I want to get an ipad for my drone because of the screen size but want to confrim can you use the wifi only ipads or do you need to get a cellular ipads in order to fly the drone without internet?

I dont have an ipad but I do have a samsung tablet with no cell or internet n I fly my P4 with it no problem

Firstly, we need to know which aircraft you have? But, in any event, having an Internet connection is not necessary to flying your Phantom, nothing in the system uses Internet, nor cellular data.

Having said that, the WiFi onoly iPads do not have a GPS system fitted to them, and this means you will not be able to use the Follow Me function, or reset the home point to the position of the RC unit. However many people never use those functions anyway.

Geebax Posted at 2016-7-1 09:58
Firstly, we need to know which aircraft you have? But, in any event, having an Internet connection i ...

Hi,

I have a phantom 4. thanks for letting me know

Having a cellular enabled device will also allow you to stream live video to your YouTube channel or Facebook account.

RedHotPoker

Had same question when I got my first drone....the Phantom 4.  Using iPad Pro 12.9" wifi only....(no Cell).  Was concerned at first about not having GPS in iPad, but it has been no problem at all.  Love flying the P4 with the large screen of the iPad Pro 12.9".  Enjoy!!

More importantly having a cellular ipad willl allow you to view maps in an area you didnt view and cache while in a wifi area
I use a mini 2 cellular on my P4, but I also have a mini 4wifi as a backup and general viewer
Just wish I could airdrop from the mini 2 to the mini 4 as a display for spectators

As a side note i bought a couple of cheap hoods for the mini, they work butdont fit well on the clamp, just bought the dji one and its perfect, just wish they had cheaper shipping

I fly with an iPad that is WiFi only. The only "problem" that you might run into is the maps. What I try to do before I fly somewhere new is open the DJIGo app while in WiFi and move the map to where I will be flying. This caches the map so that it will be loaded when you fly. In the event that you don't do that, I'll create a WiFi hotspot using my cell phone right before I fly. That loads the map on the spot. Before you fly, you'll want to turn off the hotspot because the WiFi can interfere with the RC. Hope this helps!

Which problems can occur when or if an iPad WiFi-only is connected to the Internet using the iPhone 6s as a personal hotspot? I fly like this all the time...Would be great if any DJI-person can say something about this...did I overlook something in the user manual of the Phantom 4?

Thank you,

Max

dresseltl Posted at 2016-7-1 21:11
Had same question when I got my first drone....the Phantom 4.  Using iPad Pro 12.9" wifi only....(no ...

Hi dresselt, can you share what tablet holder do you use to hold the 12.9" iPad Pro?

I bought the ipad mini 2 cellular on special in argos. Love how maps are loaded instantly.

iPad Pro 9/7 no cellular just use hotspot from iPhone 6. Everything works fine.

c.davies60@btin Posted at 2016-7-2 19:59
I bought the ipad mini 2 cellular on special in argos. Love how maps are loaded instantly.

Get the free three data only sim, register andget 200mb of data free each month, ideal for getting maps yOu havent cached at home

you dont need internet, my ipad is wifi only. the only difference is that if you have internet then you can see the map.

cwong42@stu.jjc Posted at 2016-7-2 12:22
Hi dresselt, can you share what tablet holder do you use to hold the 12.9" iPad Pro?

Hi cwong42.  Sorry for delay...have not been on line for a couple of days.  
The first iPad Pro holder was from Amazon called iPad Pro 12.9" Adapter..
iPad Pro 12.9" mount adapter for DJI INSPIRE 1 and PHANTOM 4, PHANTOM 3 ADVANCED & PROFESSIONAL
by ArchMediaNet
Mount iPad Pro 12.9" tablet to your DJI RC for Inspire 1, Phantom 4, and Phantom 3 Advanced and Professional
3D PRINTED Mount Adapter custom designed to fit the naked iPad Pro 12.9" only
Allows the use of iPad Pro with your DJI RC
Mounts securely to the DJI clamp
Easily removable/attachable
You can see a picture on Amazon.

Then I decided that I needed a sunscreen, so I purchased a real nice unit that holds the iPad Pro 12.9" on the Phantom 4 controller very solidly.  It is from AERIALDRONEACCESSORIES.COM  The unit for the iPad Pro 12.9" is called The MASTER SERIES IPAD PRO 12.9" SUNSHADE
SALE  $ 179.99  Regular price$ 199.99.  They are running a sale through July 5th for an extra 15% off.  Great unit that works like a charm.

Phantom of The  Posted at 2016-7-4 20:15
Hi cwong42.  Sorry for delay...have not been on line for a couple of days.  
The first iPad Pro ho ...

