Hi all,

Trying to activate Action 4.

My phone finds the device ok.  The four-digit check number is ok.

It recognises my DJI account.

Everything appears to be going ok until the Activation Screen.  It sits for a while. No reaction from the camera and then a pop-up states -
Activation Data Error. Please restart the device.  Restarting gives the same result.

I've activated three other DJI products without a problem.

Any suggestions appreciated

John

You probably know you only have 5 start ups. There may be a problem with their server, if you can bear it maybe wait 24 hours.
Also try doing it on wifi rather than mobile data - or vice versa.

4wd Posted at 8-18 09:34
You probably know you only have 5 start ups. There may be a problem with their server, if you can bear it maybe wait 24 hours.
Also try doing it on wifi rather than mobile data - or vice versa.

Thanks 4wd

I haven't been going past the start-up by skipping it so I still have 5 left.  Should I have been clicking skip at  that point?

Sorry to hear about your activation problems. :-( The possibility of these situations arising is one of the reasons why I'm not too keen on the activation requirement.

If I remember right, the Action 4 activation is based on the Mimo app, like the other Osmo series cameras? If so, you could check my troubleshooting list at https://forum.dji.com/thread-235190-1-1.html. While that list mostly concerns the Pocket 2, some of the tips could also apply to the Osmo Action 4, as both cameras utilize the Mimo app to activate the camera, if I remember right.

I hope you get it solved, either by the tips on the list or some other way

HGDC84 Posted at 8-18 12:16
Sorry to hear about your activation problems. :-( The possibility of these situations arising is one of the reasons why I'm not too keen on the activation requirement.

If I remember right, the Action 4 activation is based on the Mimo app, like the other Osmo series cameras? If so, you could check my troubleshooting list at https://forum.dji.com/thread-235190-1-1.html. While that list mostly concerns the Pocket 2, some of the tips could also apply to the Osmo Action 4, as both cameras utilize the Mimo app to activate the camera, if I remember right.

Hi
Thanks for your reply.  Your link takes me to a page of videos but I can't find one specific to the Pocket 2 Activation problems.  Probably me missing something.
John

Hi there. Thank you for reaching out and we're sorry for the trouble. Can you please try to reinstall the DJI Mimo app on your mobile device and check if the issue persists? Make sure to allow all the permission on the DJI Mimo app (the location permission must be turned on). If the issue persists, please try to switch between Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots to further isolate the issue. If all the troubleshooting didn't work, please provide us a screenshot showing the error message so we can check. Please keep us posted. Thank you.

DJI Paladin Posted at 8-18 19:47
Hi there. Thank you for reaching out and we're sorry for the trouble. Can you please try to reinstall the DJI Mimo app on your mobile device and check if the issue persists? Make sure to allow all the permission on the DJI Mimo app (the location permission must be turned on). If the issue persists, please try to switch between Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots to further isolate the issue. If all the troubleshooting didn't work, please provide us a screenshot showing the error message so we can check. Please keep us posted. Thank you.

Thanks.  how can I be sure I'm downloading the latest version of Mimo.  I can't find a version number on the one I've downloaded.    Can you forward a direct link please?

https://www.dji.com/no/downloads/djiapp/dji-mimo

John Walker Posted at 8-19 00:18
Thanks.  how can I be sure I'm downloading the latest version of Mimo.  I can't find a version number on the one I've downloaded.    Can you forward a direct link please?

Please refer to the response of Johansenfoto above. Please let us know the result of the test so we can help you further. Thank you.

DJI Paladin Posted at 8-19 05:37
Please refer to the response of Johansenfoto above. Please let us know the result of the test so we can help you further. Thank you.

No difference.  Same result.  I've tried with two different mobile phones.  Both in the preferred list Huawei P20 Pro.

I'll upload a video showing the process and result.

Never had this problem with activating Osmo devices before, using the same phone.

A video showing the problem I'm facing in the hopes it might shine some light on the problem.

Just checked your video and I find it strange. Think it is something wrong with your camera.
But did you activate Bluetooth, Wifi and Phone data on your phone? I have Huawei P30 Lite and doesn't had any problems activating with any products from DJI.

johansenfoto Posted at 8-19 09:09
Just checked your video and I find it strange. Think it is something wrong with your camera.
But did you activate Bluetooth, Wifi and Phone data on your phone? I have Huawei P30 Lite and doesn't had any problems activating with any products from DJI.

