To set up a DJI Avata 2: charge the drone battery, goggles and controller, remove the gimbal protector, adjust the Goggles 3 to your eyes, then connect your phone to the goggles' USB-C port and activate in the DJI Fly app. Register the drone with the FAA ($5, valid 3 years), since at 377 g it's over 250 g. For the first flight with the RC Motion 3, press the lock button twice to start the motors, then press and hold to take off.
1. Charge and prepare
- Drone battery: ships in hibernation. Charge it through the drone's USB-C port to wake it. DJI recommends a USB PD charger of 30 W or more.
- Goggles 3 and RC Motion 3: charge over USB-C. Check levels by pressing the power button once.
- Gimbal: remove the gimbal protector and peel the protective stickers off the camera before first use.
2. Fit the Goggles 3
- Unfold the antennas and set the forehead pad low.
- Power on: press once, then press and hold for two seconds.
- Adjust the headband knob so the battery sits on the upper back of your head.
- Unlock the two knobs under the goggles, slide them to line up the image (56 to 72 mm spacing), and turn them to set diopters from -6.0 to +2.0. Lock them again.
Glasses aren't needed inside that range. DJI includes -2.0 D lenses for stronger prescriptions.
3. Link and activate
- Combo: the drone, goggles and RC Motion 3 are already linked.
- Bought separately: update each device first, then link drone to goggles and goggles to controller by holding each power button until they beep. Keep them within 0.5 m.
- Activate: with everything on, plug your phone into the goggles' USB-C port, open DJI Fly and follow the prompts. You need internet. See Avata 2 app.
- Update firmware if prompted. See Avata 2 firmware update.
4. Legal checklist (US)
- Register with the FAA and mark the number on the drone. Remote ID is built in.
- Recreational pilots pass the free TRUST test.
- Bring a visual observer. DJI says goggles don't satisfy visual line of sight. The FAA lets recreational pilots use a visual observer who stands next to them and talks with them.
- Check airspace in B4UFLY or Aloft.
5. Fly with the RC Motion 3
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Lock button | Press twice: start motors. Press and hold: take off to about 1.2 m and hover. Press in flight: brake. Hold while hovering: land |
| Accelerator | First stop: tilt to turn. Past first stop: fly toward the circle in the goggles. Push forward: fly backward |
| Tilt controller | Steers direction and gimbal tilt |
| Joystick | Up/down to climb or descend, left/right to slide |
| Mode button | Press: Normal/Sport. Hold: Return to Home |
| Shutter/record | Press: photo or record. Hold: switch photo/video |
| Dial | Tilt camera before takeoff; press twice for Real View |
Start in Normal mode in a big open field. Let go of the accelerator to hover. Practice smooth turns and short flights before trying Easy ACRO flips or rolls.
6. Safety settings
In the goggles (5D button, then Settings > Safety), set RTH altitude above nearby obstacles and leave Signal Lost Action on RTH. See Avata 2 home point and RTH. Note that the Avata 2 can't detect obstacles during RTH.
Manual and tutorials
DJI's user manual (PDF), quick start guides and DJI Assistant 2 are on the Avata 2 downloads page. DJI's setup and flight videos are at dji.com/avata-2/video.
Next: how to fly an FPV drone, or recording tips in Avata 2 record video. Shop the DJI Avata 2.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
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