Thank you for sharing . Great details and i will read up more in Amazon

yes you can use WiFI only. You will just need to cache your maps while at home on WiFi or use your phone as a hotspot when you get to your flying area and load the map.
Also, you cannot use Follow Me without a GPS in the iPad.

DJI-Ken Posted at 2016-7-5 03:24
yes you can use WiFI only. You will just need to cache your maps while at home on WiFi or use your p ...

Can point of interest / active tracking be used on a non-cellular device?

ajayrdshah Posted at 2016-7-20 08:37
Can point of interest / active tracking be used on a non-cellular device?

It depends upon what device you are talking about. Apple iPads that are WiFi only do not have GPS modules fitted to them. Without GPS 'active tracking' as you call it, or 'follow me' will not work on a P3. But POI works fine, as it does not rely on the iPad having a GPS receiver. It works solely on the GPS in the aircraft.

If you are talking about Android devices, then most phones have GPS capability.

DJI-Ken Posted at 2016-7-5 03:24
yes you can use WiFI only. You will just need to cache your maps while at home on WiFi or use your p ...

Can I use a WiFi hotspot (from my cellphone) on my ipad mini 3 WIFI ONLY whilst using a P4?

DJI-Ken Posted at 2016-7-5 10:24
yes you can use WiFI only. You will just need to cache your maps while at home on WiFi or use your p ...

ken , if I use ipad air2 with gps but didn't insert the simcard, do the gps still working ?

Vinniez Posted at 2016-7-21 00:38
ken , if I use ipad air2 with gps but didn't insert the simcard, do the gps still working ?

Ipads do not have gps in them

I am looking to purchase an iPad mini 4. I'd prefer to save money and buy the one w/o GPS and then tether to my iphone which has built in GPS.
I was told by some that that either 1) does not work or 2) GPS data is inaccurate.
The other option is to buy the iPad mini 4 w/o GPS (cheaper) and purchase a stand alone separate GPS device which supposedly is very accurate but seems to be another hassle to remember and charge. At the end of the day the price to purchase both would be the same as an iPad mini 4 w/ Cellular(Has GPS)
Anyone with real life experience tethering their Phantom 4 from an iPad Mini to a iphone (or other GPS enabled device)
My other question, how many GB do you recommend either 16GB or 64GB on the ipad Mini 4 to record and save video on the device even though at 720 resolution?

Thanks!

Geebax Posted at 2016-7-19 15:37
It depends upon what device you are talking about. Apple iPads that are WiFi only do not have GPS modules fitted to them. Without GPS 'active tracking' as you call it, or 'follow me' will not work on a P3. But POI works fine, as it does not rely on the iPad having a GPS receiver. It works solely on the GPS in the aircraft.

If you are talking about Android devices, then most phones have GPS capability.

'active track' and 'follow me' are completely different flight modes. Follow me literally follows the device via the GPS module built into it. Follow me is totally inactive  without GPS in the device. However, active  track is a more modern flight mode for the Phantom 4 series and uses the main camera to acquire and fix on the subject to track it - active track does NOT require GPS.

ACW Posted at 2017-2-20 09:54
'active track' and 'follow me' are completely different flight modes. Follow me literally follows the device via the GPS module built into it. Follow me is totally inactive  without GPS in the device. However, active  track is a more modern flight mode for the Phantom 4 series and uses the main camera to acquire and fix on the subject to track it - active track does NOT require GPS.

I am aware of that. If you read the tract of message by the person I quoted, I was using his terminology and had placed 'active track' in parentheses.

you can use an ipad without cellular. the drone will setup the RTH at take-off, but since you can not update the gps location of the RC to the drone, you will not be able to update the RTH or to use follow me mode.message 17 is clear enough.
what i wanted to add is that there are bluetooth gps receivers used for tracking. not sure if you can connect those to ipad in order to use the location, but i believe it should work. if it does, the advantage is that those gps receivers are accurate and the refresh rate is up to 10Hz.

amh2007@nyu.edu Posted at 2016-7-21 06:18
I am looking to purchase an iPad mini 4. I'd prefer to save money and buy the one w/o GPS and then tether to my iphone which has built in GPS.
I was told by some that that either 1) does not work or 2) GPS data is inaccurate.
The other option is to buy the iPad mini 4 w/o GPS (cheaper) and purchase a stand alone separate GPS device which supposedly is very accurate but seems to be another hassle to remember and charge. At the end of the day the price to purchase both would be the same as an iPad mini 4 w/ Cellular(Has GPS)

which is the specific external gps module we're talking about? some link?

