How to Update DJI Mavic 3 (Step by Step Guide)

The new consumer flagship drone by DJI is here, and even though it came out with some missing features, thanks to the latest update it has gotten closer to where we expected. 

**Updating the DJI Mavic 3 is easy. You will only need a device with DJI Fly installed or a PC/Mac computer with DJI Assistant 2 in the system. Once the firmware is downloaded, turn off the Internet, as it is not required to be online while the process occurs. **

The latest Mavic 3 update finally has the important features that DJI promised to the customers, so let’s take a look at how you can add them to your drone. 

New features added after updating  #

It turns out that the new Mavic 3 came out at least one month earlier than when we were expecting it. On the one hand, this was a good thing, as people had the opportunity to fly it earlier. But, on the other hand, the highly anticipated drone was released missing some important characteristics. 

DJI promised that they would publish the firmware to enable these features in January 2022, but it is already out, and although it does not include all of them, people are loving the new aspects that the drone now offers. 

In case you are not aware of what these features are that I am referring to, here’s what they are:

• Active Track 5.0: Allows the user to set a subject that the drone will follow when it moves sideways, diagonally, forward and backward. The beta test showed good results but it still needs improvement.
• Quickshots: The popular intelligent flight mode lets users record videos of automated shots, like a circle, in which the drone flies around a subject. 
• MasterShots: Introduced with the DJI Mavic Air 2S is a more advanced version of the Quickshot mode, consisting of 10 shots recorded consecutively to get an all-in-one video. 
• Panorama Mode: In this mode, the drone takes several pictures and stitches them together to create one of higher resolution. Very useful for landscapes.
• QuickTransfer: Using the Wi-Fi 6 protocol, which employs speeds of up to 80 M/s, the drone will be able to transfer data to your phone without the need for cables. Wireless technology is awesome!

According to the official information written in the release notes of DJI Fly version 1.5.4, which came out on December 10th, 2021, the Mavic 3 now supports more shooting modes. Additionally, the new firmware also brought fixes to certain issues and optimizations to the app. Here is a full list of the release notes:

• Added FocusTrack.
• Added Hyperlapse.
• Added MasterShots.
• Added RAW (only in photo format).
• Reduced noise in Cine Version Video.
• Reduced prop arm vibrations.
• Improved advanced Return To Home (RTH) performance.
• Improved obstacle avoidance performance.
• Improved hover stability.
• Resolved issue of USB connection to PC.
• Enhanced remote controller connectivity.

How to update DJI Mavic 3 firmware #

Now that we know what the latest Mavic 3 firmware offers, it is time to learn the procedure to fully update your drone to the latest version, including the battery and remote controller.

To update your aircraft using the DJI Fly app, simply follow this step-by-step guide.

1. Make sure that the battery level is above 20% (your smartphone or tablet device should also have enough battery for the update).
2. Open the DJI Fly app on your device.
3. Connect your device to the controller using the USB cable.
4. Turn on the DJI Mavic 3 controller. 
5. Tap the notification that informs you about a new update to go to the update window. 
6. Tap the update button.
7. Wait patiently, as updating the firmware can take up to 10 minutes.
8. Do NOT power off the device and/or the aircraft.
9. Wait for the aircraft to restart once the update has finished installing.   
10. Drone ready!

Alternatively, you can update the Mavic 3 firmware using DJI Assistant 2. Here is how:

1. Power on the drone.
2. Connect the aircraft to a computer using the USB cable provided.
3. Launch DJI Assistant 2 and log into your account.
4. Select the DJI Mavic 3.
5. On the top left of the screen, click on Firmware Update. 
6. Select the latest version of the firmware and click Start Update.
7. Wait while the aircraft is updated.
8. Do NOT power off the drone, disconnect it or close DJI Assistant 2.
9. Wait until the aircraft reboots, which will occur when the update has been installed. 
10. The aircraft is ready!

After following either of these two procedures, your drone will be updated and almost fully ready to fly. 

How to update DJI Mavic 3 battery firmware? #

We just saw how to update the Mavic 3 firmware, but we are not finished updating our flying equipment just yet. To function properly, the manufacturer recommends that the drone have the same firmware version in the battery. 

Most of the time, when updating the drone firmware, the battery will also be updated to the latest version. However, in some cases, the battery might require a separate update, for example, if you have more than one battery. 

In that scenario, a notification will be displayed in the DJI Fly app or the DJI Assistant 2. To install this particular battery update simply follow the same steps as if you were updating the aircraft. 

How to Update DJI Mavic 3 Controller

The last phase to getting your brand new Mavic 3 ready to fly is updating the controller. In this new version of the highly anticipated drone, DJI decided to use the same remote that comes with the most recent aircraft models released by the Chinese company, such as the Mini 2 or the Mavic Air 2S. 

To update the Mavic 3 controller to the latest version, follow these steps:

1. Power on the remote controller.
2. Connect it to the computer using the included USB cable.
3. In DJI Assistant 2, select the connected device.
4. Click on the latest firmware version to be installed. 
5. Click on Start Update.
6. Wait until the firmware is installed.
7. Do NOT power off the computer or controller. 
8. Wait for the remote controller to automatically reboot. 
9. Now you are ready to fly! 

What is the latest firmware update right now? #

Now that your amazing Mavic 3 is fully updated and ready to fly, you might be wondering what is the current firmware version of the aircraft and the controller. Here’s a list of what the latest versions of the firmware and the apps are at the moment:

• The latest DJI Mavic 3 firmware was released on December 10, 2021. 
• The aircraft firmware version is ‘v01.00.0400’
• The remote controller’s latest version is ‘v04.13.0400’.
• The latest version of the DJI Fly app for iOS: v1.5.4.
• The latest version of the DJI Fly app for Android: v1.5.4.

As I said earlier, the latest firmware has fixed some important issues, such as those related to computers not being able to connect to the aircraft via USB, or some bugs with the remote controller. 

Furthermore, the firmware added some important missing features, like FocusTrack, MasterShots, Timelapse, etc. You should be sure to update your drone if you have not yet. 

Should I keep my drone always updated? #

Today you have learned how to update the firmware of your DJI Mavic 3, the included battery, and the remote controller. However, you might be wondering; Is it necessary to keep the drone updated to the latest version as soon as they are released?

Simply put: No. In fact, you should be very careful before doing the next software update. Oftentimes, software updates bring some new problems, which can translate into connection losses, video transferring issues, in-flight deviations, etc. 

Before updating the firmware of your drone, battery, controller, or even the DJI Fly app, always do some research first. You can come to Droneblog for the best drone-related articles, and if you want more information, or we still haven’t covered that topic yet, do a quick search on YouTube, where you will find many people sharing their experiences with the latest firmware versions. 

As a recent example, version 1.5 of the DJI Fly app has been giving users many problems for more than a month. Not everyone is having problems with it, but certain drones are experiencing serious connectivity loss. 

Having reliable connectivity is extremely important when operating a drone, as if you are connected to the aircraft, you have eyes on it, and could safely land it in case of an emergency.   

Remember that some firmware updates, such as the latest for the DJI Mavic 3, are essential. They bring imperative fixes and new features. However, in some cases, they might decrease the performance of the controller, battery, or drone, so make sure that updating is the correct move by checking around with other users first. 

Image Credit: Photo by Zac Edmonds on Unsplash