Notice to all Pilots that plan on buying a Used DJI Drone…

[LoudThunder]

Notice to all Pilots that plan on buying a Used DJI Drone…

On June 19, 2025, DJI implemented a new, and stricter policy on supporting the Process of Re-Binding, Unbinding, and Binding DJI Drones when they are submitted by the Original Bound Account Holder.

That means these services will no longer be provided to any party other than the bound Account Holder. If you receive a DJI Drone through a "second-hand transactions" (gift, purchase, corporate sale transfer, etc…) and it is still bound to the Account Holder then DJI will only honor the Ownership of the Original Account Owner.

https://forum.dji.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=341830&from=dap_unique&pbc=D3IDBfR5&pm=custom

Even if you buy a DJI Drone that is bound to another's account and that drone is flying just fine on the old account, your problem might just be the next DJI Fly App update…

Some DJI Fly app updates may require you to log in again after installation. This is often necessary for the app to function properly with the updated firmware and access crucial information like the FlySafe database, which helps ensure safe and compliant drone operation.

Reasons why logging in might be required after a DJI Fly app update:

*** Firmware activation and data verification: Updates may include changes to the drone's firmware, which needs to be activated through your DJI account after the app update.

*** Access to FlySafe database: Logging in allows the app to download and update the FlySafe database, which contains important information regarding restricted flight zones and other flight regulations.

*** General login frequency: DJI also encourages users to log in periodically (some say at least every 90 days) to receive updates, which can include updates for the FlySafe database.

If you don't log in after a required app update, especially one involving a firmware update, your drone's flight functionality may be restricted. This can include:

*** Live camera streaming being disabled.

*** Flight being limited to a restricted radius and height. If a DJI drone is not bound to a DJI account and not connected to the DJI Fly app during flight, its flight is restricted to a maximum altitude of 30 meters (98.4 feet) and a maximum distance of 50 meters (164 feet).

DJI provides a Web Site in which you can submit the Drone's Serial Number to see the Drone's Bound/Unbound Status…

https://repair.dji.com/device/Search?re=id&lang=en&from=dap_unique&pbc=D3IDBfR5&pm=custom

And DJI provides a Web Site with the instructions to Bind and Un-Bind a Drone…

DJI Fly App Account and Device Binding/Unbinding Guide


If you like this, Please "LIKE" it and leave a comment on your experiences.

 

[mavic3usa]

Posted here already: Important: DJI Account Rebinding Service Changes on June 19, 2025

However, this thread is better because my thread is mostly about my gripes and the shortcomings and failures of this unprofessional and ridiculous policy rather than [DJI] pretending to put everyone on blast. For example, the provided link forces you to log in first and it does NOT tell you if the drone you are seeking to purchase is bound or not and if it doesn't, that badly needed function is gone unless DJI is still willing to continue to take those questions directly. If not, the aftermarket is screwed.

 

[LoudThunder]

For example, the provided link forces you to log in first and it does NOT tell you if the drone you are seeking to purchase is bound

I am active on several other web sites and when I tested that link it opened up with my DJI log In account and of course listed my drones and all relevant information...

So I logged out see how it would then work. Yes they do ask for a "Log In" but you do not have to have a DJI Account, you can log in with Google, Apple, or Facebook…



Now, you too can actually try this as I did… I logged out and then logged in with my Google account and I entered this Serial Number…

4CQCJ970031J7V

And DJI gave me this Information and that Drone is Still bound to its original account…



So, where did I get this serial number to test the service with? Several years ago, I saw a DJI Drone listed on eBay and the seller found it. I posted about this on this and other web sites as the seller included the serial number…

See my posting here… (****, I'm a nice guy…)

DJI Mini SE Found in California near a Lake...

Now, you go try it and then leave a "Like!"

 

[CaveCreek]

I am active on several other web sites and when I tested that link it opened up with my DJI log In account and of course listed my drones and all relevant information...

So I logged out see how it would then work. Yes they do ask for a "Log In" but you do not have to have a DJI Account, you can log in with Google, Apple, or Facebook…

View attachment 183327

Now, you too can actually try this as I did… I logged out and then logged in with my Google account and I entered this Serial Number…

4CQCJ970031J7V

And DJI gave me this Information and that Drone is Still bound to its original account…

View attachment 183328

So, where did I get this serial number to test the service with? Several years ago, I saw a DJI Drone listed on eBay and the seller found it. I posted about this on this and other web sites as the seller included the serial number…

See my posting here… (****, I'm a nice guy…)

DJI Mini SE Found in California near a Lake...

