DJI fly app

[Chris333]

Hello newbie here, Just bought a Mini 2 and before it has arrived I wanted to install the app on Android. First there is no "DJI Fly" app that shows up when I search for it at Google Play. So I downloaded the akp from the DJI website.

Now that it is installed it will not let me do anything without a popup asking to allow all sorts of stuff that I will not be doing. Before I bought the drone I read you do not need the internet to run the drone. So how do I get rid of the pop ups?

Thanks
Chris

 

[msinger]

First there is no "DJI Fly" app that shows up when I search for it at Google Play. So I downloaded the akp from the DJI website.

That's correct. The APK must be downloaded directly from the DJI Download Center.

Now that it is installed it will not let me do anything without a popup asking to allow all sorts of stuff that I will not be doing

Like what?

Before I bought the drone I read you do not need the internet to run the drone

That's correct. However, you do need an Internet connection to do other things like install DJI Fly, log into your DJI account, and install software/firmware updates.

 

[Chris333]

Thank you.

All the videos I watched told me to go to the app store and download...


When I open the app. Clicking anything on it gets me a pop up:

"Allow access to external storage and location services so DJI Fly can save photos, video, and flight records, import files to Editor, and display your location on map. Cancel or Go to Settings"

I just want to fly a drone. I do not want to save photos video or anything else on my phone. And my location has been shut off since the day I got the phone.

Also once the app is open I cannot see any way to close it. I need to shut off and re open my phone for the escape button to appear.

I was thinking of buying a non internet phone just to use with the drone.

Chris

 

[msinger]

All the videos I watched told me to go to the app store and download

Yes, DJI Fly used to be available in the Google Play Store.

I just want to fly a drone. I do not want to save photos video or anything else on my phone. And my location has been shut off since the day I got the phone.

That's fine. However, you still need to allow the requested access or else you won't be able to use it.

was thinking of buying a non internet phone

All phones are also able to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi.

 

[Chris333]

Is there a 3rd party app for the Mini 2?


Sorry my phone is rooted and everything on it is shut off. So if things need to be turned on for the drone to work I need a different phone to use it.

 

[msinger]

Is there a 3rd party app for the Mini 2?

You could try Litchi. It's not my preferred app, but I've never had any trouble with it. It's pretty popular.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

When I instal an app I just tick all the allow boxes, the app needs the location services to plot the position of the controller on the in-app map ..... which is useful at times.
Flight logs will be saved in the phone's internal memory, ditto low resolution photos and video (cached).
You might be able to subsequently turn caching off.

With regards to where to get teh app, there is also

Download DJI Fly APKs for Android - APKMirror

Download DJI Fly APKs for Android - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads

www.apkmirror.com

If you don't like the current version you can use the above site to down load older versions but you will probably need to uninstal the current version before you instal the older version.

Alternative control apps, Litchi, but you have to pay for that, there are other paid apps but I don't know their names. Like msinger I have Litchi but rarely use it.

A drone only sim-less phone is fine, that's what I do.

 

[Chris333]

Thanks for the help.

I cannot believe I just paid for the drone. I watched a ton of videos first and nothing about all of this.

I thought the phone was for a video screen and nothing more.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

I thought the phone was for a video screen and nothing more.

Far from it.
It sets range and height limits, determines the drone's behaviour if it disconnects, sets up the camera and can initiate specialised behaviours.
It can also launch and land the drone though I prefer to do that using the controller.
And the Fly app is a slimmed down, pilots-are-to-stupid-to-be-given-full-control-of-their-drone, version of the older Go4 and Go app.

If this is a second hand drone then you really need to go through the app and check the settings * and do that in conjunction with reading the drones manual several times.

*In particular,
1) the "failsafe" setting which most of the time should be RTH
2) the "emergency motor stop" setting which is best set to "emergency only" or something similar. The "always" setting is 'dangerous' as it will stop the motors if the CSC position is held for 1.7 seconds.

 

[Chris333]

Right before I bought the drone I watched videos about the GPS positioning being in the drone itself and not needing the phone at all to fly or return home (but you'd be running it blind)

Will Litchi work with the drone from the box or does the drone still need to be signed up with DJI to work?

I see the Litchi app can control the drone all by itself.

Also those DJI controllers with the screen built in, how do they work?

