But, travelling with drones can be a minefield if not done correctly.

Drones can be sensitive and fragile electronic equipment. There may also be places that are hostile to them.

How should you travel with a drone? Should it be in your carry-on luggage or is taking a drone with the spare batteries an issue?

To travel with a drone, check with your airline and the authorities of the country you are going to. Next, pack your drone well using a camera backpack or a hardshell case. Always fly with your drone as carry-on baggage. You should also prepare your batteries properly before travelling.

I have travelled significantly with my DJI drone around Australia and internationally. I have never had an issue when carrying my grown in my hand luggage as long as the battery does not exceed 160 what hours and it is not in my checked luggage. Prior to travelling,

In this article, we explore how you can travel with a drone and lithium-ion batteries and do so safely. We also look into where to check the rules and how to pack your drones properly so you can take your drone without any hassles.

He is everything you need to know.

Check The Rules for drone travel and drones on a plane

If you are to travel by land, there should not be many rules about how you should travel with your drone. However, you may want to do additional homework if you intend to travel by flight. 

As a start, ensure you check with the relevant regulatory bodies. See what rules they have about drones, and confirm the details if you are unsure. Depending on how you are traveling or where you are going, you may need to check with the following bodies:

Transportation Security Agency (TSA)

TSA regulates aviation security in the United States. You need to check with the TSA if you fly within the US. If you are flying into the US from a foreign destination, You also want to check with the TSA.

Generally, TSA does not prohibit you from carrying drones on flights. But they also mention that you need to check with your carrier. Taking the drone on an airplane simply means following some simple rules.  

Aside from the drone, you may be traveling with batteries and controllers. These items may be subject to TSA’s rules on batteries and more, which means you want to check on those too.

I find that if I want to bring my drone on an aeroplane, airlines require that you pack it in your carry on luggage and you ensure that the batteries cannot short. Consider packing your drone in an easy to grab part of the bag so you can take out if you are asked by security.

Your Carrier

Now, you may need to go ahead and check with your carriers about their drone policies. Different carriers may have different rules. Some may be more relaxed, while some are more stringent. 

If you fly different airlines during the trip, you must check with them all. 

In general, airlines usually allow you to carry drones. But the rules may change depending on if you can check them in as baggage or the types of batteries allowed.

Your Destination

Finally, you may want to check with your destination about their drone rules. This is especially so if you are traveling to a foreign destination. While you’re travelling it’s important that you keep up-to-date with the drone licensing and drone regulations in the country you are visiting. I often do not bring a drone if I suspect there is going to be an issue at the border.

Drones can be a sensitive device in some countries. In fact, some countries ban drones, such as Cuba, Egypt, and Kuwait. 

If you carry your drone into these countries, you may have to give it up at the immigration checkpoint. You will lose your drone. 

Pack Your Drone Well –  bringing your drone with you

Once you have checked the rules for carrying a drone, you can move on to the next step, which is to pack them. Packing your drone very much depends on the size of the drone and how much you can squeeze into your drone case.

Protect Your Drone

The first rule when packing your drone is to ensure you give it enough protection. You generally do not travel with the drone alone. In most cases, you will be carrying batteries, chargers, and controllers. 

This means your drone may be better off packed in separate compartments. Pack your drone in a camera backpack or a hardshell case with compartments.

A hard case may be the best since it provides the greatest protection against impacts and bumps. Some premium cases also protect against water, which may come in handy.

Make it Easy To For The Inspectors

Another thing you want to remember when packing your drone is to make them easy to inspect when needed. 

Your drone baggage may be inspected by security agents and immigration officers. You are, after all, carrying sensitive equipment with a bunch of batteries too. 

You can do this by not stacking things together. Instead, store them in a container with proper compartments. Unzip or open the bag or case to show the contents when these officers want to inspect your drone.

If you pack well, your backpack or case will also pass through X-ray checks easily. This also means you will not be requested to open your drone backpack and the case for inspection, making your travel easier.

Prepare Your Batteries For Travelling drone batteries and FAA rules

Next, while you pack your drone, ensure you prepare your batteries. This is because batteries are sensitive in planes since they can be a fire hazard. 

Start by disconnecting all removable batteries from your drone or controller. Aside from that, try to perform these before you pack your batteries too:

Tape Off All Terminals

One thing that makes TSA or carriers anxious about batteries is that they may start a fire. 

To ease their concern, use some electrical tapes, and tape away any exposed terminals. This prevents accidental contacts that may trigger a short circuit and fire. 

By doing this, you also give the security officers more confidence. This is because you seem to know the security precautions to take. 

Take Only Battery Under 100 Wh

If you check with the TSA, they have different rules for lithium batteries under or over 100 Wh (Watt Hours).

TSA mentions you can bring lithium batteries under 100Wh onto planes as carry-ons. If you want to check them in, there may be more inspections, which can be troublesome. 

For batteries over 100Wh, you can still carry them onto planes as carry-ons. But you can only carry two batteries with you at a time. You cannot carry them as check-in baggage.

If you are the kind that prefers to avoid the hassle, carry batteries under 100Wh. This is because the TSA and carriers seem to be more relaxed about them than bigger batteries. 

Fly With Your Drone As Carry-On Baggage

Finally, when you fly with your drone, ensure you bring them around as carry-on baggage. This is because drones are sensitive equipment. You do not want the baggage handlers to toss around. 

On top of that, drones are not cheap. This means you may want to always have it around you for peace of mind. The worst thing that can happen is you check in your drone only to lose it to baggage mishandling or, worse, theft.

But this app is also known for crashing. This happens a lot during major updates on phone operating systems. If you experience the same, you may ask yourself why your DJI Go 4 app keeps crashing. If your apps not working and you are sure that you have the latest Go4 app from the app store (play store or apple store) for your phone – it may be a compatibility issue.

Your DJI Go 4 app may have crashed because you updated to Android 12 or later. You may also use a very outdated app version. Installing the newest app version from DJI’s website usually solves this issue. Some users also have to use older versions of the DJI Go 4 app.

This article explores why your DJI Go 4 app keeps crashing and how you can fix it. 

Why Does Your DJI GO 4 App Keep Crashing?

There are many reasons why your DJI Go 4 App keeps crashing. The most common issue may be the incompatibility between the app and Android. But there may be other issues as well. 