Thank you.
I'm also now thinking it's the camera at fault.  The phone and camera are 'talking' to each other until the final stages of activation.  Bluetooth, Wi-fi and data are all on.  I can't think there's anything else I can try.  The same phone has successfully activated other Osmo devices.  Looks like a return is the only answer.

John Walker Posted at 8-19 13:48
Thank you.
I'm also now thinking it's the camera at fault.  The phone and camera are 'talking' to each other until the final stages of activation.  Bluetooth, Wi-fi and data are all on.  I can't think there's anything else I can try.  The same phone has successfully activated other Osmo devices.  Looks like a return is the only answer.

You could try if someone have an iPhone, just for trying to activate.

johansenfoto Posted at 8-19 14:21
You could try if someone have an iPhone, just for trying to activate.

Thanks.   Everyone I know is on Android.  It's disappointing that the Mimo app doesn't give more info as to what the problem is when there's a error.

John Walker Posted at 8-19 23:31
Thanks.   Everyone I know is on Android.  It's disappointing that the Mimo app doesn't give more info as to what the problem is when there's a error.

I agree.
You could always try another anodrid phone, but many Samsung always have problem with Mimo.

John Walker Posted at 8-19 06:50
No difference.  Same result.  I've tried with two different mobile phones.  Both in the preferred list Huawei P20 Pro.

I'll upload a video showing the process and result.

Thank you for your response. Since you already did all the possible troubleshooting steps that could possibly rectify the issue, but still the issue persists, I'm afraid that you may consider sending the unit in for a proper diagnosis. You may contact our support team to start up a ticket at https://www.dji.com/support .  Also, the warranty can be applied depending on the outcome of the damage assessment including the warranty period of your unit. Thank you for your understanding and support.

DJI Paladin Posted at 8-20 04:10
Thank you for your response. Since you already did all the possible troubleshooting steps that could possibly rectify the issue, but still the issue persists, I'm afraid that you may consider sending the unit in for a proper diagnosis. You may contact our support team to start up a ticket at https://www.dji.com/support .  Also, the warranty can be applied depending on the outcome of the damage assessment including the warranty period of your unit. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Thank you.  As you say, there was little left for me to try.  I don't normally get stumped but this one beat me.  Three different phones.  Re-downloads of Mimo.  Various phone settings.  Used two of the recommended models with exactly the same result.  All my previous OSmo purchases have been activated without a problem.
The Osam Action is being collected by Amazon (via UPS) tomorrow (Mon).  A replacement is being delivered the same day.

Fingers crossed the replacement activates ok.

Thank you, everyone, for your help and advice.

John Walker Posted at 8-18 13:01
Hi
Thanks for your reply.  Your link takes me to a page of videos but I can't find one specific to the Pocket 2 Activation problems.  Probably me missing something.
John

That sounds weird. I checked the link and it took me to the right page, I wonder what's up with that.

If the link doesn't help, will you have better luck if you search "DJI Pocket 2 compatible and non-compatible phones/troubleshooting" on either Google or DuckDuckGo? I tested that search, and in either search engine's case, the first link offered on both of them was the correct page.

I hope you'll have better luck searching for it, it should be a list of both troubleshooting tips and a list of tested compatible and non-compatible phones.

Also, if it still doesn't help, you could try if visiting https://forum.dji.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=237518 would yield better results. That is the page for a similar list for tablets, with almost identical troubleshooting tip list.

Good luck, I hope you get it working!

Oh, I noticed you already sent it back. I hope the replacement unit works better. If not, feel free to check if my troubleshooting lists could be of help.

Replacement arrived.  No change.  I bought my Huawei P20 Pro specifically to work with the Osmo Pocket and the Action One.  Worked perfectly with those items.
Today, I tried the activation with a friend's old decrepit Galaxy A40 and it worked perfectly.  Action 4 now activated.  Time didn't allow us to do the Firmware update.  I tried to do that back at home on my Huawei P20 and it wouldn't even download the update.  Reported a Wi-fi error.  So,  lesson learned. The Huawei P20 Pro, is not a suitable phone to use with the Action 4.  This means, I either have to buy a new phone, or use a friend's phone to update firmware every time.  
Even though I've not had previous problems activating/updating Osmo products, I've always thought it was a bad idea for DJI to go down this route unless they could find a way of making Mimo compatible with all phones.  They certainly aren't making friends by insisting on keeping the activation requirement.  My brain is still hurting from all the tries to achieve activation.
Once again - thanks to everyone who offered advice.

