How to Connect DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 Pro to WiFi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Boy, oh, Boy! If you’re not impressed with the DJI Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro, well, you should be! It is an impressive system all around, to say the least.

For its size and its plethora of functions, the fact that DJI was able to put all of that into these small platforms – if none of that gets you, the price certainly will.

No other system out there to date offers so much in such a small form factor at the price that the Mini 3 and the Mine 3 Pro are at.

We could spend days on end going through all these little flying beauties have to offer and just how fun they are to fly. However, what we want to focus our attention on today is the Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro’s Wi-Fi.

Now as we just said above the DJI Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro are impressive.

In the Mini series, whether you’re talking about the original Mini to the Mini 2 to this latest version, the Mini 3 and its slightly improved Pro variation, the Mini 3 Pro, DJI has brought us a system that allows beginners and seasoned pilots alike to have access to a much more affordable aircraft than any we had seen before with the attributes the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro offer.

This allowed those who were curious about drones and their operation to take that plunge and get into the air.

Just as long-time seasoned pilots like the affordability that these platforms offer, had it just been the Mini 3 or the Mini 3 Pro itself, we all would have been happy.

That’s not quite all there was, though.

The Mini 3 series also introduced many to a whole new controller with a built-in screen.

This level of advancement was something we’d only seen in the more commercial/enterprise systems before this or as an optional extra purchase at a heavy price.

That, well, that’s what DJI does, and they do it with a certain flair most companies will never have.

As with any new tech, we need to learn or relearn these new systems and how they operate.

Even though the Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro are similar to every other drone DJI has in their product line, they are all different, and they all fly differently from one another.

As a drone pilot, you are always adding to your knowledge base. This is why we’re here today, as many have found it difficult to find the WiFi settings and be able to change them.

Since we do have two different types of interfaces, we’ll cover how to get to these settings and the steps you need to do so, as well as why you may need to do so.

Let’s get right to it, then.

Why do you need to connect the Mini 3 to Wi-Fi? #

Now you may be wondering why you may need to hook the Mini 3 or Mini 3 Pro to a WiFi source.

The answer is an easy one to provide; it’s so you can utilize the built-in Quick Transfer system.

That is, of course, not the only reason you may want to connect to a Wi-Fi source. It will also update your maps and provide better connections to the controller and aircraft.

One of the other benefits of using the Wi-Fi connection is the ability to use the LightCut editor that DJI provides.

This program allows you to edit videos and photos directly without the need to upload the material to another source. Now that’s convenience!

If you haven’t worked with LightCut yet, definitely take some time to check it out. It is an easy-to-use program with many features like those found in your larger editors, like Final Cut Pro or DaVinci.

Now that we’ve looked into the why of it, let’s get you connected!

How to connect to Wi-Fi with the RC Remote Controller #

The Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro both work with not only the NC-RC 1 controller but were the first to work with the RC Remote controller. This was introduced as the controller for the Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro.

Now this controller is also able to operate many other DJI aircraft. It started with the Mini 3.

Follow these steps to locate the Wi-Fi connection in the settings.

1. With the controller on and connected to the Mini 3 or Mini 3 Pro, start by swiping down from the top of the screen.
2. This will bring down a small information bar at the top of the screen.
3. Swipe down a second, and this information bar is visible:

4. If you take too long for the second swipe, the process will need to be repeated.
5. Once you have swiped downward for the second time, you will now see a split window.
6. A notification window will be on the left side, and a setting window to the right.

Note: With Wi-Fi as one of the first options, it’s good to know that there are a few other options you want to keep in mind here, such as the two slider bars, one for the screen brightness and the other for volume.

We can also open the Bluetooth function which allows for even further connectivity and device use such as a wireless microphone or headphones.

A really important option, one most pilots out there are using regularly, is the built-in screen recorder. Here you can also enter a mobile data plan account. In order to activate the mobile data plan option, a sim card is needed.

Back to that Wi-fi, though. As you can see, this is an important area of the controller, and in the heat of flying and multi-tasking, it can be easily overlooked on how to access this area of the controller. Believe me, I know and have done it.

7. Double down swipe from the top of the screen.
8. By selecting the Wi-Fi tab, we can either turn WiFi on or off. To gain access to the higher settings functions, you will need to select the small gear logo located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

9. By selecting that option, you will open the main settings screen, and at the very top, the first option is the Network and Internet setting option.

10. If we select this option from the menu, we will gain access to the available networks and be able to select one of our choices.
11. If this is the first time connecting to that network, you will be prompted to enter the password, and then the connection process will complete.
12. You will now be connected to that Wi-Fi source.

How to connect to Wi-Fi with the RC-N1 Controller #

We have two controllers for the DJI Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro, so we need to look at the process required for connecting to the Wi-Fi when using a separate screen device such as a tablet or phone.

Although the process is mostly the same, it is slightly different because you will be leaving the DJI Fly App and entering your device’s menu.

1. You will start by swiping down from the top of the screen on your device from the DJI Fly App.
2. As with the RC controller, this will bring down a small panel of information related to the device you are using.
3. Swiping down a second time will bring up the device’s setting tab.

Very similar to the method described above, it’s here where the deviation occurs.

4. To access the main Wi-Fi settings page, you will need to press and hold the Wi-Fi tab that is shown.
5. By doing this, you will be able to open the main Wi-Fi settings page.

6. Then just like above, you will be able to select the Wi-Fi source of your choice and connect through that source.
7. Once you have made that connection, you’re good to go. If there is ever a need to switch from one network to another, all that is needed is to follow the process above.

As I stated above at the beginning of the article, there are a few reasons for being connected to a Wi-Fi source.

You should know that the lack of Wi-Fi will not keep you grounded. Not at all! Wi-Fi isn’t necessary for flights.

However, if you want to have the latest updates installed or if you want to use the quick transfer feature, having this connection will be necessary.

As a tool in your toolbox, it can come in handy when needed and be frustrating when it’s not working properly.

As a pilot who flies in a mountainous area mostly, having a Wi-Fi connection all the time just isn’t possible.

When it is though, it can be a big time saver for data transfer or to assist in better situational awareness, as the maps for the area will be present.

Fly Safe, Fly Always, Always Fly Safe!