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How to Update Your Android DJI Go App for Phantom 3 and Older
Do you have an Android device and recently upgraded to Android 12 or later and your DJI GO app stopped working? I am talking especially about the DJI GO app for Phantom 3 and older drones and DJI Devices. Do you have an older drone and can’t download the DJI Go app anymore for your drone from the Google Play Store, this guide will help you.
The DJI Go app is compatible with these devices…
- Phantom 3 Series
- Inspire 1 Series
- Matrice 100
- Matrice 600 Series
- Osmo Series
- Osmo Mobile
- Osmo Mobile 2
Let us call this App DJI GO 3 even though it is officially only called DJI Go. There is also a DJI GO 4 app which is for newer drones like the Phantom 4.
For some reason, DJI doesn’t upload the Android apps to the Google Play Store anymore, but they keep updating the apps. The iOS versions are kept up to date on Apple’s App Store. The reason for this is probably that it is almost impossible to sideload apps onto iOS devices, but it is quite easy on Android.
I recently updated my Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra to Android 12 and wanted to fly my DJI Inspire 1. I used the phone with the drone countless times before and had no issues. After updating my Android version, I never checked if the app still works and was then stranded without being able to get all the information of the drone interface displayed on my phone. I was basically flying “blind”. So, I called it for that day and did some research.
Download the latest App from the DJI website
An updated DJI GO app is available on DJI’s website. I am still upset that they don’t upload it anymore to Google Play Store. I regularly check if there are any updates on the Google Play Store for my installed apps and would have updated the DJI GO app as well that way. Now I missed a day of flying until I was able to figure out what was going on.
Download Link for DJI Go for Phantom 3 and older
You might want to keep checking back on DJI’s website to see if there are even newer versions for your sideloaded app for your Android device.
Warning
Be aware the above link is only for DJI Phantom 3 drones and older. If you fly a newer drone, like the Phantom 4 or newer, you need the DJI GO 4 app.
Some other drones like the DJI Mavic 3 have their own app. In the case of the DJI Mavic 3, it’s the DJI Fly app. That app is available as well on the website.
If you have already used a DJI app to control your drone, check if it’s called DJI GO or DJI GO 4.
Issues with the Android version
Unfortunately, there is a huge flaw in the Android version and newer Android OS versions. The issue starts with Android 12 and above. You need to log in to the app with your DJI account over and over. Every time the app gets closed, and you open the app again, you need to login again. This is horrible if you want to fly in an area with no cell coverage or Wi-Fi. It’s also a big hassle if you use the first DJI Osmo. As the app communicates with the camera via Wi-Fi, make sure you log in to the app first before connecting it to the DJI Osmo camera.
Update: This problem got finally resolved but my Android phone tells me now that the current app available on the DJI website is for an older version of Android and might not work. So far everything seems to be working okay.
How to check your DJI GO App version?
You don’t need to be connected to a drone to check the currently installed app version. Follow the steps below to find your current installed version.
- Start your DJI GO App
- At the bottom tap on “Me”
- On the Me Page tap on the gear icon at the top right corner.
- Now you will see the version of your app at the bottom of screen.
Now check if the version on DJI’s website is newer/higher than the version you have installed on your device. If the version on the DJI website is newer, open this page on your Android device and click on the link above in the download section.
If the installed version just crashes when you try to open it, download the app from the DJI website for your version and hopefully they have already updated it and fixed the issue.
Important Note
To use the DJI Go app, you have to be logged in to your DJI account. So, open the app at home before you leave to a remote location. If you don’t have any cell service or other internet connection on your phone, you won’t be able to log in and use the app. You can still fly but you won’t have any of the live view or information of the drone on your screen. Makes flying no fun at all, but doable. Always check before you head out.
Conclusion
Be aware that DJI Go app (v3) for older drones is not available anymore on the Google Play Store. It is still available on the Apple App Store. Android and iOS continually update their OS and implement new security features. DJI is very slow in updating the Apps for their older drones.
If you buy an older DJI drone, be prepared to have an expensive paperweight after a short time. Maybe a year or two. I am extremely disappointed. Still fighting with DJI to get the part back they lost during a repair at their facility in California. I even have to explain to the engineers how their drones and physics work as they can’t understand why the wrong part shipped to me won’t work.
[Header Image created with Adobe Firefly]
Peter is an award-winning photographer who travels all over the world to capture the beauty of our planet as well as the achievements of humanity. Follow Peter on his travel blog Gate to Adventures for more amazing places to go and explore.
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