John Walker Posted at 8-22 06:19
Replacement arrived.  No change.  I bought my Huawei P20 Pro specifically to work with the Osmo Pocket and the Action One.  Worked perfectly.
Today, I tried the activation with a friend's old decrepit Galaxy A40 and it worked perfectly.  Action 4 now activated.  Time didn't allow us to do the Firmware update.  I tried to do that back at home on my Huawei P20 and it wouldn't even download the update.  Reported a Wi-fi error.  So,  lesson learned. The Huawei P20 Pro, is not a suitable phone to use with the Action 4.  This means, I either have to buy a new phone, or use a friend's phone to update firmware every time.  
Even though I've not had previous problems activating/updating Osmo products, I've always thought it was a bad idea for DJI to go down this route unless they could find a way of making Mimo compatible with all phones.  They certainly aren't making friends by insisting on keeping the activation requirement.  My brain is still hurting from all the tries to achieve activation.

Very sorry to hear about your misfortune with the replacement unit, but glad you at least got it activated.

And I completely agree upon the activation requirement being a bad idea.

Great you got it to work, maybe you need a new phone next time and they are not expensive today as long as you stay away from Samsung that often have problems.

And yeah I had to buy my phone when I got my first Mini drone, so it made it 50% more expensive

John Walker Posted at 8-22 06:19
Replacement arrived.  No change.  I bought my Huawei P20 Pro specifically to work with the Osmo Pocket and the Action One.  Worked perfectly with those items.
Today, I tried the activation with a friend's old decrepit Galaxy A40 and it worked perfectly.  Action 4 now activated.  Time didn't allow us to do the Firmware update.  I tried to do that back at home on my Huawei P20 and it wouldn't even download the update.  Reported a Wi-fi error.  So,  lesson learned. The Huawei P20 Pro, is not a suitable phone to use with the Action 4.  This means, I either have to buy a new phone, or use a friend's phone to update firmware every time.  
Even though I've not had previous problems activating/updating Osmo products, I've always thought it was a bad idea for DJI to go down this route unless they could find a way of making Mimo compatible with all phones.  They certainly aren't making friends by insisting on keeping the activation requirement.  My brain is still hurting from all the tries to achieve activation.

Thank you for keeping us posted. We're deeply sorry for all the inconvenience cause by the issue. However, we're glad that you already now isolate the issue and activate your DJI Osmo Action 4. Should you have further inquiries, please don't hesitate to reach us. Thank you for your kind and support.

John Walker Posted at 8-22 06:19
Replacement arrived.  No change.  I bought my Huawei P20 Pro specifically to work with the Osmo Pocket and the Action One.  Worked perfectly with those items.
Today, I tried the activation with a friend's old decrepit Galaxy A40 and it worked perfectly.  Action 4 now activated.  Time didn't allow us to do the Firmware update.  I tried to do that back at home on my Huawei P20 and it wouldn't even download the update.  Reported a Wi-fi error.  So,  lesson learned. The Huawei P20 Pro, is not a suitable phone to use with the Action 4.  This means, I either have to buy a new phone, or use a friend's phone to update firmware every time.  
Even though I've not had previous problems activating/updating Osmo products, I've always thought it was a bad idea for DJI to go down this route unless they could find a way of making Mimo compatible with all phones.  They certainly aren't making friends by insisting on keeping the activation requirement.  My brain is still hurting from all the tries to achieve activation.

Today I bought the dji action 4 and was initially having the same problems with my P20 Pro.
But after re-downloading, re-installing, and altering a couple of settings on my phone it is now activated, updated and working fine. So the P20 Pro is a compatible phone.

I had the same problem with several phones and I realized the root cause of the issue is in the phone.

The phones with problems are those, which cannot properly switch to mobile data internet when they are connected to some wifi at the same time. I noticed first this connectivity problem when using wireless android auto - my phone looses the internet even if the mobile network is available, but my wife's doesn't, her phone works as expected. Mine is Huawei Mate 20X 4G on HarmonyOS 3.0 (and I tried some very old Asus Zenphone), my wife's Redmi Note 11 Pro.

The solution is to use for the activation a device that is capable to be connected to a wifi and at the same time to have working internet from the mobile network. So I used my wife's phone for the activation process and firmware upgrade.

On the other hand after the activation I was able to operate the camera from DJI Mimo and even share the phone's screen to a TV, the wifi connected was the camera's hotspot.

