How Do I Connect DJI Mini 3 to Computer?

The DJI Mini 3 is a fantastic little drone. You’ve spent a lot of time accumulating footage on the Mini 3, and now it’s time to dump it onto your computer.

This guide will tell you exactly what to do, so make sure you don’t miss it!

Connecting the Mini 3 to a computer #

The method is very straightforward. Using the supplied USB-C cable that came with the DJI Mini 3 or lightning cable if a MAC user, follow these steps:

1. Plug the USB cable into the computer or device
2. Plug the USB cable into the DJI Mini 3.
3. Power on the DJI Mini 3 while plugged into the device. As a safety precaution, remove the blades from the aircraft.

After the Mini 3 has powered on, what happens next depends on your iOS. For Windows users, the drone will install a driver which will make the Mini 3 appear as an external drive.

For Mac users, it will appear as an external drive. Open File Explorer or Finder and treat the card as a USB device. That’s it!

Other connection methods #

Now, depending on the card you’re using and the device, the transfer speeds may vary.

The direct cable connection is the second quickest way of accessing your saved data, with the fastest method still being that of removing the SD card and using a card reader.

Not all card readers are the same, and when looking for one, focus on its transfer speeds.

Here are the steps to follow for SD Card readers.

Using a card reader #

1. Remove the SD card from the DJI Mini 3.
2. Plug the card reader into the device if you haven’t already done so.
3. Insert the SD card into the card reader.
4. The Card Reader will recognize the card and make it available as an external drive on your device.

Quick Transfer #

Quick Transfer is a means of transferring your saved data by a Wi-Fi connection. Here are the steps.

1. Power on your DJI Mini 3 and wait until the power-up sequence is complete.
2. Launch the DJI Fly app. Wait for a promo to appear saying Switch to QuickTransfer Mode. Tap on Switch.
3. Wait for the connection to complete. During this process, a prompt will pop up to ask you to join the DJI Mini 3’s network. Click Tap on Join.
4. After connecting successfully, you can now access all the files stored on the SD Card.
5. By tapping the View Album button, you can choose the videos or photos you want to download. Once making the selections, simply tap on the download icon in the bottom right-hand corner, and you will be prompted to choose where you want to save your photos or videos to.

Quick Transfer is a convenient method to use if you’re concerned about needless wear and tear or if you’re in the field and need to view or share data quickly.

As it does rely on a solid Wi-Fi connection, the download and upload speeds will vary.

Transferring Out! #

As to which transfer method you decide to use, that’s up to you. Each method described above has its merits and its drawbacks.

If you’re worried about the SD card slot and repeated removal and insertion, using a card reader may not be your best option.

If you stress about repeatedly plugging a cable into the USB slot (as they do tend to wear out over time), the direct cable connection method isn’t for you either.

The Quick Transfer method can provide good speedy transfers if your connection is strong. If not, this method isn’t your best for getting it done quickly.

No matter how you decide to transfer your data, you have to get some first. So, get on out there and fly!

Fly Safe, Fly Always, Always Fly Safe!