Here's how to install Pix4d and Control+DJI on the Phantom 4 Pro+ built in screen

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ won't let you install any apps not approved by DJI on the built in monitor. Sadly this means you can't use ANY mapping apps which is a real negative of this device.
I wasn't happy with that, and fortunately I'm fairly obsessive when it comes to making the drones work how I want them to, so after quite some time I finally figured out how to make it work!
Hope this helps you :)
*Note commands below updated to reflect the downloaded APK filenames so they differ slightly from what's in the video.
ADB 1.4.3: www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com...
Pix4D APK: mobile-pix4d-releases.pix4d.c...
Control+DJI: mobile-pix4d-releases.pix4d.c...
Commands to push the files to the device
----------------------------------------
adb push pix4dcapture.apk /data/local/tmp/com.pix4d.pix4dmapper
adb push ctrl_dji.apk /data/local/tmp/com.pix4d.plugindji
Commands to install the files after the reboot
----------------------------------------
adb shell pm install -t -r "/data/local/tmp/com.pix4d.plugindji
adb shell pm install -t -r "/data/local/tmp/com.pix4d.pix4dmapper

[@CR125Elsinore]

Patrick - Just wanted to say thanks so much for taking the time to post this. I'm new to DJI's and made the assumption I could load mapping software on my P4P+ V1 Obsidian (same as in this video) before I made the purchase. Most everything I've read online on the subject so far said this couldn't be done. Seems only in the last six months or so, someone figured out this procedure. I've performed all firmware/software updates but haven't flown it yet. Still going through the manual, watching tutorials,etc., learning what I can prior to first flight. Should be soon. After that initial learning period, I plan on giving this a go.

[@SailingElectra]

Hey CR125Elsinore. Don't be too nervous, the DJI drones are far easier to fly than most other drones. Just make sure to set a very safe come home altitude, and make sure the drone is set to do that if it loses connection or runs low on battery. When I was in the US I used to Paraglide at Lake Elsinore. Is that where you're from?

[@CR125Elsinore]

@@SailingElectra Just catching up on old emails and saw your question. Again, thanks for posting the above. The CR125 Elsinore is/was my fav dirt bike. They had a Motocross track there many moons ago. Never made it there before they closed it down.

[@boogiewoogie5393]

Working Perfect! Thanks a lot!!

[@SailingElectra]

Good to hear!

[@rollerkingonce]

i have a simpler problem... how can I get access to the files inside of the android operating system?

[@MagicBiscuitShow]

Good explanation. Yes, I would like to see you install the Play Store app and things like Google Earth Pro be able to be downloaded to the controller? I want to use Litchi, and I'm pretty sure that I need Play and Google Earth Pro to make that happen. BTW-- My Pr Pro Plus is the v2.0. Thanks ... Chuck (N.E. Florida) : +)

[@joseluisbranconunes]

Hey Patrick awesome video. I've been struggling to get this working on my p4pro+ v1. I've done several attemps but im now with the error C:\adb>adb shell pm install -t -r "/data/local/tmp/com.pix4d.pix4dmapper * daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 * * daemon started successfully * error: device not found What can i do to solve this? cause the "push" was straight forward but now the installing is giving me and big headache. thanks in advance!

[@sanjaysaraswatakk-u6974]

After install the both apps in Remote but drone didn't connect with remotr

[@ariefnurrahmawan104]

i would like to install droned deploy. but i dnt know about the command, would u? thanks in advance

[@tanhengthye]

Hi PAtrick, at the end of your video, it shows that pix4D works but it doesnt display the map. i have similar issue. any idea how to fix it?

[@SailingElectra]

I just had no decent internet. The map loads fine. Sometimes there isn't data for the most zoomed in levels of the map, but you can play around with providers to fix that.

[@visionairhd]

Hello Patrick, Thank you for all your time and effort you've put in this already! I have a problem that I haven't seen in the comments yet. I keep on getting the message: Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK] I've tried many times over... It's a Phantom 4 Advanced plus DJI GO 4 app is version 4.3.14 (about device) system version is 1.4.1.0 Do you have any ideas about what else I could try?

