DJI Fly App for Android (Read This Before Downloading)

Despite the uproar surrounding the debut of the major drone manufacturer’s new flight app, DJI Fly is here to stay, with the company continuing to incorporate its newest releases on this software.

In many aspects, the DJI Fly app is an improvement over the previous DJI Go app. If you have a relatively new Android device, you should have no trouble using this software, as it was designed to function on as many phones and tablets as possible.

You may use DJI Fly to update the firmware on your drone, access the FlySafe database, calibrate the compass and IMU, and, of course, fly your drone. It also comes with a large number of intelligent flight options to round out an excellent package.

Let us dig into it!

What Drones Use the DJI Fly App? #

As DJI switches from the old (but gold) DJI Go to the new DJI Fly, the Chinese giant’s latest releases use the latter for flying operations. Since DJI Fly is still relatively new, there aren’t many drones that use it, however, the list is growing with each launch.

These are the drones that use DJI Fly:

• DJI Mini 2
• DJI Mavic Mini
• DJI Mini SE
• DJI Mavic 3
• DJI Air 2S
• DJI Mavic Air 2
• DJI FPV

If rumors turn out to be true, soon this list will grow with the release of the new DJI Mini 3 in all its versions.

DJI Fly Device Compatibility #

The Internet is full of users asking if their devices are compatible with the DJI Fly app. Those phones and tablets running an iOS-based system should have a clear idea of whether their device will work with DJI Fly or not if they can see it in the Apple store.

On the other hand, because Android devices come in such a wide range of hardware combinations, it’s difficult to say which ones will function and which won’t.

Since users must download the fly app from the official DJI website, there is no warning that tells pilots if their devices are compatible or not.

We at Droneblog understand that this is puzzling, so we are here to clear up any doubts you may have.

Check out this list of officially supported Android devices:

Samsung Galaxy S21
Samsung Galaxy S20
Samsung Galaxy S10+

Samsung Galaxy S10
Samsung Galaxy Note20
Samsung Galaxy Note10+

Samsung Galaxy Note9
HUAWEI Mate40 Pro
HUAWEI Mate30 Pro

HUAWEI P40 Pro
HUAWEI P30 Pro
Honor 50 Pro

Mi 11
Mi10
Mi Mix4

Redmi Note 10
OPPO Reno 4
Vivo Nex 3

OnePlus 9 Pro
OnePlus 9
Pixel 6

Pixel 4 Pixel 3 XL
 
 

Is your device missing from the list? Don’t worry, DJI only includes the most recent Android phones. The first important factor to consider is the system specifications of your device.

Despite the lack of official information, research tells us that DJI Fly requires at least 3 GB of RAM to function effectively, however, I would recommend a phone or tablet with at least 4 GB of RAM.

Your device must run on a 64-bit operating system and have an octa-core processor. DJI Fly will not operate on 32-bit systems.

You may be able to run it on a less powerful CPU, although this is not advised because the last thing you want when flying is a sluggish system response.

The following is a list of Android devices that are known to work with DJI Fly, despite not being officially supported:

• Samsung

Galaxy S21
Galaxy S20
Galaxy S10
Galaxy S10+

Galaxy Fold
Galaxy A20
Galaxy A71
Galaxy A20e

Galaxy A20s
Galaxy S9+
Galaxy S9
Galaxy S8+

Galaxy S8
Galaxy S7
Galaxy S7 Edge
Galaxy S6

Galaxy Note 10
Galaxy Note 9
Samsung Note 8
Samsung Note 5

Samsung A8
Samsung A70
Samsung A50
A51 (SM-A515F)

Galaxy A21S
Galaxy Tab S4
Galaxy Tab S6
Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Galaxy Tab S5e
Galaxy Tab S7
Galaxy Tab S8
 

• Huawei chart

Huawei Mate 30 Pro
Huawei Mate 30
Huawei Mate 20 Pro
Huawei P30 Pro

Huawei P30
Huawei P30 Lite
Huawei P20 Pro
Huawei P20

Huawei P10 Plus
Huawei P10
Huawei Mate 10 Pro
Huawei Mate 10

Huawei nova 5
Huawei nova 4
Huawei nova 3e
Huawei nova 2

Honor 9
Honor 9x
Honor 10
Huawei Honor 8X

Huawei Honor V10
Huawei Honor 20 Pro
Huawei Honor Magic 2
Honor 20 lite

Honor View 20
Huawei P10 lite
Huawei Mediapad M3
Mediapad T5 (2019)

