No. The DJI Mavic 4 Pro can't be flown with only a phone, and there's no "drone only, no controller" way to fly it. It needs a DJI RC 2 or DJI RC Pro 2, the only two controllers DJI lists for it. Both have built-in screens with DJI Fly preinstalled, so you don't need a phone at all. The drone's Wi-Fi is only for QuickTransfer, copying footage to your phone.
Why there's no phone-only mode
Small drones like the DJI Neo and Flip can fly from a phone over Wi-Fi at short range. The Mavic 4 Pro uses DJI's O4+ video link, with up to 30 km (18.6 mi) of FCC range and 1080p/60fps live view. That needs a controller with the matching radio. A phone's Wi-Fi can't do it, and DJI doesn't offer a phone control mode for this drone.
Controllers that work
| Controller | Screen | Our price |
|---|---|---|
| DJI RC 2 | Built-in 5.5 in FHD | $406 |
| DJI RC Pro 2 | Built-in 7 in, 2,000 nits | $1,209 |
The RC-N3 phone controller isn't on DJI's list for the Mavic 4 Pro, and older controllers like the DJI RC and RC-N1 are for the Mavic 3 series. Details in Mavic 4 Pro controllers.
Lost or broke your controller?
- Buy an RC 2 or RC Pro 2. If you fly an Air 3S, Mini 4 Pro or Mini 5 Pro with an RC 2, check whether it can be linked to the Mavic 4 Pro too.
- Link it. Power on both, open DJI Fly and follow the linking prompt.
- Update firmware on both devices. See Mavic 4 Pro firmware update.
- Insurance. A US Care Refresh plan for the Mavic 4 Pro isn't a given, so check your drone insurance for controller loss or damage. See Mavic 4 Pro protection.
Getting footage off without a controller
- QuickTransfer: connects the drone to your phone over Wi-Fi 6 for downloads at up to 80 MB/s, according to DJI.
- USB-C cable: connect the drone to a computer. DJI says the drone doesn't even need to be powered on to export footage this way.
- Card reader: pull the microSD card. Footage saved to the 64 GB internal storage needs QuickTransfer or the cable.
See Mavic 4 Pro transfer.
Shopping for a "no controller" deal?
A Mavic 4 Pro listed without a controller only makes sense if you already own an RC 2 or RC Pro 2. Read Mavic 4 Pro drone only first. Every DJI Mavic 4 Pro kit we sell includes the RC 2, so you can fly the day it arrives.
Related guides
- Can you fly the DJI Mavic 3 Pro without a controller?
- DJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo vs Creator Combo
- How far can the DJI Mavic 4 Pro fly? Range and transmission explained
- Which app does the DJI Mavic 4 Pro use? DJI Fly setup guide
- Which controllers work with the DJI Mavic 4 Pro? RC 2 vs RC Pro 2
- Can you fly the DJI Air 3S without a controller?
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