[@SailingElectra]

Which apk are you trying to install visionairhd?

[@visionairhd]

Hello @@SailingElectra , I installed the files this morning in a matter of minutes. I'll be doing some test flights this afternoon. Before running into your post I had been trying things... When I found your information I followed it to the letter, but not using the links you mentioned. I had already downloaded the latest versions of pix4dcapture and ctrl_dji, so I thought I'll use them instead, thinking, "This post is a year old, why not install the latest versions... Your answer was enough for me to know that was my mistake ;-) -The USB cable connecting both ports, must that always be connected? -How are camera settings controlled in pix4dcapture? I gather I'll best set capture settings to jpg in the Go4 app? -After the first connection to the camera, from within pix4d, the image was totally overlight. I expect camera settings will auto-adjust as soon as the first photo is taken? I'll also be testing Litchi. I'm curious about the waypoints. I'd like to try to use this feature as a cable cam function to do the same line of shots over and over. Thank you TONS for helping the community get around these kinds of corporate piracy practices!

[@visionairhd]

Patrick, May I bother you with another Q pl? I'm having focus issues while using pix4dcapture. I have tried a bunch of ways to pre-focus the camera before starting a mission, but i always get the same bad result, which leads me to trying out another app. DroneDeploy. I downloaded the apk and now I'm trying to copy the instructions you made for ADB. DroneDeploy.apk is in de ADB folder when i use instruction: adb push DroneDeploy.apk /data/local/tmp/com.DroneDeploy.DroneDeployMapper I get this message: C:\>adb push DroneDeploy.apk /data/local/tmp/com.DroneDeploy.DroneDeployMapper * daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 * * daemon started successfully * cannot stat 'DroneDeploy.apk': No such file or directory I have no idea what I'm doing, I'm just trying out things...

[@joseluisbranconunes]

Hey Visionairhd thanks for this comment. Im having the same issue. How can i get around this problem of the message Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK] can you help me?

[@visionairhd]

@@joseluisbranconunes hi, my problem was that i wasn't using the files from the link by Patrick. When i used those, it all worked. But i'm not using it after all because there are serious focus issues

[@pablobiancotti1524]

Hi Patrick! First of all, thanks for sharing. Everything went fine with my p4pro+ until the moment I had to log in to pix4d account. It pops up a message saying "cannot connect to server". I created a new user for pix4d and then tried again, but the same message appears. The RC is properly connected to internet, so I don't know what the problem is. Didn't it happen to you? thanks again. Greetings from Patagonia!

[@SailingElectra]

Hi Pablo, Pix4d sometimes gives me that message when I get the username or password wrong. If you're definitely connected, I would try reset your password on a PC and try log in again.

[@tjcampbell811]

Patrick: Your video was super informative and very clear. I purchased my Phantom 4 Pro Plus v2.0 in Dec 2018 about the time you put this out and I too was very disappointed that DJI locked down the display given the number of third party apps that I use with my Mavic drone and cannot do with this new Phantom. So I'm going to give your method a try since others I tried appeared to work, but in the end would not pushed through to the device, I always get a "INSTALL_FAIL_OLDER_SDK" message. I have seen a video of this built in display with the Google Playstore on it, if you have a video showing how to install it - that really would be awesome. Also, what was your method for getting the apk files?

[@SailingElectra]

Hi Todd, with the v2 you can run all other apps except apps that control the drone. It fails at the very last step where you need to plug a cable from the USB-A port into the micro usb port. I think DJI is blocking that in the Android OS, and I haven't tried to find a way past that yet. For the APK files, they're actually available for download on the pix4d website. For other APK files I just look for them on reputable APK file hosts.

[@cmdrefstathiusplacidus9003]

Okay, FF to March 2023. Gonna try this with most recent release of ADB and the Pix4D and Ctrl software. Found on official Pix4D site. The fact DJI rolled out their "Plus" versions on a drone known specifically for its mapping ability just... blows my mind. I can only imagine bigger companies buying what they thought would be the better option for mapping, as to not required smart phones, tablets, etc... only to be sadly disappointed. Thank God for hackers and tinkerers!

