DJI refuses to unbind pre-owned Mini 3 Pro – despite legal purchase and repair

[rosty_d]

Hello everyone,

I’d like to share my disappointing experience with DJI in the hopes that it helps others avoid the same problem and maybe pushes DJI to change its rigid policies. I recently bought a second-hand DJI Mini 3 Pro in heavily damaged condition. I legally purchased the drone and invested significant time and money to repair it. After successfully fixing it, I tried to connect it to my DJI account — only to discover that the drone is still bound to the previous owner's account. Unfortunately, I don’t know the previous owner, and the seller is no longer responding to my messages. I’ve provided DJI with this information and even offered to sign an ownership declaration. I’m willing to take full responsibility and even speak directly with the original owner if they ever reach out. Yet DJI Support refuses to unbind the drone unless the original owner gives permission, even though they have not responded to DJI’s own contact attempts either. This policy effectively penalises honest buyers and renders second-hand DJI drones nearly unusable. It feels less like a security measure and more like a way to discourage second-hand purchases and push people toward buying new drones. If DJI truly cared about users and ownership integrity, they would implement a fairer and flexible verification process, especially when the previous owner is unreachable.

If you’re considering buying a used DJI drone, be extremely cautious. You may end up with a device you cannot use, no matter how legitimate your ownership is.

DJI, I hope you reconsider your approach. You're making it harder for people to trust your brand.

Best regards,

Rossen

 

[BossBob]

While I sympathise with you and your frustration the problem is between the original owner and the middleman who sold the drone to you. It’s the same problem you’d have if you were to buy a second hand iPhone that had not been reset by the original owner when they sold it. I believe Apple have the same policy as DJI as it does a little to reduce the market for stolen iPhones.

 

[Kilrah]

I respectfully ask you to consider unbinding the drone if no response is received within 1 ор 2 weeks. I remain available to communicate with the original owner if needed.

Nobody here works for DJI, we're just users talking about experience of how it works.
Unfortunately it's pretty much an industry standard to not unlock devices that were not released by their original owner without the original purchase receipt, be it DJI, Apple, Android devices...

 

[rosty_d]

Nobody here works for DJI, we're just users talking about experience of how it works.
Unfortunately it's pretty much an industry standard to not unlock devices that were not released by their original owner without the original purchase receipt, be it DJI, Apple, Android devices...

Thanks, just paste it in the wrong forum

 

[PakNheat380]

Welcome to the forum from NW Montana. Expensive lesson. Sorry for your troubles. DJI has been unwavering in their position on unbinding!

 

[MARK (LI)]

This is the 3rd thread on this subject in the last few months.....As I have stated before, I am not a fan of dji...but this policy is to mitigate theft of drones.....I don;t think dji cares one way or the other if you buy a used drone.....just get it from a reputable source.....not on ebay, or facebook. Buy the item in a face to face and verify that the drone has been unbound from former owner's account

These are the other 2 threads

S

Help Fixing A Blacklisted Air 3

Apr 12, 2025

About a week ago I bought a Air 3 Fly more kit on eBay and it was sold as a for repair final sale. I bought it but to my surprise nothing needed to be fixed except for there was a error coming up on the screen 1581, so naturally I contacted DJI support.

To my surprise I come to discover that this error means the drone has been blacklisted from connecting ever again. Reason for said blacklist was due to theft.

I tried to get a return, but since it was sold with no returns since its for repair that's not happening. Police are not an option as it is from...

• Sir Cloake
• Replies: 73
• Forum: General Discussions

Post in thread 'DJI's horrific support in unbinding a drone - SHOUT OUT'

Jan 22, 2025

Ano

Another one palying clever !!!
You look in the mirror and you see Napoleon !!!! What else can I say.

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt​

You should have thought of that before you started this thread

• MARK (LI)

• 

 

[1gratefulflyingdawg]

WOW what a customer service issue. So sorry your purchase ended in this manner.

Seems like the first person buys one it’s bound they are mad they lost money and can’t bite the bullets and take the loss, nope they need to fraud and deceive someone else.

It is my understanding that eBay will go after someone who sells a bound drone they will also refund the purchaser. Is this true

 

[Cafguy]

I recently bought a second-hand DJI Mini 3 Pro in heavily damaged condition. I legally purchased the drone

You may have paid someone for the Drone BUT your transaction being legal is up to question. If the seller stole it and sold it ,well you have purchased stolen goods and thats not legal. If the Drone is on someones account you must try to contact that person.
Your fight is with the seller not DJI. DJI will NEVER unbind a Drone. The only thing DJI will ever do is send the Account holder of record a code number that allows them to change the password.
If you got the Drone Thru Ebay They WILL refund you and go after the seller, I have seen this a couple of times with others.
Credit Card companies will do the same I would Contact them.
I am sorry it Happened to you but look at it this way, If you bought a stolen car would you complain to the Ford motor company when they refused to put the warranty in your name?