McH4K Posted at 12-14 16:08
I had the same problem with several phones and I realized the root cause of the issue is in the phone.

The phones with problems are those, which cannot properly switch to mobile data internet when they are connected to some wifi at the same time. I noticed first this connectivity problem when using wireless android auto - my phone looses the internet even if the mobile network is available, but my wife's doesn't, her phone works as expected. Mine is Huawei Mate 20X 4G on HarmonyOS 3.0 (and I tried some very old Asus Zenphone), my wife's Redmi Note 11 Pro.

Hi, there. We're sorry for the trouble that you had experienced. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and advice regarding this matter. We encourage you to keep us posted if you have further concerns. Thank you for your support.

keep in mind you want a strong signal   where ever  you  register,  you may want to do a speed test before attempting a  registeration.  if you bounce back and fourth in   services , you may  hesitate and  cause a lost attempt - good luck

McH4K Posted at 12-14 16:08
I had the same problem with several phones and I realized the root cause of the issue is in the phone.

The phones with problems are those, which cannot properly switch to mobile data internet when they are connected to some wifi at the same time. I noticed first this connectivity problem when using wireless android auto - my phone looses the internet even if the mobile network is available, but my wife's doesn't, her phone works as expected. Mine is Huawei Mate 20X 4G on HarmonyOS 3.0 (and I tried some very old Asus Zenphone), my wife's Redmi Note 11 Pro.

This makes sense but we don't have any mobile coverage at all here but I've been able to do it Ok on an older Android phone branded as Sharp - just using wifi on the home router.

Its Best to use the home  Wifi.   and as well not out of range.  If I sit at wits nd what happens is I struggle to get on and that is what we need to avoid

When reading my post now and responses of other fellows I think I didn't make myself absolutely clear about my phone's connectivity circumstances. I will try to elaborate slightly more details to make it really clear and inspire others for the issue resolution.

When my phone went through the "activation process" on DJI Mimo, the phone got disconnected from my home wifi and connected to the camera's wifi (I saw the name of the wifi in the phone's wifi options was the camera's hotspot name). And because my phone in 95% of cases prefers the wifi over the mobile network, even if there is no internet available over that wifi, the phone lost the internet connectivity at the same instant.

This resulted that the phone was connected to the camera's wifi and due to lack of internet connectivity the phone's DJI Mimo couldn't register the camera with the DJI servers => therefore the error message.

I experienced very few times my phone android auto connected via wifi (= the phone is connected to a vehicle's wifi, which is not connected to the internet on its own) and working internet at the same time, or it was working just temporarily for 10-20s. My wife's phone works that she is connected to the vehicle's wifi (w/o internet) and the internet is provided to the phone by the mobile network simultaneously, so she has the realtime traffic data, music, etc. I must connect the vehicle with my phone using a cable, then I have the mobile network internet available and everything works fine. This previous observation pointed me that its the exactly same story with the camera during the registration process.

My working scenario, when I used my wife's phone, which is capable to be connected to a wifi w/o internet (= camera's wifi) and at the same time to the mobile network means, I had the internet available and the DJI Mimo app could connect the DJI servers succesfully for the registration.

I assume the other means of internet connectivity might work as well:
- if the phone (tablet, etc.) is capable to be connected to 2 wifi's at the same time (or switching between them) = to the camera's wifi w/o internet and home wifi with internet.
- ethernet on the go (ethernet cable to the phone's usb-c or whatever phone's cable) for the internet

Some phones are working fine, some not, because of the chipset, its firmware (could be buggy) and settings.

I'm thinking how to diagnose the "camera registration problem" is in the phone because it doesn't have the internet available:
Newer phones have ability to run apps in different windows => have the DJI Mimo running and try to browse internet, send yourself Messenger, WhatsApp, etc. message at the same time. If the phone browser doesn't load the page or you don't receive the message while connected to the camera, then you have this problem.
Or you may stream internet music in the background on your phone, if the music gets interrupted (beyond the content that was cached into your phone), the internet connection is lost.
Or you may start the messaging app call or videocall before the DJI Mimo registration process.

When using another phone for the camera registration, don't forget you should log-on that phone as yourself to get the proper email account associated with your camera's registration. I logged on my wife's phone and then I was able to pickup my email as the DJI account. Then I removed my gmail account from my wife's phone. Camera's registration was finished and I was capable to operate the camera from my and my wife's phone using the DJI Mimo.

I'm sorry I wrote too long text.