While the DJI Mini 3 Pro is one of the best mini drones, it may not have all the features you may be looking for.
For instance, it lacks a fully-functioning Waypoint capability that would be useful in mapping or taking other complex shots.
In previous DJI drones, you can unlock some missing features using third-party software like Litchi or Rainbow.
But will Litchi work with the DJI Mini 3 Pro?
Thankfully, the DJI Mini 3 Pro will work with Litchi since DJI now has released an SDK for it. However, you will have to use the Litchi Pilot App instead of the standard app.
Let’s dig in to learn more about Litchi and what it does, and how to use it with your DJI Mini 3 Pro.
To help, we’ve identified and reviewed the best drone courses for beginners and professionals.
About Litchi
Litchi is one of the most popular third-party apps that allow you to control the drone autonomously with your smartphone.
One of the most significant advantages of Litchi is its ease of use. The app features a simple, intuitive interface allowing users to create and customize their flight plans quickly.
Pilots can set waypoints, adjust the altitude and speed of the drone, and even create complex missions with multiple points of interest.
Another significant advantage of Litchi is its ability to automate the drone’s flight. Pilots can focus on capturing the perfect shot or video while the app takes care of the drone’s flight path.
Litchi offers a range of automated flight modes, including orbit, follow me, and cable cam. These modes allow pilots to capture stunning aerial footage that would otherwise be impossible to achieve manually.
Litchi also offers a range of advanced camera controls, allowing pilots to fine-tune the drone’s camera settings for optimal results.
These controls include exposure compensation, shutter speed, ISO settings, and the ability to shoot in RAW format for maximum image quality.
SDK – What is it?
Currently, Litchi is compatible with the following DJI drones, and more are constantly being added to the list:
- Mini 2
- Mini SE
- Air 2S
- Mavic Mini 1
- Mavic Air 2
- Mavic 2 (Zoom/Pro)
- Mavic (Air/Pro)
- Phantom 4 (Standard/Advanced/Pro/ProV2)
- Phantom 3 (Standard/4K/Advanced/Professional)
- Inspire 1 (X3/Z3/Pro/RAW)
- Inspire 2
- Spark
For the later models such as Mini 3 series, Mavic 3 series, etc. you will need to use the Litchi Pilot App.
SDK stands for Software Development Kit, a set of tools and software that can help developers create applications.
An SDK can include APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), libraries, sample code, documentation, and other features that a developer would need to create an application.
This makes it easier for the developer since learning and creating an environment suitable for creating an application specific to the device is done for them.
Software development platforms like Google or Apple often provide SDKs to help develop apps. But these wouldn’t help since DJI has its firmware.
As such, DJI often releases its own SDK for developers to use, and it’s often unique to the drone model. This is the SDK that app developers use to make apps like Litchi compatible with the drone.
What is Litchi Pilot?
Litchi Pilot is a brand new app that has been created to support the latest DJI drones. It has freshly been introduced in open Beta stage, and is still definitely considered early days.
At this stage, Litchi Pilot offers limited features, but it does support planning and executing waypoint flights. We’re hoping to see more flight modes added before too long.
Litchi Pilot is compatible with the following drones:
- Mini 3
- Mini 3 Pro
- Mavic 3E
- Mavic 3T
Unsupported hardware:
- Mini 4, Air 3, and Mavic 3: there is no SDK for these yet.
- Mini 3’s DJI RC (with built-in screen) for the very simple reason that it is not possible to install apps on it.
- iPhones and iPads: DJI no longer supports the iOS platform with their latest SDK.
- 32-bit devices (such as Samsung A13, etc.): DJI no longer provides 32-bit libraries.
What can you do with the DJI Fly app?
While the Litchi app unlocks a wide range of features, the DJI Fly App is capable of many things, and you can still achieve a lot with it as we wait for the SDK.
When flying the DJI Mini 2, all we hoped for was a Follow Me feature.
DJI made that possible in the DJI Mini 3 Pro, including tri-directional obstacle avoidance, 4K at 60 fps resolution, Quickshots, Hyperlapse, Panorama, and Mastershots.
You can effectively use this drone for leisure or professionally without a third-party app like Litchi.
One would want to use Litchi mainly because the DJI Mini 3 Pro lacks the capability to follow waypoints.
The only provision is the Hyperlapse Waypoints, which may not work like the DJI Mission-enabled waypoints.
If you want to use your Mini 3 Pro with Litchi Pilot, you will also need to have the RCN1 controller if you don’t have one since the DJI RC can’t accept third-party apps. We hope DJI will change that in a future update.