To update a DJI Air 3S, power on the controller and drone, connect your phone or DJI RC 2 to the internet, and tap the update prompt in DJI Fly. The app updates the aircraft, controller and battery. As of October 2026, DJI's release notes list aircraft firmware V01.00.1700 (July 30, 2026) as the latest, which "fixed some known issues" and needs the latest DJI Fly.
Update in DJI Fly
- Charge the flight battery and the controller. DJI says updates often fail when either is below 20%.
- Connect the phone (RC-N3 or RC-N2) or the RC 2 to strong Wi-Fi.
- Power on the controller, then the Air 3S, and open DJI Fly.
- When DJI Fly shows that an update is available, tap it and follow the prompts.
- Keep DJI Fly open and on screen. Switching to other apps during the download can make it fail.
- The Air 3S restarts several times and powers off by itself when done. That's normal.
- Put each spare battery in and power on to accept its update.
Update with DJI Assistant 2
Use a computer if the app keeps failing or your phone's connection is poor.
- Install DJI Assistant 2 (Consumer Drones Series) from the Air 3S downloads page and sign in with your DJI account.
- Power on the Air 3S and connect it to the computer with a USB-C data cable.
- Select the Air 3S, open Firmware Updates, pick the version, and start.
- Don't unplug the cable until it's finished. Update the controller separately the same way.
Why Air 3S updates fail, and the fixes
DJI's FAQ lists four common causes. Fix them in this order:
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Aircraft or controller battery under 20% | Charge both, then retry |
| Power lost during the update | Restart all devices and run it again |
| Network dropped during download | Move to stable Wi-Fi |
| Switched apps during download | Keep DJI Fly in the foreground |
If it still fails, DJI's release notes say to restart the aircraft, controller and DJI Fly (or Assistant 2) and try again. Next, update DJI Fly itself, then try DJI Assistant 2 with a different data cable and USB port. More detail is in DJI firmware update failed.
When to get help: if the Air 3S won't power on after an update, or the update loops for a long time with no progress, stop and contact us through our repair page.
After the update
- Recheck camera settings, RTH altitude and max altitude.
- Confirm the Home Point records before takeoff. See Air 3S home point.
- Take a short test hover.
Does the Air 3S still get updates in the US?
Yes. DJI released Air 3S firmware in April and July 2026. Models authorized before the FCC's December 2025 Covered List change stay legal to buy, own and fly. Read Is DJI banned in the US? for the details.
For the app itself, see Air 3S app setup. Shopping for one? See the DJI Air 3S.
Related guides
- How to update DJI Air 3 firmware (and fix failed updates)
- How to update DJI Avata 2 firmware (and fix failed updates)
- How to update DJI Flip firmware (and fix failed updates)
- How to update DJI Mavic 3 Classic firmware (and fix failed updates)
- How to update DJI Mavic 3 Pro firmware (and fix failed updates)
- How to update DJI Mavic 4 Pro firmware (and fix failed updates)
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