• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Spy Cameras Reviewed

Spy Gear, Home Security, Personal Safety

  • Security Cameras
  • Spy Gear
    • Spy Gear
    • Indoor Spy Cameras
    • Night Vision
  • Drones
  • Home Protection
You are here: Home / Tips And Advice / How To Detect Hidden Camera In Mirror

How To Detect Hidden Camera In Mirror

November 29, 2020 By Jackie Bolen Leave a Comment

How To Detect Hidden Camera In MirrorIt’s a common fear.

You’re doing something you don’t want anyone to see. Perhaps you’re changing your clothes, trimming your nose hair, popping a zit, or having sex.

And there’s a mirror in the room.

If you catch yourself wondering if there might be a hidden camera behind the mirror, you’re not alone.

Given the tiny size of modern spy cameras, and stories in the news of hidden cameras in bathrooms, Air BnBs or hotel rooms, you could even call it a somewhat rational fear.

It makes sense to want to be certain you’re not being watched. Read on to learn how you can tell if there is a hidden camera behind that mirror.

Table of Contents

  • 1 How To Detect A Hidden Camera In A Mirror
    • 1.1 False Mirror Test (“The Gap” Method)
    • 1.2 Use A Flashlight
    • 1.3 Check Mirror Installation
    • 1.4 Peer Into The Glass
    • 1.5 Use Your Phone
    • 1.6 Use A Detector
  • 2 Legality Of Hidden Cameras Behind Mirrors
  • 3 Common Locations For Cameras Hiding Behind Mirrors
    • 3.1 Dressing Room Mirrors
    • 3.2 Hotel Or Air BnB Mirrors
    • 3.3 Public Restroom Mirrors
    • 3.4 Locker Room Mirrors
  • 4 Detecting Cameras In Mirrors: Final Thoughts

 

How To Detect A Hidden Camera In A Mirror

Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and wondered if you were being watched? Do the horror movies you’ve watched flash back in your head? Don’t worry. You aren’t alone.

The feeling of being watched is uncomfortable, and not something you want to experience. You can avoid it by being certain there is no camera behind that mirror. Here are some tricks to be sure there is no camera watching you from the other side of that reflective glass.

 

False Mirror Test (“The Gap” Method)

The false mirror test is one method you can use to find out if a mirror is genuine or if something might be behind it.

Woman testing false mirror

Make sure there’s good lighting in the room. Place one of your fingertips on the mirror. While keeping your finger in place, move your head around so you get a good, angled view of your fingertip. Your eyes should be 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) from the mirror and 20 cm (just under 8 inches) from your finger.

Any genuine mirror will have a gap between your finger reflection and the mirror. That’s because there’s an orange reflective coating on the mirror’s backing.

This coating is usually opaque, so hidden cameras can’t see through it. The gap you see is the thickness of the glass between the reflective coating and your finger. If there is a spy camera behind the mirror, this coating won’t be there, since the camera can’t see through it. This means no gap.

 

Use A Flashlight

A flashlight for detecting cam

This method requires you to be in a dark room with a powerful flashlight. Using different angles, shine the flashlight at the mirror. Look for odd flashes and reflections. This usually works, because the camera’s lens reflects the flashlight and gives away its position.

But this method doesn’t always work. You need to make sure the room is as dark as possible for best results. You also want to avoid standing right in front of the mirror.

 

Check Mirror Installation

Does the mirror look like it’s hanging on the wall, or does it look like it’s part of the wall? If it’s part of the wall itself, it’s possible there is a camera on the other side of it, or it might be a two-way mirror. With most traditional mirrors, you will be able to see the wall behind the mirror.

Checking mirror for hidden camera

Of course, just because the mirror is part of the wall, that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a spy camera behind it. It simply means that you can’t rule it out, like you can if it’s just hanging there and you can actually see behind it.

 

Peer Into The Glass

Put your face up to the glass and cup your hands around your face on either side. Make a dark tunnel keeping out as much light as possible. You should be able to see if there is anything on the other side or not. This is usually the simplest way to find out it there is a cam watching you from behind the mirror.

 

Use Your Phone

Mobile phone app for detecting spy cam

Many hidden cameras emit frequencies that can interfere with a phone signal. To detect them, simply use your cell phone to make a phone call.

While talking to the person on the other end of the line, walk around the room, especially around the vicinity of the mirror where you suspect a camera might be hiding. If you notice interference in the phone signal while talking, then you may have a hidden camera on your hands.

There are also apps you can use on your phone that detect the frequencies given off by a spy cam. If you use one of the apps, you don’t have to bother making a phone call. You can just let the app do the work.

Obviously, this method only works if the camera happens to give off a signal. If it does not, then you won’t be able to detect it this way. But it’s an easy method to use to at least check for certain types of cameras.

 

Use A Detector

The easiest and most accurate method for detecting a spy camera behind a mirror is to use a detector that is specifically meant for the task. It will alert you to an cameras in the vicinity, and also to other devices, like GPS trackers, bugs, etc.

Naturally, there is a downside. Good detectors are not cheap. You can find some for $20, but they won’t be very useful. If you’re looking for a detector that actually works, but doesn’t cost too much, check out our article on the top RF detectors.

 

Legality Of Hidden Cameras Behind Mirrors

Woman in front of camera and mirror

We won’t go into too much detail here, primarily because none of us are lawyers (so don’t take anything we write here as legal advice) and this is a complicated subject.