You Are On a Newer Version Of Android OS

The issue of the DJI Go 4 app crashing actually started during the rollout of Android 12 in October 2021. Many users happily updated their OS during this time, only to start seeing their DJI Go app crashing. 

DJI has since released many updates to the app to try to fix these issues. But many users continue to face issues from time to time. 

If you look at DJI’s official support forum, there are still users complaining that their app crashed. This is despite upgrading to Android 13.

You Are Using An Outdated Version 

Your DJI Go 4 app may keep crashing because you are using an outdated version of the app. This may be less likely if you use older versions of Android, such as Android 11, and did not upgrade to Android 12 or 13.

Suppose you are using an older version of the DJI Go 4 app with a newer version of Android. In this case, you will be experiencing frequent crashes.

How To Stop DJI GO 4 App From Crashing? Latest versions

To stop your DJI Go 4 app from crashing, you can update both your Android operating system and the DJI app. But, if you prefer a safer approach, consider using older app versions. Use it with a device that runs Android 11 or earlier. 

As DJI drones are used worldwide, the frequent crashes resulted in many outcries. DJI’s failure to fix the problem has also resulted in some users taking things into their own hands. 

To stop your app from crashing, you can consider any of the steps below:

Update To The Newest App And Android Version

Start by exploring the first option. Ensure you have the newest versions of both the Android operating system and the DJI Go 4 app installed. 

To update your Android:

1. Ensure you are connected to a Wi-Fi connection. This is because downloading and updating Android OS can consume a lot of data.
2. Go to your phone’s Settings app.
3. Scroll down to the “System” section. 
4. Look for “System updates” or “Software update” to see if you have a newer version of Android to update to.
5. If there is, tap “Download and install” to start the update process. Your phone should start to download the newest version. 
6. Once downloaded, tap on “Install” to start the installation process. 
7. Your phone may restart several times during the updating process,
8. After the update is done, your phone should restart. 
9. Complete the login and unlocking process.
10. Once in, check and ensure everything is working well with your phone. 

Once you have updated to the newest Android OS, you can now update your DJI Go 4 app:

1. It may be best to side-install the newest DJI Go 4 app from DJI’s official website. 
2. Click on the link, and the APK file should download.
3. Once downloaded, install the file. 
4. Make sure to overwrite the older version of your DJi Go 4 app. 
5. Launch the app, try to fly your drone, and see if things work.

Roll Back To Earlier Versions Of DJI Go 4 and reinstall

If you are unlucky enough, your DJI Go 4 app may still crash even after fully updating everything. This can, unfortunately, happen to users. 

Suppose you are still experiencing crashes on your app after updating. Consider rolling back versions of the DJI Go 4 app and see if any older versions work for you.

To do this, uninstall your DJI Go 4 app, reinstall the app (an older version), and then test-fly your drone with it. You may need to do this many times to finally arrive at a version that works for you. 

There are many places that host older versions of the DJI Go 4 app, which you can download from and try. Download the latest version, and then work backward in this process for all versions compatible with your smartphone (both ios and android)

Throughout the process, you can also scan the APK files before installing. This ensures the files are clean from viruses or other nasties. Although downloading from the DJI website is the safest way of getting different versions. 

Use Older Versions of DJI Go 4 and Android OS

Sometimes, you just want the safest approach. 

For example, you may be using your drones for your photography business. When trying to record key moments in your customer’s events, you do not want your app to crash.

In this case, you can consider using the older versions of the DJI Go 4 app and the Android OS. Use a phone that runs Android 11, and do not update it. 

Then install any version of the DJI Go 4 app released before October 2021. 

This app and Android combination should be the most stable. You should be able to be sure that you can fly your drone well and safely without crashing. 

This approach also may be less ‘traumatic’ to your phone. This is because you are not constantly deleting and reinstalling apps on your phone. Constantly updating, deleting, and installing apps may affect other files and apps on your phone.

DJI Support

Lastly, you should consider reaching out to DGI support so that they can walk you through all of the options available for your specific drone brand and drone model.

I have always found them to be very friendly and responsive – even though sometimes they get a bad reputation. You can also try forums and other community posts to see if there is a current issue with the DJI Go 4 app.

Yes, the GO4 app is compatible with Android devices. However, you’ll need to make sure your device meets the app’s system requirements. The app has been removed from the play store because of compatibility issues and therefore you must download it directly from DJI.

Because the DJI go 4 app is not on the play store, some people are nervous about downloading it and sideloading into their device.

Also, sometimes on android 12 the DJI app does not function properly and the app regularly crashes. When this happens the DJI development team often releases a quick fix update to overcome any issues from the large number of disgruntled customers.

Let’s take a look at each of these issues in more detail below.

GO4 app is not on the play store

You may have noticed that the DJI GO4 and the DJI FLY app have been removed from the play store. But don’t let this stop you from flying!

Neither Google nor DJI have specified the precise reasons why DJI chose to remove their apps from Google Play store. We can only assume that it is due to a difference in opinion between Google and DJI developers.

The closest we have to an official response from either side has come from the DJI Support Twitter account, and a reply posted to a service announcement on the DJI forum.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Because the compatibility strategy between the DJI App and Google Play Store is changing, you currently cannot finish downloading and updating using Google Play. Thank you for your understanding.

If you want to read more about this issue check out my other article – click here for the full rundown.

You’ll be pleased to know that it is still incredibly safe to use the the app on your mobile phone you just have to download the latest version directly from the website in the .apk file format and install it on your device. You’ll be able to fly your DJI drone in no time at all!

There are many apps for android that are not on the official play store but can be found and used after accepting some security warnings. 

Issues with android 12 and the GO4 app

There have been issues with android 12 and the app that can stop your drone flight. 

It is important that after every android update you check your phone for compatibility as sometimes it can cause the DJI apps to crash. Android 12 was one of these examples.

To fix this issue you can also:

• roll back the firmware
• use a third-party app
• and look for a quick fix on the DJI Twitter account

If you want to know more about this problem go check out my other article – click here for the full rundown.

What devices are compatible with DJI GO 4?

DJI’s app is the DJI GO 4 app, which is compatible with various types of devices.

This includes most Android phones and tablets, such as those from Samsung, Huawei and other manufacturers.

It is also possible to use the app on an iPad or other tablet device – if you have a spare one lying around.

