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

Every holiday season a pattern repeats: the DJI Mini 2 is at the top of the most sold drones chart. Having an amazing 4K camera, great wind resistance, strong connectivity, and weighing less than 0.55 lbs (250 g), the Chinese company sells this aircraft as if they were doughnuts. 

**The Mini 2 uses the latest DJI Fly app, a software designed to be simple and ultra-intuitive. It is also compatible with the Mavic Mini, Mavic Air 2, DJI FPV, Air 2S, Mini SE, and the brand-new Mavic 3. This app has a very short learning curve and covers all the pilot’s needs, including intelligent flight modes, settings to manually use the camera, tools to edit footage, stitching panorama photos, and even sharing your creations with the online community. **

Many professionals have also confessed to always carrying a DJI Mini 2 for their work, just because it is portable and very effective at what it does. However, is the application to control it an improvement over the former standard app? ****Why change if it is not? Let us resolve these questions and many more.

What app does the Mini 2 use? Where can I download it? #

The DJI Mini 2 uses the latest version of DJI Fly. This software seems to be replacing the DJI Go and DJI Go 4 apps, which still remain the chosen tools to control drones such as the Spark, Mavic series, Phantom 4, Phantom 3, Inspire series, etc. 

The DJI Fly app is available on the DJI official website or the Apple store (tap on the names to download):

• DJI Fly app for Android
• DJI Fly app for iOS

Note: DJI Fly app is no longer available for download in the Google Play store. 

DJI Fly app device compatibility #

Drones are revolutionizing the world due to their many applications, from solar panels inspection to precision agriculture or audiovisual works. Technology, if used properly, makes our lives much easier. However, sometimes it can also cause headaches. 

Buying a drone and finding out that you cannot fly it because your device is not compatible with its app is more common than you might think. In fact, I know a few people who have not yet purchased drones because that would mean buying a new phone or tablet, greatly increasing the price of the investment. 

The DJI Fly app is **compatible with Android devices running version 6.0 or superior, and Apple devices with iOS 11.0 or newer. **

As a rule of thumb, the mid-range or higher tier devices that are less than 2 years old, or that have been released more recently, should work fine with the DJI Fly app. Of course, this does not mean that older devices will not work, but there are many phone/tablet manufacturers, and they all come with different technical specifications, so setting a list of standard minimum requirements is complicated. Instead, DJI has listed on their website the devices that they recommend using with the DJI Fly app.

Here is a list of the officially supported Android devices:

Samsung Galaxy S21
Samsung Galaxy S20
Samsung Galaxy S10+
Samsung Galaxy S10

Samsung Galaxy S10
S. Galaxy Note20
S. Galaxy Note10+
Samsung Galaxy Note9

HUAWEI Mate40 Pro
HUAWEI Mate30 Pro
HUAWEI P40 Pro
HUAWEI P30 Pro

HUAWEI P30
Honor 50 Pro
Mi 11
Mi 10

Mi MIX 4
Redmi Note 10
OPPO Find X3
OPPO Reno 4

vivo NEX 3
OnePlus 9 Pro
OnePlus 9
Pixel 6

Pixel 4
Pixel 3 XL
–
–

These are the officially supported Apple devices:

iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 mini

iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini

iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11
iPhone XS Max

iPhone XS
iPhone XR
iPhone X
iPhone 8 Plus

iPhone 8
iPad Pro（9.7-inch）
iPad air2（9.7-inch）
iPad mini4（8-inch）

iPad Pro (10.5-inch)
iPad Pro 2018 (11-inch)
iPad Pro (12.9-inch）
–

As you can see, there are many options supported officially, but there are even more devices that you can use that did not make it on this list. For example, I own a Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone and I run the DJI Fly app flawlessly. I have been using it for over a year, having experienced zero issues. 

The Galaxy S8 was a high-end smartphone when it came out in 2017, but it is five years old, so it has already acquired the ‘antique’ status in the technology world. Nonetheless, I can even record the screen and have multiple apps in the background while using the DJI Fly app. 