Mediapad M5 Tablet 8.4″
Huawei P Smart 2018 (model: FIG-LX1)

• Motorola

Motorola X4 (XT1900-1)
Motorola G7
Motorola G6
Moto G Power

Moto G9 Play
Moto G7 Optimo Maxx
Motorola Moto G7 Power (model XT1955-2)

• Xiaomi

Mi 10
Mi 8
Mi MIX 2S
Mi MIX 2

Xiaomi Mi Max 3
Redmi Note 5
Redmi note 4
Redmi 5 Plus 4GB/64GB

Redmi 9
Pocophone F1
Xiaomi Elephone S7
Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite

• Google

Pixel 6
Pixel 6 Pro
Pixel 5
Pixel 5 Pro

Pixel 4XL
Pixel 4
Pixel 4a
Pixel 3 XL

Pixel 2 XL
Pixel 2
Pixel XL
Pixel

• LG

LG G6
LG V-20
LG G7
LG G7 ThinQ

LG G8
LG V30
LG V40 ThinQ
LG V40 Slim Q

LG V50
LG Nexus 5X
LG Stylo 5
LG V60

• OPPO

Find X2 Pro
Find 2
Find X

R15
F9 Pro
ax5

• OnePlus

Oneplus 8 Pro
Oneplus 8
OnePlus 7

OnePlus 6T
OnePlus 6 (model A6003)
OnePlus 5

• Vivo

Vivo NEX
Vivo X27
Vivo X21

Vivo X20A
Vivo V11 Pro
Vivo Y83

• Sony

Sony Xperia 1
Sony Experia
Sony XPERIA XZ1

Sony Z5 compact (64bit)
Sony Xperia Z2 Compact
Sony Xperia Z4

• Others

BQ Aquaris X2
Lenovo K5 Note
Lenovo Tab 4 Plus

Blackberry key 2
HTC U 11 Plus
Asus Zenfone Max M1

Xiaomi Mi pad 3
Nokia 6.1 Plus
Nokia 5.1 Plus (3 GB RAM)

Incompatible devices #

As you just saw, there is an extensive list of Android devices compatible with DJI Fly. Unfortunately, there are also a few phones and tablets that have been reported by users as incompatible.

Therefore, if you own any of these, I am afraid that you will not be able to run DJI Fly on them.

Motorola Moto Z Play
Motorola Moto Z3 Play
Motorola Moto G5
Motorola Moto G5 Plus

Motorola Moto G6
Motorola Moto G4
Motorola G7 Play
G7 Optimal (XT1952DL)

Samsung A3
Samsung A5
Samsung A10
LG Stylo 4

LG V35
LG K40
LG V20 (not in Android 8)
LG X power 2

LG Q7
Lenovo 7
Lenovo 8
Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

Samsung J7 2016
Samsung J7 Refine
Samsung A6+ Android 9
Samsung J6

Samsung J4+
Samsung J7 Pro
Galaxy Tab S2
Samsung Tab A 8″

Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019)
Galaxy Tab S 10.5 (2014)
Galaxy Tab Active 2
Huawei Y6

Huawei Y5 2019
Huawei Ascend XT2
Amazon Fire HD 10
UMIDIGI A3 Pro

Pixel 3A
 
 
 

What to look for in a new device to operate DJI Fly #

If you find yourself in a scenario where you don’t have a compatible device to run DJI Fly, I will give you some advice on how to get one that is perfect for you! Yes, we at Droneblog are that thoughtful.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to run the app properly, but I won’t lie to you: you are not going to get the same experience with a device that barely meets the minimum system requirements as you will with one that much exceeds them.

The devices I have used #

I have been flying drones since November 2020 and during this time I have used a variety of devices, both my own and those that I had to use for work.

Here is my experience with them:

• Samsung Galaxy S8: This smartphone has provided me with a wonderful experience. It boasts an octa-core processor, 4 GB of RAM, and a brightness of 515 nits when auto-brightness is enabled. It works great with DJI Fly, however, the phone’s battery life is restricted (320 mAh), and because of this, I just switched to a newer phone.If you only need an S8 for flying, you should be alright, though keep in mind that it has a small screen in comparison to newer devices.

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S4: Although this table was released in August 2018, it still works well with the DJI Fly app.Because its components are nearly identical to those found in the Galaxy S8 (4 GB RAM, Octa-core CPU, 463 nits), the app’s performance is almost the same.There are a few variables to consider, including a substantially larger screen (which makes the device heavier), a somewhat lower nit offering, and a significantly larger battery.This is still an excellent choice if you’re searching for an inexpensive, used tablet. Mine was 200 EUR and in mint condition when I bought it!