To ensure compatibility with the DJI GO 4 app, it is important to check your device’s specifications against those needed by the app. Generally speaking, if your device has enough RAM and storage space to run the app, then it should be compatible with DJI GO 4.

However, bear in mind that some older devices may not be able to support all features of this advanced app.

Here is the official list of all Apple and Android devices that DJI officially recommends.

Making sure you have an officially supported smartphone will ensure that it works well when plugged into the remote control and will run the software flawlessly.

Wrapping up

This article is been through everything you need to know about whether or not the DJI GO4 app is compatible with android devices.

The good news is that even though it has been removed from the play store, you can still sideload onto your device and is completely safe as long as you download it from the official DJI website.

Most drones look like red or green dots in the sky. Drones have navigation lights and anti-collision lights that make them visible. These drone lights can be red, white, green, or a combination that can be seen at night.  

While drones appear like small red or green dots in the sky at night, the rest of the drone may be unspotted in shallow light. Illegal drones that do not have lights may be completely invisible. Read on to discover what drones look like and how you can identify them at night.

What Does a Drone Look Like At Night? 

Drone activity does not cease at nightfall—it becomes harder for humans to detect. Our eyes cannot perceive drones in low light conditions without other illumination sources. Yet, that doesn’t mean they aren’t there! 

In contrast to the daytime, in which drones are fully visible with a distinct shape, at night, a drone would likely appear as moving lights in the sky rather than looking like a particular object with a defined shape.

As drones fly at night, their navigation lights remain on, making them appear as flying red or green dots in the sky.  These lights must remain visible for at least 3 miles.

These lights will remain constant and appear at two different ends of the drone with nothing in the middle. The back end projects a green light, while the front end projects a red light.

These lights may appear as if they are

• Floating or drifting in the sky
• Changing elevation and direction
• Stars, if the drone is at a far distance

While the drone’s lights may seem unusual and strange, you can be 100% sure it’s not an airplane or a UFO, thanks to its navigational lights.

How Can You Identify a Drone At Night? Spot a drone at night. 

While you may not be able to see the entire drone, you will most likely see the lights. However, this isn’t the only way to identify a drone flying at night.

 You can identify drones by flying or moving lights, a buzzing sound, an unusual smell, radar detection, drone detection apps, and infrared night vision cameras.

Look For Bright Lights

As stated above, all drones have LED lights for navigating and recording at night. If these lights appear to be flying, changing direction and elevation, it is most likely a drone.

Scan the sky for strange lights moving or hovering in the distance to check for any drones in the area near you.

Listen for Buzzing Noises

Drones have propellers that emit an audible whirring or buzzing sound. Listen for strange noises coming from the sky at night that could indicate a drone flying nearby. Newer drones are quieter, so listening isn’t foolproof, but it can alert you to some drones.

Trust Your Senses

You may be able to sense a drone before seeing or hearing it. Some people have reported a feeling of unease before a drone appears in their sight. Others have noticed physical sensations that could indicate a drone flying downwind.

You may be able to detect a drone if:

• You feel inexplicable feelings of unease
• You smell odd smells
• See flashes of small bright light in the sky

While there is limited evidence for sensing drones intuitively, stay alert to the environment and inexplicable feelings.

Use Technology

If you don’t hear any buzzing noises or see any lights but have an uneasy feeling that someone may be watching you, you may need to use technology to detect any drones.

You can detect drones with the following:

• Drone detection apps
• Infrared night vision cameras
• Microwave motion sensors
• Radar detection

Drone detection apps use phone Wi-Fi to sense nearby drones. They are effective for unencrypted drones but do not work at a long range. You can also use infrared cameras.

Infrared night vision cameras detect heat to monitor areas 24/7 but require installation. Since drone propellers create friction, they also produce heat. This allows them to be spotted by infrared vision cameras.

You can also detect drones at night with microwave motion sensors. These sensors emit waves and see changes to detect moving drones. They are inexpensive but similar to drone-detecting apps, they have a limited range, and you may need multiple sensors.

Radar detection is the most effective way to identify drones at night but is also the most expensive.

Combine senses and technology to detect drones flying over your home at night. While imperfect, keeping a watchful eye on the night sky reveals drones before they spy on you.

Can You See a Drone Watching You At Night? How to tell if a drone is watching you. 

The dark of night provides plausible cover for unwanted drone surveillance on private property. Can you see a drone watching you at night? What does it look like?

While drone operators must keep their aircraft in sight during flight, detecting an approaching drone at night can take time and effort.

Here are some ways to tell if a drone is spying on you at night:

• Look for lights and the layout of the green and red lights.
• Listen for propeller noise.
• Consider suspicious behaviour.

Since commercial drones typically have red and green lights to indicate orientation, you should be able to tell if a drone is watching you.

Red lights facing you could indicate that the camera is pointed your way. While green lights facing you indicates the rear end of the drone.

If you hear a strange noise, look into the dark sky in the direction of the noise and see if you can spot any lights.

You should also be aware of and consider suspicious behavior. Hovering in place or flying at unusual hours could indicate surveillance.

Although a few indicators could suggest a drone is watching you at night, none are definitive. Determining drone surveillance at night can be difficult due to limited visibility and sensory information. If you have serious concerns about drone surveillance, consider other countermeasures.

Final Thoughts

Drones can be hard to see at night, but it’s possible. A drone will show small red and green moving dots in the night sky, but the body may be invisible.

If you spot moving lights, it could indicate a drone. With limited visibility, determining what’s flying overhead may require using multiple senses and technologies to identify drones flying at night.

Drones with standard cameras have minimal night vision, unlikely to see past a few feet. However, with the addition of night vision or thermal cameras, drones can significantly extend their nighttime viewing range up to 100 feet. The exact range depends on external factors such as the type of camera and the amount of available light.

While standard drones are essentially blind in the dark, night vision and thermal cameras can give drones the ability to see at night—with a viewing range of up to 100 feet possible. Read on to learn more about drone night vision capabilities, limitations, and the best camera for nighttime drone use.

How Far Can Drone Cameras See in The Dark? 

While drones may have a visual range of up to 2000 feet during the day, their nighttime range is typically under 50 feet without night vision technology.

Night vision cameras, or other image-capturing devices optimized for low light conditions, are required to enable drones to film and record footage in darkness. 