 

[GFields]

This subject has arisen on the forum many times, and warnings have been given that DJI will NOT "unbind" a drone. It is the buyer's responsibility to do their due dillengence and make sure the aircraft has been unbound by the previous owner. DJI's stance is simple: they don't know if you stole it or bought it.

 

[1gratefulflyingdawg]

This subject has arisen on the forum many times, and warnings have been given that DJI will NOT "unbind" a drone. It is the buyer's responsibility to do their due dillengence and make sure the aircraft has been unbound by the previous owner. DJI's stance is simple: they don't know if you stole it or bought it.

I’m selling something on eBay now I uploaded 24 pictures (max) including receipts as proof of ownership. I want my potential buyers to have confidence in what is being offered and that the information is truthful. I could never think of cheating someone.

I think cheaters and fraudsters are some of the worst people in the world.

 

[mavic3usa]

OP, I think you are in Europe so I don't know your laws but your only recourse may be to go to court and make a claim against the original owner (if you know them). Unfortunately the court will probably never demand DJI or the owner to unbind the drone but they can award damages. That's all I can say for now about a topic I am very passionate about.

 

[SpitFire]

Greetings from Chicago the Windy city, welcome to the forum.
FLY SAFE & FLY SMART
And, sorry to hear about your bad experience.

 

[Cafguy]

I talked to a DJI retailer and asked about DJI's policy about unbinding Drones that were legally purchased, yet have been bricked by this, such as a deceased family members drone. Answer: The family member must still provide some sort of proof of purchase. DJI will not unbind the account. DJI will send them a new Drone. They will send the old equipment back. If DJI does not get the old drone back within a certain time period they will be billed for the new Drone.
The family member can then create their own DJI account.
This would be an extreme case granted, but it just shows you how cautious DJI is about simply unbinding an account for someone thousands of miles away on a phone.

 

[wjkrysak]

Welcome to the forum. Hope you are able to get this sorted out.

 

[Dysfunktional]

I'm sorry to hear that you had this issue with DJI I had the same issue with buying a second hand drone from the local pawn broker ( Cash converters ) a DJI Mavic 3 classic flymore package. I had to send the drone in for a repair due to a crash, but the drone was still bound to the original owners account. so thankfully the manager of the pawn broker typed up a letter on headed paper stating that the item was sold to them and that they had sold the drone to me. DJI had called me and they quoted me for an out of warranty repair for two new arms, new camera, new esc module and gave me a 50 percent discount so I only had to pay £65 needless to say I jumped at the chance of just paying that amount as I had expected the out of warranty repairs to be between 2 to 3 hundred. Two days later I received a brand new drone. So DJI customer service isn't that bad. I can understand to an extent where they are coming from and can truly understand your frustration and annoyance.

 

[buschman31]

I'm sorry to hear that you had this issue with DJI I had the same issue with buying a second hand drone from the local pawn broker ( Cash converters ) a DJI Mavic 3 classic flymore package. I had to send the drone in for a repair due to a crash, but the drone was still bound to the original owners account. so thankfully the manager of the pawn broker typed up a letter on headed paper stating that the item was sold to them and that they had sold the drone to me. DJI had called me and they quoted me for an out of warranty repair for two new arms, new camera, new esc module and gave me a 50 percent discount so I only had to pay £65 needless to say I jumped at the chance of just paying that amount as I had expected the out of warranty repairs to be between 2 to 3 hundred. Two days later I received a brand new drone. So DJI customer service isn't that bad. I can understand to an extent where they are coming from and can truly understand your frustration and annoyance.

So u actually purchased the drone (used) from a local pawnshop, sent it in for repair and Dji asked for proof of purchase from the pawnshop though it was binded to an account? I'm asking cause mine was purchased from a pawnshop (mini 4 pro in layaway) but still have warranty till next yr.