[@marielive9774]

Im sorry I know is late but I have a question when I try to push the files I get the message "error: device not found" what could it be?

[@SailingElectra]

It sounds like there's a problem connecting to the controller. Maybe try reinstall ADB or change the cable.

[@hionhifi2]

Unfortunately this no longer works. I tried it and I get an Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK] error.

[@andersonbokambwa1752]

Please, did you eventually find another way? i have the same error message.

[@anthonyedwards8093]

Would you consider someone sending you their P4P+ controller and paying you to do the install? If so what would you charge? I need litchi installed. Thanks

[@SailingElectra]

Hi Anthony, while I'd love to try at no cost, it's probably not a good idea. First I live in South Africa, so shipping would be expensive, but as I believe the reason it doesn't work in the v2 is related to a block in the android OS, to try fix it we'd have to either try root the OS or replace it with a different firmware. Both of those steps carry a risk of bricking the controller, and I don't want to take that risk! Hopefully someone who has their own v2 drone will figure it out soon and publish the fix.

[@paulstrehlow1005]

Will this work on the phantom 4 pro+ v2.0 with the GL300L controller (with screen)... is there a way to just install the google playstore to download all the apps? I tried getting the playstore with unsuccessful results.

[@SailingElectra]

It'll work for installing the play store and pretty much any other APK file, but apps that control the drone won't function on the V2 pro+ controller. I thought the GL300L was the controller without the screen though.

[@farhangustaman4446]

hi patrick, why in my dji phanton 4 pro + after i tried to instal pics 4d and ctrl plus and then sucsess but when iwant to use it cant connect to each other?

[@SailingElectra]

Hi Farhan, you need to make sure you connect the USB cable from the remote back into the remote. This works unless you're using a p4p pro plus V2, which I believe doesn't allow that connection.

[@markhonnoraty2525]

Hi Patrick, thank you I for the tutorial. I recently purchased a P4P+V2 for use with aerial mapping in disaster response. I have followed your instructions and have successfully loaded Pix4D Capture and Ctrl+DJI on my remote but it will not connect to the drone. I have put USB de bugging to on and connected the USB and micro USB ports but I do not get a request to use the app. Do you have any advice?

[@SailingElectra]

Hi Mark, have you tried a different cable? Checked that you're using the latest firmware? Otherwise maybe try a factory reset and then reinstall. Hopefully something will work.

[@markhonnoraty2525]

Thanks for getting back to me Patrick, I checked the firmware and lead both are correct. My version of ctrl+DJI and Pix4d are newer than the versions you used. I have tried both versions.and I get them to install using the command line ./adb install followed by the root directory for the apk file. Nether version works or opens the folder requesting to permission to use. Not sure what else I should try.

[@SailingElectra]

Hey @@markhonnoraty2525 sorry that's all I could think of. Perhaps a firmware update has changed something or your specific controller has a glitch in the ports. In the worst case, you'd just have to buy controller without the built in screen and pair it to your drone. It really bugs me that DJI makes these fantastic products and then handicaps them.

[@markhonnoraty2525]

Patrick McKay thank you once again for your efforts. I have bit the bullet and ordered a new remote control while they are still available. You are correct, great products but very poor support.

[@mturkere]

Hi Mark. Have you found a solution for the v.2 yet?

[@galihteja1677]

i have phantom pro plus v1 but its on my system version 1.1.1.1 and pad@v0.1.1.1 not like with ur system version. can i use like your tutorial ? please help me

[@SailingElectra]

Should be fine

[@tinotendambangweta762]

This doesn't work for phantom 4 pŕo 2. Please help

[@raphaelalmeida7920]

Olá Patrick boa noite. Possuo um DJI Phantom 4 pro e estou tentando sincronizar os programas Pix4dCapture e ControlPlus. eu consigo instalar os dois programas mas não consigo fazer a conexão com o Drone quando abro o ControlPlus. Como corrigir o erro? Obrigado.

