Seriously, I just wanted to start using my camera and instead got stuck with a bunch of licensing stuff and a forced app setup. The guy in this video explains it way better than I can.
Totally feel the frustration. The license language is nuts, and needing to activate the camera through an app just makes it worse. They should at least offer a web option. I usually go for products with one-time purchases and no app dependence, but that’s getting rare. Same reason I dumped my GoPro H11 — their app was a disaster. Constant crashes on two different flagship phones, then asking me to pay a subscription just to fix underwater footage. No thanks.
There are a few things missing in the video though — once you activate it, you don’t need the app anymore. You can uninstall it and just use the USB-C or microSD to transfer files. Yeah the license is BS, but sadly a lot of electronics sneak in that kind of stuff. (Pro tip: copy the EULA into an AI and have it break it down for you.)
The whole ‘fancy dash cam’ line from the video is a bit dramatic though. Like, really? GoPro or DJI action cams aren’t just glorified dash cams — you’re not taking your average dash cam 30ft underwater and expecting it to survive.
Tldr: License terms suck, activation is one-time, then the app isn’t needed. GoPro has its own set of problems. And calling these cams ‘dash cams’ is kind of a stretch lol.
This is Louis Rossmann, right? Dude tells it like it is. DJI, y’all really need to fix this kind of thing.
Harper said:
This is Louis Rossmann, right? Dude tells it like it is. DJI, y’all really need to fix this kind of thing.
Facts. We need more folks holding companies accountable. Like it took forever to get Apple to admit they were throttling phones during new model drops — and that was only after lawsuits. They said it was for battery life, but it sure felt like a push to upgrade. And they forced the update too. People still buy their stuff, though.
Edit: grammar
@Davi
Exactly. Gotta vote with your wallet — only support companies that respect us as customers.
Harper said:
@Davi
Exactly. Gotta vote with your wallet — only support companies that respect us as customers.
100% agree!
Harper said:
This is Louis Rossmann, right? Dude tells it like it is. DJI, y’all really need to fix this kind of thing.
Yeah man, he’s spitting straight facts in that video.
Kinda wild how something can go from being the ‘perfect camera’ to ‘nope, not buying it’ all because of one added requirement. Kills the vibe fast.
Someone wanna explain what the actual issue is here? That license only applies to content posted to DJI, not to using the camera itself, right?
Dylan said:
Someone wanna explain what the actual issue is here? That license only applies to content posted to DJI, not to using the camera itself, right?
My issue is that you can’t use the camera until you activate it online. I’ve been burned before with gear that needed online activation — when the company goes under or stops supporting it, the product becomes a brick. I’d buy this if it could run 100% offline from day one.
@Reagan
Has DJI ever actually dropped support for a product to the point it couldn’t be used?
Dylan said:
@Reagan
Has DJI ever actually dropped support for a product to the point it couldn’t be used?
Not that I know of, no. I’m just speaking from past experience with other brands where support disappeared. For drones, I get the need for regular updates — safety and all. But an action cam? Shouldn’t need internet for something like that. Odds are it’ll still work fine years from now, but I’d rather not take the chance when I have options.
@Reagan
So you’re just assuming something might go wrong even though there’s no sign of that with DJI? I personally don’t mind the app — it lets me update easily, transfer files while traveling, and I even used it as a monitor outside the car in Iceland. There’s a saying here — don’t eat the soup as hot as you cooked it.
@Dylan
I get what you’re saying, and I’m not predicting doom — just cautious. If other gear burned me in the past, I’d rather be safe and stick to brands that don’t require activation.
Reagan said:
@Dylan
I get what you’re saying, and I’m not predicting doom — just cautious. If other gear burned me in the past, I’d rather be safe and stick to brands that don’t require activation.
But that’s like saying one bad drone pilot means all of us are reckless. Just because one brand messed up doesn’t mean DJI will. The app activation isn’t a big deal to me — it’s how they register their stuff. Feels like all this outrage is based more on ‘what ifs’ than anything real.
@Dylan
I never said anything about breaking laws — I mentioned safety. And I’m not sure why it’s such a big deal to some people that others prefer offline use.
Honestly, my experience was way smoother. I did my homework — watched tutorials, read up on the activation process. When I finally bought it, it was quick: power on, open the Mimo app, activate, done.
I saw Rossmann’s video yesterday and honestly… it was hard to watch. He seemed upset from the start, clicking all over the place, denying app permissions, then getting frustrated when it didn’t work. All he had to do was follow the manual — it’s super simple.
I own both the GoPro Hero 12 Black and DJI Action 4. They both need activation through their respective apps (Quik for GoPro, Mimo for DJI). Nothing new here. I’m not saying one’s better than the other, but seriously, just read the manual.
@Zen
Exactly. You nailed it. Doing a bit of prep goes a long way with this stuff.
I was actually about to grab one during the Easter sale, even had some credit from my Mini Pro 3 purchase. Found Rossmann’s video while browsing reviews and it kinda killed the hype. Ended up sticking with GoPro instead.
@Reagan
Smart move. No need to reward DJI for this kind of nonsense.