DJI's GO 4 app adds local data mode, preventing third parties from accessing flight info

DJI's GO 4 app powers its Phantom 4 series, Mavic series, and Inspire 2 drones. A recent update for iOS revealed that Local Data mode is now available. The feature, which is already available on the Fly and Pilot apps, keeps your data strictly on your phone as opposed to sending it to DJI-controlled servers and third-party service providers.

News first broke on DJI's intention to address cybersecurity concerns with the GO 4 app, this past September, and the notion of including Local Data mode with it was introduced. While it has been available on DJI's Pilot App since 2017, its introduction to the GO app will enable a wider variety of users to take advantage of its privacy features. Essentially, when activated, Local Data mode acts as a 'kill switch' – preventing the transmission of data between the app and the Internet.

DJI drones are controlled with a flight app that's built-in on Crystalsky and the Smart Controller, for example, or they can be installed on either a mobile device or tablet. The app communicates with DJI servers and other third-party service providers to exchange information on location, geofencing, radio frequency, firmware updates, and localized maps that display on screen.

Local Data mode halts these communications, ensuring the data remains local and the drone pilot is the only one retaining this information. Should an operator want to activate localized maps, they can select 'Allow Map Services' which restricts communication to an America-based map services provider called Mapbox.

As of this writing, the Android app has not received the same update. That being said, a closer look at DJI's Pilot app for Android shows compatibility with the Phantom 4 series, the original Mavic Pro, and the Mavic 2 Enterprise series. This leaves out the Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom. However, version 4.3.40 of DJI's GO 4 app which is compatible with both drones, includes Local Data mode. It also addresses crashing issues and promises more in-app stability.

https://www.dpreview.com/news/6617660991/dji-s-go-4-app-adds-local-data-mode-preventing-third-parties-from-accessing-flight-info

Many thanks for this information DAFlys.

Thanks for the info!

Hello there DAFlys. Thank you for reaching out and for posting this interesting information and link here at DJI Forum. Again, thank you for your support and keep on flying.

kyalami Posted at 12-23 00:05
Many thanks for this information DAFlys.

very welcome kyalami.  

Montfrooij Posted at 12-23 00:29
Thanks for the info!

You already have this in the DJI Fly app,  they added that about a month ago.

DAFlys Posted at 12-23 01:24
You already have this in the DJI Fly app,  they added that about a month ago.

Ok, good to know!

Montfrooij Posted at 12-23 01:27
Ok, good to know!

If you enable it, some features dont work, but for the life of me I cant recall which ones.

DAFlys Posted at 12-23 01:46
If you enable it, some features dont work, but for the life of me I cant recall which ones.

I have not enabled it and I'm not sure if I want to.

Montfrooij Posted at 12-23 02:09
I have not enabled it and I'm not sure if I want to.

Theres a nice explanation here - https://dronedj.com/2020/09/28/w ... one-flights-secure/

DAFlys Posted at 12-23 02:13
Theres a nice explanation here - https://dronedj.com/2020/09/28/what-is-dji-local-data-mode-heres-how-it-keeps-drone-flights-secure/

Sounds nice, but not something that is really a guarantee nobody will see my data.
But actually I don't care about this particular data, since my flights are no secret at all.

Montfrooij Posted at 12-23 02:16
Sounds nice, but not something that is really a guarantee nobody will see my data.
But actually I don't care about this particular data, since my flights are no secret at all.

Seems to be a good way to stop firmware updates though.

DAFlys Posted at 12-23 02:33
Seems to be a good way to stop firmware updates though.

If you would want that.
DJI did not make that much FW mistakes lately.

Montfrooij Posted at 12-23 02:44
If you would want that.
DJI did not make that much FW mistakes lately.

I agree,  I keep mine up to date.

DAFlys Posted at 12-23 02:55
I agree,  I keep mine up to date.

Same here.
I know there have been issues in the past  (and it is a small risk) but these updates usually contain fixes and extra features that I would not want to miss.

Montfrooij Posted at 12-23 03:00
Same here.
I know there have been issues in the past  (and it is a small risk) but these updates usually contain fixes and extra features that I would not want to miss.

Id love to see an update with a few less popups for warnings etc.

DAFlys Posted at 12-23 03:05
Id love to see an update with a few less popups for warnings etc.

Totally agree.
After a while you have seen so much you just ignore them.
And miss important ones.

Montfrooij Posted at 12-23 03:12
Totally agree.
After a while you have seen so much you just ignore them.
And miss important ones.

The distance warning is the one that annoys me the most, followed by the wind warning when its not windy.

DAFlys Posted at 12-23 04:13
The distance warning is the one that annoys me the most, followed by the wind warning when its not windy.

Indeed.
I could live without those easily.

Montfrooij Posted at 12-23 04:20
Indeed.
I could live without those easily.

Or at least not have them keep repeating.

DAFlys Posted at 12-23 04:30
Or at least not have them keep repeating.

That would be a big bonus!

Thanks for the info mate

Suren Posted at 12-23 11:31
Thanks for the info mate

You're very welcome.

'Allow Map Services'

I would like to know how that is achieved in local mode on ios. I have searched high and long and failed to find that.

DJI said they were going to strengthen the security of pilots data.  It is nice to see they did so comprehensively across both apps.

DAFlys Posted at 12-24 01:19
You're very welcome.

JohnLietzke Posted at 12-24 18:53
DJI said they were going to strengthen the security of pilots data.  It is nice to see they did so comprehensively across both apps.

It certainly is,  I didn't respect the go4 app to get this attention.