How to Connect DJI Air 2S (Step-by-Step Guide)

At the writing of this article, the DJI Air 2S has been out for a little over a year now and is still going strong.

Hobbyists, content creators, and professional photographers all seem to gravitate towards the Air 2S due to its ease of use, versatility, and professional set of photo and video features, including 5k video, a 1″ Sony image sensor, and how nimble it is in the air.

Because of its popularity, Air 2S sales are still going strong. In light of this, many first-time drone buyers are looking for information on how to get started with setting the Air 2S up after purchase.

To connect the Air 2S to the remote control for flight, you will need to have the DJI Fly app downloaded and installed. Then you will need to pair the Air 2S to the Remote Controller, and have the latest Firmware for the Air 2S installed.

How to connect the Air 2S with the DJI Fly App #

The DJI Fly app is DJI’s latest flight software used to control the flight and camera functions of its newer line of drones, including the Mavic Mini, Mini 2, Mini SE, Air 2, and Mavic 3, in addition to the Air 2S.

1. Download the DJI Fly App #

If using an iOS device, simply go to the iOS AppStore and download and install the DJI Fly app.

If using Android, you will need to go to the official DJI downloads page. You can do this from your computer by going to the DJI Fly app.

Then scan the on-screen QR code with your smartphone or electronic device.

Alternatively, you can go to the same address from your smartphone or electronic device and select Download Android APK (see below).

2. Pair the Remote Control and Air 2S (using the DJI Fly app) #

When you first open the box and prepare the Air 2S for flight, you have to connect the Air 2S to the Fly App and pair the drone with the remote control (RC).

You can do so using the following steps:

1. Physically connect your smart device (smartphone or tablet) to the RC. We’ll be turning the RC on soon.

2. After inserting a fully charged battery into the Air 2S, power up the Air 2S by pressing the power button on the drone once (located on the drone battery), then pressing again while holding it for approximately 2 seconds. The lights on the battery will turn on and stay lit.

3. Now, turn on the RC, like the drone itself, by pressing the power button, then pressing again while holding it for approximately 2 seconds.You will hear an audible beep once it is on.

4. On your smartphone or tablet, navigate to, then open the DJI Fly app.
5. After launching the app, select Connection Guide at the bottom right.

Note: On some models of smartphones or tablets, the Fly app might ask to “auto-launch” when the RC is turned on. This commonly occurs when I use android devices to fly my Air 2S.

6. On the Select Aircraft Model screen, select the DJI AIR 2S.

7. After this, press Camera View on the top right.

8. In the Camera View, locate and press the Settings (ellipses top right corner).

9. On the Settings screen, go to the Control tab and scroll all the way down until you get to the Connect to Aircraft option. Press Connect to Aircraft.

10. The RC will begin to beep and you will then be prompted to Press the linking button on the aircraft to link the remote control.

11. For the Air 2S there is no dedicated linking button, like the one found on the bottom of the Mini 2. Simply press and hold the power button on the Air 2S for approximately 4 seconds.

3. Pairing the Remote Control and Air 2S (using RC Button Linking) #

An alternative way to pair the RC and Air 2S within the DJI Fly app settings menu is by using a combination of buttons on the Remote Controller itself.

Follow steps 1-5 as mentioned above.

Then, instead of going into the Settings menu, do the following:

• Simultaneously press the Customizable Button (labeled Fn)
• The Shutter/Record Button (shape of a camera)
• And the Photo/Video Toggle Button (on the top of the RC).
• This will put the Remote Controller into pairing mode.

After this step has been completed, you may now continue with steps 8 and 9.

4. Connect to the DJI Fly App (after the initial pairing) #

Now that the initial pairing has been set up, you will be able to use your Air 2S without having to pair the drone to the RC again, unless you decide to purchase a DJI Smart Controller or DJI RC Pro, in which case you will have to link the new controlling device to your Air 2S.

Anytime after the initial pairing, you would like to fly your Air 2S (or any drone for that matter), you will need to connect to the drone’s flight app, in this case, the DJI Fly app.

To connect to the DJI Fly app for flight, when on location, simply do the following;

1. Physically connect your smart device (smartphone or tablet) to the RC and turn it on.
2. Press the power button on the drone once, then press again while holding it for approximately 2 seconds. You’ll hear the Air 2S fan spin up, the propellers will twitch, and the LED lights will turn on.
3. Turn on the RC by pressing the power button once, then pressing again while holding it for approximately 2 seconds. You will hear an audible beep once it is on.
4. Go into the DJI Fly app. It will initially bring you to the main screen, after which, it will automatically take you into the Image Transmission Screen, given there is no Firmware update available.

How to update DJI Fly and the Air 2S, Remote Controller, and Battery Firmware #

Something one might not think of as being important when flying the Air 2S is the periodic Firmware updates or even updates to the DJI Fly app itself.

Firmware updates are important, as they address some of the issues consumers and flight testers might have observed as well as introduce new or needed feature sets that make the drone more functional.

Firmware updates oftentimes improve the drone’s connectivity.

As with the case of the Mavic 3, Firmware updates improved the speed in which it took the Mavic 3 to lock on to satellites, an issue that frustrated many and even had a few notable drone operators wanting to sell their Mavic 3’s.

DJI Fly App #

Whether you are using the iOS version or the Android version, it is best to keep the DJI Fly app updated, for the reasons mentioned above.

You can easily find updates for your iOS device by going into your iOS AppStore and looking at your list of Available Updates. If there is one available, you’ll be able to update it.

For Android Devices, you will be prompted to update the app when you open DJI Fly, if there is an update available. Nice and easy.

Air 2S/Remote Controller #

If there is a new firmware update available, once you go into the DJI Fly app, while connected to the aircraft and RC, you will see a prompt on the main screen that says a new firmware version is available.

Simply tap the prompt to enter the Update Screen and tap Start Update.

Note: It is important that during the update you do not power off either the RC or the Air 2S or exit the app. During the process, the drone may beep, LED lights flash, and the Air 2S & RC reboot themselves. This is normal and part of the update process.

Battery/Batteries #

As important as keeping the RC and drone firmware up to date, so is the same with the batteries.

If there is a battery update included in the current firmware update, when you update the Air 2S with your current battery installed, it will automatically update.

If there is indeed a battery update included in the current firmware update, to update your additional batteries (should you have any), simply put the next battery in the drone, turn it on, and connect to the DJI Fly app.

It will again prompt you to run the update.

You will need to repeat this process for as many batteries as you have for your drone.

Conclusion #

As can be seen, there are a few reasons and ways to connect the Air 2S. As a rule of thumb, always follow the pairing instructions provided by your drone manufacturer when activating a new drone.

After the initial pairing has been accomplished, you will be able to automatically connect the Air 2S with the RC and DJI Fly app.

If for some reason you decide to purchase a DJI Smart Controller or DJI RC Pro, you will need to pair or link it with your Air 2S.

As a reminder and final note, it is important to keep the firmware for the Air 2S up to date, as this may solve issues you may be currently having with the drone and ensure you are able to seamlessly connect.