While your DJI Neo and its remote controller are typically linked right out of the box when purchased as a combo, there are times you might need to manually connect or re-establish the link, such as when using a new controller or after a significant firmware update.
This process can seem daunting, but it's actually a quick and simple procedure. This guide will walk you through the exact steps to pair your drone and controller successfully.
30 Second Summary
- To connect the DJI Neo to its controller, power on both devices and place them within half a meter of each other.
- Open the DJI Fly app on your smartphone, tap the "Connection Guide" on the home screen, and select the DJI Neo as your aircraft model.
- Press and hold the power button on the DJI Neo for about four seconds until it starts to beep, which signals it is in linking mode.
- Tap the "Pair" or "Linking" button that appears on the screen in the DJI Fly app to initiate the connection process with the DJI Neo.
- The connection is successful once the DJI Neo stops beeping and the DJI Fly app displays the live camera view from the drone.
Power On and Position Your Devices
To connect the DJI Neo to its controller, the first step is to ensure both devices are powered on. Use the standard "press, then press-and-hold" method to turn on the drone and the remote controller. It is crucial to place the DJI Neo and the controller close to each other, ideally within a range of half a meter (about 1.5 feet), to ensure a stable and successful linking process.
Navigate to the Connection Guide in the DJI Fly App
With both devices powered on, connect your smartphone to the remote controller and launch the DJI Fly app. From the app's home screen, look for the "Connection Guide" option, which is usually located in the bottom right corner. Tap on it, and from the subsequent menu, select your aircraft model, which is the DJI Neo, to begin the guided linking procedure.
Put the DJI Neo into Linking Mode
To make the DJI Neo discoverable by the controller, you must put it into linking mode. To do this, press and hold the power button on the drone itself for approximately four seconds. You will know it has entered linking mode when the drone starts to beep continuously. This sound indicates that the aircraft is now actively searching for a remote controller to pair with.
Initiate Pairing From the DJI Fly App
Once the DJI Neo is beeping and in linking mode, your attention should turn back to the DJI Fly app on your smartphone. The app will prompt you to connect to the aircraft. Tap the "Pair" or "Linking" button that appears on the screen to command the controller to establish a connection with the waiting drone. The controller and drone will then begin to communicate and exchange information to form a secure link.
Confirm the Connection is Successful
The connection process is complete when the DJI Neo stops beeping and the battery status LEDs on the back of the drone stop flashing. At the same time, the DJI Fly app will transition from the linking screen to the drone's live camera view, confirming that a successful connection has been established. You are now ready to perform your pre-flight checks and take off.
Conclusion
Connecting your DJI Neo to its remote controller is a simple process that only takes a moment. By ensuring your devices are powered on and close together, and by following the clear, guided steps within the DJI Fly app, you can quickly establish or re-establish a secure link. Knowing how to perform this manual pairing is a valuable skill that ensures you can resolve connection issues and get back in the air without unnecessary delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my drone and controller don't connect after following the steps?
The most common cause of connection failure is mismatched firmware between the drone and the controller. Ensure that both your DJI Neo and the remote controller have the latest firmware installed by checking for updates in the DJI Fly app. If an update is available for either device, you must install it before they will be able to connect.
How do I connect the DJI Neo directly to my phone without the controller?
Turn on the DJI Neo, then enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your phone. The drone will create its own Wi-Fi network; connect to it from your phone's Wi-Fi settings. Once connected, open the DJI Fly app, and it should automatically detect the drone and show the live camera feed. Note that if the drone is already linked to a controller, you must turn the controller off first.
Why is the connection dropping during flight?
Signal interference is the most likely cause of connection drops during flight. This can be caused by physical obstructions like buildings and trees, or by radio frequency interference from other Wi-I networks, power lines, or cell towers. To mitigate this, try flying in a more open area and keep a clear line of sight between the controller and the drone.
Do I need to re-link every time I fly?
No, you should not have to re-link your drone and controller for every flight. Once successfully paired, the devices should automatically connect to each other every time they are both powered on. You only need to perform the manual linking process if you are connecting to a new controller or if the connection has been lost due to a major firmware update or reset.
What's the difference between linking and connecting?
"Linking" or "pairing" refers to the one-time process of creating a secure, bound relationship between a specific drone and a specific controller. "Connecting" refers to the automatic process that happens every time you power on your already-linked devices, where they find each other and establish communication for that flight session.
Can I connect my DJI Neo to more than one controller?
No, a DJI Neo can only be linked to one remote controller at a time. If you want to use a different controller (for example, switching from the standard RC-N2 to the DJI RC 2 with a built-in screen), you must first go through the manual linking process to bind the drone to the new controller, which will automatically un-bind it from the old one.
My controller is beeping and won't connect. What does that mean?
Continuous beeping from the remote controller is an alarm that indicates it has lost its connection to the aircraft. If this happens, it means the controller cannot find the drone. Check that the DJI Neo is powered on and within range. If it is, you may need to restart both devices and attempt to connect again.
What is the Wi-Fi password for the DJI Neo?
When connecting your phone directly to the drone's Wi-Fi network, some phones may prompt for a password. The default Wi-Fi password for many DJI drones is "12341234". However, you may have changed this in the DJI Fly app settings, so if the default password does not work, check the "About" section in the app's settings to see your custom Wi-Fi name and password.
What do I do if my phone is not compatible with the DJI Fly app?
DJI maintains an official list of compatible mobile devices for the DJI Fly app. If your phone is not on this list, the app may not function correctly, leading to crashes or connection problems. The only solution is to use a different, compatible mobile device or to use a DJI RC controller that has its own built-in screen and does not require a phone.
Can I reset the network settings if I'm still having issues?
Yes. If you are having persistent connection issues when trying to connect directly to your phone via Wi-Fi, you can go into your phone's Wi-Fi settings and select the option to "Forget This Network" for the drone's Wi-Fi. This will clear any saved, potentially corrupt data and allow you to attempt a fresh connection.
About the Author
Written by
Peter Leslie
Peter Leslie is a CAA-approved commercial drone pilot with 10+ years experience and over 10,000 flight hours. He holds the GVC and A2 CofC drone licences with full CAA Operational Authorisation. Peter is a member of ARPAS-UK, the UK's non-profit trade association for the drone industry. He founded HireDronePilot to connect UK businesses with qualified, insured drone operators.
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