[@SailingElectra]

Are you using a p4p plus v1 or v2? The v2 has another challenge we haven't been able to overcome yet, the USB ports seem disabed.If I ever get a v2 I'll try to overcome that.

[@CaliforniaPhantom]

I'm having an issue where on the command prompt it starts at: C:\Users\mmunn> rather than where your at. I can't seem to delete that first bit to past the command prompt. I'm doing something wrong.

[@SailingElectra]

Type cd ..

[@CaliforniaPhantom]

Patrick McKay not working

[@CaliforniaPhantom]

@@SailingElectra first of all when I hit shift and attempt to open command in the folder it only gives me "Open windows Powershell" and that has a blue command window wtih PS C:/adb> and then blank.... This is a truly frustrating experience. I have a client wanting 3D mapping, willing to pay good money and I can't get this crap to work.

[@andykearns96]

I'm following the steps exactly, however I keep on getting a Driver failure message in the ADB command pane, is this because of the USB im using?

[@andykearns96]

It now says "device null" Device not found -waiting for device-

[@SailingElectra]

It sounds to me like a driver issue. Try go to device manager and remove the usb devices related to ADB, then reinstall and try again.

[@SailingElectra]

Using a different cable also won't hurt. Is unlikely, but at least you can rule out the cable that way.

[@imaqtpam]

No luck. Every time I add turn off the system, I have to wait until it powers on to confirm the usb connection. Therefore I cannot bypass when the system is off. Any advice?

[@SailingElectra]

You have just seconds after it turns on to get the commands in. Have them typed out and ready to go.

[@sethcortez8948]

hey patrick I get the first 2 intalled but the third one is giving me [INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK]

[@babucarlanu]

The same problem, after I push the files it's giving me the same error: C:\adb>adb push pix4dcapture.apk /data/local/tmp/com.pix4d.pix4dmapper 4464 KB/s (21833755 bytes in 4.776s) C:\adb>adb push ctrl_dji.apk /data/local/tmp/com.pix4d.plugindji 5399 KB/s (49162422 bytes in 8.891s) C:\adb>adb shell pm install -t -r "/data/local/tmp/com.pix4d.plugindji pkg: /data/local/tmp/com.pix4d.plugindji Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK] C:\adb>adb shell pm install -t -r "/data/local/tmp/com.pix4d.pix4dmapper pkg: /data/local/tmp/com.pix4d.pix4dmapper Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK] Someone knows how to solve it? Thanks

[@brunodefaneborges9481]

@@babucarlanu and @Seth Cortez. Did you solve the problem with "Install Failed Older SDK"? Im having the same problem. Tks

[@coolvideos8864]

Hi thanks for the tutorial, although i get this error re [INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE]

[@SailingElectra]

Try clean up some space or do a hard reset on the controller.

[@esjajhjjborowski2455]

First off, Thanks Patrick for your ongoing and patient support of this video, pity we cant expect the same from the company we just dropped thousands of dollars with to only find a neutered piece of hardware! Is there any upside to the V2 yet? I see a lot of people are getting to the "connect the two USB ports" stage and due to owning the newer version get no further! Has anyone found a solution?

[@SailingElectra]

The V2 hasn't got a workaround yet. I don't have one to try with, but I imagine it would be blocked in the Android OS somewhere. We should kep pushing DJI to unlock the Android OS, they're deliberately crippling their premium phantom model. It's ridiculous.

[@mturkere]

Hi there. Have you found a solution for the v.2 yet?

[@SailingElectra]

@@mturkere Only to buy a different controller. I don't have a V2 so I've never tried.

[@angkorcenters4292]

@@SailingElectra Have you found a solution for the v.2 yet?

[@SailingElectra]

@@angkorcenters4292 only buying a normal controller and pairing that.

[@tayfunsertmba6097]

Hi Patrick. Have you found a solution for the v.2 yet?

