The DJI desktop software feels incredibly spammy by Apple's standards.

No explanation is given as to why the HoRNDIS is required.
I declined to install it by just terminating its installer.

DJI, if you are reading this, please clarify and get rid of it.
@ DJI Grace
@ DJI Thor
@ DJI Support

1. 
   
2. HoRNDIS is a kernel extension ("kext") that makes it possible to use your Android phone's built-in USB tethering support on your Mac OS X system.  In order to use it, you will need:
   
3. 
   
4.         •        a Mac running OS X 10.6 or later (i.e., Snow Leopard, Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, or Sierra);
   
5.         •        an Android phone that supports USB tethering natively;
   
6.         •        and for the USB tethering feature on your phone to be enabled (either by your carrier, or through third-party firmware).
   
7. 
   
8. For support, please visit [url=http://www.joshuawise.com/horndis.]http://www.joshuawise.com/horndis.[/url]
   
9. 
   
10. You will be guided through the steps necessary to install HoRNDIS on your Mac.[/i]
    

Copy the code

And then when launching DJI Assistant 2, macOS picked-up on this attempt:

        

Do you want the application “Assistant.app” to accept incoming network connections?

Again, why is this necessary?

Finally, you plug-in the aircraft and macOS picks-up on a different attempt!

        

Do you want the application “VisionStarter2” to accept incoming network connections?

What is VisionStarter2???

I didn't install that.

If it is part of DJI Assistant 2, no explanation is given.

OMG, that's horrendous! LOL

DJI drones run Android.... does this clarify?

eYeSkYeYe Posted at 2018-2-14 12:39
OMG, that's horrendous! LOL

DJI Drones run Android.... does this clarify?

It may begin to. Why doesn't DJI include some sort of descriptive write up on the splash screen to explain what's going to happen, BEFORE it happens during the instal?

Why is that kernel extension required/ offered by DJI?

And why the pings/ incoming connections macOS firewall is catching (and which I denied!)?

28wins Posted at 2018-2-14 12:41
It may begin to.

Why is that kernel extension required/ offered by DJI?

Probably off-label use as an usb driver for cheap (free ).
Yes, DJI GO 4 and DJI Assistant do send a lot of user data in unknown direction, but that's known fact.

eYeSkYeYe Posted at 2018-2-14 12:43
Probably off-label use as an usb driver for cheap (free ).
Yes, DJI GO 4 and DJI Assistant do send a lot of user data in unknown direction, but that's known fact.

Fine but there is no explanation as to why it's needed/ offered.

DJI you should do better than this.

28wins Posted at 2018-2-14 12:45
Fine but there is no explanation as to why it's needed/ offered.

DJI you should do better than this.

I would certainly not admit to doing billions and playing cheap.

eYeSkYeYe Posted at 2018-2-14 12:48
I would certainly not admit to doing billions and playing cheap.

You mean playing fair/ clean?

So annoying.

28wins Posted at 2018-2-14 12:56
You mean playing fair/ clean?

So annoying.

I am yet to see DJI release sources for all the GNU stuff they use in their eccosystem. GPL mandates that, but...

Here is another thing: I am updating the aircraft firmware to v.1.0.2 and it's been stuck on 7% for 20 minutes.
Is the spammy DJI Assistant 2 uploading the contents of my laptop SSD to DJI's servers?

28wins Posted at 2018-2-14 13:00
Here is another thing: I am updating the aircraft firmware to v.1.0.2 and it's been stuck on 7% for 20 minutes.
Is the spammy DJI Assistant 2 uploading the contents of my laptop SSD to DJI's servers?

Could be... have no idea...

eYeSkYeYe Posted at 2018-2-14 13:04
Could be... have no idea...

@DJI


Ended up turning the aircraft off and terminating DJI Assistant 2.

Tried again and the second time, the update went through within minutes with the aircraft restarting several times.

28wins Posted at 2018-2-14 13:32
@DJI

I am sure DJI will have some explanation. Electrons need to warm up or something like that.

I recommend Little Snitch (https://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html) if you care about apps phoning home.

Yeah! I panicked when I saw this. Didn't install it though. I thought my iMac was being hacked.

Hello everyone,
I'm trying to update the firmware of my P4P via Assistant (on a Mac), but as I connect the AC and click on P4P icon, it fails loading the firmware list.
And if I try to do a Facttory reset it says that is not possible...
I'm waiting for your precious suggestions... PLEASE HELP!!!
Thanks. Leonardo

I decided not to install DJI Assistant 2 for Mac when I saw that they have a .pkg on the link labeled DMG. PKG is a kind of installer that can do anything with the system. I install such packages only if it is really necessary (if I need to install a driver for instance). Why would DJI need this?

Crap man. I freaking allowed this on my Mac for the fpv assistant and it requires a restart and now my computer won’t load to turn on!!! Seriously?!

This is an unbelievable INSTANT FAIL for considering DJI products!

I made the mistake of installing that HoRNDIS thing,
And I kid you not, moments after my entire MacBook Pro (2011) stopped working.
I cannot boot in safe mode, in recovery mode, nothing.
I now need to send away my machine to be repaired.
Not very happy. I just spent $750 CAD (taxes in) for the Mini Fly More Combo, and now my computer does not work.
So upset

I made the mistake of installing that HoRNDIS thing,
And I kid you not, moments after my entire MacBook Pro (2011) stopped working.
I cannot boot in safe mode, in recovery mode, nothing.
I now need to send away my machine to be repaired.
Not very happy. I just spent $750 CAD (taxes in) for the Mini Fly More Combo, and now my computer does not work.
So upset

Did anyone get an answer from DJI about this HoRNDIS thing?

I also made the same mistake and crashed my MacBook Pro.
Managed to restart it after a few attempts and saw the report warning that would be sent to Apple. It was caused by this Horndis.

Beware!!

If anyone knows how to uninstall this Horndis or the DJI assistant, please write.

Horndis bricked my computer directly after installing. This is a RIDICULOUS process to calibrate vision sensors. How can I be sure all of the horndis script is gone? I trashed the app, removed all pref/launch/caches etc throughout my system/user libraries. My computer is running super slow after the screen going completely black and restarting. This is absurd for DJI. WACK. Mac OS High Sierra (miss me on the old OS critique).

eYeSkYeYe Posted at 2018-2-14 12:39
OMG, that's horrendous! LOL

DJI drones run Android.... does this clarify?

There is nothing wrong with a drone running Android.

However there is EVERYTHING wrong with a 'A' rated company that:

A) Does not own a developers license to Mac OS.
B) Does not offer its software through the MacOS App store, even while its 'free' software.
C) A software package that does not come with any .txt file to complement the file.
D) Tries to illegally install software to Mac OS at a level that may inflict severe risks.

So the question is very legid.
Why does an 'A' rated company like DJI actually not make proper software that does comply to rules that Apple puts upon its developers. Every other 'A' rated company does comply, even if their hardware runs onto Android OS.