 

[LoudThunder]

Hello everyone,

I’d like to share my disappointing experience with DJI in the hopes that it helps others avoid the same problem and maybe pushes DJI to change its rigid policies. I recently bought a second-hand DJI Mini 3 Pro in heavily damaged condition. I legally purchased the drone and invested significant time and money to repair it. After successfully fixing it, I tried to connect it to my DJI account — only to discover that the drone is still bound to the previous owner's account. Unfortunately, I don’t know the previous owner, and the seller is no longer responding to my messages. I’ve provided DJI with this information and even offered to sign an ownership declaration. I’m willing to take full responsibility and even speak directly with the original owner if they ever reach out. Yet DJI Support refuses to unbind the drone unless the original owner gives permission, even though they have not responded to DJI’s own contact attempts either. This policy effectively penalises honest buyers and renders second-hand DJI drones nearly unusable. It feels less like a security measure and more like a way to discourage second-hand purchases and push people toward buying new drones. If DJI truly cared about users and ownership integrity, they would implement a fairer and flexible verification process, especially when the previous owner is unreachable.

If you’re considering buying a used DJI drone, be extremely cautious. You may end up with a device you cannot use, no matter how legitimate your ownership is.

DJI, I hope you reconsider your approach. You're making it harder for people to trust your brand.

Best regards,

Rossen

Last June 19th, DJI changed its policy of unbinding a Drone… I know it is not the same but it is treated the same as if you bought a car and you did not get the title to the car. You cannot register or title the car without the title and DJI is responding the same way… I have been on the DJI Forum and they respond the there have been too many "proof of ownership" when sold by a re-seller and the sales receipt was a fake, and the original owner say they never sold their drone and only recently noticed it missing (whether lost or stolen…). DJI's policy is intended to PROTECT the Original Owner, not inconvenience the new owner, if legally bought…

https://forum.dji.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=341830

As you have been advised, eat the loss on the repairs and get your money back for the purchase,,,

Or if the drone is operational, just fly it and enjoy it on the original DJI Account that the drone is registered under… That is if the drone is not locked into the short range, per-registration mode (50' altitude and 100' range…).

 

[mavic3usa]

Last June 19th, DJI changed its policy of unbinding a Drone… I know it is not the same but it is treated the same as if you bought a car and you did not get the title to the car. You cannot register or title the car without the title and DJI is responding the same way… I have been on the DJI Forum and they respond the there have been too many "proof of ownership" when sold by a re-seller and the sales receipt was a fake, and the original owner say they never sold their drone and only recently noticed it missing (whether lost or stolen…). DJI's policy is intended to PROTECT the Original Owner, not inconvenience the new owner, if legally bought…

https://forum.dji.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=341830

As you have been advised, eat the loss on the repairs and get your money back for the purchase,,,

Or if the drone is operational, just fly it and enjoy it on the original DJI Account that the drone is registered under… That is if the drone is not locked into the short range, per-registration mode (50' altitude and 100' range…).

Every state has a process for obtaining a replacement or duplicate title or getting a new title for a vehicle without one or which has become damaged or lost. Vehicles don't become bricks when the owner dies unlike a DJI drone. You absolutely can register or title a car without the original but there is a process unlike DJI where there is zero process. A car will drive and operate forever without a title and no consumer would ever accept a vehicle that eventually quits running if the title is lost.

Let's not sugar coat the DJI process as if they are adopting some sort of acceptable standard noble practice. Claiming there were too many fake receipts is a DJI lie (not suprised); no professional organization which relies solely on receipts (that can't be verified) for proof of purchase should expect an honest outcome, that's just ridiculous. DJI isn't protecting the original owner, they're lazy. Some idiot thought it would be clever to backend customers into buying new drones if they could find a way to disable all the older ones in the aftermarket. Once the new DJI drone market dries up in America and the aftermarket explodes with locked DJI bricks, this will all come to light as soon as the wrong person gets the shaft. Until then, only the little guy is getting robbed so I guess in everybody's eyes....it's ok.

 

[Kilrah]

Once the new DJI drone market dries up in America and the aftermarket explodes with locked DJI bricks, this will all come to light as soon as the wrong person gets the shaft. Until then, only the little guy is getting robbed so I guess in everybody's eyes....it's ok.

Apple's orders of magnitude larger and has been doing that for more than a decade without consequence, I wouldn't expect a few drone users to have more weight than >50% of the smartphone market.

 

[mavic3usa]

Apple's orders of magnitude larger and has been doing that for more than a decade without consequence, I wouldn't expect a few drone users to have more weight than >50% of the smartphone market.

Apple will unlock an iPhone if you jump thru the hoops. They try to at least make sure they are bricking phones that are truly lost or stolen. I don't care how big or how small the market, I'm simply saying the wrong person is going to get the shaft and then we're going to have an issue; maybe someone like eBay or maybe one day Amazon. In the meantime just as you said, the few drone users (considered nobodies by both DJI and the drone community) will continue to be the victims just you guys are just drinking the kool-aid.