DJI Fly App Firmware Updates 1.17.0 and 1.17.1 including Dolly Zoom and Flight Simulator

In May 2025, DJI has released two firmware updates, one after the other, which is quite unusual

Besides the usual bug fixes, there are also some interesting new features added, some of them specific to the Flip and others regarding the Mini 4 Pro, Mavic 4 Pro, and Air 3 and 3s

How to Update

On DJI Fly app, tap on the three dots on the top right of the screen and then select the tab About

In Aircraft Firmware, click on Check for Updates. A window indicates that new firmware is available, and we click Update to access this page with all the details

The two files are quite bulky, and after clicking on Update, I found a message informing me that the storage is insufficient. I have seen numerous messages on forums from users struggling to clear storage space

The easiest way is to connect the remote controller to a computer and turn it on

A folder with the name of the controller will be available. Double-clicking on it, the files of the internal shared storage are shown. Open the folder Movies and delete the files inside it. Then do the same with the file Pictures if needed

We can now return to the About page of the settings, click on Check for Updates, and this time it should work

When using the Flip controlled by a smartphone or a tablet, DJI Fly app must be updated on the remote device as well. When launching the app, a message indicates that a firmware update is available. Simply follow the instructions

DJI Flip

Dolly Zoom

The major update for the Flip is the addition of Dolly Zoom in the Smart Snaps. The dolly zoom is a distinctive camera move used in several Hollywood movies also know as Vertigo effect

The traditional way to achieve it when using a drone with a controller is by combining two opposite moves, one forward and the other backward, while maintaining the target at a constant size. The subject appears to be static while the size of the elements in the background and foreground will be modified as if they were moving, disorienting the viewer

To achieve this effect with a drone, we must choose a subject, a landmark, or a person, and an interesting background with elements on different layers

The drone will move towards the target at a constant speed, while an opposite movement is applied by zooming out, trying to maintain a constant size for the target. On most occasions, it is easier to do the opposite: the drone moving away from the target while zooming in

However, trying to apply the precise amount of zoom to counteract the drone’s motion is not easy. Better results are obtained by simply moving away from the target with the aircraft at a constant speed and then zooming in precisely on a video editor, using guides to maintain the target at the same size

To know more about Dolly Zoom or Vertigo effect, check my specific article

With this update, this effect is automatically created by the app on two occasions:

  • When controlling the Flip with a Smartphone or tablet
  • When it is used autonomously without a controller

Autonomous Flight

If you are flying the drone autonomously using palm control, press the Mode button located on the left side of the Flip, next to the SD card slot. The aircraft will announce the selected modes while cycling through all the different Smart Snaps

When Dolly Zoom is announced, press and hold the same button while aiming the camera at the target. The Flip will take off from the hand and slowly move backwards and then forward for a few seconds while filming. The target must be a person, so this feature is limited to blogging

This is the result: the effect is well implemented with the background warping nicely, although the resulting movie is way too short. Hopefully, we will get a longer version with further firmware updates

With a Mobile Device

More options are available when using a smartphone or tablet to control the Flip. After connecting the remote device to the Flip, tap on Settings to access the list of Snap Shots. The last one is Custom, where we can select the last option, Dolly Zoom

Shot Size can be set to Medium, Full, or Wide, with flight distances of 5.1, 9, and 12 meters

The Zoom Range can be set to 1-2x or 1-3x. With the second option, the effect will be stronger, but there will be a noticeable loss of resolution. I suggest using the first one

The last option is Fly Away before zooming, in which case the aircraft will move to a certain distance before activating the zoom 

Glamour Effects

Another new functionality has been added to the Flip: the Glamour Effects, including Skin Effects and Body Effect, a feature previously available on the DJI Neo only

These effects can be added when controlling the Flip with a smartphone or tablet, they are not available with a remote control like the RC2

To activate them, after connecting the Flip, go to the Album page and tap the three dots on the top right. A window Preference will appear with two buttons to activate Skin Effects and Body Effects

If they are turned on, the files previewed or downloaded will undergo glamour Effects processing

Other Models

Controllers

One of the two recent updates, more precisely the 1.17.0, adds support for the newly released flagship model, the powerful Mavic 4 Pro

This is always the case when a new model is released, however, this time several steps have been taken for the integration of this model with the Mini and Air series

The Mavic 4 Pro is now compatible with the RC2 remote controller, while the Mini and the Air are compatible with the premium RC Pro 2 controller, just released as an option for the  flagship model

The RC Pro 2 is a state-of-the-art controller with a 7” rotatable screen with a peak brightness of 2000 NITS, a built-in microphone, four hours of battery life, and 128 GB of storage

The RC Pro 2 is priced at around 1,000 Euros or dollars, more expensive than the Mini 4 Pro itself, it is therefore unlikely that owners of a Mini or Air model will purchase it

However, several advanced owners of the Mavic Pro 4 will consider purchasing a Mini or Air model to use in urban environments, since the new flagship model weighs more than 1 kg and is therefore under stricter regulations

Waypoints

The same update also adds support for storing Waypoint flights in the cloud, although this option is currently unavailable in the US

Waypoint is a powerful functionality that was, for many years, reserved for DJI’s flagship model. It is now also present in the Mini and Air series

It works by creating missions based on several points. Each mission is stored in memory to be used at different times of the day or in other seasons

After this update, it will be possible to retrieve from the cloud missions made with other models owned by the same person

More about Waypoint mode in my dedicated article

DJI Simulator

A flight simulator has been added to the RC2 Pro and RC2

We access it through this icon next to Academy

Some Basic Courses are offered. They are more useful than I expected, and worth going through for beginners to get familiar with the simple maneuvers. After tapping Basic Courses and then Start, simply follow the on-screen instructions

The Immersive Flight simulates a Mavic 4 Pro. It responds very well to the stick controls, can cycle through the three speed modes, Cine, Normal, and Sport

Several options in the Settings can be modified, including the Obstacle Sensing Action, Gain and Expo Tuning, and Button Customization

If You Prefer To Watch This As A Video



VicVideoPic

I am Vittorio Caramazza, aka Vicvideopic, the founder of this website and author of all the posts. I am a videographer and photographer contributing to several stock agencies. I am an Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop and Lightroom. I have 10 years of experience with dron videography and photography. I was struck by drone syndrome in 2013. I have owned and tested in depth the following drones: Phantom 3, Phantom 4, Phantom 4 Pro, Mavic 2 Zoom, Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic Mini, Mini 2, Air 2, Air 2s, Autel Evo Nano Plus, Mavic 3, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 3. My home has turned into a breeding ground for drones. I am the owner of two YouTube channels specializing in Videography and Photography, with a focus on drones My main channel is VicVideopic (in English): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgaBlrFDONJ4BSEUHa2cLKg My other channel is Drone Mitico, the Italian version.: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkeoY8rPPj-fypUKHckTtwQ I am currently based in Sicily (Southern Italy), but I tend to move quite often. After all, this is one of the main benefits of being a digital nomad…

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