Smartphones that are newer than mine, such as the Galaxy S9, are not listed either, but it is obvious that if my old Galaxy S8 can run the DJI Fly app without problems, so can more recent phones and tablets. 

That said, while my phone came with 4 GB of RAM memory, which was quite a lot back in the day, most mid-range smartphones are being released at the moment with 6 GB. 

However, you need to understand one thing; technology moves as fast as the industry can because it is one of the biggest businesses in the world, so every year there is a new generation of CPUs and GPUs, with improved camera sensors, RAM memory, etc. However, that doesn’t mean that we need the new generation of smartphones and tablets to comfortably run the DJI Fly app. 

How do I know if my device is compatible? #

As the world of technology changes so fast, it can be difficult to keep up with the requirements to be able to fly your drones without encountering stuttering issues in the Fly app. 

To avoid any surprises, if you are running an iOS-based device, the first thing you should do is check the Apple Store section for the DJI Fly app to see if you can install it. If your phone can’t update to iOS 11, click/tap on this link **to download the version of DJI Fly app for iOS 10. **

If your device runs on Android, you need to be running version 6.0 or higher of the operating system.

Keep in mind that not all devices are compatible, mainly those that have outdated hardware. Below are just a few examples of devices that are not compatible: 

• Motorola: Moto Z Play, Moto G6, Moto G4, Moto G5 plus, Moto G6, Moto G7 Play, Moto G7 Optimo.
• Samsung: A3, A5, A10, J7, J7 Refine, A6+, J4+, J6, Galaxy Tab S2, Tab A 8”, Tab A 10.1”, etc.
• LG: Stylo 4, V35, K40, V20.
• Lenovo: 7 and 8
• Sony: Xperia Z5 Compact
• Huawei: Y5, Y6, Ascend XT2
• Google: Pixel 3A

For a full list of compatible devices by user rating, see this website.

DJI Fly App System Requirements #

There seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding the actual system requirements for the DJI Fly app. On DJI’s official website, they don’t state how much RAM memory we need, nor how many cores the CPU of our device must have to properly run the app.

According to this thread in the DJI forum, the device needs to have a 64-bit operating system, otherwise, the app will not function. Many users have reported that tablets with 3 GB of RAM can run it, but if you are considering purchasing a device specifically for using the DJI Fly, I would recommend you get one with at least 4 GB. 

As new versions of the app come out, together with new drones and devices, the requirements are subject to change, so always have a look at the download center (link) for an updated list of device and system compatibility.

DJI Fly App Features #

Whether you think the DJI Fly app is a better option than the DJI Go, or you are a nostalgic who prefers the latter, there is no denying that it is the perfect partner in crime for the DJI Mini 2. 

It doesn’t matter if the Mini 2 is your first drone, thanks to the clear tutorials that guide you through the process of updating your aircraft and flying it for the first time, you will be stress free in your first steps to becoming the greatest drone pilot of all time!  

Even though there is quite a long way until you can reach that achievement, fear not, as we are going to tell you about the amazing features that make the DJI Fly app a great tool for controlling your drone, editing footage, and even sharing it online with your friends.

Here is a list of the main features of DJI Fly:

• Academy: In this section you will find tutorials to fly your drone. 
• Album: In here, you can have a look at the video footage and pictures you have taken. Additionally, you can use templates to create content that stands out. 
• Connection Guide: In this section, the app guides you through the process of connecting your drone with easy-to-follow on-screen instructions.
• Fly Spots: If you are not sure about where you can legally fly your drone, in the Fly Spots area there is a map that tells you that information. However, make sure to check the specific laws of that region. 
• Profile: Your profile is one of the main features of the app and will serve as your proof of flight time. Shows how many hours and flights you have completed, together with the distance traveled by your aircraft. You can also check the flight telemetry by tapping on each flight session, which is very useful in certain situations. 
• Device Management: Check all information related to your aircraft and controller, as well as if your replacement service is active or not.
• DJI Forums: One of the best places to go when in doubt (after Droneblog, of course).
• DJI Store: Buy the official products you need. 
• Find my Drone: Shows the last known location of your aircraft and can beep to find it (if lost). 
• Settings: Sync data, clear cache, notifications and privacy… All that stuff!
• SkyPixel: DJI’s online social media platform for sharing your best drone content. 

