If you are wondering how to find a hidden camera in a bathroom, the short answer is: look at the objects that face the shower, toilet or changing area, sweep each one with a flashlight for a lens glint, and run a WiFi and Bluetooth scan. The whole routine takes about two minutes and needs nothing but your phone.
Hidden cameras in bathrooms and fitting rooms are rare. They are also the case where the harm is highest, so a short check on arrival is reasonable, especially in a short-term rental where you cannot see who else has access to the room.
Where to look first
A camera needs a clear view of where people undress or wash, and it needs power or a battery. That narrows the search to a handful of places:
- Vents and extractor fans aimed at the shower or toilet.
- Smoke detectors and ceiling fixtures that are oddly placed or have a tiny hole in the casing.
- Towel hooks, shelves and tissue boxes that point at you rather than at the wall.
- Hair dryer holders, plugs, USB chargers and air fresheners, which provide power and cover.
- Mirrors and frames facing the shower or toilet.
- Plants, decor and toiletry bottles that look new or out of place.
For a larger list of hiding spots, see our guide on how to detect hidden cameras.
The 2-minute phone sweep
1. Flashlight lens sweep
Turn off the lights, hold your phone flashlight close to your eye and sweep slowly across each object from the list above. A camera lens reflects a small bright pinpoint straight back at you, and it moves as you move. Sweep from a few angles, because a lens only reflects when you are close to its line of sight.
2. WiFi scan
Join the property's WiFi and list the connected devices. Streaming cameras show up there. Look for camera brands such as Hikvision, Reolink, Wyze or Tuya, and for hardware you cannot explain. For the full method, see how to see who is connected to your WiFi.
3. Bluetooth and magnetic scan
Some cameras do not use the WiFi, but most still have electronics. Scan for nearby Bluetooth devices, then slowly sweep the magnetometer over suspicious objects. A strong reading on a plain plastic shelf or vent cover is a reason to look closer.
Bluewex runs the WiFi, Bluetooth and magnetic scans plus the lens-glint check in one tap. Download free →
4. Check the mirror
A mirror facing the shower or toilet deserves its own check. Our guide on how to tell if a mirror is two-way covers the fingernail and flashlight tests. Also look along the frame and the corners for a pinhole.
Fitting rooms and public changing rooms
The same logic applies in shops, gyms and pools. Look at the corners and the ceiling, at hooks and the top of the mirror, and at any small hole in a wall or partition at head or chest height. A flashlight sweep works in these rooms, and a quick Bluetooth scan can show whether something is nearby. If you find anything, leave and tell a staff member or the manager, and take photos from a safe distance first.
What to do if you find a camera
- Stay calm and do not touch it. It may be evidence.
- Document it with photos and video, including where it sits and what it points at.
- Leave the room and go somewhere safe.
- Report it. For an Airbnb, contact Airbnb support directly. For a hotel or shop, tell management and consider a police report.
- Do not post the footage or images of the room publicly before you speak to the authorities.
Recording people in a bathroom or changing room is a crime in most US states and EU countries. Laws vary, so contact the local police for the right next step.
Frequently asked questions
Are hidden cameras common in hotel bathrooms?
No. Cameras in hotel bathrooms are rare, and most hotels have strict policies against them. A quick check costs two minutes, which is why it is worth doing on arrival, particularly in short-term rentals where the host controls access.
Can I find a hidden bathroom camera with just my phone?
Often, yes. A flashlight lens sweep catches many lenses, a WiFi scan finds cameras that stream over the network, and a Bluetooth and magnetic scan helps with the rest. No phone method is perfect, so combine the checks and trust anything that looks wrong.
Where do people hide cameras in bathrooms?
In objects that face the shower or toilet and can hide a lens or power a device: vents, smoke detectors, towel hooks, tissue boxes, hair dryer holders, plugs and chargers.
How do I check a fitting room for hidden cameras?
Look at the corners, ceiling, hooks and mirror, and at any small hole at head or chest height. Sweep a flashlight across them for a lens glint. If anything looks wrong, leave and report it to the manager.
What should I do if I find a hidden camera?
Do not touch it, document it with photos and video, leave the room, and report it to Airbnb support, hotel or shop management and the police. Do not post the images publicly before speaking to the authorities.
The bottom line
Check the objects that face you, sweep them with a flashlight, and scan the network. It takes two minutes and covers the realistic cases. If you want the scans done for you, that is what Bluewex does, free on iOS and Android.
Related guides: How to Check a Hotel Room for Hidden Cameras · Do Airbnbs Have Hidden Cameras? · Bluewex Hidden Camera Detector