How to detect infrared camera?
[ Step by Step guide ]
Hello everyone!
Let’s talk on how to detect infrared camera in detail.
Infrared camera is primarily used to capture moments in the low light or in the dark. They are also called night vision camera. As name indicates, infrared cameras emit infrared lights (IR lights) which has frequency 430 THz down to 300 GHz. These lights are invisible to human eye. So even if there is a bulb glowing with IR light, human being will not be able to see it.
So how can we detect infrared camera?
There is brilliant trick out there. Even though infrared lights are invisible to human eye, our digital cameras can sense IR light. Digital camera will show IR light as visible white or blue light in the camera preview.
Let’s see step by step guide to detect infrared camera
Step 1: Open camera of your phone or open hidden camera detector app on your android or iOS device (If you are iOS user, app will always open front camera because apple has applied IR filter on the back cameras. Meaning back camera of your iPhone filters IR light and you wont be able to see that in the preview.)
Step 2: Scan your surroundings 360° and carefully inspect camera preview. If you see any white light or blue light in the camera preview that is invisible to naked eye then that is infrared light.
Step 3: Such infrared light can also be infrared camera.
Note: There could be many devices that may have infrared lights, not necessarily a camera. For example, reflection of your phone’s IR blaster in the mirror, TV remote control etc. So always check kind of device that is emitting IR lights. If you see lens on such device, you can ask more information to the premises owner
Can I test this in advance?
Yes, you can test it. Take remote control of any device. See tip of it and press any button. You will not see anything.
Now open hidden camera detector app and point remote control towards the camera preview and press any button. You will see white/blue light that you do not see with your naked eye.
FAQ
Do we need to move app closer to detect IR camera?
No, you do not need to move app closer. You can detect IR camera as per the preview coverage. Hence it is advisable to scan 360° to cover maximum area. If you have doubt on specific device or specific area in the room, you can move app closer and inspect more.
App do support zoom option which you can leverage.
Why do we need an app if my phone’s default camera can detect infrared?
Yes, any digital camera can detect IR light. You do not need app only for this sole purpose, however app is bundle of many detection techniques and as soon as new detection techniques are identified, you will automatically get the updates.
In addition to that, app also offer some great filters to help you detect IR light clearly by minimizing brightness and high contrast filters.
For iOS, app directly open front camera saving manual efforts as well as offers zoom option on the front camera which default iOS camera do not offer.
App do not detect my IR camera
As we mentioned, IR lights are captured by digital camera sensors and those are shown in the camera preview.
In case app is unable to detect IR camera, kindly check
- If the IR camera is really based on IR technology and not something else.
- Position of IR blaster in that camera
- In case IR intensity is low, try to switch off all the lights and then perform the scanning.
Write down your comments below if you more questions.
Hidden Camera Detector app developer and blogger. We are in a process to build something useful and also provide tech information to the readers.