How to fly your Mini 2 using the DJI Fly App (Step-by-Step Guides) #

Now that you have downloaded the DJI Fly app, that you know if your device is compatible, and that we have seen what the main app features are, it is time to get the bird flying. 

First of all, you need to make sure that your drone’s firmware and controller version match to avoid any in-flight issues. Let’s have a look at that. 

Updating the firmware using the DJI Fly app #

Updating the aircraft firmware can be imperative in some cases, like when there is a serious connectivity problem caused by the latest version of the app (it happens sometimes). Below is a step-by-step guide that you can follow to safely update your firmware:

1. Make sure that the drone battery level is at least at 40%, and the controller at 20%.
2. Power on the aircraft and the remote controller. 
3. Turn on the DJI Fly app.
4. Ensure successful linking between the remote and the controller. 
5. When the device is connected to the internet, DJI Fly app will show you a notification to tell you that there is an update available. Tap on ‘update’.
6. On the firmware update page, tap again on ‘update’.
7. Wait patiently while the DJI Fly app updates the firmware of the aircraft.
8. Do not turn off or exit the app.
9. The drone might turn on and off by itself during this process. 
10. After updating, the aircraft will automatically turn off.
11. Power it back on.

How to calibrate the Mini 2 compass in DJI Fly  #

It is recommended to recalibrate the drone compass every time you fly it in a different location to avoid any problems. To do so:

1. Connect the controller to your device.
2. Power on the controller and then the drone.
3. While in the main menu of the DJI Fly app, select your drone and tap on ‘GO FLY’.
4. Tap on the three dots ⋮ on the top corner of the screen.
5. In the safety tab, in the sensors section, tap on ‘calibrate’ compass.
6. Tap on the start button to initiate the calibration process and follow the indications.

How to calibrate the Mini 2 IMU in DJI Fly  #

If you haven’t calibrated the IMU yet, now is the time.

1. Connect the controller to your device.
2. Power on the controller and then the drone.
3. While in the main menu of the DJI Fly app, select your drone and tap on ‘GO FLY’.
4. Tap on the three dots ⋮ on the top corner of the screen.
5. In the safety tab, in the sensors section, tap on calibrate where it says ‘IMU’.
6. Tap on start to initiate the IMU Calibration and follow the instructions. 

Calibrating your drone is easy and should not take you more than 5 minutes. Many novice pilots make the mistake of not doing it, which could lead to accidents. 

Your first flight with DJI Fly app #

Now that your aircraft and controller are ready to fly, let’s go fly! 

1. Set the remote to normal mode.
2. Check the propellers for any faults or defects.
3. Remove the gimbal cover.
4. Insert the Micro SD Card.
5. Put the aircraft on the ground with the rear facing you.
6. Launch the DJI Fly app.
7. Tap on Go Fly. 
8. Select Return-to-Home (RTH) settings.
9. Tap the combo icon or use the stick to take off.
10. Once hovering, the on-screen take-off button becomes the landing one.
11. Press and hold it to land automatically, or use the stick.

How do I transfer files to my DJI Mini 2? #

With the DJI Fly app and your Mini 2, you can use QuickTransfer to transfer files from your drone to your phone without using cables or the remote controller. Here is how to do it:

1. Power on the aircraft. 
2. Press and hold the quick transfer button for two seconds (located underneath the SD card compartment. 
3. Enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your device.
4. A prompt will automatically appear to connect the aircraft. 
5. Tap connect.
6. Tap the QuickTransfer Mode icon on your mobile device (top-right in Album) to initiate file transfer. 

