The DJI Neo doesn't have hand-gesture flight control; you can't wave it left or right. What it does have is palm takeoff and landing, a Spotlight mode that snaps a photo when you hold a pose for 3 seconds, and voice control through the DJI Fly app ("Hey Fly"). Hand-gesture control is one of the features DJI added in the newer Neo 2.
Palm takeoff, step by step
- Power on the Neo and wait for the self-check to finish.
- Press the mode button to choose a Smart Snap, such as Follow or Circle.
- Hold the Neo flat on your open palm, camera facing you. Keep your fingers clear of the guards.
- Hold your arm out and steady, then press and hold the mode button.
- The Neo announces the mode and counts down, then takes off. Press the button once during the countdown to cancel.
DJI's rules: launch in calm air, keep your hand still, don't throw the Neo, and don't grab it in flight. Palm takeoff needs to see you, so good light helps. After takeoff it flies backward a short way; check behind it.
Palm landing
- Make sure the Neo is hovering in place.
- Walk up, extend your arm, and hold your hand flat right under it, within 0.7 m.
- Keep your fingers extended and your hand still. The Neo may rise slightly, then lands and stops.
In DirectionTrack, face the Neo and stand still first, then wait for it to fly to you. With a controller, you can still palm-launch (holding the button skips subject confirmation) and palm-land.
Spotlight photo pose
Set Spotlight to Photo in DJI Fly. After takeoff the Neo hovers facing you. Hold a fixed pose for 3 seconds and it takes a photo. This is the closest thing the Neo has to a gesture shutter.
Voice control
In phone control, enable voice control in DJI Fly and say "Hey Fly" to wake it, then give a command. DJI lists the common commands in the app's Voice Control Settings. It works in English and Mandarin, depending on your phone's language. Turn the phone volume up for best results.
Exit tricks without the app
- DirectionTrack: face the Neo and stay still; it stops recording and comes back.
- Follow and Spotlight: walk up and palm-land it; recording stops.
If palm takeoff fails
Usually the Neo can't confirm you as the subject: your hand blocks the camera, the light is poor, or something's in the way. It gives voice prompts in English or Mandarin, and DJI Fly shows details. In dim light, palm control isn't available. See Neo not connecting for app issues.
Want gesture control?
DJI's Neo 2 adds gesture control and Return to Palm, but DJI didn't officially launch it in the US. See Neo vs Neo 2. For more automatic shots on the original, read Neo QuickShots and the Neo quick start.
Get the DJI Neo and launch your first shot from your hand.
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