With excellent camera optics and a few other factors, drones can see up to 100 feet away in the darkness.  The following variables all play a role in determining how far a drone can see at night:

• Drone Model
• Camera Quality
• Terrain

If you want optimal viewing conditions for your drone at night, then be sure to equip your drone with a high-quality camera with night vision.

Drone Model

The type of drone used has a significant impact on how far its camera can see in the dark. Larger drones allow for more powerful cameras with longer lenses and greater zoom capabilities, which directly translates to increased viewing distances.

For example, a heavy-duty drone designed for industrial applications or professional photography could carry a high-megapixel camera with a strong zoom lens, allowing it to see objects from more than a mile away.

Wider frames and more powerful motors/batteries on large drones also provide a more stable flying platform, which can aid in capturing sharp, focused footage at longer distances. Distances far larger than a typical commercial drone. 

To maximize your drone’s viewing capacity, choose a drone that can accommodate the most advanced, longest-range cameras and has a size/power advantage for stability in the air.

Camera Quality

Camera quality, specifically resolution, and zoom type, significantly affects how far a drone can see at night. To get the most out of your drone’s camera in the darkness, be sure to think about the following variables:

• Camera resolution
• Digital vs. optimal zoom
• Lens specs
• Stability
• Night Vision

Higher-resolution cameras can produce clearer images when zoomed in, allowing for better visibility of distant objects. A 4K camera will have a longer useful zoom range than a 720p camera before image quality deteriorates.

If you want to maximize your viewing range, you also have to think about the zoom your camera uses.

Digital zoom loses image quality with increasing zoom levels as it involves cropping and scaling the image. While Optical zoom uses physical optics to magnify the image, which results in little to no loss in quality, but requires larger, more complex lens systems.

Optical zoom provides the best image quality for seeing far away, but may require multiple cameras or larger drone frames.

The strength of a camera’s zoom lens, either digital or optical zoom, determines its maximum zoom level, directly impacting the farthest distance it can see clearly. More powerful zoom lenses allow for greater viewing distances.

Larger, more powerful drones typically provide a more stable flight platform to support their more robust cameras and longer zoom ranges.

Overall, for the maximum viewing distance, the ideal drone camera would have a high resolution, optical zoom lens and be mounted to a large, stable drone.

Night Vision

You may have a great camera, but you need to ensure it is equipped with night vision for optimal viewing conditions at night.

Various night vision capabilities help drones see in the dark:

• Infrared cameras
• Thermal cameras
• Low light cameras
• LIDAR

Each method uses different technologies that allow drones to see clearer and navigate through the night.

Infrared Cameras

Infrared cameras detect infrared light from objects, allowing drones to see in low-light conditions. While they require some ambient light to function, infrared cameras can see details not visible to the human eye and in lower light levels than standard cameras.

Thermal Cameras

Thermal cameras detect heat signatures, allowing drones to see warm objects like people, animals, and machinery in low light or darkness. Thermal radiation captures temperature differences rather than light so thermal cameras can see in conditions with no visible light.

Low Light Cameras

Low-light cameras have high ISO sensitivity and image processing to amplify faint light, allowing drones to see in very dim conditions. They do not detect infrared or thermal radiation but can function in near-darkness with color vision.

LIDAR

LIDAR uses lasers to detect the distance of objects and can provide 3D depth perception and obstacle avoidance for drones in low light or darkness. It is not an imaging system but aids in navigation and perception.

Combining multiple types of night vision cameras, such as infrared, thermal, and low light cameras, along with LIDAR, allow drones to operate and capture footage at night or in limited visibility.

Overall, night vision capabilities and high-quality cameras/lenses substantially extend a drone’s viewing distance and usefulness in limited light or darkness. The combination allows for the most significant seeing spaces and detail in various conditions.

Terrain

The terrain a drone is flying over can also affect its night vision capabilities in a few ways.

• Open vs. dense terrain: Open terrain provides a clearer view, while dense terrain obstructs the view and limits how far a drone can see.
• Elevation: Flying higher provides a better view but can expose drones to more wind and be more challenging to control.
• Reflectivity: Different terrain reflects and absorbs light/radiation differently, impacting how easily a drone can see it in darkness.

The interaction of these terrain factors and the specific capabilities of a drone’s cameras determine how far it can see in nighttime or low-light conditions.

Camera quality, drone size, and terrain are all significant factors determining how far a drone can see at night. By combining these factors, drones can maximize their night vision capabilities and viewing distances, enabling a range of useful applications in low light and darkness.

What Drones Have the Best Night Vision for flying your drone at night? Can drones have night vision?

Drones optimized for night vision typically use thermal, infrared, or lidar to see in low light and darkness instead of visible light cameras. Some of the best night-vision drones include:

• Walkera F210 Professional Deluxe Racer Quadcopter
• Parrot Anafi Thermal
• DJI Zenmuse L

Each drone has specialized night vision cameras and lidar that allow drones to see and map in darkness. With the combination of thermal and infrared cameras, these drones can fly and capture footage up to 100 feet away at night.

Final Thoughts – how far can a drone see at night?

From racing to industrial drones, night vision capabilities enable new applications and opportunities. Thermal cameras provide temperature data, infrared cameras enhance visibility to up to 100 feet in low light, and lidar generates 3D point clouds—all without relying on visible light.

As drone and sensor technology continues to advance, drones are set to extend their productivity and uses well into nighttime hours with the assistance of these specialized optics.

The DJI GO4 app has been removed from the play store due to compatibility issues between DJI and Google. It has been removed from the play store but you can still download it directly from the DJI website.

It is still incredibly safe to use the app as long as you make sure that you are using the official download. It is still available on IOS on the Apple store.

Currently, the only way to install the app onto your Android device is to download it directly off the internet, and then “sideload” it onto your phone. 

Not everyone is comfortable downloading applications from anywhere other than the Google Play Store.

The file you download from the DJI website will be in .apk format.

Simply click on the .apk file and follow the prompts to install the app onto your smartphone. Sometimes you have to accept a security warning and allow apps from third parties – as long as you have got your .apk file directly from the DJI website you’ll have no problems whatsoever.

Why isn’t the DJI app on the play store? What about the DJI Fly app?

Neither Google nor DJI have specified the precise reasons why DJI chose to remove their apps from Google Play store. We can only assume that it is due to a difference in opinion between Google and DJI developers.

