Hi Paul. I have the original mini and when I’m done flying I leave the drone powered up till I have the gimble cover installed. That keeps the gimble from flopping around when trying to install the cover. Makes it much easier.
Never have the...
As others, only off when flying. Comes off when unpacking gear before flight, goes back on when packing up.
While the gimbal is not quite as delicate as some here seem to think, it is the most fragile part of the drone. There's a good reason DJI...
I have a mini 3 pro and one thing I read which was helpful for me was to hold the drone vertically when trying to put the gimbal cover on. This helps keep the gimbal from moving around as much when you are trying to install the cover.
YMMV but...