DJI’s latest Fly app update moves the future of drone flying a little closer to your wrist. Version 1.19.4 brings Apple Watch support to three of DJI’s most portable, controller-free drones: DJI Neo 2, DJI Flip, and DJI Neo. That means you can view live video, check battery levels, and issue basic voice flight commands from your Apple Watch (Series 8 and newer), while your phone stays in your pocket.
Here’s the practical tech requirement everyone needs to know: the DJI Fly app must be running on both your smartphone and your Apple Watch, and your smartphone must be connected to the drone. The watch acts as an extension of the app — a wearable status display and voice-command relay — not a standalone flight controller. With that setup, the wrist becomes a fast, convenient way to monitor and nudge a flight without digging out your phone or a physical remote controller.
DJI chose three drones that already lean into remote controller-less operation, so this update feels natural rather than tacked on. Below is a look at each model, what makes it special, and how the Apple Watch tie-in enhances the grab-and-go flying experience. Quick note on timing: Neo 2 has already received its firmware update to activate Apple Watch functionality, while firmware updates for Flip and Neo are expected soon.
DJI Neo 2: The ultra-smart, compact drone
The DJI Neo 2 is the company’s latest ultra-compact drone built for everyday creators. It’s tiny, quick to deploy, and loaded with sensors far more advanced than you’d expect on something this small.
What makes the Neo 2 shine is its omnidirectional obstacle sensing. Unlike earlier palm-sized drones that needed wide open spaces, the Neo 2 is much harder to crash. LiDAR and visual sensors help it understand its surroundings in a full 360-degree bubble, which is a huge confidence boost for new pilots.
It also punches well above its weight in imaging — think crisp 4K video, clean 12-megapixel photos, and smooth stabilization. You get creative modes like ActiveTrack, Dolly Zoom, and SelfieShot that make it ridiculously easy to get cinematic clips without touching a traditional remote controller.
Most importantly, the Neo 2 already supports gesture control, voice commands, smartphone flying, and motion controllers. That means Apple Watch support truly complements the drone’s design philosophy: fly with as little gear as possible. Being able to glance at your wrist for real-time video or raise your hand to command the drone is exactly the kind of “future flying” this little aircraft was made for.
DJI Flip: The foldable, creative daily-carry drone
The DJI Flip might be the most underrated drone in DJI’s lineup. Think of it as a pocketable, foldable camera drone with a real personality. It was built for travel, daily adventures, and anyone who wants more professional-looking footage without stepping into “big drone” territory.
For starters, the Flip’s camera is no joke: a 1/1.3-inch sensor, 48 MP stills, and 4K HDR video at 60 fps. That’s smartphone-to-mirrorless-hybrid territory. Footage comes out vibrant and sharp, even in tricky lighting.
Its foldable frame includes built-in propeller guards, making it feel safer to fly around people or indoors. And like the Neo 2, the Flip is built with users who don’t want to rely on bulky controllers. You can fly it using gesture controls, voice commands, or your phone’s touchscreen, with a safety-minded range designed for casual creators.
And with the current holiday discount, the two-battery combo without a remote controller is only $309. Of course, you can always grab the combo with the RC 2 screen remote controller for dedicated flying sessions.
Apple Watch support makes this drone even more compelling. Imagine hiking with minimal gear — no controller, no need to hold your phone — yet still being able to monitor your drone or issue commands from your wrist. This update really leans into what Flip already does best: effortless, creative flying for everyday life.
DJI Neo: The original palm-sized selfie drone
The DJI Neo is the OG of DJI’s palm-easy lineup — the one that popularized hand launches, pocket-size design, and quick aerial selfies without any setup. At just 135 grams, it’s the kind of drone you forget you’re even carrying.
Even with its tiny size, the Neo captures 4K video, 12 MP photos, and smooth stabilized clips perfect for Instagram Reels and TikToks. It was built to be the drone you actually take everywhere — running errands, weekend trips, morning walks, you name it.
This drone was also one of the first to support palm takeoff and landing, gesture flying, voice controls, and simple smartphone-only flight. It’s intentionally minimalistic. That makes it a perfect candidate for Apple Watch integration. Being able to tilt your wrist and instantly see battery levels, or use your voice on the watch to trigger flight commands, fits the Neo’s grab-and-go energy perfectly. And right now, the Fly More Combo and other Neo bundles are seeing sweet discounts of up to 21%.
Why Apple Watch support matters
Flying without a remote controller already feels liberating. But flying with your smartwatch as a secondary interface adds an entirely new layer of convenience. With this update, your Apple Watch can now:
- Show real-time video feed directly from the drone
- Display battery level in flight
- Receive and process voice commands
- Act as a status monitor while your phone stays in your pocket
It’s a small change with a surprisingly big impact, especially for users who value portability, minimal setups, and fast capture moments. And because the three supported drones already prioritize controller-less flight, this upgrade feels like a natural step toward true wearable-based piloting.
If you’re in the market for a portable drone and you’re embedded in the Apple ecosystem, this update is a strong selling point. It pushes DJI’s smallest, easiest-to-use drones even further into the “grab, fly, capture” category. Whether you’re a social creator, traveler, or weekend adventurer, being able to monitor and nudge a flight from your Apple Watch is a real convenience — and one more reason to consider the DJI Neo 2, DJI Flip, or DJI Neo for your next buy.
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