How to update firmware?

Buel · Friday at 12:28 PM

Silly question but I can't see an option on my RC to check for updates to firmware?

MS Coast · Friday at 12:46 PM

Buel said:
Silly question but I can't see an option on my RC to check for updates to firmware?

Open the About tab on the Fly App and look about halfway down the page. Further down, there's a link to check for updates to the FlySafe database.

A good rainy or windy day exercise is to run through each item on each tab in the Fly app and confirm that you know what they are and how to use them.

Buel · Friday at 4:50 PM

Hi, don't have the app, but have the standalone RC?

Meta4 · Friday at 7:42 PM

Buel said:
Hi, don't have the app, but have the standalone RC?

Your controller has the app

Buel · Saturday at 2:23 AM

OK but can't see the 'about'?

BossBob · Saturday at 2:43 AM

Try connecting your drone. Some options don’t appear until connection is established.

Meta4 · Saturday at 3:14 AM

Buel said:
Silly question but I can't see an option on my RC to check for updates to firmware?

Why bother anyway?
New firmware isn't going to make your drone do anything any better.
Besides, won't the controller tell you if it finds new firmware.

Starz · Saturday at 8:04 AM

Research prior to updating anything DJI. They are not mandatory.

https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/DJI_Mini_4_Pro/20241123/DJI_Mini_4_Pro_Release_Notes_EN.pdf

msinger · Saturday at 1:26 PM

Buel said:
Silly question but I can't see an option on my RC to check for updates to firmware?

BossBob · Sunday at 7:05 AM

Starz said:
Research prior to updating anything DJI. They are not mandatory.

https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/DJI_Mini_4_Pro/20241123/DJI_Mini_4_Pro_Release_Notes_EN.pdf

Here in the UK, the CAA drone code does require you to fly with the most up to date firmware!

Starz · Sunday at 9:10 AM

BossBob said:
Here in the UK, the CAA drone code does require you to fly with the most up to date firmware!

Not mandatory by DJI. Your requirements, thankfully not mine.

BossBob · Sunday at 10:06 AM

Starz said:
Not mandatory by DJI. Your requirements, thankfully not mine.

But the OP is in Wales and regulated by the CAA, so relevant in his case.

MS Coast · Sunday at 10:14 AM

Starz said:
Not mandatory by DJI. Your requirements, thankfully not mine.

Here's a relevant clip from the FAA regulations for Part 107 pilots. I won't attempt to interpret whether this requires that the latest firmware be installed, but it might. I'm confident that if there's a severe accident, the prosecutor or the defendant's attorney would certainly emphasize that the UAS was not being operated according to the manufacturer's current instructions. (Not a concern for me. I keep firmware and software up to date on all my drones; never regretted installing the latest versions.)

107.140 Category 4 operations.

msinger · Sunday at 10:23 AM

MS Coast said:
I'm confident that if there's a severe accident, the prosecutor or the defendant's attorney would certainly emphasize that the UAS was not being operated according to the manufacturer's current instructions

For sure! They are going to play every card in their hand.

That said, unless there’s a specific regulation requiring firmware updates (like there is in the UK), it may ultimately depend on whether DJI explicitly states that not updating the firmware poses a safety risk. Historically, they’ve rarely released firmware updates with that kind language.

Starz · Sunday at 11:07 AM

BossBob said:
But the OP is in Wales and regulated by the CAA, so relevant in his case.

His decision. Not mine and or yours.

Buel · Sunday at 6:14 PM

Starz said:
His decision. Not mine and or yours.

I did appreciate his knowledge on this, though. It was appreciated.

mavic3usa · Sunday at 6:54 PM

If DJI thought your drone was unsafe to fly, they would make the software update mandatory.
Perhaps the OP tried to update and it failed multiple times.
Such an easy argument to defend against in a courtroom setting especially if DJI allows the software to rollback.
Honestly, only hacked software becomes a concern.

If you are party to a lawsuit, the discussion will always come up if the software (like anything else) contributed to the accident; if it does not then the software version # won't matter and it probably won't be allowed to be discussed.

I wonder if the opposite will also become a valid concern, with DJI removing the geofencing. I mean, after all, if it's fair to ping someone for not updating, it's possible to hold them accountable for updating as well. Someone could make the case that you (with the help of DJI) remove the guardrails in place which allowed the drone to.....