6 Advanced DJI Fly Tips #

Becoming an expert with your drone is not an easy task, but we are here to help you achieve that goal as soon as possible. In this section, we are going to give you advanced tips that will make DJI Fly one of the best tools at your disposal. 

1. Stick sensitivity  #

When the DJI Fly app was first released, it was missing an important feature; the stick customization. Now, thanks to a recent update, we can personalize the throttle, rudder, and back and forward movements of our aircraft. In the Control tab of the settings, tap Advanced in the Button Customization section.

2. Move the gimbal with your finger #

You can move the gimbal of the Mini 2 by putting your finger on the screen, long pressing it, then sliding it through it. When doing this, the gimbal will mimic the movements of your finger. 

3. Mini-map and Compass  #

The on-screen mini-map is a useful tool that should not be overlooked. If we tap on it, it will maximize, allowing us to see the path that the aircraft traversed. If you do not need the minimap, you can tap on an icon located in the bottom right corner of the minimap, and it will change it to a compass. 

4. Icon Information #

The DJI Fly app has more visual options than we can see at first glance. Tapping on the icons on the top right of the screen gives us additional information. For example, if you tap on the battery percentage, it will tell you how much time remains until the aircraft returns to home automatically, until forced landing, or until the battery is fully depleted.

You can find additional information by tapping on the RC and satellite icons.

5. Manual and Automatic at the same time? #

If you want to take a quick picture or record a quick video, using the camera in auto mode should do the job. However, controlling the settings in manual mode will give you better results, once you have mastered the art of manual photography, of course.

To enter manual mode, tap on the icon located in the bottom-right corner of the screen that has the word ‘auto’ inside a camera. The icon will change to ‘pro’. In this mode, you can manually control ISO, shutter, white balance, resolution/frames per second (FPS), and check the SD available storage.

If you are in doubt of any feature, like the ISO, you can leave that one on auto, while setting others to manual. 

6. Zoom in and out with the wheel #

One of the most requested features in the new DJI RC controller is the ability to zoom in and out on a wheel. I would love to have a second wheel for the right hand, but we can actually zoom in on the left side of the remote. 

However, not many people know that this can only be achieved using the function button (displayed as Fn. in the controller). Therefore, if you want to zoom in/out with the wheel, you need to be pressing the function button. Have you tried it already? It is smooth! 

10 Step-by-Step customization guides #

If after reading the previous section you feel like you are still hungry for more advanced information, Droneblog has you covered. In the following 10 step-by-step guides, you will learn even more about the DJI Fly app. 

1. Advanced Gimbal Settings #

A great feature of the DJI Fly app is that we can change the gimbal setting on each of the three available flight modes; cine, normal, and sport.

Tweaking this setting will allow you to get the results you are looking for more easily. To customize the gimbal behavior, follow these steps:

1. Go to the settings menu (three dots top/right corner ⋮ )
2. Tap on the Control tab.
3. Tap on Advanced Gimbal Settings.
4. Customize the pitch speed, pitch smoothness, yaw rotation, and yaw smoothness as you please. 

2. Allow gimbal upward movement #

By default, for some reason, the DJI Mini 2 gimbal is limited to perform only a downward motion. However, we can also execute an upward motion if enabled in the DJI Fly app. 

Here are the steps:

1. Go to the settings menu (three dots top/right corner ⋮ )
2. Tap on the Control tab.
3. Enable ‘Allow Upward Gimbal Rotation’ by tapping on it.

When you activate this option, the gimbal will increase to a maximum of 20°. 

3. The Function button #

The DJI Fly app is full of hidden gems that can make our lives easier. One of them is the option to customize the function button (located next to the left stick on the remote controller).