The closest we have to an official response from either side has come from the DJI Support Twitter account, and a reply posted to a service announcement on the DJI forum.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Because the compatibility strategy between the DJI App and Google Play Store is changing, you currently cannot finish downloading and updating using Google Play. Thank you for your understanding.

The upshot of this is that you will not be able to update your app automatically using the Google play interface, but you’ll be able to reinstall the updated DJI GO4 app from the download centre if you are facing issues.

The DJI GO4 app is compatible with the Mavic series, Spark, Phantom 4, and older DJI drones. Do not worry if you have a newer drone you can use the DJI fly app.

DJI Go 4 App Is It Down? Why the app crashes.

It can be very frustrating when the app isn’t working. The DJI app allows users to:

• control their drone,
• view live footage,
• edit footage,
• and more.

Unfortunately, there have been reports that the DJI Go 4 App has been down recently for some users.

It is possible that app crashes for a variety of reasons without warning. 

This can cause frustration and disruption when trying to use your drone. If you are experiencing any issues with the DJI Go 4 App, be sure to check online for any updates or fixes from DJI or other sources – such as the DJI forum.

If none of these helps you, you may want to try resetting your device or restarting your phone if you are still having difficulties with the app.

Restart your the app and phone

Follow this if you want to force the app to work again. It has worked for me in the past.

1. Uninstall the GO4 app
2. reinstall it from the DJI official site.
3. Then power off your phone (not restart)
4. then power back on.

If you have other concerns about your DJI GO 4 app not working, check out my other article where I go through everything you need to know about troubleshooting and getting it working again.

Alternatives to the DJI GO4 app – other options from google play. 

Trying an alternative to the DJI GO4 app may be your only option if you are not happy sideloading a downloaded app onto your phone.

If you’re looking for alternatives to the popular DJI GO4 app, there are a few options out there.

One is Skydio 2, which has been designed specifically for drone pilots and is compatible with most drones on the market.

Another option is Autopilot, which offers advanced flight modes and mapping tools that can help you plan and execute your missions more easily.

All of these apps can provide an alternative to DJI GO4 for those who are looking for more advanced features or simply want to try something different.

Wrapping up

This article has been through everything you need to know about why the DJI GO4 app is no longer on the google play store.

Worry not, it is still available as a direct download on the DJI forum. The latest version is still safe to use on your smartphone and can be reinstalled at any time. 

Make sure you have the right version of the app for the model of drone you are flying. 

You can stop your drone controller from beeping by charging the drone, checking the battery connections, updating outdated firmware, recalibrating the controller, and fixing any sticky buttons. Yet, if these don’t stop the beeping, your drone may need to be diagnosed by a specialist.

Depending on the cause of the beeping, you can fix your controller rather quickly. Whether it be from a low battery, poor calibration, or a firmware issue, you can most likely stop the beeping without taking it to a technician to fix it. Read on to learn how to prevent your drone controller from beeping, depending on the cause.

Most of the time knowing when the controller starts beeping means you’ll be able to take quick and decisive actions against any continuous beeping sound. 

Charge Your Drone and Check the Battery Connection (DJI and others)

The most common reason a drone controller may beep is due to a low drone battery. When a drone’s battery level drops below a certain percentage, it sends an alert by beeping that the battery is low. The beeping will continue until the battery is charged or the drone is turned off. This continuous beeping during the flight should not be ignored – particularly on DJI drones such as the Mavic, Mavic mini or mini 2 because the drone will very quickly run out of battery. 

If charging the drone doesn’t stop the controller from beeping, it could be that the battery is damaged or not properly secured. To prevent it from beeping, you can take the following steps:

• Check battery connection
• Replace the battery
• Check for other hardware issues

The battery connection could be damaged if the drone is fully charge, but the controller continues to beep. Make sure that the battery is securely connected to the drone.

While checking the connection, look for any damage or corrosion. Signs of a damaged battery include

• It won’t hold a charge or loses charge quickly
• It gets very hot while charging/in use
• It is swollen, bloated, or deformed

If your drone battery shows signs of damage, you must replace it to stop the beeping.

Perform A Firmware Update to stop the controller beeping

Drone controller beeping can sometimes indicate an outdated drone firmware version. The drone’s firmware controls critical systems like flight control and sensors, and outdated firmware can cause glitches or errors that lead to beeping when you turn on the remote.

To update the drone firmware and potentially fix the beeping:

1. Charge the drone battery to at least 50%
2. Connect to a strong internet connection
3. Set up the drone as usual and connect it to the controller and app
4. The app will prompt you to update the firmware if it is outdated. Follow the prompts to download and install the latest firmware update. This typically takes around 10 minutes.
5. Restart the drone and the controller.
6. Once all components are updated, try flying the drone to ensure the beeping is resolved and functioning correctly.

If the beeping continues after the firmware update, it could indicate a hardware issue, and you should contact the drone manufacturer for service.

Updating the firmware is an excellent first step to troubleshooting beeping, but it does not always fix the problem. However, with the latest firmware, your drone should have the most recent bug fixes and safety improvements so that you can eliminate firmware as the cause of beeping.

Calibrate the Controller if it keeps beeping

Controller calibration refers to aligning the joysticks and buttons on the drone controller to work correctly.

Over time, the joysticks or buttons can become misaligned or uncentered, leading to erratic behavior or beeping from the controller.

Controller calibration can fix issues like the joysticks being off-center or misaligned and may stop any beeping from the controller.

To calibrate a DJI remote controller, refer to the following steps:

1. Open the app that controls your drone controller.
2. Connect your smartphone or tablet to the controller, then turn on the controller. Make sure your actual drone is turned off. The controller calibration will not work if the drone is on.
3. In the app’s settings, find the option to calibrate the controller. It may be under a section labeled “Controller” or have an icon that looks like the controller.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate the controller. This typically involves moving the controller joysticks through their full range of motion and confirming when they are done.

Controller calibration is an excellent first step to troubleshooting controller beeping or erratic behavior. It helps ensure that the joysticks and buttons are correctly aligned and responsive.

If beeping or issues continue after calibration, it could indicate stuck buttons or a hardware problem, which you should contact the drone manufacturer for service.

Check For Sticky Buttons on the remote controller

Sticky buttons can cause beeping because the stuck button may be activating or depressing, which can trigger an error warning from the controller. Getting the button unstuck should stop the beeping sound and allow regular use.

