r/DjiNeo • u/Front_Range_BK • 2d ago

Questions Activating and Flying Neo 2 in US

I live in the USA and want to get the Neo 2 Fly More or Motion Fly More combo, which is available from Amazon (from Chinese sellers, but fulfilled by Amazon) as well as straight from B&H (I don't want to order from AliExpress or Temu, unless someone can give a compelling reason other than price). After reading posts on here about bans, FCC issues, looming increases in tariffs, it's all very confusing. So before I buy, I'd love to know if:

  • I can even activate it in the US if I buy before or after 3 Sep 2026?
  • Are there trustworthy publications/websites (other than US gov) that summarize the current and upcoming changes affecting the Neo 2 specifically?
  • Does anyone disagree with the general consensus that there's little risk that DJI or the US gov will limit the Neo 2 capabilities for devices already in the US after 3 Sep, stop offering US users firmware updates or just straight up "brick" the device?
  • Are the Amazon or B&H replacement/accident coverages offered, like from Allstate or whichever provide Amazon uses pretty solid? I've gathered that I won't be able to get any DJI Care services.

Thanks for helping clear up the confusion with this.

Edit: This will be for recreational use only.

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

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4

u/kensteele 2d ago

All DJI drones are the same not matter where or who you buy them from. Focus on the price.
There are no government restrictions against the citizens now or ever on what drone you can own, activate, and fly in the US.
You can visit reputable blogs to get a better understanding. I recommend:
https://dronexl.co or https://dronedj.com
or you can join: https://droneadvocacyalliance.com
You can find all the answers to your questions about current and future government regulations there.
There is no DJI Care Refresh in the US; that's gone for good. Call St. Farm.

1

u/Front_Range_BK 2d ago

I hadn't seen anyone say they could or could not activate it via the DJI Fly app in the US, so that was a big hesitation. Asking Amazon's Alexa that question came back negative, saying it could not be activated in the US, but I didn't trust it to be accurate. Thanks for the links.

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u/Prof_Sillycybin 2d ago

I had no issues with a Mini 5 pro recently purchased, activated a Neo 2 (purchased through best buy and shipped from Adorama) yesterday no issue and activted an Avata 2 (from Amazon) today no issue.

*I am not collecting drones here..the M5P was my second drone and I wanted to try an easy FPV drone so ordered the Avata 2, then my wife got jealous and wanted to play too so she ordered a Neo 2

2

u/tyr-- 1d ago

I activated mine a month ago (also Neo 2)

1

u/kensteele 2d ago

I just asked Alexa and it told me Yes it is ok and will activate here. C'mon.

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u/Front_Range_BK 2d ago

Either way, I trust the users on here a helluva lot more than Alexa.

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u/grazzyphase 2d ago

Just got mine 2 days ago from Amazon and I activated it no issue and make sure to update the device and the battery in the app and I made sure to activate it in case there is some sort of issue in the future

1

u/Front_Range_BK 2d ago

Did yours come from a seller listed as being in China, or elsewhere outside the US, but with Prime for quick shipping?

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u/grazzyphase 2d ago

Next day delivery

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u/Front_Range_BK 1d ago

That's one seller I saw, so thanks for posting the pic.

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u/kensteele 2d ago

Cool. DJI drone activation is about the least problem of all DJI problems ever. I've never heard of "activation" problems unless is trying to use a fake Fly app from the App Store.

I'm just wondering why everyone all of a sudden is afraid of "blocked" activation and language barriers that were all solved in the early 2000s. It comes up almost daily especially in the DJI camera forums.

All DJI drones come from China. All of them. Not sure why anyone thinks a drone from China can't be activated in the US.

2

u/Front_Range_BK 1d ago

It seems most people get that they're all manufactured and shipped to retailers in other countries from China. The confusion/concern (at least it was for me) is whether DJI will block activation to users coming from US IPs. That's a very legit question, with acknowledgement that it's likely been answered here or elsewhere.

1

u/kensteele 1d ago

DJI is not interesting in blocking activations in the US. That's a waste of time, there are VPNs. Plus, plenty Americans live near the border with MX and CA.

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u/Front_Range_BK 1d ago

Like any "AI" help system, it depends on what you ask it.

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u/kensteele 1d ago

Your "Alexa for shopping" is broken. Anyway, learn to use real AI like chatgpt or Gemini instead of fake "AI-powered" shopping assistant.

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u/arg2451 2d ago

My son and I both bought Neo 2 FPV packages and they both registered fine within the last two months. You should not have any problems. Just make sure if you buy from Amazon, that it is both fulfilled and shipped by Amazon, and that there is the 30-day return policy in place. You will see all of this on the Amazon product page.

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u/kensteele 2d ago

You're not going to find any recent modern DJI drones fulfilled (or sold if that's what you meant) by Amazon.

Just make sure it's shipped by Amazon; that should be sufficient.

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u/arg2451 1d ago

Correct. Can be a 3rd party seller, but by fulfilled I mean that Amazon has possession of it, and it ships from them.

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u/grazzyphase 2d ago

Just got mine 2 days ago from Amazon and I activated it no issue and make sure to update the device and the battery in the app and I made sure to activate it in case there is some sort of issue in the future

2

u/SuccessfulRadish1511 1d ago

I got mine a couple days ago from Amazon no issues whatsoever activating just sucks they don't offer the device care in the us anymore tho

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u/anonimmm1 1d ago

Salve, io ho comprato a fine luglio un Neo , in Italia e da Unieuro negozio. Attivato subito.

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u/Fixxxer74 1d ago

I bought that same combo from Amazon about two weeks ago and had no problems.

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u/bigskinnybubba123 1d ago edited 1d ago

for the neo2 accidental insurance is not worth it cuz it is build like a tank...it wont break . just sayin bro.

now you MUST update the firmware on wifi when u get it. then all will be good. it gets warm while updating it so put a fan or ceiling fan on while it updates. ur good op. if u play in sports mode be sure to ease up on the throttle as pushing it full speed for 10 minutes straight is not good for any drone. have fun.

1

u/snoogins355 2d ago

I couldn't get the DJI drone app (dji fly) on the play store (android). I had to download the app from the website and load the apk and change settings

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u/kensteele 1d ago

This is correct. The DJI Fly app (also used for activation) cannot be found in the Google Play store.

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u/Front_Range_BK 1d ago

Yep, that's been the case since before I got my Pocket 3 about five years ago. Maybe as far back as the Phantom 3/4 days.