What are the best ways of doing this without a smartphone?
If you want to spend some money and don't mind carrying an extra device: probably any of the "hidden camera detectors" on the market will be at least somewhat useful. K18, CC308+, etc.
We're trying with our work to get better or at least equivalent results without having to use external devices.
Basically, to keep position X unobservable through the hidden camera, ensure that there is an overwhelming source of photons between position X and the hidden camera.
Since we don't know where the hidden camera is, the best we cam do is to assume that the immediate vicinity of the bright light will accomplish this.