​​To fix a stuck or beeping controller button:

1. Gently run a blunt object (like a fingernail or pen cap) around the stuck button to loosen surface grime. Be very careful not to push debris under the button.
2. If the button is still stuck, apply a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab.
3. If the button is still stuck, take it to a professional to be repaired.

While trying to loosen the button with a blunt object or rubbing alcohol, be sure to apply light pressure only. Be careful not to push anything down into the button mechanism or under the button edge, as this could damage the internal components.

If the stuck button is a trigger or joystick, try exercising the button/stick through its full range of motion several times. This can help loosen the built-up dirt or debris and keep the button moving freely.

As a last resort, disassemble the controller or take it to a professional to directly access and clean the stuck button mechanism. This will void the controller warranty, so only attempt if you are comfortable with electronics repair and have experience opening up controllers or other devices.

Hopefully, this is all you’ll have to do to get the controller to stop beeping. 

Final Thoughts – How do I stop my drone controller from beeping

Your drone controller is most likely beeping to warn you about a low battery, firmware updates, or poor calibration.

If these aren’t the cause, then maybe your controller has some sticky buttons or has been dropped too many times. Yet, following these steps, your drone should stop the beeping sound in no time! Also if the controller is beeping continuously it may be time to send it to a professional.

If your drone is beeping, it could be an indication of a low battery, a problem with the GPS signal, or a warning of a potential collision. If the beeping continues or is accompanied by flashing lights, it’s best to land the drone immediately.

The most common reason a drone or the controller will start beeping is to indicate that it is low on battery power, and needs to be recharged.

It may also beep if it has encountered an obstacle, is out of signal range, or if the control signal from the remote controller has been lost. Additionally, some drones are programmed to sound a distinct tone when they reach maximum altitude or distance so that you know where the boundaries are.

Finally, newer models of drones have sensors which can detect when other objects—like birds or people—are too close, and will beep as a warning sign to stay away.

I have found that my drone beeps as an important way of communicating various messages and providing warnings that help keep me safe while flying it so it is important to work out why your drone may be beeping.

Is it the drone or the DJI controller beeping?

When you hear a beeping sound, it can be frustrating to figure out if you need to do something on the drone or with the drone controller to stop the beeping.

Most of the time the beeping noise will come from the drone controller. As a drone pilot you’ll be using the controller to keep in intimate contact with the drone and using all the noises it makes to ensure you can fly safely. Never ignore persistent beeping noises.

Most of the time you can stop the beeping by doing something on the drone remote controller.

Make sure that both the drone and the remote control are within range of each other so they can communicate without any issues. Your drone will likely return home if there are any connection issues anyway – that is, at least, my experience.

What is that beeping sound?

Here are the common reasons your drone may be beeping:

Return to home feature activated on remote controller

The Return to Home feature on your drone is an incredibly useful tool that can save you from getting lost in the air or losing control of your device.

When activated, it will allow the drone to autonomously fly back to its launch point and land safely.

This feature is especially helpful for novice pilots who may not have a good sense of direction yet, as well as more experienced flyers who might just want some extra assurance in case something goes wrong.

By engaging the Return to Home feature, you can be sure that your drone will always make its way back home after a long flight.

Whether it’s because of technical issues or low battery power, the Return to Home feature ensures that your drone will return before it runs out of juice or needs to be manually operated back to safety.

Low battery on drone and controller

One of the most common reasons for a beeping drone is a low battery.

Many drones will emit a warning beep or series of beeps when the battery is running low, indicating that the drone needs to be landed or charged as soon as possible.

This is an important safety feature that helps prevent the drone from crashing or becoming lost due to a dead battery.

I always carry at least two batteries when I fly my drone can so that I can be assured of a decent amount of time in the air.

To resolve this particular issue, simply land the drone and charge the battery as instructed in the drone’s manual.

Drone malfunctions, errors and warnings (time to calibrate?)

Another common reason for a beeping drone is a malfunction or error.

Some drones are equipped with sensors and systems that can detect malfunctions or errors and will emit a beep or series of beeps to alert the user of the problem.

These issues can range from something as simple as a low signal strength on the remote control to more complex issues such as a malfunctioning sensor or motor.

DJI drones are equipped with a variety of warning systems.

Some of the most common warnings include alerts about yellow zones, updating batteries and props, and power plants or airports nearby. The most warnings that may be accompanied with a beeping sound are:

• Low Battery: Indicates that the drone’s battery level is running low and it should be landed soon.
• No GPS: Indicates that the drone is not able to obtain a GPS signal, which can affect its ability to hover and fly in a stable manner.
• Return to Home (RTH) Activated: Indicates that the drone’s RTH function has been activated, usually because the control signal has been lost or the battery is low.
• Obstacle Avoidance: Indicates that the drone’s obstacle avoidance sensors have detected an obstacle in its flight path.
• Vision Positioning System (VPS) Error: Indicates that the drone’s VPS is not functioning properly, which can affect its ability to hover and fly indoors or in low-light conditions.
• IMU Error: Indicates that there is an error with the drone’s Inertial Measurement Unit, which can affect its ability to fly and navigate.
• Motor Error: Indicates that there is an error with one or more of the drone’s motors, which can affect its ability to fly.

No fly zones

Another possible reason for a beeping drone is that it is approaching a no-fly zone.

Many drones are equipped with GPS systems that can detect when the drone is approaching a restricted area, such as an airport, security sensitive area (such as a jail) or military base.

In these situations, the drone will emit a warning beep or series of beeps to alert the user to the potential danger, and may even automatically fly away from the restricted area. In my experience, the drone has simply stopped at the GPS geo-fence.

To resolve this issue, simply fly the drone away from the restricted area and ensure that you are following all laws and regulations regarding drone use in your area.

How to stop the drone from beeping

If you have a drone that keeps beeping, there are several steps you can take to stop it.

·        First, check the instruction manual of your drone to see if there are any specific instructions on how to silence the alarm. If so, follow those instructions. If not, look for a switch or button that could be used to disable the alert sound.

·        Additionally, you may want to make sure all batteries are properly installed and connected as this could potentially cause the beeping noise.

·        Lastly, if the drone is still making a beeping sound after following these steps, contact the manufacturer for further assistance. With proper care and maintenance of your drone, you should be able to stop it from beeping in no time.

