Can You Fly DJI Neo Without Controller

While the DJI Neo is often paired with a physical remote controller, many users wonder if it's possible to fly the drone without one. The prospect of leaving the controller behind and flying with just the smartphone in your pocket is appealing for its convenience and portability.

This guide will walk you through the exact steps required to control your DJI Neo using only your phone and the DJI Fly app, covering everything from connection to flight.

Connect the DJI Neo directly to your smartphone via Wi-Fi using the DJI Fly app

The DJI Neo is designed to be controlled directly by a smartphone, and the key to this is establishing a direct Wi-Fi link between the two devices. This connection does not require an external internet router; instead, the drone generates its own Wi-Fi network that your phone connects to. The entire process is managed through the DJI Fly app, which acts as your flight hub, providing a live video feed, flight controls, and access to all the drone's settings and intelligent features.​

Enable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location services on your smartphone before opening the DJI Fly app and following the in-app connection guide

Before you can connect, you must prepare your smartphone. Go into your phone's settings and ensure that Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location services (GPS) are all turned on. Once these are enabled, open the DJI Fly app. On the app's home screen, tap the "Connection Guide" in the bottom right corner, select "DJI Neo" from the device list, and then choose "Connect via Mobile Device". The app will then provide on-screen instructions to guide you through the rest of the wireless connection process.​

Navigate to the "Controls" page in the DJI Fly app and select "Manual Control" from the mode list

After your phone and the DJI Neo are successfully connected, the DJI Fly app will display a live camera view from the drone. Below this live view, you will see the current flight mode displayed. Tapping on this area will expand a list of available modes. For direct flight using on-screen controls, select "Manual Control" from this list. This will bring up virtual joysticks on your screen, allowing you to pilot the drone as you would with a physical controller. The left stick typically controls altitude and rotation, while the right stick controls forward, backward, and side-to-side movements.​

Press and hold the takeoff icon on the screen to make the DJI Neo start its motors, take off, and hover automatically

With your preferred control mode selected, you are ready for takeoff. In the DJI Fly app, locate the auto-auto-takeoff icon. To initiate the flight, press and hold this icon. You will see a prompt, and once confirmed, the DJI Neo's motors will start, and the drone will automatically lift off the ground and hover at a stable altitude, typically around 0.6 to 1.2 meters. This automated takeoff procedure ensures a smooth and safe start to your flight, after which you can take over with the manual controls or select an intelligent flight mode.​

Select automated flight modes like QuickShots from the mode list to capture pre-programmed shots such as Dronie, Rocket, or Circle

Instead of flying manually, you can use the DJI Fly app to execute sophisticated, pre-programmed flight patterns known as QuickShots. From the mode selection list, you can choose from a variety of options like Dronie (flies backward and upward), Rocket (ascends with the camera pointing down), Circle (orbits the subject), Helix (spirals up and away), and Boomerang (flies an oval path). After selecting a QuickShot and a subject, you can tap the start button, and the DJI Neo will perform the maneuver automatically while recording a video. A prominent red "Stop" button appears during these actions, allowing you to instantly halt the maneuver if you see a potential collision.​

Flying your DJI Neo with just a smartphone is not only possible but also surprisingly capable. By following the connection and takeoff procedures within the DJI Fly app, you can choose between direct manual flight using virtual joysticks or leveraging the drone's intelligent QuickShot modes for effortless, cinematic footage. This controller-free approach offers maximum portability, making it easier than ever to capture stunning aerial views wherever you go.

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