Need help getting this Mavic Pro off the ground (flying?)

[SirMichael]

Working on a Mavic Pro (circa 2018) for my brother-in-law. All batteries were shot so I bought 2 new drone batteries and one for the controller, got that changed OK. I also bought a ROKU RF ID for it, but not installed yet. I have the drone connected (OK) to an Android phone (used my DJI login) and the controller connects to the drone & phone.

Problems:
The controller seemed to ask for calibration on the sticks. I couldn't get it to work! Start by centering the sticks, click OK, then follow the circles around the outer perimeter, but it times out, the circles move VERY slow... Just says to follow the instruction and "repeat". The Sticks Work! (I was concerned that perhaps I didn't connect something correctly on the battery install, but they do work in the calibration mode....
A friend brought his Mavic Pro (exact same drone) and we couldn't get his to calibrate either.

I was able to get the drone to take off, but only by using the on-screen take-off button, and Land with the on-screen land button. Just hovers at ~4 feet. There is no control with the sticks (remember, they worked in the calibration test!).

It occurred to me that perhaps the failed stick calibration might have something to do with it, but we flew my friends Mavic Pro after he tried (and failed) to calibrate the sticks.

I have not installed or registered the RF ID yet. I don't want to go through that and then have to transfer it to my brother-in-law. I'm afraid that could get involved trying to register and transfer. I was hoping to just verify that the drone worked so I could deliver it.

Relevant Question, do I need the phone (with Go 4 app) connected on the internet, to run the drone? I'm using an spare Android phone (2022 Moto G Power). I did try to connect through my regular phone Hot-Spot...

Any suggestions? Why can't I get the drone to respond to the stick controls?

Sir Michael

 

[Meta4]

Relevant Question, do I need the phone (with Go 4 app) connected on the internet, to run the drone? I'm using an spare Android phone (2022 Moto G Power). I did try to connect through my regular phone Hot-Spot...

No ... there's no need for internet connection to fly.

 

[Cafguy]

Update ALL firmware. Calibrate the compass first then calibrate the controller.

 

[GregS]

DJI stopped supporting the Mavic Pro, so updates are probably not available. The latest one was to stop GeoFencing.
I have problems with my MP connecting to my Samsung S22 which is connected to cell service and at home with Wi-Fi, which is needed for updates. Have the some problem with my Phantom 4 Pro too.
I use an older non connected Samsung phone and always connect to drone. Should work with new phone, but doesn't now. No help from DJI. Wish they would build a plant here in the USA.

 

[Cafguy]

Wish they would build a plant here in the USA.

Thy were breaking ground on one here in California, Until all this stuff started.

 

[GregS]

Thy were breaking ground on one here in California, Until all this stuff started.

I would think that would make them move quickly to continue their multi million dollar business here.

 

[Starz]

Scroll wheels are a part of stick calibration. Was that done?

 

[SirMichael]

I did manage to get the drone to work! I started looking around and found an "Unlock Request" so I started into that, which required me to log in (though I had already logged in when I first opened the GO 4 app). I didn't finish the "Unlock Request" though...

I also managed to get the Stick Calibration to work, it's a VERY strange thing, not sure what I did differently... I also found the Compass Calibration, and that was pretty straight forward.

Anyway, I took it outside and it started up and flew it around my driveway, mostly to run the batteries down to about 60% (both of them) so I can send it out to my brother-in-law.

Sir Michael

 

[PyroProdigy]

DJI stopped supporting the Mavic Pro, so updates are probably not available. The latest one was to stop GeoFencing.
I have problems with my MP connecting to my Samsung S22 which is connected to cell service and at home with Wi-Fi, which is needed for updates. Have the some problem with my Phantom 4 Pro too.
I use an older non connected Samsung phone and always connect to drone. Should work with new phone, but doesn't now. No help from DJI. Wish they would build a plant here in the USA.

Hmmm ....my M1P has the original firmware, on purpose. I would love to stop geo fencing but, I wonder what some downsides may be to doing the firmware upgrade. Would it do every upgrade in between or can I just do that one? I doubt it.
I'm sure they have put things into the firmware upgrades that people do not like.
Honestly though I have not had to fly it in a geofence area since 2018, I think. And then if I remember correctly, it just asked me if I was authorized, to which I hit the YES button. This was in a jail parking lot. Technically yeah I was authorized, but not by DJI or FAA.

 

[BossBob]

Unless you really need to fly in a geofenced area I’d stick with the firmware you’ve got. Most of the firmware updates for the Mavic Pro were DJI locking things down rather than adding new features. I’ve also got the original DJI Assistant 2 with the developer option still available with the download file backed up in multiple places.

 

[PyroProdigy]

Unless you really need to fly in a geofenced area I’d stick with the firmware you’ve got. Most of the firmware updates for the Mavic Pro were DJI locking things down rather than adding new features. I’ve also got the original DJI Assistant 2 with the developer option still available with the download file backed up in multiple places.

I was just reading that the Geo Fence unlock would be with just a FlySafe update. I'm not sure if it is true, and I forget the model the person was speaking of as well. But, it that's true could I possibly just upgrade the FlySafe database and leave the original firmware as is?

I too have the original assistant app saved and backed up! But honestly never have tried to use it for anything yet.

 

[BossBob]

I just fired up the MP to check what I'm using. This was an iPad Mini 4 on iPadOS 15.8.4
DJI Assistant 2 version 1.1.2, developer hack applied. I did change a few of the settings a long time ago. Once I was happy I haven't changed them since.
DJI Go 4 version 4.3.64 (11 months old according to Apple)
Aircraft firmware 01.04.0500
Remote firmware 01.04.0500
Basic and Precise FlySafe database 01.00.01.09 updated today August 22, 2025

All worked fine, connected to my account, showed all logs and cached images from my DJI drones.
I refused firmware checks which didn't cause other warnings. I didn't fly but did start the motors and there were no warnings present.