Here are the common fixes if my drone makes an annoying beeping sound:

Always fly with a full battery (drone and controller)

Always fly your drone with a full battery. It is important to make sure that you have enough charge before taking off.

Flying with a low or depleted battery can be dangerous, as the drone may not have sufficient power to return safely to its starting point.

Not only does this put your expensive drone at risk, but it also puts other people and property in danger too.

Make sure that you check the battery level before each flight and charge the drone up accordingly.

I also recommended that you bring spare batteries with you on longer flights in case the battery runs out mid-flight.

Fly your drone away from obstructions

If you fly too close to buildings, trees, power lines, or other obstructions, it can cause a crash or even damage property.

Additionally, local laws may prohibit the use of drones in certain areas.

To ensure a safe flight experience and stay within the law, make sure to always fly your drone away from any potential hazards.

When you start out with a new drone, always familiarize yourself with the area before taking off so that you are aware of any obstacles in your path.

Additionally, try to always keep track of where your drone is flying and how far away it is from any obstacles. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your drone flights are not only safe but also legal and enjoyable!

Reset your DJI controller

If you’re having trouble with your DJI controller, resetting it could be the solution.

Resetting your controller can help to restore all of its settings back to their factory defaults.

To reset your controller:

• first power it off and then press and hold the button located on the rear of the device for at least 10 seconds until you hear a beep.
• Once complete, power on the controller again and it should be restored to its original settings.

It’s important to note that any customizations or settings will be lost in the process, so make sure you have them backed up before proceeding.

Additionally, some DJI controllers may require additional steps such as pairing with your drone again or updating firmware so make sure you consult user manuals if necessary.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, a beeping drone can be caused by a variety of issues such as low battery, malfunctions or errors, no-fly zones and other features.

By understanding the possible causes of a beeping drone, and how to troubleshoot and resolve these issues, you can ensure that your drone remains safe and functional at all times.

It’s always a good idea to keep your drone manual handy and check for any troubleshooting guides available for your specific drone model online. I always download a copy to my phone so that it is easy to find if I have issues in the field.

If all else fails, consult with the manufacturer or a drone expert for further assistance.

To fix a stuck DJI gimbal, assess the damage on the gimbal itself, inspect for dust and foreign objects and then carefully clean the gimbal with a microfibre cloth and toothpicks.

In this article, we’re going to go over all the different ways you can fix a stuck DJI drone gimbal alongside the methods I’ve utilized myself to get my gimbal up and running. 

How to Fix a Stuck DJI Gimbal

As mentioned above, here are some foolproof ways to get your DJI Gimbal up and running again.

Turn It Off And On Again

Ah, yes, the solution to any problem from an IT tech whiz. But trust me, it works!

Sometimes, your drone might throw down error 40002, citing your gimbal has been stuck with it, not even operating due to a slight disconnection during the bootup process.

So, to fix those, just turn your drone off and boot it back up again. If it fixes the error, great. If it doesn’t, I recommend investigating whether you receive the same error code every time. If you do, it means that your error is genuine and isn’t a software bug or glitch.

However, if you see your errors constantly changing, it might mean that your drone has multiple issues. But, in most cases, this is an indication of a minor software hiccup or a disconnected cable rather than anything hardware related.

Let The Drone Take Off And Land On Your Palm

If you have a stuck gimbal, start your flight from your hand and land the drone on it too. What does this achieve? Well, when a drone takes off, it produces a lot of thrust and wind turbulence. The lower portion of the drone, which contains its GPS module and other sensors, are often clogged with dust particulates. 

Due to the wind turbulence, your drone can sway the particles out of the drone itself, which is often the reason why your DJI gimbal gets stuck in the first place. If you aren’t in the mood to land the drone on your hand, you can always do the landing on a landing pad instead.

Use Your Propellor And Pen Caps

If your drone has gone through a crash and your DJI gimbal is stuck due to it being laid up against the frame, then, you might be able to repair the drone by following these steps. Before you start, though, this fix is subjective to the nature of the crash for your own drone.

So, there’s a high chance that this might not work on your drone, depending on how badly your gimbal has been damaged.

• Use the propellor screwdrivers that come out of the box to remove the front cover of your gimbal.
• After doing so, gently move the gimbal upwards and downwards and in all its axes
• Now, use your pen caps to pop your gimbal back into place from either side giving it a slight push
• You should hear a clipping sound if your drone’s gimbal is fixed afterward

Note: After performing this fix, I recommend calibrating your drone’s gimbal and also going on a safe maiden voyage to ensure the issue doesn’t come up again. If you see more damage in your gimbal, I recommend not disassembling it further and taking it to a professional instead. 

Recalibrate Your Stuck Drone

If your DJI gimbal is stuck, you may notice that your camera is crooked. For that, you’ll need to recalibrate your drone in order to get that crispy clear video back to its normal vertical and horizontal axes.

You can recalibrate your drone by heading to Mavic’s application on your phone. But, after doing so, your camera may still look crooked. If that’s the case with you, your gimbal now is free but isn’t exactly lined up as it was prior.

To fix this, you’ll need to head to a repair shop or try and adjust the gimbal’s positioning yourself. Either way, it takes a lot of time. A quicker and easier way to do this is by heading to Gimbal Roll Adjustment on the application.

Once you are in there, you can adjust the roll according to your crooked viewfinder. Your adjustment may vary depending on how much damage your gimbal has incurred and what the actual physical deformity is. In any case, once you save the option, you will not have to constantly adjust your drone’s gimbal. Instead, it’ll be done automatically after.

Check For Dust, Debris, and Foreign Objects

Drones tend to remain sky-high. However, when they land, drones can be littered with foreign objects, dust, and debris.

Even if you haven’t crashed your drone, dust is often found in the atmosphere which can damage your drone.

Now, your gimbal is a rather sensitive instrument in your drone. Therefore, even a very minute foreign object or residual dust buildup can cause it to not move properly in one axis or both. I recommend rotating your drone camera gently with your own hand and sensing for any grinding or points where the gimbal isn’t moving very freely.

Once you find that point, I recommend taking a piece of microfiber cloth damped with isopropyl alcohol (99%) and gently dabbing your entire gimbal. This will help remove all the dust and grime that might have built up over time.

For foreign objects, you’ll have to resort to your eyesight. This is because you can’t risk moving the gimbal while a foreign object is stuck inside it. Chances are, that object might damage your gimbal even further or recede to an even deeper point where it’ll be harder to take out.