By default, we’ve seen that we can use it to zoom in and out, but also to change the position of the gimbal. Pressing it once, the gimbal will be set at -90°, while if we press it again, it will return to 0°.Furthermore, there is a fourth option, which is enabled when we tap it twice quickly. 

Let’s go over how to customize it:

1. Go to the settings menu (three dots top/right corner ⋮ )
2. Tap on the Control Tab.
3. In the section Button Customization:
   • Change the function for tapping the button.
   • Change the function for double-tapping the button. 
   • Options: Recenter gimbal, Follow / FPP, Camera settings, AE lock / unlock, Decrease EV, Increase EV.

4. Change gimbal mode #

By default, the gimbal mode is the standard for stabilized drones. In this setting, the gimbal will keep the image in line with the horizon, in other words, stabilized.

However, we can also use the gimbal in FPV mode, which will cause the gimbal to follow the movement of the aircraft. 

Do this to change the gimbal mode:

1. Go to the settings menu (three dots top/right corner ⋮ )
2. In the Control tab, tap on FPV Mode, on the Gimbal section.

5. Freely update the RTH Point #

Sometimes you might need to change the home point while in flight. This might be because some kids started playing in the area where the drone took off, or whatever other reason. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Go to the settings menu (three dots top/right corner ⋮ )
2. Tap on the Safety tab (if you are not already there).
3. Tap on Update Home Point
   • Three ways to update it:
     • Long press and move your finger to change it.
     • Choose the location of the aircraft by tapping the arrow icon.
     • Choose controller location by tapping on the controller icon.

6. In-flight gimbal calibration #

On some occasions, we might be recording and suddenly notice that the horizon of the gimbal is not right. Most people would land the aircraft to calibrate it, but this would consume battery time.

 Instead, what you can do is perform an in-flight gimbal calibration. To do so, follow this quick guide:

1. Go to the settings menu (three dots top/right corner ⋮ )
2. Tap on the Control tab.
3. Tap on Gimbal calibration.
4. Under Auto, tap on Manual.
5. Using the horizon as the baseline, adjust the horizontal and yaw parameters.

7. Overexposed indicator #

When you start taking photos and videos with your drone, it can be hard to detect if you are getting them overexposed. 

To have the drone warn you about this on-screen, do this:

1. Go to the settings menu (three dots top/right corner ⋮ )
2. Tap on the Camera tab.
3. Activate the overexposure warning in the General Section.

8. Rule of Thirds #

The perfect picture is usually based on great composition. To help you with this, professional cameras include the ‘rule of thirds’, a guideline to place the subject on the left or right third of the image. 

Your DJI Mini 2 also includes these guidelines, but you have to activate it manually. Let us see how:

1. Go to the settings menu (three dots top/right corner ⋮ )
2. Tap on the Camera Tab.
3. Activate gridlines (there are three options; rule of thirds, diagonals, and a central dot), located in the General Section. 

9. Turn on the histogram #

The histogram is another useful tool to improve the quality of your images and videos. This graphical representation of the tonal values of an image should be one of your best friends, as if you overexpose an image too much, you will lose information that cannot be recovered even in postproduction. 

The same as before, this is how you get the histogram on screen:

1. Go to the settings menu (three dots top/right corner ⋮ )
2. Tap on the Camera Tab.
3. Activate Histogram in the General Section. 

10. Download/share photos in full resolution #

Many applications, like Whatsapp for instance, reduce the quality of the pictures before sending them through their servers. For quick share, this is fine, but sometimes we need to send the full-resolution image through our phones. Here is how to do it:

1. In the main menu of the DJI Fly app, tap on Album.
2. Tap on the image you want to send.
3. In the upper right corner, tap on the icon with an arrow pointing upward. 
4. Tap on ok when asked if you want to “Save to Album.”
5. Choose any of the suggested applications or tap on the three dots ⋮ for more options. 

How to stream on YouTube using the DJI Fly app (Set RTMP Address) #

It seems like the Chinese company wants the DJI Fly app to be the substitute of the DJI Go, which was previously known as the standard app for flying DJI drones. 