• Nvidia Shield K1 tablet: Even though Nvidia is the market leader in consumer graphics cards for desktop PCs, their tablet falls well short of the experience we want for flying drones. To be fair, the most recent version of the Shield K1 was introduced in 2015, making it the oldest device I have used for this purpose. It boasts 2 GB of RAM, a quad-core processor, and a brightness of 477 nits.This tablet does not meet the minimum system requirements to provide an acceptable experience, according to user feedback, resulting in disconnections and other issues.The worst of them is probably having to cope with uncontrollable stuttering. Although it has served me well in the past, I would not recommend it, as it is too old.

• Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: This is the smartphone I’m using right now. It boasts 6 GB of RAM, an Octa-core processor, and a brightness of 800 nits. A 120 Hz screen is included, which makes things easier on the eyes. The greatest differences from my previous Galaxy S8 are the increased screen brightness, the rise in RAM, and, most importantly, the greater battery life.When you are out in the field, having a lengthy battery life is critical, and as I previously stated, this was a problem with my prior phone. DJI Fly works wonderfully on this smartphone and I am certain it will continue to do so for many years to come.

Recommendations #

To be honest, specifications, size, screen, and other characteristics must be taken into account when purchasing a phone or tablet.

However, the price is usually the most important factor for most of us. As a result, there are some things to consider when purchasing a device to use with DJI Fly.

• Budget options

If you are on a limited budget, you will have to scour the market for the best deals. My advice is to seek a device that meets the minimum system requirements for DJI Fly to work effectively.

These are a 64-bit operating system, 4 GB of RAM, and an Octa-core CPU. 

In second-hand markets, such as eBay, you can buy a Galaxy S8 for around $80 (probably even less). The battery is not great, but if you use it just for flying, it will do the job just fine.

• Mid-range options

This has always been my preferred piece of the pie. Phones and tablets in this price range offer great value, and you won’t have to sell a kidney to get them.

My new phone, the Galaxy A52s 5G is my recommended device in this category after spending hours of research.

It not only offers great performance in the DJI Fly app, but will also serve you well in other important aspects of drone operation, such as taking nice pictures, a smooth flow switching between many apps, or having great connectivity.

• Crème de la crème (top)

The DJI Fly app will undoubtedly function smoothly on the top phones of every well-known brand. Smartphones with the specifications to run DJI Fly without breaking a sweat include the Samsung Galaxy S22 and the Google Pixel 6 Pro.

However, keep in mind that newer releases have a reputation for causing customers difficulties due to software incompatibilities.

Before spending any money, make sure to check out some internet reviews of people who have successfully used that device with the app.

Determining factors #

If you are not familiar with computer parts and how they impact the operation of your smartphone when using the DJI Fly app, this section will help you understand them.

By the way, your smartphone or tablet are, without a doubt, computers!

• Why a 64-bit Operating System only?

Without entering the technically complex world of computers, a 64-bit operating system can handle any amount of RAM greater than 4 GB, while 32-bit operating systems are limited to that number.

This means that if a device has 6 GB of RAM, but a 32-bit operating system, it will only be able to use 4 GB of RAM. Recall that DJI Fly only works with 64-bit operating systems.

• RAM

Due to the lack of official information from DJI, it is assumed that a minimum of 1 GB of RAM is required to operate DJI Fly. However, as you can see, your devices need to have at least 4 GB of RAM to properly use DJI Fly.

My Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G, for example, has 6 GB of RAM. When I open the app on my phone, it shows that I only have 1.4 GB of accessible memory left. 1.4 GB of a total of 6 GB!

In my case, DJI Fly will function without any RAM difficulties, but can you imagine what would happen if you tried to run the software on a smartphone with only 3 GB of RAM?

• CPU

The CPU of your device is its beating heart. Octa-core CPUs, as the name suggests, are made up of eight cores with varying speeds and power consumption.

They help the device multitask, play video games, watch high-definition films, and use complicated applications such as DJI Fly. More significantly, it performs jobs more quickly, resulting in faster load times.

• Nits

This term is commonly used in phone and tablet specs, and it should be because it refers to brightness measurement. One candela (one candlepower) per square meter = one nit.

To put things in perspective, the Sun at noon is believed to be 1.6 billion nits bright, but we will not need that much brightness, right?