Now, you go try it and then leave a "Like!"

Where does it show it's bound?

 

[mavic3usa]

Where does it show it's bound?

It is my understanding that DJI is no longer sharing this information. Neither on their website nor with a phone call.

Pretty sure they go tired of answering a bunch of "is it bound?" questions and since binding is instantaneous, whatever you see or hear at one point may be totally different in the next minute.

DJI considers binding to be a private matter....that's my understanding (grip) about the process. I have personally emphasized the following:

"For privacy and security, DJI cannot confirm if unbinding has been completed — you’ll have to check it yourself in the app."

How to rebind a used DJI drone: Step-by-step guide

Starting June 19, 2025, DJI is strictly enforcing account binding rules for second-hand drones. Here's how to rebind a pre-owned DJI drone...

dronedj.com

DJI’s new policy could ground your second-hand drone

If you pick up a used DJI drone and the original owner didn’t unbind it from their account, you won’t be able to complete the transfer.

dronedj.com

 

[Dave Pitman]

I have 3 or 4 craft I purchased second hand. They do not show in my bound craft list. However, I am logged into my account on the fly app and they all work as expected. This is for over 2 years in some cases. So, who knows what that means!

 

[mavic3usa]

I have 3 or 4 craft I purchased second hand. They do not show in my bound craft list. However, I am logged into my account on the fly app and they all work as expected. This is for over 2 years in some cases. So, who knows what that means!

Bound craft list, what is that? Not sure there is a such thing.

Are you referring to the "Device Management" section? Yes I have a few device that come and go off that list and even a few on that list that I *never* use that remote to fly with. Anyway, DJI drones work and fly properly regardless whether they are bound or not. It's when the drone is bound to some other controller/DJI account other than the one you are trying to use that they start to show their limitations.

 

[LoudThunder]

Where does it show it's bound?

Turn on the Controller open the Fly App and turn on the drone, when both are connected, on the controller, tap the PROFILE, then Tap the DEVICE MANAGEMENT and it should look similar to this graphic… and the Bound To Box should not contain an Email Address. If it does, then only the holder of that email address with the Password can unbind the Drone… DJI will not do it under any circumstances any more (PERIOD). Not even if you ask with "Pretty Please with Sugar on Top… L L . . .



Additionally, You can get the Serial Number of the Drone and call DJI with the S/N and ask if the Drone is unbound give them the S/N they are more than happy to help you. +1-818-235-0789 Monday - Sunday: 6:00 - 18:00 (PST/PDT)

 

[LoudThunder]

This is for over 2 years in some cases. So, who knows what that means!

Over the last 4-years, I have on two separate occasions gotten an App Update and afterwards had to log back into my account… Have you always done the App Updates when they came in or do you avoid them like the Plaque? L L . . .

 

[LoudThunder]

DJI drones work and fly properly regardless whether they are bound or not.

Unless something has changed since DJI implemented the new policy on not unbinding Bound Drones without an account, a DJI Drones that is not bound to an account are restricted to an altitude of 30-meters (about 100') and a distance of 50-meters (about 200').

 

[mavic3usa]

Where does it show it's bound?

Turn on the Controller open the Fly App

You posted a picture of the account from DJI.com.

I believe this was the question that was meant: "Based on the image of the example account you posted, where does one see if the drone is bound or not?" I believe the answer is "You DON'T. Bound information cannot be gleaned from DJI.com online."

I don't believe the question was "Where does one go to see if a drone is bound or not?" Everybody here knows you pickup the equipment and you search the profile in DJI Fly App but if not, cool. Now they know.

The practical application is a seller has his drone and remote controller in Nebraska and you are a buyer in Maine (so you cannot check Fly) and you request the serial number prior to completing the purchase and you want to go to DJI.com and check and confirm to see if the drone is bound or not. How does someone do that? In the past, you could call and ask DJI. I personally believe the new DJI policy says they won't be answering those personal questions any longer. I don't blame them, I wouldn't want to answer thousands of binding questions daily especially when the answer you are given could change within the hour. If you believe DJI will continue to let the anonymous caller know if any drone is bound or not 1) other than remembering DJI has done this in the past, where you see DJI says call us and we'll advise you and 2) what is it that's new about the DJI *new* binding policy if divulging binding information over the phone continues as usual?

