How to Unlock DJI Geofencing and Warning Zones in 2024

Discover how to unlock geofencing for your drone in this comprehensive step-by-step guide. We'll tell you the pros and cons regarding geofencing, explain the importance of local regulations, and explore different unlocking methods from the DJI Fly app. By the end, you’ll know which type of zone you are in and how to legally fly your drone or request permission to fly in any given area! Join us to gain the knowledge and confidence to fly responsibly while expanding your drone's capabilities!

🎬    Jump to Section
0:00 Introduction
2:07 Geofencing Pros and Cons
4:02 Unlocking Geofence Zones
7:14 Using the DJI Fly App
10:25 Other Zones
10:36 Authorized Zones
11:49 Enhanced Warning Zones
12:27 Warning Zones

✳️ UAV Coach provides industry-leading training, education, and news for professionals and hobbyists in the drone industry. We offer online and in-person training — over 50,000 people have used our flagship training course, Drone Pilot Ground School, to pass the FAA Part 107 remote pilot certification exam. And we've delivered hands-on flight training to more than 2,000+ new drone pilots. Our mission is to help push the drone industry forward by sharing years of knowledge to help drone pilots be safe and smart operators.

[MysticalDragon]

DJI's zones are ABSURD. I fly along a river in class E airspace with a 700 foot harddeck. The FAA doesnt care about my flying in this area, but DJI restricts me from flying in them. Its sad that DJI feels the need to operate these geofencing. I can request an instant approval to unlock this zone. It should be a warning that I have to acknowledge. I have no problems with a reminder or alert like this to make me aware of areas around me. However thats where it should end. Let me acknowledge and take responsibility for my flight.

[deejayyy]

Any "unofficial" ways to unlock these zones 🤔 especially when DJI is imposing restrictions when there isn't actually any?

[studioalbertidesign]

Wow, what a well organized and thorough video! Thanks for taking the time to make this, you the man!

[jeffreyvock]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. This is the only Comprehensive and clear instructions on how to proceed through the entire process. ADDITIONAL TIP: I was having problems downloading the unlock file to my controller even after connecting it to the wi-fi. Turns out I was no longer logged into my DJI account but it wasn't obvious. I was getting a server error instead of a prompt to log in.

[joshfrisby]

No point in having a drone when someone else has control

[idandez]

Great video. I unfortunately live in a complex airspace area and have had to fumble through this DJI process once too often. Thanks for the review.

[ntmdor]

Just got my first dji drone. Now I may return this mini 3.
I know I am close to a restricted area, but it is literally 100 feet from my house. I have flown my exo drones many times.
All I want to do is fly high enough to inspect my gutters. 15 feet off the ground. I guess I will return this one and let me decide where to fly.

[harrisongould]

This video is so helpful. I’m in a same situation here in New Jersey. I’m with a couple miles of Somerset airport. It’s an uncontrolled field, but planes are flying around here all the time. Actually I have about 150 hours out of that airport flying a couple of their Cherokees. I’m gonna have to go over and over and over again to check out what you did here but it’s absolutely perfect for my scenario.

FYI, about six months a friend of mine is gonna be moving to St. George.

[harrisongould]

So much info…my head is spinning. Thank you.

[TheOriginalGregToo]

Great video with clear and concise explanations. Thanks for making this. When I first started flying I found this process incredibly confusing, but you did a really good job of making it understandable.

[Limits_]

thank you for this detailed walk through, it was extremely helpful.

[suzannerichard]

I wish I saw this video a few weeks ago when I had FAA approval to fly in an area and my drone would not take off! I was so confused. Thank you for this explanation. New subscriber 👍

[aliasjesnj]

I was going to buy a Mavic 3 after having used a Mini 3 for a few months now. I never ran into a restricted zone problem until today.

They can kiss that money goodbye lol.

I'll be looking into what alternatives I can find, up for suggestions!

[RonaldBrown]

Nice tutorial on DJI Geofencing. Thanks for sharing.

[chadgilmore]

The flying brick from Autel dosen't have this problem

[DroneUpp]

Outstanding demonstration on understanding and unlocking Geofencing with DJI drones! It took me a while to be comfortable with this unlocking process but it does get easier over time. Surely, it is NOT my favorite thing to do! It does have pros and cons because it can keep an ignorant person out of trouble because the drone just will not take off at all in a restricted zone without DJI clearance. However, the lesser zones that allow take off becomes the pilots responsibility or could be an expensive headache. By the way... I am against the upcoming Remote ID regulation coming in September but I will not be breaking any rules. Thanks for sharing.

[yoelroque]

Thank you so much for all your information this is a very informative video

[lunch]

This is a great video and I'm especially glad you mentioned wake turbulence. But as an airline pilot, I want to clarify one point about that. The degree of wake turbulence is not a function of the power source of the airplane. All fixed wing airplanes produce wake turbulence, whether powered by jet engines or propellers. The larger the aircraft, the greater the wake turbulence. There are some very large propeller driven aircraft that can produce wake turbulence just as great as a passenger jet. The military C-130 is one such aircraft that operates at both military and civilian airports. When legally operating underneath a flight path, drone pilots should be aware of any large aircraft passing overhead, not just jet aircraft.

[designed_by_danita]

This was so very helpful!!! Thank you so much!!!

[ddsllc]

Excellent job on this video...thank you!