As strange as it may sound, DJI has been updating the DJI Fly app silently. The stick customization is an example, but more recently, they included the option to stream the video captured by the drone to any streaming platform, such as YouTube.

To stream using the DJI Fly app on YouTube, follow this guide:

Get your YouTube stream key #

1. Open your YouTube studio (link)
2. On the top right tap on the ‘Go Live’ icon (to be able to stream live, there is a 24-hour waiting period from when you request to use this feature, until you can actually use it. 
3. In the main Stream window, select the Stream Settings tab. 
4. Below, you can find your stream key. Copy it.

Insert the key in the DJI Fly app and stream #

1. Connect the aircraft to the DJI Fly app.
2. Go to the settings menu (tapping the three dots on the top-right corner of the screen ⋮ ).
3. Tap on Transmission tab.
4. Tap on RTMP.
5. Tap on the live streaming platform.
6. In RTMP Address, write “rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/pasteherestreamkey”
7. Choose resolution and bitrate.
8. Tap Start to initiate the stream. 

DJI Fly common issues #

Just like with any other software, from Windows, to iOS, or any flight app… the DJI Fly app may experience some issues from time to time. Below is a list of the most frequently encountered:

• Not locking the white balance.
• Not zooming properly.
• Not working in full screen mode.
• Weak signal.
• Complete signal loss.
• Video streaming stuttering.  
• Unexpected freezing.
• SD card formatting all of a sudden.
• App crashes.
• Unable to connect to the internet.
• App not showing menus. 
• Unresponsive buttons. 

Can the DJI Mini 2 Fly without a device? #

Contrary to what most believe**, the DJI Mini 2 can be flown without a phone.** To do you, so only need to power on the remote, then the aircraft, and soon after you can manually take-off. 

However, that doesn’t mean that because you can, you should. Flying without an electronic device, you will be missing important in-flight telemetry, and more importantly, the ability to find your drone in case of an unexpected emergency landing. 

To learn more about how to fly your Mini 2 without a device, check out our article over here »

DJI Fly app alternatives for the Mini 2 #

Very recently, DJI included the Mini 2 in the software development kit (SDK). This was the best news for Mini 2 users, as many new apps will support this drone. Some famous ones, such as Dronelink, already have included support for this aircraft, with more planned to add it to their list in the following weeks, like Drone Harmony.

At the moment, the only valid alternative to the DJI Fly app for the Mini 2 is Litchi, even though you must know that it is still in beta version 4.20. It costs $24.99, but it is worth every penny. 

These are its main features:

• FPV mode: Allow you to fly in manual mode (like with the DJI Fly app), but also using a pair of smartphone VR goggles, which you can get for as low as $10. 
• Mission hub: Create Litchi missions using this Google Chrome online app. It lets you import Google Earth’s KML files. 
• Follow Mode: Includes the Lichi Magical Leash mode, a different follow-me mode that follows a device other than the one controlling the aircraft. 
• Orbit: The same as Point of Interest (POI) in the DJI Go app.
• Virtual Reality: Enables you to use FPV VR goggles, including the control of the aircraft and gimbal moving your head. 
• Waypoints: A fan favorite. You can create custom missions based on waypoints. Control the inclination of the gimbal, the speed of the aircraft, and some other parameters. 
• Focus Mode: Maintain a subject in the frame while you can manually fly the drone. 
• Panorama: Take panorama pictures, including spheric. 
• Track: Fixes the subject in the image while the pilot controls the aircraft, or you can just let the drone fly by itself. 

As we have seen, using the DJI Fly is easy once you get your hands on it and poke around a bit. There are limited alternatives at the moment, but the future looks promising in this aspect. Most people should be fine using the DJI Fly app, but pros will greatly benefit from having other options, such as Litchi or Dronelink.

That is all for today, I hope you enjoyed reading these tips and keep enjoying Droneblog!