Heebus Posted at 2016-7-21 02:23
Ipads do not have gps in them

Yes they do, I even pulled the simcard out and it still found my location, wifi was also turned off.

Vinniez Posted at 2016-7-20 08:38
ken , if I use ipad air2 with gps but didn't insert the simcard, do the gps still working ?

No simcard and no wifi and gps will still work.

Geebax Posted at 2017-2-20 14:06
I am aware of that. If you read the tract of message by the person I quoted, I was using his terminology and had placed 'active track' in parentheses.

Then my comment is directed at the person who wrote the original post. There does seem to be quite a lot of confusion between active track and follow me on these forums. I suggest flyers actually read the manual and understand what GPS actually is! How can a dog, for example,  without GPS receivers on it be actively tracked by GPS LMFAO.

ACW Posted at 2017-3-19 02:46
Then my comment is directed at the person who wrote the original post. There does seem to be quite a lot of confusion between active track and follow me on these forums. I suggest flyers actually read the manual and understand what GPS actually is! How can a dog, for example,  without GPS receivers on it be actively tracked by GPS LMFAO.

Then perhaps you should reply to the original post so there is no misunderstanding. Sometimes experienced OPs are not impressed when directly told things they already know especially when they are in plain view in the manual.

If you have downloaded a map of the area to the DJI GO4 application where you intend to fly, then no. You do not need to have connectivity to the Internet when you fly.

Commodon Posted at 2017-3-20 05:22
If you have downloaded a map of the area to the DJI GO4 application where you intend to fly, then no. You do not need to have connectivity to the Internet when you fly.

If you have downloaded a map of the area to the DJI GO4 application where you intend to fly, then no. You do not need to have connectivity to the Internet when you fly. In fact, i specifically enable "Airplane Mode" on my nVidia Shield prior to launching DJI GO4.

With regards to downloading a map of the area before flying, do the following:
1. Enable wireless connectivity on the device.
2. Launch the DJI GO4 application on the device. Note the device is *not* connected to the RC.
3. Tap the three hotizonatal bars in the upper-right corner, then tap "Offline Map"
4. Select the Continent, Countries, State, etc. then tap the down arrow to the right. Repeat if necessary.
5. When finished, you should enable Airplane Mode on the device.

Commodon Posted at 2017-3-20 05:42
If you have downloaded a map of the area to the DJI GO4 application where you intend to fly, then no. You do not need to have connectivity to the Internet when you fly. In fact, i specifically enable "Airplane Mode" on my nVidia Shield prior to launching DJI GO4.

With regards to downloading a map of the area before flying, do the following:

thanks for that tip Commodon , Ive just tried to follow your instructions tapping the three horizotal bars but donot get the option of OffLine Map

bigal Posted at 2017-3-20 06:09
thanks for that tip Commodon , Ive just tried to follow your instructions tapping the three horizotal bars but donot get the option of OffLine Map

Interesting. Is the DJI GO4 application up-to-date?

From the main screen, tap "Me" in the lower right corner.
Now scroll down and select Settings.
Scroll all the way to the bottom, under Sign Out

On my nVidia Shield, I am using DJI GO4 v4.0.5 (213-gpTablet)

Commodon Posted at 2017-3-20 10:30
Interesting. Is the DJI GO4 application up-to-date?

From the main screen, tap "Me" in the lower right corner.

Hi Commodom checked my version is DJI GO 4v4.0.2(172-gp Tablet)  running on Samsung Tab 4  Check for update tells me  latest version is 4.0.3
updated to v4.0.5 (213-gp tablet ) now got the option many thanks, just need to figure out what to do with it ..

Quamera Posted at 2017-3-19 05:47
Then perhaps you should reply to the original post so there is no misunderstanding. Sometimes experienced OPs are not impressed when directly told things they already know especially when they are in plain view in the manual.

My sincere apologies for the lack of clarity in not spelling everything out in micro detail so not to offend you whilst reading your manual LMFAO

Heebus Posted at 2016-7-21 02:23
Ipads do not have gps in them

iPads that have cellular connectivity indeed have GPS. This has been beaten to death. Even if you don't have a cellular connected iPad, GPS is not required to fly. This has also been beaten to death.

Yes, we can. ;-)

Vinniez Posted at 2016-7-20 08:38
ken , if I use ipad air2 with gps but didn't insert the simcard, do the gps still working ?

I know this question/post is old but it will be for people that come across this question. Yes, I use my iPad Mini 4 wifi/cellular model with no sim card. The GPS is in the unit, not the sim card.