If the DJI Fly App is pre-installed on my RC2 controller for my Mini 4 Pro, why do I need a wireless connection to an Android phone? I bought the drone in June but went sailing and only now took it out for a spin yesterday in Nova Scotia. It flies well but I will need a lot of practice. It could not connect to my phone, a Moto G Play from late 2023, which cannot install the DJI Fly App, and the controller cannot "see" this phone's hotspot. The RC2 unit works...to a point. There is a height and "distance from" limitation. Comments would be welcome. I am registered and fairly computer and comms-savvy. Thanks.
If the DJI Fly App is pre-installed on my RC2 controller for my Mini 4 Pro, why do I need a wireless connection to an Android phone?
- Thread starter svalchemy
- Start date
The Fly app is installed on the RC2 as sold. There's no need to connect to a phone. But you do need Internet service so that you can connect to the web to log into your DJI account. That will remove the altitude and range constraints. It will also allow you to download satellite imagery for the maps screen and download updates to the app, the FlySafe database, and firmware.
An internet connection isn't required for every flight, but if you're going to fly in a location where you have no service, be sure that you're logged into your DJI account prior to leaving home.
An internet connection isn't required for every flight, but if you're going to fly in a location where you have no service, be sure that you're logged into your DJI account prior to leaving home.
OK, thanks. So I don't need a second phone on which to download the app. However, this means I still have the problem of my controller not connecting to my phone's hotspot...any tips on how to get past this? Should I try to take it down to 2.4 Mhz? I live in a rural area, but I am just 1 km from a couple of cell phone tower and can stream video, so it can't be a bandwidth issue.
Second phone? The RC2 controller needs no phone at all. Are you using an RC-N2 controller, without the built-in screen?
In any case, you'll have to connect to the internet to log into your DJI account on the Fly app to remove the range and altitude constraints. You can do that on wifi or on a mobile phone's hotspot.
Have you enabled wifi on the controller?
Ah, I figured out how to get to the controller WiFi settings. Logged in and all is updated. Setting for 100 metres altitude to start, depending on the wind at that height. Thank you very much for the tips.
You need to connect to your account on the RC2 to suppress the limit. From times to times DJI want you to confirm your connexion especially when you're are changing of location.
Thank you. All is resolved now and I operate in unlimited airspace where we are. Now I have to learn how to operate the drone from a moving sailboat, and I will be interested to find if this niche application is common on this forum. I know the operator has to turn off "return to home".
UAV Ernst
Well-Known Member
May I suggest that if you are new to this wonderful hobby that you get lots of practice on dry land and in a large open area first.
On the few occasions we have had to shoot from a vessel we found it much easier to "back in" home when about 50 ft out. That way Left=Left - Right=Right etc... specially when you are dealing with stress, winds on both your drone and the vessel - waves heaving you up and down, even small undulations can be off-putting - For this reason (retrieval) we chose to use our Phantom 4P's that have long legs on them marked in bright orange decal - makes it easier to catch/grab. Also strongly recommend a few (4-6) dry runs in the shelter of the dock (if allowed) or a sheltered bay or cove, it just takes a microsecond for the bird to hit a spar or branch or whatever, or an inadvertent stick gesture to send her crashing to meet Nemo.
Good luck. I look forward to some of the results.
Aloha
Good luck. I look forward to some of the results.
Aloha
Several years ago I went out on my cousin's fishing boat in Jamaica Bay off of JFK airport. I was flying my Mavic 2 Zoom and discovered the upper deck was free of magnetic interference, which the lower deck most certainly was not, likely due to the fact the upper deck was teak.
After a very cautious first battery, I put in the second battery and began to do some 360s around the boat. Everything was going just peachy when suddenly the drone came to a dead stop. A quick look at the map and I realized the boat itself entered a JFK nofly zone--0'AGL--which meant my drone was a no-go while the boat was just fine. By the time we got turned around I had lost sight of the Mavic 2. Fortunately, I had continuingly updated my home point (standard procedure when flying off a boat) and still had about 16 minutes of battery life left so I was not (overly) concerned the Return to Home function would not work.
The Mavic 2 was 2300' away when I tapped the RTH button and while it only took a couple minutes before my cousin spotted it, but to me it seemed like forever. I still could not see it, but everyone else on the boat could because they all were youngsters with eyesight that could spot a cross-eyed gnat at 10 meters. Once I spotted the drone I cancelled the RTH and flew it back to the boat for a normal hand caught landing. The Mavic came home exactly as I expected it to. Lesson learned.