 

[LoudThunder]

I believe this was the question that was meant: "Based on the image of the example account you posted, where does one see if the drone is bound or not?"

What question are you referring to? The one that I responded to was "Where does it show it's bound?" You would look in the Profile, Device Management, to see if it is bound to an account.

I personally believe the new DJI policy says they won't be answering those personal questions any longer.

Have you tried it? You never know until you ask... Once you do try it, you will no longer "believe that the new policy says…" but you will know… I tried it and DJI told me that serial number to the drone that I gave them was bound to an account… I gave them my drones serial number, but they did not know it was mine…

 

[Dave Pitman]

Bound craft list, what is that? Not sure there is a such thing.

Are you referring to the "Device Management" section?

Yes. I was referring to the Device Management section on DJI.com
Wouldn't it make sense that any device currently registered to that account would be listed?

 

[Dave Pitman]

-----

 

[Dave Pitman]

Over the last 4-years, I have on two separate occasions gotten an App Update and afterwards had to log back into my account… Have you always done the App Updates when they came in or do you avoid them like the Plaque? L L . . .

These craft are pretty much up to date with app and firmware.

 

[mavic3usa]

Yes. I was referring to the Device Management section on DJI.com
Wouldn't it make sense that any device currently registered to that account would be listed?

That's what I thought and yes, it would make sense but it does not. I don't believe it has ever been listed there but it likely won't be added because DJI now considers that information to be private and the website is not secured to just the account holder, it's open to everyone (i.e. you can check on any serial number). Honestly, I don't think their systems are capable and if you have an interest in knowing in knowing this, you can always check it in the Fly app so DJI does provide at least one mechanism for you; unfortunately it's not available to anyone else (per the example I've given). As I have mentioned, the DJI process sucks and it's unprofessional. You can also use this method in the meantime until this is shutdown as well:

Additionally, You can get the Serial Number of the Drone and call DJI with the S/N and ask if the Drone is unbound give them the S/N they are more than happy to help you. +1-818-235-0789 Monday - Sunday: 6:00 - 18:00 (PST/PDT)

Will they give you the email address that it is bound to as well?

 

[LoudThunder]

Will they give you the email address that it is bound to as well?

I am curious, your User name has "Mavic" in it, don't you own a DJI Drone, didn't it not come with its own Serial number? You know, you could have called in its serial number and ask for the "owner's" email address yourself and it would have taken you less time that to write asking me this question…

If you really want to continue this, read the attached posting (assuming you do not want to give DJI your drones serial number…) and then you (that's right YOU!!!) call DJI and ask them if the drone in the posting is bound to an account or not and then you can ask them any other follow-up questions you like… And then I expect you to report back your findings to this Web Site.

DJI Mini SE Found in California near a Lake...

The monkey is on your back now!


​

 

[mavic3usa]

I am curious, your User name has "Mavic" in it, don't you own a DJI Drone, didn't it not come with its own Serial number? You know, you could have called in its serial number and ask for the "owner's" email address yourself and it would have taken you less time that to write asking me this question…

If you really want to continue this, read the attached posting (assuming you do not want to give DJI your drones serial number…) and then you (that's right YOU!!!) call DJI and ask them if the drone in the posting is bound to an account or not and then you can ask them any other follow-up questions you like… And then I expect you to report back your findings to this Web Site.

​

No thanks. I'm trying to make my point by quoting what DJI says and what DJI posts when they explain their policy. Unlike you, I don't believe calling a phone number and asking a question is "policy." Not everyone in the world will have the same experience and no one can rely on the information they are being told over the telephone by some random agent. We already have proof that DJI gives different answers to different people so nothing you say can convince me to call an 800# to get an answer. If you call DJI and they say "yep, that drone is unbound" and the drone arrives bound, you think DJI is going to unbind it for you because somebody told you over the phone last week it was unbound?

DJI policy says they don't give out that information so when I say they suck, I mean their policy sucks and just because you claim you made a phone call then maybe DJI should put that in their policy "We don't give out that information but if you call us, we will." Until then, they suck. Again, if you show me anywhere in writing from DJI where they say "This is our new policy....but call us and we'll make an exception" then I'll believe it but until then, every time I see something different, I'm going to add my personal comments to the contrary because I don't support a sloppy, unprofessional process by giving them a pass saying "Oh but call us" is the answer. The internet (reddit) is full of people complaining about this "problem" so I'm going to keep talking about it; that's how you make people aware.