[@SailingElectra]

The only think you can do with a v2 is to buy the standard controller and pair it to the drone.

[@abacusdroneproduction6967]

There is no V2.0 Obsidian, so you are doing it all on V1.0 As far as I know you still can't get it to work on V2.0, but V1.0 works just fine.

[@cmdrefstathiusplacidus9003]

So you only need CTRL if it came with a built-in screen correct, I have a parrot anafi, but I use a tablet, hopefully I can just install pix4d

[@SailingElectra]

You'll also need this: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pix4d.pluginparrot&hl=en_ZA&gl=US

[@cmdrefstathiusplacidus9003]

@@SailingElectra Funny story... not so funny. I lost the Anafi do to a batter failure, broke the camera off at the gimbal. Very upset about it still, and its been a while. I now own 2 P4P Pro V2., I bought used. Got nice cases, extra props, and one hadnt even been activated so was able to get the care refresh on it. Bad news. The GL300L is faulty. I just mailed it off to DJI today. The other controller is working fine, but its the GL300E. Since I bought these entirely to get my mapping business going... I find myself at your channel. Still miss my Anafi... dang it.

[@SailingElectra]

@@cmdrefstathiusplacidus9003 My main mapping drone now is the Mini 2. The drone and extra batteries are cheap, the camera good enough, and it's very low risk. Plus I can keep it charged from a power bank or solar panel. You do need to pay for software from Dronelink, but it's cheap and honestly the best mapping pilot software I've ever used.

[@slowberries]

On the V1 i just get the APK from be apk mirror using the built in Web browser.. Might help here?

[@SailingElectra]

It only allows apk installs for a few seconds after bootup, so you'll need to do it from a PC

[@slowberries]

@@SailingElectra ok. I didn't pay attention!

[@gernelle100]

Any idea why the ctrl_dji.apk comes up with INSTALL FAILED ILLEGITIMATE APK? Its transfers fine but wont install. I managed to get Pix4D on the controller.

[@SailingElectra]

Make sure you've enabled unknown sources.

[@gernelle100]

@@SailingElectra where would that be?

[@trumanpcombs6916]

@@gernelle100 Were you able to get this resolved? I can't seem to find how to enable this as well.

[@SailingElectra]

@@gernelle100 I've since given my phantom to someone else so I can't check, but it's in the settings. Here's an example of what it would look like: www.technipages.com/where-did-allow-installation-from-unknown-sources-go-in-android

[@MrGriffin313]

How stable is this out in the field for mapping?

[@SailingElectra]

Pretty much as stable as pix4d on any android tablet, but personally I would always get the regular controller and use my phone. The only reason I did this was because our office ordered the wrong controller.

[@CarlosRuiz-cu6ss]

My problem is when I try to run the command says "Access denied", I look on internet and I check the security on the folder and the files to give the user full control but still saying that.

[@SailingElectra]

Which command is that?

[@CarlosRuiz-cu6ss]

@@SailingElectra any of the commands you wrote on the video description, but I try to do de same in windows power shell instead of CMD and works. But still have a the problem because I have the phantom 4 pro plus V2...I cant't do the thing with the USB cable.

[@wadegibson847]

When I try to install adb shell pm install -t -r "/data/local/tmp/com.pix4d.plugindji I get a Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE]....how do I fix this

[@SailingElectra]

Sounds like you don't have enough free space on your device. Try delete some pictures.

[@wadegibson847]

@@SailingElectra Its brand new and hard reset like you did in video....its has 2.2 GB available for internal storage

[@wadegibson847]

the link for Ctrl_Dji is a 65MB file and I thought it can only transfer under 20MB files

[@SailingElectra]

@@wadegibson847 The limit for installing and copying simultaneously is 20mb, but the technique above copies first and then installs from the local copy.

[@kmgonzales9]

I keep getting a "cannot stat 'pix4dcapture.apk' no such file or directory, following the "*daemon started successfully*" Help?

[@kmgonzales9]

Or an "install failed invalid URI" is that the same is the guy below?

