Can you fly the DJI Air 3 without a controller?

No. The DJI Air 3 can't be flown with just a phone; DJI only supports it with a remote controller (RC-N2, RC-N3, DJI RC 2 or RC Pro 2) or with DJI goggles and an RC Motion controller. Phone-only flying over Wi-Fi is a feature of small drones like the DJI Neo and Flip, not the Air series.

Air 3 without the remote — DJI lists only controllers, or goggles with a motion controller, for flying the Air 3. The phone link is for QuickTransfer, not control.

Why there's no phone-only mode

The Air 3 is built around DJI's O4 video link, which runs between the drone and a DJI controller over a long-range radio. A phone's Wi-Fi can't do that. The Air 3 does have Wi-Fi, but it's used for QuickTransfer, which copies photos and videos to your phone at up to about 30 MB/s.

Lost or broken your RC-N2?

Your options, cheapest first:

DJI RC-N3 ($142). Works with the Air 3 after the September 2024 firmware update. Uses your phone as the screen.
DJI RC 2 ($406). Built-in 5.5-inch screen, no phone needed.
A used or spare RC-N2. Make sure it's an RC-N2, not the older RC-N1, which the Air 3 doesn't support.

After you get the new controller, update everything and pair it in DJI Fly. See how to pair a DJI controller.

Flying with goggles instead

The Air 3 also flies with DJI Goggles 3 and the RC Motion 3, or Goggles 2 and Integra with the RC Motion 2. You point the motion controller to steer. It's a different way to fly, not a cheap substitute for a remote. Goggles N3 doesn't work with the Air 3. See Air 3 goggles.

What your phone can still do

Be the screen for the RC-N2 or RC-N3 through DJI Fly.
QuickTransfer footage from the drone without a cable.
Provide location for Remote ID. With phone-based controllers, the phone supplies the pilot location. See Air 3 Remote ID.

If you want phone control

Look at the DJI Neo or DJI Flip. Both can fly from the DJI Fly app on a phone at short range, and both weigh under 250 g, so no FAA registration is needed for recreational flying. They're much simpler cameras than the Air 3, though.

For the full range of options, compare controllers in Air 3 controllers, or get the standard DJI Air 3 kit with the RC-N2 included.