SpecterSense

SpecterSense detects nearby smart glasses by scanning for their Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertising signals. When camera-equipped smart glasses from Meta, Snap, or Luxottica are broadcasting nearby, the app alerts you in real time — giving you awareness of potential recording devices in your vicinity.

How It Works

Every BLE device broadcasts small data packets called advertising frames that include a manufacturer identifier assigned by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). These identifiers are standardized, mandatory, and immutable — making them a reliable detection signal. SpecterSense continuously scans for these broadcasts and matches them against known smart glasses manufacturers, including Meta Platforms, Meta Platforms Technologies (Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses), Luxottica Group (Ray-Ban Meta frames), and Snap Inc. (Spectacles).

When a match is detected within your configured range, you receive an immediate push notification and haptic alert — even if the app is running in the background.

Key Features

Real-Time BLE Scanning — Continuously monitors for smart glasses advertising frames using Apple's Core Bluetooth framework.

Proximity Estimation — Uses RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) to estimate whether a detected device is nearby, and displays distance categories from Immediate to Far.

Adjustable Detection Range — Set your own RSSI threshold to control how close a device must be before triggering an alert. Fine-tune sensitivity to your environment.

Push Notifications & Haptic Alerts — Receive immediate, unmissable alerts the moment smart glasses are detected within range.

Background Scanning — Detection continues even when the app is not in the foreground, so you stay informed without actively monitoring.

Detection Log — Every detection event is logged with a timestamp, manufacturer ID, signal strength, and estimated proximity. Export your log for personal records.

Custom Manufacturer IDs — Add any BLE manufacturer company ID (hex value) to scan for additional devices beyond the built-in list.

Zero Data Collection — SpecterSense collects no user data, sends no telemetry, displays no ads, and transmits nothing off your device. All detection data stays local on your iPhone.

Supported Devices

The app monitors for the following Bluetooth SIG Company IDs:

Meta Platforms, Inc.

Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC (Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses)

Luxottica Group S.p.A. (Ray-Ban Meta frames)

Snap Inc. (Spectacles)

You can add additional manufacturer IDs through the Settings tab.

Important Notes

Because detection is based on manufacturer company IDs shared across a manufacturer's entire product line, the app may also alert on other Bluetooth-enabled products from the same companies — such as Meta Quest VR headsets. Context matters: if you receive an alert in a public setting where VR headsets are unlikely, the detection is more likely to correspond to smart glasses.

Detection depends on the target device actively broadcasting BLE advertising frames. Devices in airplane mode, with Bluetooth disabled, or not actively advertising will not be detected. Signal strength can be affected by physical obstacles, body absorption, and device orientation.

This app is a passive awareness tool. It reads publicly broadcast BLE advertising data and does not connect to, interact with, or interfere with any detected devices.

Your Privacy, Your Awareness

Smart glasses with built-in cameras can be difficult to distinguish from ordinary eyewear. SpecterSense gives you an additional layer of situational awareness — a simple, private, on-device tool to help you know when camera-equipped wearables may be nearby.