While most drones come with a dedicated controller, manufacturers often provide a companion app to go along with it to help fly your drone.
The dedicated controller handles the basic flight operations of the drone.
However, to control the high-end camera on the drone and activate the self-piloting modes, these can be done via the app on your phone or tablet.
The app will either be available for Android or iOS and sometimes both.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the DJI Fly app that can be used with several DJI drones including the Mavic Mini, Mavic Air 2, DJI Mini 2, DJI FPV, DJI Air 2S, DJI Mini SE.
We’ll also discuss a few alternatives to the DJI app that can enhance your drone piloting experience.
Let’s jump right in.
DJI Fly App
The DJI Fly App is a simplified take on the DJI GO 4 app with an intuitive interface that helps you to discover Geo zones and scenic flight locations nearby without any hassle.
This app is great for new pilots and even offers you a video tutorial that assists you in understanding the basics of flying.
It is a great tool for those wanting to learn basic flight techniques.
DJI Fly even provides a list of fly spots where you can fly safely.
You will have access to a plethora of intuitive editing tools where you can edit the brightness of videos, trim videos, apply effects and much more.
You will also be able to share your live stream on social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Additionally, the DJI Fly App offers integrated access to SkyPixel, the social media platform where drone photographers can share their aerial photos and videos.
DJI Fly is available for both Android and iOS and requires Android 6.0 and above or iOS 11.0 and above.
It is free, available in multiple languages and simple and easy to use.
How to Install the DJI Fly App
There are a few ways you can install the DJI Fly App. These include:
Scanning the QR code
- Open your camera and scan the QR code in your manual.
- This should take you directly to the app in your app store.
- Tap the install button and it should begin the installation process
Search in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Open up Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your phone.
- Type in DJI Fly and search.
- It should come up as the first option on the results page. If not, type in DJI and go through their developer pages until you find it.
- Tap the install button and the download should begin.
Installation times will vary and depend on your network speed.
Follow the prompts once the app is installed and sync it with your drone and dedicated remote controller.
Once everything is linked successfully, you can launch the app and enjoy all it has to offer.
Check out the video on how to use the DJI Fly App/.
DJI Fly and DJI GO 4 App Functions and Features
DJI Fly includes functions and features like:
- Live HD view
- Intelligent flight modes
- Easy flying and landing controls
- Automatic flight loss
- Edit and share photos or videos instantly
- Tons of video tutorials and user manuals
DJI GO 4 features and functions include:
- Live HD view
- Intelligent flight modes
- Easy flying and landing controls
- Automatic flight loss
- Edit and share your photos or videos instantly
- Lots of video tutorials and user manuals
- Voice and gestures camera control settings
- Near real-time image transmission
DJI continues to release more features for the DJI Fly App and GO 4 as newer versions come onto the market.
Best DJI Fly App alternatives you need to know about
While the DJI Fly App is good, there are times when you may want something a little better.
In this section, we’ll take a look at some alternatives to the DJI Fly App.
Do be warned that some of these apps may provide advanced functions so it is easy to break some of the drone rules set out by the FAA.
Read some drone flying tips by clicking the link to stay safe and within the laws regulating the operations of drones.
Most of the apps on this list clearly state that they are not responsible for any damage to your drone when using their app.
So practice drone safety and take all precautions when flying out there.
Here is our list of alternative drone apps for iPhone and Android if you want something beyond the DJI Fly App.
ThermAppPlus
ThermAppPlus as the name suggests converts smartphones into thermal imaging devices.
It also combines the power of thermal camera technology with the advanced features of smartphones.
This app allows you to record and capture high-resolution pictures and videos.
It supports Bluetooth remote controllers and virtual reality headsets.
The app allows professional photographers to utilize the software development kit provided by Opgal to deliver sharper images of high resolutions.
Camera output can be saved in different video and image formats.
These include PNG, TIFF and JPEG for photos and MPEG4 and AVI formats for videos.
ThermAppPlus comes with some impressive features like different display modes, multiple pallets locking, background noise detection and hot spot detection.
There’s also bad pixel repair, remote viewing through Wi-Fi, photo burst mode, histogram equalization and a wide range of others.
These features from ThermAppPlus can help you in capturing stunning high-quality videos and photos.
DroneVR+ FPV for DJI Drones
DroneVR+ FPV for DJI Drones is possibly one of the best VR drone apps out there.
It helps connect DroneVR with your DJI drones to view live stream videos through a virtual reality headset.
The app provides you with configurable and head-up displays that showcase essential information including speed, altitude, battery status, pitch and others.
It also has a head tracking feature that helps you to control the position or orientation of the camera across all three axes by simply moving your head.
You can also make use of the spectator mode which allows you to connect a second mobile phone to your drone to share the drone’s view and works between Android and iOS mode.
DroneVR+ FPV for DJI Drones App even gives you the ability to adjust the image position and size to make sure that it works with the VR headset correctly.
The app supports Ryze Tello (free), DJI Mavic Pro, Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom, Mavic Mini, Mavic Air/2, Spark, Phantom 4 / Pro / Advanced, Phantom 3 Professional/Advanced/Standard/4K, Inspire
Users can also purchase premium features in the app if the need arises.
Rainbow for DJI
Rainbow for DJI drones is a great mobile app to help unlock the full potential of your DJI drone.