After a very cautious first battery, I put in the second battery and began to do some 360s around the boat. Everything was going just peachy when suddenly the drone came to a dead stop. A quick look at the map and I realized the boat itself entered a JFK nofly zone--0'AGL--which meant my drone was a no-go while the boat was just fine. By the time we got turned around I had lost sight of the Mavic 2. Fortunately, I had continuingly updated my home point (standard procedure when flying off a boat) and still had about 16 minutes of battery life left so I was not (overly) concerned the Return to Home function would not work.
The Mavic 2 was 2300' away when I tapped the RTH button and while it only took a couple minutes before my cousin spotted it, but to me it seemed like forever. I still could not see it, but everyone else on the boat could because they all were youngsters with eyesight that could spot a cross-eyed gnat at 10 meters. Once I spotted the drone I cancelled the RTH and flew it back to the boat for a normal hand caught landing. The Mavic came home exactly as I expected it to. Lesson learned.
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Hi,
Some interesting comments in this thread!
I understand that most people don't mind data sharing e,g, location, but I'm an older person, who has lived at a time which was free and easy. I am not comfortable with sharing my data with all of the companies that manufacture goods.
My car shares where I am at all times, and my phone does similar etc. I switch off as much as I can if possible.
So, does connecting to DJI, so I can fly my Pro4 mini, share the locations where I am flying?
Cheers, C.
Some interesting comments in this thread!
I understand that most people don't mind data sharing e,g, location, but I'm an older person, who has lived at a time which was free and easy. I am not comfortable with sharing my data with all of the companies that manufacture goods.
My car shares where I am at all times, and my phone does similar etc. I switch off as much as I can if possible.
So, does connecting to DJI, so I can fly my Pro4 mini, share the locations where I am flying?
Cheers, C.
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That depends on the data sync settings in DJI Fly and how you have the share location settings in your phone.
Hi B,
Ok, thanks.
Will you clarify please? In order to use the Pro4, with 'say' waypoints,
Do I have to use DJI Fly?
Do I have to use a phone (I have the RC2)?
Do I have to share my location?
P.S. I notice that I've got another similar post, but it would be good if my questions are still answered, please.
C.
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If you want to fly a mini 4 pro you have to use DJI fly.
If you want to use waypoints the remote needs to know where you are. There is also the waypoint flights in the cloud facility that you might use.
I fly with an RC2, it may be connected via wifi to my phone (for location) but the phone has mobile data disabled when I fly, (presuming I’m not flying near a WiFi connection to the internet). I also have phone location sharing turned off for DJI fly (in iOS settings) even though the phone isn’t being used to fly the drone.
The only time I share location with DJI is when I synchronise flights and that will be historical. You don’t have to synchronise flights but it will help if you ever have a problem with your drone.
You’d better get your tin hat out now as the new CAA rules for 2026 change the requirements for RID. I won’t be starting the motors of my drones at home.
If you want to use waypoints the remote needs to know where you are. There is also the waypoint flights in the cloud facility that you might use.
I fly with an RC2, it may be connected via wifi to my phone (for location) but the phone has mobile data disabled when I fly, (presuming I’m not flying near a WiFi connection to the internet). I also have phone location sharing turned off for DJI fly (in iOS settings) even though the phone isn’t being used to fly the drone.
The only time I share location with DJI is when I synchronise flights and that will be historical. You don’t have to synchronise flights but it will help if you ever have a problem with your drone.
You’d better get your tin hat out now as the new CAA rules for 2026 change the requirements for RID. I won’t be starting the motors of my drones at home.
Looking at the RC2 specifications, the only reason that it would need connection to a phone would be to give it internet connection. Disabling mobile data (not near a wifi connection) would sever that.
Hi B,
Thanks for that detailed explanation, I'll try to remember it all.
What is RID?
I've been tidying up my act lately, and getting rid of stuff that I don't need anymore: Cameras, electronics, radios, tools etc, and only keeping a skeleton pile to keep me from being bored.
I racked up £700 on Ebay, and they blocked payments to me. (Obama set a $600 dollar limit) until I shared my photo, and real name DOB etc. I told them I don't have any documentation, so they said they would keep my money. I had to return all of the money to the buyers, and sell my junk offline.
I've travelled extensively around Europe, but now see that to get across the UK/Europe border, I have to give a photo and finger prints.
With face recognition, anyone with the DATA can see our DOB, occupation, age etc etc.
If it was just to UK police, even though I would have reservations, I wouldn't mind too much, but this stuff is going all over the place, so a car park in Cambodia, would know all about me, and for what reson?
I hoped I'd feel better after that, but I don't
Happy flyng, C
You are going to have to look that up to get the whole story but basically the drone will transmit various details about itself, its pilot and positions of both.
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