Basically, it is illegal to film people without their consent or knowledge, which makes hidden cameras illegal in most cases. But there are exceptions.

So-called nanny cams can be legal, if they are installed on your own property and not in places like bathrooms. It is not legal to record audio, however, so most nanny cams are video only.

Another exception are dressing rooms, but for this there is considerable variance in the hidden camera laws by state.

Video surveillance in a sensitive location, like a restroom or a dressing room is illegal everywhere, unless it is for the purpose of theft prevention. In that case, most states allow it to some degree.

Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Utah prohibit any type of surveillance in a dressing room, without the expressed permission of the shopper.

Woman watching mirror

Most states operate on the principle of “informed consent”. This means that stores can install hidden cameras in their dressing rooms, as long as they inform consumers of this, usually by posting obvious signs to the effect. The type of surveillance allowed differs, however.

In some states, only real-time surveillance is allowed, which means either observing in person behind two-way mirrors, or using a camera, but not recording the feed. Other states allow the recording of a camera feed.

While there are some instances where a hidden mirror camera might be legal, most of the times you might find yourself worried about a camera hiding behind a mirror will be cases where it would be blatantly illegal.

Let’s briefly take a look at some of the more common locations where you might find a camera behind a mirror.

 

Common Locations For Cameras Hiding Behind Mirrors

Mirror in a public restroom

The following locations are ones where you might be fully justified in worrying about someone recording you from behind a mirror.

 

Dressing Room Mirrors

As mentioned above, it is legal in many states for stores to install cameras behind the mirrors in their dressing rooms, as long as they are doing so for theft prevention purposes. In most states, stores have to post signs informing consumers of this, so you may not need to wonder whether you’re being watched. It should be made obvious.

 

Hotel Or Air BnB Mirrors

Air Bnb mirror with hidden cam

We’ve all seen stories of people who discovered they were unknowingly being filmed by a shady Air BnB host. In many cases, cameras are behind a bedroom mirror, so they can film any potential sexual activity. Recordings can then be posted on porn websites for profit, or be used as blackmail material.

 

Public Restroom Mirrors

There are also plenty of stories of women being recorded in restrooms. While this could happen in a men’s room, it is far more common in a woman’s restroom.

 

Locker Room Mirrors

mirror in a gym

Whether at a school, or a gym, locker rooms and changing room are another possible location for hidden cameras. Again, this is much more likely to affect women than men.

 

Detecting Cameras In Mirrors: Final Thoughts

Privacy is important and we all have the right to feel and alone, when we are in our private bedroom or bathroom. If you get the feeling that someone might be watching you through a camera behind a mirror, don’t dismiss it. Use the methods above to detect whether there is a camera hiding behind that mirror, if only for your own peace of mind.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Jackie Bolen
Jackie Bolen
Jackie Bolen is a lover of all things tech and home security. She loves to try out ALL the spy gear and gadgets, video doorbells, surveillance cameras and more to help you find the best one for your needs.
Jackie Bolen
Latest posts by Jackie Bolen (see all)
  • Secure Windows And Doors To Protect Them From Breaking - October 27, 2022
  • Troubleshooting Motion Sensor Security Lights - April 11, 2021
  • Motion Detection Basics (Everything You Need To Know) - April 2, 2021

About Jackie Bolen

Jackie Bolen is a lover of all things tech and home security. She loves to try out ALL the spy gear and gadgets, video doorbells, surveillance cameras and more to help you find the best one for your needs.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Product Comparisons

Night Vision Apps That Work

Night Vision Apps That Work (8 Phone Apps For Low-Light)

Best Outdoor PTZ Security Camera

Best Outdoor PTZ Security Camera (Reviews And Comparison)

Best smart indoor security cameras

Best Smart Home Security Cameras (Reviews And Comparison)

A Fake TV deterring a burglar

Best Fake TV Simulators To Deter Burglars

Best Wireless Security Camera Systems

Best Wireless Security Cameras: Easy Setup, But Also Easy To Hack?

A listening device for spying

Best Listening Devices For Spying (Voice Activated Recording)

More Product Comparisons

Home Security Device Reviews

Best Camera Drone Under 300

Best Camera Drone Under $300 (Complete Buying Guide)

Wyze Wireless Smart Home Camera with Night Vision | Home Security

Imou indoor security camera

Imou Security Camera Review: For Complete Peace of Mind

Nekteck Solar Powered Garden Spotlight Review

Sightmark Ghost Hunter Night Vision Monocular Review

Baofeng walkie talkies reviewed

BaoFeng Two Way Radio Review (Low Cost, But Is It Good?)

More Product Reviews

Tips And Advice

How To Hide A Trail Cam For Home Security

How To Hide A Trail Cam For Home Security

Night vision working

How Does Night Vision Work? (And What Is Gen 1, Gen 2, Etc.)

Why Is Night Vision So Expensive

Why Is Night Vision So Expensive?

How To Reset An IP Camera Without A Reset Button

How To Reset An IP Camera Without A Reset Button

Check window locks from a phone

Check Window Locks From Your Phone

Improving your home security

How To Improve Home Security (15 Easy Tips To Protect Your Family)

More Tips And Advice

Footer

Important Links

  • Home
  • About And Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Search

Disclaimer

Some recommended products may use affiliate links. spycamerasreviewed.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates

Copyright © 2025 · Spy Cameras Reviewed · All rights reserved