DJI to Disable Flight Record Sync in the US: What This Means for AirData Customers

Starting on June 12, 2024, DJI just announced that the flight record sync feature in the DJI Fly and Pilot 2 apps will be disabled in the United States. This change has raised concerns among drone operators who rely on DJI's cloud to automatically sync their flight logs with platforms like AirData. While this change poses a disruption to the current process, AirData offers robust alternatives to ensure that your flight logs can still be seamlessly uploaded.

This blog post aims to clarify these changes, outline who will be affected, and provide alternative methods for syncing flight logs to AirData.

Update from DJI

According to DJI’s announcement, the flight record sync feature will be disabled for the DJI Fly app in the United States beginning June 12, 2024. Additionally, the option to sync flights with DJI’s cloud from the DJI Pilot 2 app will also be disabled, expected in mid-July 2024.

US Customers vs. Global Customers

For AirData customers in the United States, this change means that automatic syncing of flight logs via DJI’s cloud, the process we refer to as Direct DJI Sync, will no longer be available using the DJI Fly and DJI Pilot 2 apps. However, if you are located outside of the United States, you can continue to use DJI's cloud to sync your logs with AirData at this time.

Alternative Methods to Sync DJI Flight Logs to AirData

AirData offers robust alternatives to ensure that your flight logs can still be seamlessly uploaded:

1. Using the AirData UAV Mobile Application: The recommended method is to use the AirData UAV mobile application. This app can directly upload flight logs from your device to AirData, bypassing DJI’s cloud. This method is not only straightforward but also secure, ensuring your data remains under your control. Importantly, if you are already using this method, nothing will change for you – your current process remains unaffected.
   

For instructions on how to upload logs to AirData using our mobile app, please refer to the below articles:

• Android phone/tablet with DJI Fly, DJI Pilot, DJI GO
• iOS device with DJI Fly
• DJI RC Pro, RC Pro Enterprise
• DJI RC Plus
• DJI Smart Controller
• DJI CrystalSky

1. Manual Uploads: Another option is to manually upload your DJI flight logs to AirData. This involves extracting the logs from your device and then uploading them through AirData’s web interface on this page. While this process is more manual, it ensures that no data syncing capability is lost due to DJI’s policy changes.
   
   US-based users of the DJI RC and DJI RC 2 will need to use manual uploads for the time being. Our engineering team is looking into the possibility of additional solutions, but we do not have additional details as of yet. Please see this help article for detailed instructions on manually uploading from the DJI RC and RC 2.
   
   
2. Third-Party Flight Apps: Users who utilize third-party apps such as Litchi and DroneDeploy will not be affected by DJI’s changes. These apps can continue to automatically upload flight logs to AirData, ensuring that your data syncing remains uninterrupted. For a full list of apps that support auto upload to AirData, please visit https://airdata.com/features#supported-apps .

Commitment to a Seamless Experience

AirData remains committed to providing a seamless and efficient flight log management experience for our users. We understand the importance of reliable data syncing and are dedicated to supporting our customers through this transition. We will continue to monitor updates from DJI and provide additional guidance as more information becomes available.

If you have any questions or require assistance with the alternative methods, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@airdata.com. Our team is here to help ensure that your flight operations continue smoothly and without interruption.

Conclusion

While DJI’s decision to disable flight record sync in the US may initially seem concerning, AirData provides effective alternatives to ensure your flight data remains accessible and secure. By utilizing the AirData UAV mobile app or manual upload methods, you can continue to leverage AirData’s powerful analytics and compliance tools without disruption.

Stay tuned for further updates, and thank you for your continued trust in AirData.

Contact Us

For any questions or further assistance, please reach out to us at support@airdata.com.