It is compatible with several DJI drones including the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom/Pro, Mavic Air/Pro/Mini and Phantom 4 Normal/Advanced/Pro/ProV2,
Others include the Phantom 3 Standard/4K/Advanced/Professional, Inspire 1 X3/Z3/Pro/RAW, Inspire 2 and Spark.
Rainbow for DJI Drones provides incredible stability and smooth operation with little to no lag.
It comes with an advanced waypoint feature that allows you to customize automatic flights.
You can even add your camera intersect points and waypoints without prior effects.
The app allows you to watch videos and drone flights in small previews at the same time.
You can take 360-degree panoramas, access panorama preview and share to your mobile directly using the app.
It also allows you to track or follow an object with just one touch.
Rainbow for DJI Drones includes features like FPV mode, waypoint mode support, define 99 waypoints and a whole lot more.
Litchi for DJI Drones
Litchi for DJI drones is an autonomous flight app that is compatible with DJI Phantom 2 Vision and Phantom 2 Vision +.
It features a panorama mode which allows you to shoot 360 degrees vertical and horizontal panoramas using the camera on your drone.
You can also customize waypoints to shoot stunning videos effortlessly or plan waypoint missions from a desktop.
It also allows you to sync missions across all your devices as well as support for altitudes above ground level and visual mission planning using Google Earth.
Other features that come in the app include virtual reality mode, control the unit using your head, tracking mode and orbit mode with advanced controls.
Litchi for DJI Drones also allows you to load and save your missions, as well as live stream videos on social platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Users of the app can record their phone screens with a simple tap.
You can even control the drone manually during the mission right from your phone.
There are also premium features that you can unlock by making an in-app purchase.
DJI Pilot
DJI Pilot helps you to map out automatic flight routes and set the timing to capture photos effortlessly.
The KML import feature allows users to create flight routes for flight missions and map out a specific area to capture stunning imagery.
It helps to control the drone’s movement, camera position, camera playback and transmit pictures in real-time, smoothly.
Users can adjust the position of the camera by using a virtual reality headset or by moving their heads.
This app gives you the option to check flight records, update the firmware, add local waypoints and perform flight path tasks without hassle.
The DJI Pilot App works with a few DJI enterprise drones such as the Phantom 4 RTK, Mavic 2 Enterprise, DJI Matrice 200 series and a few others.
UgCS for DJI
UgCS for DJI allows you to connect the UgCS desktop ground station with DJI drones.
It allows you to upload pre-planned missions and waypoints without trouble.
You can also fly DJI drones manually to shoot videos and images.
It includes options to manage camera settings to control the pitch of the image and resolution as well as the yard and gimbal pitch.
This app is an effective solution for automated drone mission planning thanks to its map customization, built-in photogrammetry, façade scan and battery exchange options.
You can command the drone to return to the home position and reset home positions all from the app.
Other features include auto mode, manual flight mode, flight simulator, live HD camera view, manage camera settings, manage telemetry data and many others.
UgCS supports desktop version 3.5 or higher
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an app to fly my drone?
For the most part, you do not need an app to fly your drone.
However, the flight experience without an app may not be that great.
The dedicated remote controller of your drone manages the basic flight operations.
You will be able to fly the drone around but you will not have a view from the camera unless the controller has a built-in screen.
You also won’t have access to autonomous flight features or safety features such as return to home, etc.
So while you can fly your drone without an app, it isn’t always recommended to do so if you want to enjoy your drone flight experience.
How do apps work?
Let’s take DJI drones, for example, third-party apps are built upon DJI’s APIs and SDKs.
Everything that happens within the app needs to be translated into action and sent to the remote control.
The remote then sends the signal up to the drone.
Regardless of what happens in the app, there will always be some limitations when translating your input into controls that the drone can understand.
For instance Waypoint flight managed by an app first registers where the drone is and where it needs to go next.
It then sends the basic directional commands to the drone.
You may have to spin the drone until it’s pointing in the right direction and move it forward until the GPS location of the drone and the next waypoint are the same.
In other cases, where more advanced software is being utilized, you do not have to point the drone toward the next point since the software can manage the directional flight.
This way you can use the cameras to capture side sweeping video.
Can I use multiple apps at the same time?
It may be possible to use multiple apps at the same time on the same device.
However, the majority of apps lock their connection to the remote or lock the USB interface of your phone or tablet.
This is a safety feature that helps to prevent multiple simultaneous up actions that can result in damages to the craft or harm to the others.
If you are going to be using more than one app at a time, practice safety and follow all of the FAA guidelines for drone operation.
How to get the DJI Fly App?
Scan the QR code in the manual or search for it in the Google Play Store on your Android phone or in the Apple App Store.
You’ll need an Android phone running Android 6.0 and above or an iPhone running iOS 11.0 and above.
If you’re an Android user and unable to update or get the new version, head to DJI.com and install it from there.
Conclusion
You can fly your drone using a drone controller but using it in conjunction with a drone app opens up a new exciting world to drone flight.
The DJI App is free to download and compatible with DJI Mavic Mini, Mavic Air 2, DJI Mini 2, DJI FPV, DJI Air 2S, DJI Mini SE.
It requires an Android device running Android 6.0 and above or an iPhone running iOS 11.0 and above.]
If you’re not able to download the DJI Fly App or if you want to unlock additional features and functions not offered on the Fly App, choose any one of the alternatives from our list.
Get out there, take to the skies, have fun and practice safety at all times when operating your drone.