Cell Service or Wifi to Use DJI Go 4 App?

[Lone Droner 10]

I guess I am confused about how the aircraft, controller and app communicate. Someone posted that neither cell service or wifi is needed to pilot a Mavic Pro using the DJI Go 4 app? Can anyone on the forum explain how the interaction between the aircraft, controller and app work? Thanks.

 

[msinger]

Someone posted that neither cell service or wifi is needed to pilot a Mavic Pro using the DJI Go 4 app?

This is true when the mobile device is connected to the remote controller via a cable. Since a cable is being used for communication, the mobile device does not need Wi-Fi to talk to the Mavic (since the remote controller is talking to it). Cell service is only required if you want to do something that requires an active Internet connection (e.g. download the maps in realtime).

The remote controller talks to the aircraft via a radio signal (for the uplink) and OcuSync (for the downlink). See more details here.

 

[Lone Droner 10]

That seems to make sense but how does the controller communicate with the DJI Go 4 app?

 

[msinger]

how does the controller communicate with the DJI Go 4 app?

It communicates via the cable that connects the mobile device (which runs DJI GO 4) to the remote controller.

 

[Lone Droner 10]

It communicates via the cable that connects the mobile device (which runs DJI GO 4) to the remote controller.

So, in sum, as long as you connect the mobile device to the controller via a proper cable, you do not need either wifi or cell service to pilot the Mavic using the DJI Go 4 app?

 

[msinger]

You never need cell service to pilot the Mavic. If you have no cable to connect to the remote controller, you must connect your mobile device directly to the Mavic via Wi-Fi to fly it (like this).