[@SailingElectra]

Hi Kelly, it sounds like it's failing to find the file, probably a name problem. Did you copy the commands exactly? And in order from top to bottom as listed? In the video I'd renamed the files I downloaded as I was trying a lot of different ways before I got it to work, but in the notes under the video they match what the pix4d website names them. Those should work.

[@SailingElectra]

@Kelly Gonzales That makes sense. When you install adb it should create an adb folder on the c: drive. Then you should put the apk files in that folder, but when you run it, run it from that SAME folder C:\adb, and not from C:\Users\kgonzales

[@gernelle100]

@Kelly Gonzales This might sound dumb but where is the explorer folder?

[@trumanpcombs6916]

@Kelly Gonzales Same question--where did you drop the apk files on the sd card? Thanks!

[@luisbernardo6281]

Good afternoon, Patrick. Forgive my bad English. I'm Portuguese, and I've been watching several videos and yours was the last one (Here's how to install Pix4d and Control+DJI on the Phantom 4 Pro+ built in screen). I've seen it dozens of times, but I still can't get the call, and I think I did everything right. I even uninstalled and reinstalled Pix4Dcapture and ctrl+dji on the remote. When I put the usb cable, the window that asks if we want to use ctrl+dji never appears, to which we answer, only once. Instead, an icon appears at the top of the screen saying to exchange data. I couldn't, and I'm starting to get really upset. Are you able to help me? Thank you for your attention. Hug.

[@SailingElectra]

As the video is quite old now, I suspect you're using a p4 Pro plus V2. With the V2 there's no way to use any other flying apps on the built in screen. You would need to buy a standard remote and pair that with your drone to use it for mapping.

[@luisbernardo6281]

@@SailingElectra , I am quite sure that it isnt V2. But I'll check and confirm. I'm glad for your answer.

[@SailingElectra]

@@luisbernardo6281 if it's not try a few different USB cables. Some don't with with DJI controllers.

[@luisbernardo6281]

@@SailingElectra ir is an version

[@luisbernardo6281]

1.2

[@jamesigbasan7245]

Hi, can I get the command to push file to device and install for DroneDeploy app, please.

[@SailingElectra]

Hi James, you'll need to download the drone deploy apk file and then use a command like this: adb push drone_deploy.apk /data/local/tmp/com.dronedeploy.beta

[@jamesigbasan7245]

@@SailingElectra Thank You. How about the command to install it?

[@johngimple4169]

Have you tried this method with DroneDeploy?

[@SailingElectra]

No, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. The key is that the install takes place in the seconds before the protection mechanism in the firmware takes effect.

[@noncomplianted]

Will this action invalidate the warranty?

[@SailingElectra]

Probably the warranty of the controller, though you could always factory reset it to get it back to normal. But remember, DJI often turns down warranty claims if you're using any other app the DJI Go, regardless of which controller you have.

[@mrjdphoneboy]

That is not a V2.0 transmitter. The V 2.0 did not come in Obsidian And The air vents are missing from the bottom of the transmitter for the fans needed to cool the ocusync transmission system. Neither of my actual V 2.0s will give the pop up giving permission to Ctrl+DJI to connect. This process apparently only works with the Old Phantom 4 Pros with DJI Lightbridge. DAMN!

[@TriptyX]

So, is this for V1 or V2?

[@SailingElectra]

It's the V1. The V2 works the same up until the point where you need to plug the USB cable from the controller to itself, that step fails. That means you can install other apps, just not apps that control the drone.

[@SailingElectra]

@@TriptyX thanks for the reminder. I've removed all references to the V2 in the posts.

[@alpertopac5834]

it's not V.2.0, is it?

[@SailingElectra]

No, the Obsidian is still a V1.

[@antoniocastagna99]

Si ci vuole una laurea in inglese per capire cosa ha detto e una laurea in informatica per fare la modifica....

[@EmmyAdiba]

pkg: C:andriodplatform-toolsGL300E ver: remote Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_URI]