 

[msinger]

those DJI controllers with the screen built in, how do they work?

I love mine! You'll need to upgrade to at least the DJI Mini 3 Pro to use them.

 

[Meta4]

Now that it is installed it will not let me do anything without a popup asking to allow all sorts of stuff that I will not be doing. Before I bought the drone I read you do not need the internet to run the drone.

You don't need internet to fly your drone.

So how do I get rid of the pop ups?

Just tick Allow for them when you are setting up and they won't bother you again.

 

[Cafguy]

Also those DJI controllers with the screen built in, how do they work?

If you want my honest opinion You will limit yourself to that tiny screen by getting one of those controllers. The non-screened controllers will allow you to hook up an Ipad for a larger screen Something you cannot do with the screened controllers- unless you purchase a PRO Controller$$$$$! ( The black ones)

 

[msinger]

You will limit yourself to that tiny screen by getting one of those controllers

The OP was planning on using a phone, so it would be comparable to that.

But, yes, it's tiny compared to a tablet. And tablets are much bigger than what I find I need.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

I love mine! You'll need to upgrade to at least the DJI Mini 3 Pro to use them.

Uuuuum the mini 2 can apparently use the original? smart controller.
That said I have never felt the desire to own one and actually prefer having the screen device separate from the controller.

 

[Felix le Chat]

Uuuuum the mini 2 can apparently use the original? smart controller.
That said I have never felt the desire to own one and actually prefer having the screen device separate from the controller.

Same here... A separate screen device allows for the easy installation of non-DJI flight apps like Litchi and Maven.

I've used a non-sim 10.5" tablet as the flight screen for over 5 years (GO4 and FLY) and it is always set to 'airplane mode' before it connects with the drone.

You need to allow it to connect with DJI servers once: to create your UUID (Unique User IDentification) account and link the drone to it.... after that, block all WiFi and Bluetooth to your hearts content, but at some point DJI will automatically log you out of your account (usually after 30 days or so) and in order to fly higher than 90' or further than 150': you'll have to log back in whether you like it or not.

Another good trick if operational privacy is a particular bugbear of yours is to engage LDM (Local Data Mode) in the privacy settings of the GO4/FLY app. All three of my drones never come out of LDM now. You can even block the mobile device from sending coarse/acquisition GPS positioning data with the GO4 app: but this option has been removed from users of the FLY app.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

Same here... A separate screen device allows for the easy installation of non-DJI flight apps like Litchi and Maven.

I've used a non-sim 10.5" tablet as the flight screen for over 5 years (GO4 and FLY) and it is always set to 'airplane mode' before it connects with the drone.

You need to allow it to connect with DJI servers once: to create your UUID (Unique User IDentification) account and link the drone to it.... after that, block all WiFi and Bluetooth to your hearts content, but at some point DJI will automatically log you out of your account (usually after 30 days or so) and in order to fly higher than 90' or further than 150': you'll have to log back in whether you like it or not.

Another good trick if operational privacy is a particular bugbear of yours is to engage LDM (Local Data Mode) in the privacy settings of the GO4/FLY app. All three of my drones never come out of LDM now. You can even block the mobile device from sending coarse/acquisition GPS positioning data with the GO4 app: but this option has been removed from users of the FLY app.

One point, flights flown whilst logged out create logs in the app but they will not appear in the flight history once you are logged in again. I have never checked to see what appears in the flight history whilst logged out.

 

[Exphantomflyer]

Just an FYI, if you dont login to the app then you will be severly limited on height and distance. Seems though that you are correct not many youtubers take you through the app install and what is required as most are old time pilots that have been flying for years, myself included

 

[Felix le Chat]

One point, flights flown whilst logged out create logs in the app but they will not appear in the flight history once you are logged in again. I have never checked to see what appears in the flight history whilst logged out.

Point taken. Just had a good mooch through both apps and detailed flight records are still created, they just aren't accessible unless you switch LDM off.

Something I've done from the first week of ownership is regularly clear all cached data and flight records: not through paranoia - just because I don't like reams of data cluttering up drive space... same with my computer, clean & lean works more efficiently.

This is why DJI still has me logged as a greenhorn user.

 

[Chris333]

Sounds like I will just relist it back on ebay when it gets here. Probably lose a few bucks.

Surprised as old as these things are now no one has hacked them to be unlocked.