnb's policies say about cameras
Airbnb requires hosts to disclose any cameras in the listing, and they must not be in bedrooms or bathrooms. Cameras are only allowed in common areas like the living room or kitchen, and only if the host has told you about them before you book. If a host has hidden a camera or failed to disclose one, they are breaking Airbnb's rules and the law.
Airbnb's terms of service state that hosts who violate this policy will have their account removed. The company also cooperates with law enforcement investigations. If you report a hidden camera, Airbnb will take action against the host's account in addition to any legal consequences the host may face.
Checking the listing before you book
Read the listing description carefully. Hosts are supposed to disclose cameras in the "House Rules" or "Safety Features" section. If the listing mentions cameras but does not say where they are, message the host and ask for specifics. A host who is vague or defensive about camera locations is a red flag.
Look at the photos. If you see cameras mounted on walls or ceilings in the common areas, that is normal and disclosed. If you see cameras pointing into a bedroom or bathroom, or if the photos seem to have blind spots that do not make sense, consider booking elsewhere.
Check the reviews. If other guests mention cameras or privacy concerns, they will often say so in their comments. Read the most recent reviews first, since they reflect the current state of the listing.
What to do if you feel unsafe after checking in
If you find a camera and Airbnb's response feels too slow, or if you discover something else that makes you feel unsafe, you can leave the listing when ready. Contact Airbnb and explain that you are leaving due to a safety concern. Many hosts will refund your stay without argument if you report a serious issue like a hidden camera.
If you cannot leave right away, stay in a different room if the listing has one, or cover any cameras you find with tape or a cloth. This is a temporary measure while you arrange to leave or wait for Airbnb to respond. Do not remove the camera or damage it, as that could create legal problems for you.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong about the listing — the host's behavior, the setup of the rooms, or anything else — you do not have to stay. Your safety is more important than the cost of rebooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone's camera to detect all types of cameras?
Your phone's camera will detect infrared cameras, which are common in hidden camera devices. However, some cameras use only visible light and no infrared, so your phone will not catch those. A visual inspection with a flashlight is still your best first step, and your phone's infrared check is a useful second step.
What if the host says the camera is for security but it points at the bed?
Cameras in bedrooms are not allowed under Airbnb's policy, regardless of the reason. If a host claims a bedroom camera is for security, that is a violation. Report it to Airbnb and consider leaving the listing. The host's intent does not matter — the policy is clear.
Do I need to buy a radio frequency detector?
No. A visual inspection with your phone's flashlight and infrared camera check will catch most hidden cameras. An RF detector is optional and useful only if you travel frequently and want extra assurance. For a single trip, the free methods are sufficient.
What if I find a camera but the host says it was there before they owned the listing?
That does not matter. The host is responsible for knowing what is in their listing and disclosing it. If they did not know about a hidden camera, that is their failure to inspect their own property. Report it to Airbnb either way.
Can I legally remove or cover a camera I find?
Covering a camera with tape or cloth is a temporary safety measure and is generally acceptable. Removing, damaging, or disabling a camera could create legal problems for you, even if the camera itself is illegal. Document the camera, report it, and let Airbnb and law enforcement handle it.