If you locate a foreign object, I recommend plucking it out or slightly moving the gimbal toward the direction where the object will be freed and will fall off. Once again, do not move the gimbal in such a way that the object ends up going deeper inside the groove. 

Going For A Deeper Clean

Not all dust is coarse enough for you to be able to clean it so easily. And not all foreign objects are large enough for you to be able to just shake them away. In those cases, here are two methods that I employ when I want a deeper clean:

• Compressed Air: Compressed air or a leaf blower even helps get rid of all the dust that might be present inside your gimbal even if it is too fine to be seen by the naked eye. Do not place the can of air right on your gimbal. Instead, do it from a safe distance to ensure you don’t accidentally damage your gimbal instead.
• Toothpicks: Yes, you heard me right; toothpicks are an excellent way to clear foreign objects out of your gimbal. Run it along the edges of your gimbal until you feel something. Once you do, pluck it out and give your gimbal a shake.

FAQ

Why Is My DJI Camera Not Tilting?

If your DJI camera is not tilting, chances are that the gimbal is stuck. So, assess your drone and look for any damages while also cleaning up any dust or foreign objects that may have stuck inside. After doing so, head to your drone’s settings and adjust your gimbal settings before you start flying it again.

Why Is My Gimbal Swinging?

Your DJI gimbal is supposed to swing under normal operations. If it is swinging erratically, then, it needs to be reseated or checked out by a professional. But, the gimbal is meant to move around and swing in order to tilt your camera accordingly.

Why Has My DJI Gimbal Stopped Working?

There can be a plethora of reasons ranging from software to hardware, that can lead to your gimbal not operating properly. The first step you should do is to reset your gimbal and perform an RC calibration to rule out any bugs or glitches. After doing so, check whether your gimbal is physically stuck or has gone through some sort of damage for it to not work randomly. 

Conclusion

The DJI gimbal is sturdy and often does not get stuck. However, I recommend always putting on your gimbal guard when transferring your drone and removing it when you end up flying. In any case, if your gimbal does get stuck, try all the fixes I’ve mentioned above and then take them to your drone repair shop. Unless the damage isn’t very significant, your drone should be up and running in no time!

Videos that’ll help:

The first thing to try is checking the gimbal system. Sometimes, it might have come loose after an accident. You can also check the propeller, as uneven propellers can lead to shaking during flight. Lastly, consider adjusting the way you are flying, to minimize the effect of the wind.

There are a few ways that you can combat gimbal vibrations. If one of these fixes doesn’t work, move on to the next one. Read on to learn the best tips to help you control vibration in your drone.

Why Does My DJI Gimbal Vibrate?

The gimbal is a small camera that sits underneath your DJI drone. When you are flying, you will be able to control the gimbal, changing the angle of the camera. This can allow you to get some stunning shots.

The best place to start is by trying to identify some of the reasons why your drone gimbal might be vibrating. Here are some of the common causes:

• Recent crashes. Sometimes, you might have had a crash that caused the gimbal to pop out of place. Any time that you have a crash, you should carefully inspect the drone, to make sure that it hasn’t been damaged.
• High winds. Sometimes, if you are flying your drone on a windy day, the breeze will push the gimbal downwards and you will need to keep re-adjusting it. This might also occur when you are flying at high speeds. This is most common in the DJI Mini 2 and Mavic series.
• Changing the props. The issue might lie in the propellor system being unbalanced. This is what can create a Jello effect, particularly on the Mavic. This is most common after a crash.

It should be noted that most of the time this vibration is due to a hardware problem. However, it’s still best to check the software and make sure that you are running the latest version.

Fixing The Gimbal After A Crash

If you have recently had a crash, it’s best to start by examining the gimbal to see if it was affected. Sometimes, the force of the impact might have been enough to cause it to pop out of the housing.

If this is the case, it will often be relatively easy to fix. This can be as simple as popping the gimble back into place. You might need to check with the owner’s manual to make sure that you have connected it properly.

Checking The Propeller

It’s also possible that you might have an uneven propeller. This can affect the aerodynamics of the drone, causing it to shake more than it normally would.

The good news is that this is easy to detect. Fly the drone down low, so you can get a good view of what it looks like in flight. If it doesn’t do this, it indicates the vibration is caused by a mechanical fault.

Look for a nice smooth camera feed:

Propeller issues are most common after an accident. Though you will need to replace them every 200 flights.

The good news is that replacing the propeller is fairly easy. Here are the steps you will need to follow:

1. Remove the old propeller. To do this, you will need to use the screwdriver that came with the drone. This will allow you to remove the screws that are holding the propeller in place.
2. Find a suitable replacement. You should use the official propellers that are recommended by the manufacturer, rather than buying through a third party.
3. Screw in the new propeller. This should be as simple as placing the propeller into the slot and tightening the screw to make sure that it gets held in place.

After you have done this, you will need to re-test your drone. Hopefully, it should now fly flat.

If it doesn’t, there might be other mechanical issues that you need to take into account. You can try a close inspection of your drone to see if you can spot the issue. If you can’t see anything wrong, you might have to send it to a professional to see if they can find the cause of the vibration. If you are covered by warranty, you will be able to send it back to DJI and they can inspect it and solve the problem for free.

Changing The Way You Fly

Sometimes, you will only notice the gimbal vibrations when flying at high speeds or in high winds. In this case, it indicates that the breeze is responsible for the problem. Some more modern DJI drones will try to solve these problems by automatically moving the camera, to adjust to the wind.

However, this can sometimes cause problems, as the top of the drone or the propellers can appear in the shot. Because of this, you might want to start adjusting the way that you fly on a windy day. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Flying side to side. This can help buffer against the wind, as the gimble moves from left to right, instead of floating upwards and getting the top of the drone in the shot.
• Flying backward. This will allow you to use the body of the drone to block the wind. Because of this, the gimble should be able to move around freely.

You might also want to consider the lay of the land. For example, you use a building as a type of natural windbreaker. You might also want to consider looking at the weather reports before you take off, so you can plan the best time of the day to have your flight.

Final Thoughts

Gimbal vibration is a common complaint from drone pilots, leading to distorted images. Thankfully, this is a fairly simple problem for you to solve. Often, it will take a few mechanical tweaks to the drone, or a change in the way that you are flying.

Videos that may help you: