How to Connect DJI FPV to Phone (Step-by-Step Guide)

The importance of connecting the DJI FPV Drone to your phone is related directly to critical features without which the drone cannot function properly.

The DJI FPV Drone is not dependent on the phone to be able to fly; however, it is essential to connect to it, at least occasionally. 

Therefore, this guide will show you exactly how to connect the DJI FPV Drone to the phone with a step-by-step guide.

But if you are in a hurry, let’s have a quick answer first, shall we? 

To be able to connect the DJI FPV devices to your phone, you need to have installed the  DJI Fly app on your mobile device, and have at hand your DJI FPV Drone, DJI Remote Controller, and the DJI Goggles 2, plus you may also need an additional OTG USB-C  cable to connect your phone to the DJI Goggles 2.

As outlined in this article, you will see that connecting your DJI FPV drone to your phone is not difficult and that there are, in fact, two main apps you connect with, which will be both covered in this article.

Why do I need to connect the DJI FPV Drone to my phone?  #

The DJI Fly app on mobile devices is required to connect with your DJI FPV Drone for a few reasons, such as updating the firmware of your DJI FPV Drone, Goggles, Remote controller, and batteries.

Furthermore, the DJI Fly app can also be used for device management, to find your drone if you lost it, and for service and support. 

Also, connecting the DJI FPV Drone with your phone via the Goggles will allow you to mirror what you see through the DJI Goggles in real-time for other people to observe and even for you to live stream (via different methods non-related to the DJI apps). 

How to connect the DJI Fly app with the drone (step-by-step) #

In order to connect the DJI FPV Drone to your phone, you need to do the following: 

1. Download the DJI Fly App from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).
2. For the virtual flight experience with your DJI FPV Goggles, you also need to download the DJI Virtual Flight App.
3. Ensure your phone is connected to a WiFi network due to the app size and data required to update everything. 
4. Launch the DJI Fly App on your phone.
5. Read and Accept the Terms of Use
6. Allow the “DJI  FPV” to use your precise location, which you will be asked through the process.
7. Also, allow a Bluetooth connection.

The app will require you to allow essential information to be collected to ensure the drone is behaving normally. Keep in mind that you will not need your phone connected to fly the drone. 

To connect the phone to your DJI FPV, you will need an OTG data cable to connect from the  DJI Goggles 2 USB-C to your phone input (in this example, USB-C to lightning cable for iPhone). 

8. Power on the Goggles while the app is open and go through the connection process displayed on the screen, which is pretty basic. 
9. Ensure that you have your entire DJI FPV setup at hand, as it will be required to update the firmware of each device via the DJI Fly App. 

What happens if you never connect the DJI FPV Drone to your phone? #

I need to underline the importance of at least once connecting the DJI FPV drone to your phone via the DJI Fly app, but what happens if you never connect the DJI FPV to your phone app? 

You may not be able to fly it. The drone’s firmware will not be updated to the last version, and the same with the goggles, remote controller, and batteries. 

Moreover, you won’t be able to register your drone, which will be required before your first flight. All the other features mentioned above will not function at all. 

What is DJI Virtual Flight App, and why do I need to connect it with the DJI FPV?  #

The DJI Virtual Flight is a simulator created by DJI for their FPV drones that you can install on your mobile phone.

You can connect your DJI Goggles and the DJI Remote Controller to the app to safely train on how to use the FPV system and enjoy the immersive FPV experience with zero risks. 

It is not mandatory to connect and use the DJI Virtual Flight app, but knowing how to fly FPV  before your first flight is crucial as the FPV flight method will be totally different from other types of drone flights. 

The DJI Virtual Flight App will give you a glimpse of how the experience will be via Goggles and the ability to train your skills, but in order to do that, you need to connect the app to the DJI FPV. 

To use the DJI Virtual Flight App, you will need the same OTG cable connected to the DJI FPV Goggles as with the DJI Fly App. 

Open the DJI Virtual Flight App and turn on both your DJI Goggles and DJI Remote Controller.

Note: Beware, do not turn on your drone unless instructed to do so. Moreover, please ensure there are no propellers installed if you turn it on! 

For the best experience possible, we highly recommend using both the remote controller and the DJI FPV Goggles simultaneously when the simulator is running on your phone. 

If your DJI Remote controller and your DJI Goggles are offline or not connected, the app will notify you, but still, you will be able to use the simulator, just not as intended to be used. 

Once you have turned on both the DJI Remote Controller and your DJI FPV Goggles 2, which is also connected to your phone with the DJI Virtual Flight App on, you will be required to go through some basic setups and settings to ensure the correct functionality of those controls. 

You can enjoy the DJI Virtual Flight App experience before lifting your DJI FPV Drone for the first time, which is highly recommended.

Just so you know, you need to do some basic setup of your controls for a smooth flight and use of the Virtual Flight App.

Note: Please keep in mind that for the first-time use, you may need to pair your remote controller with your goggles using the drone itself powered on. But afterward, you will not require the drone to be able to use this app. 

Is there another way to connect the DJI FPV to the phone?  #

No, there is no other way around needing to connect your DJI FPV to the phone. It has to be done via the OTG cable through the FPV Goggles.

As for the apps, always use the official DJI Apps that are recommended for the drone. 

Please remember that when you order your DJI FPV kit, you will NOT get an OTG cable for your phone – you will need to have one of those before making any plans. 

Two standard OTG cables are USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to Lightning data cables, depending on your phone model, and there is no way around connecting the DJI FPV to the phone without those. 

Connecting the DJI FPV to your phone, wherever you are using DJI Fly App for mandatory firmware updates and more, or the DJI Virtual Flight App, you always need to follow the on-screen recommendations of your app.