beacons: surveillance scanner
See the devices watching you
About
Detects and maps surveillance devices broadcasting over WiFi and Bluetooth. It identifies cameras, trackers, and drones, offering a live view of nearby recording gear. Explore its features with sample data even without hardware.
What's New in beacons
2.0.9
September 22, 2026
Ready for iOS 27: beacons is now built with Apple's newest tools and tested on iOS 27. - Your beacon, remembered: once you pair, your beacon waits at the top of the connect screen, so reconnecting is one tap. No scan needed. - A cleaner Clear log: clearing the log now also deletes the app's temporary copies of past exports and removes its detection notifications. Temporary export copies also clear themselves after an hour. - Safer alerts: device names in notifications are cleaned up, so a nearby device can't disguise the text of an alert. - Easier to read at large text sizes, and a clearer home screen widget when nothing is nearby. - Plus second-radio update improvements, stability fixes, and nothing uploaded automatically, as always.
MoreFAQ
What devices can beacons detect?
beacons can detect devices broadcasting over WiFi and Bluetooth, including automated license-plate readers, networked cameras, Bluetooth trackers like AirTags, drones broadcasting Remote ID, body-worn cameras, and recording glasses. It can also be taught to identify custom devices.
Does beacons require the hardware to work?
Yes, beacons requires the companion beacons hardware for live detection. However, you can explore the full app functionality using sample data without any hardware or permissions by tapping 'See how it works' on the first screen.
Is beacons free to use?
Yes, beacons is a free application. The app itself does not have any associated costs, and it is also open-source, allowing users to inspect its code.
How does beacons protect user privacy?
beacons is designed with privacy in mind. It only listens for signals and does not jam, spoof, track, or affect other devices. All detection data stays on your device unless you explicitly export it, and there is no account, cloud, or telemetry collection.
How often is beacons updated?
The latest version of beacons is 2.0.9, and it was last updated on 2026-09-22. Firmware updates are delivered over Bluetooth, ensuring the device keeps recognizing new gear.
What are the limitations of beacons?
beacons can only detect devices that announce themselves over WiFi and Bluetooth. It cannot detect wired or purely optical systems, nor can it detect gear that reports home over its own cellular link. A quiet screen means no device broadcasted, not necessarily that you are unwatched.
What is the age rating for beacons?
beacons has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for a wide range of users, including children, with no significant content concerns.
Does beacons have ads?
No, beacons does not contain advertisements. As a free and open-source application, it focuses on providing its core functionality without interruption from ads.