In simple terms, the more nits your device has, the brighter the screen will be.

How to install DJI Fly on Android #

Now that you are almost an expert on the requirements of the DJI Fly system and what devices run it best, and why, it is time to get the application on your chosen phone or tablet.

Follow the steps below:

1. Follow this link to download the latest version of the DJI Fly app.

2. Tap on ‘Download Android APK’. If a warning that says ‘file might be harmful’ pops up, tap on ‘Download anyway’.

3. When the app is downloaded, tap on Open to begin the installation.If an ‘Open With’ notification pops up, choose Package Installer, then ‘Just Once’.

4. If the browser you are using shows you a warning telling you that you cannot install apps from unknown sources, tap on Settings and allow it to Install Unknown Apps.In my case, I use Google Chrome, so I activated that button.

5. Open the DJI Fly app by tapping on it in the Apps menu.

How to update your drone with DJI Fly #

At this point, the DJI Fly app should be already installed on your device, but there are still a couple of things you have to do before flying. Don’t worry, with a few step-by-step guides you will be in the sky in no time.

How to update your drone’s firmware #

DJI Recommends you have the latest version of your drone’s firmware, so let’s see how to get it.

1. First, ensure that your drone battery level is at least 40% and the controller 20%.
2. Power on the aircraft and then on the remote controller.
3. Open the DJI Fly app on your device.
4. Ensure that the aircraft and the controller are successfully linked.  
5. If your phone is connected to the Internet, a notification will appear that informs you that there is a new firmware version. Tap on ‘update’.
6. Once you are on the firmware update page, tap on ‘update’ once again.
7. Wait until the app updates the drone firmware.
8. Do not turn off the app**. It is normal** if it is taking some time to update the firmware. During this process, the aircraft might automatically turn on and off.
9. When it has finished updating, the drone will turn itself off.
10. Power it back on.

How to update to DJI FlySafe newest version #

FlySafe is the system that tells your drone where it is legal to fly, and where it is not. As you can imagine, this is extremely important, though some people hate it, as you need to ask permission to fly in some places that you might already be legally permitted to do.

If you need more information about this, check out the article below.

» MORE: How to Unlock Geofencing on Your DJI Drone (Step-By-Step Guide)

This is how to update FlySafe in DJI Fly:

1. When FlySafe needs to be updated, a notification will appear to let you know.

2. Tap on ‘Update’ to start updating FlySafe.

3. Once the update has finished installing, you will get two notifications. One in the update process window.

4. The second notification will be displayed on the main menu of your chosen drone.  

How to calibrate the compass in DJI Fly #

This procedure is also straightforward and quick. It is advised that you adjust the compass every time you fly your drone in a new place.

Here is how:

1. Ensure that you have enough battery in your drone and controller. ** **
2. Open DJI Fly and connect the controller to it.
3. Power on the aircraft and then on the remote controller.
4. In the DJI Fly app, tap on GoFly to enter the camera view.

5. Tap on the ellipses (three dots) located in the top right corner to enter the settings menu.

6. While you are on the safety tab, look for the Sensors section and tap on ‘calibrate compass’.

7. Tap on Start to begin the process.

8. Rotate the aircraft 360° horizontally.

9. Rotate the aircraft 360° vertically.

10. When the process is completed, a ‘Calibration successful’ text will be displayed.

How to calibrate the IMU #

To complete our setup process, we also have to calibrate the IMU of the drone (Inertial Measurement Unit). This is an essential component of your drone, as it keeps it stabilized and leveled in the sky.

To calibrate the IMU, follow these steps:

1. While in the camera view, tap on the three dots on the top right corner of the screen to enter the settings menu.
2. On the safety tab, tap on ‘Calibrate’ next to ‘IMU normal’.

3. On the main IMU calibration screen, tap on ‘Start’.

4. From now on, you will have to place the aircraft on all of its faces to calibrate the IMU. First, on the left side.

5. On its back.

6. On its left side.

7. Facing up.

8. When the drone has been placed on all of its surfaces, the aircraft will restart automatically.

9. When the process has ended, you will see a notification.

Have you enjoyed this article? If you need some extra information about this, click/tap on the link below; you will learn how to stream directly from the DJI Fly to YouTube or any other social media website, as well as learn some interesting tips and tricks about this great app.

» MORE: DJI Fly App for Mini 2 (Read This Before Downloading)

And if you are still hungry for more, don’t forget to continue browsing Droneblog. Until next time!