Over all Guide - read this FIRST!

*updated 5-18-19*

How you use NLD:
Your drone came with a data cable that you will use to connect your drone to the USB port of a Windows computer, so you can use the NLD software.  NLD is made for Windows only.  With the NLD software and your powered on, PC connected supported drone, you will be able to do performance mods, upgrade or downgrade firmware, unlock Altitude limits, enable FCC / boost mode and remove or even turn off NFZ.  NLD also comes with the ability to patch your own NLD GO version and use with your ANDROID phone, in place of stock DJI GO.  The latest NLD GO 4.1.22 and NLD GO 4.1.14 have all the DJI NFZ database removed, will not check your birds firmware version so DJI can't force an update, cuts all communications back to DJI, allows you to use Google maps(4.1.22 only) and much, much more.  If you want to get the most out of NLD, use NLD GO 4.1.22 with your ANDROID device.  If you have a Spark and are using OTG, use NLD GO 4.1.14 instead.  DJI ruined OTG from working properly in DJI GO 4.1.22.  For the Mavic 2 pro and Mavic Air, you will use stock GO, either iOS or Android versions.  We do not have a patch-able GO version for these birds.

*note*
Not all options are available for all birds on all firmware versions.  Check the birdmap here: https://nolimitdronez.com/birdmap

Activation

To install and activate NLD with your purchased license key, please do the following steps.

Before you run any programs, ensure that NLD is allowed through any firewall program and anti-virus programs.  This step is important.  You will need a live internet connection at all times when using NLD.  Go to the downloads page of the NLD Website.  Download the latest NLD software.
NLD: https://nolimitdronez.com/downloads/nldapp.zip Save this file to your desktop, or downloads folder, but move it to the NLD folder in the next step.

Create a folder on your desktop called NLD and unzip or decompress the NLD files into this folder.  Power on your drone and connect to the computer with the data cable supplied by DJI, and right-click on NLDApp.exe in the NLD folder.  Run as Administrator.  NLD will load and start to download the additional files if needed in order to run.  NLD will flash to connect device to USB.  Your drones info will be shown at the bottom left of NLD – If NLD needs to communicate with you, you will see messages here.  Follow the prompts to activate NLD and enter your activation code you received by email, if you didn’t do so already.  (check your SPAM folder if you didn't get the key) You will need 1 activation key per drone.  The Activation key is tied to the serial number of each drone, and you can run NLD from multiple computers, not just one.

How to Use NLD Software after activation:

These instructions will get you started getting more out of your bird than you ever thought possible.  Follow the Activation above first.  Start NLD as administrator and connect your powered on bird.
After NLD detects your aircraft, status info will be shown at the bottom left of the NLD program and you will have access to all of the links listed on the left side of the screen.

NLD Home – NLD starting page.  News from NLD.
Flight Controller – This is where you make your performance mods
Parameters – For advanced users.  If you don’t know what you are doing, don’t go here.
FCC / Signal Boost - Boost your RC power output for better reception
Remove NFZ – NFZ removal patch.  Checks your firmware to see if it is compatible.  Apply the patch, or remove the already applied patch to return to stock NFZ settings.
DJI GO 4 Patcher – for patching DJI GO to make NLD GO with additional features
Firmware Manager – where you go to flash firmware.  Upgrade, downgrade or re-flash.


Flight Controller:
You can either use the sliders to customize each setting, or go to the bottom of the page and click on the presets for Normal + or Sport +.   The SPEED section sets the max speed when obstacle avoidance is off.  Return to Home speed.  You can set a faster RTH speed.  13.5 is good.  OTHER is full of check boxes that may or may not be available.  This depends on your firmware version.  Disable altitude limit and Disable No Fly Zones are ONLY available on early (old) firmware.  Check the birdmap to see what mods your firmware version can do.  https://nolimitdronez.com/birdmap
*note*
There are two ways to deal with NFZ. The 1st way is to see what early firmware is required on your bird, flash to that firmware, then use NLD and use the checkbox to Disable NFZ. What this does is to DISABLE the enforcement of NFZs, but you will still get minimal warnings. If they show up, they just won't be enforced and you can take off.  This is best used with NLD GO, since we remove the NFZ database in the NLD GO App.  M2 users and Air users can only use the stock version of GO.  You can use this check box option with any version of GO, Android or iOS, but you will get lots of warnings.  If the Remove NFZ patch option is not working for you, this is your other choice.
What’s the difference between the Disable No Fly Zones and the Remove NFZ patch?  The check box TURNS OFF enforcement of NFZ and is only available on early firmware, while the Remove NFZ patch, removes the NFZ data from the bird, but NFZ is still turned on.  For the best success, always start your flight in this order:
1.  RC on  2. Turn on bird and let it connect to RC  3. Connect device and GO to RC

  

(Continued from previous post)

Parameters – This area is for searching parameters and setting them manually.  Advanced users only.

FCC / Signal Boost – FCC is a higher output for RC power than CE mode.  You can change your RC to the higher output here.  You must have a supported bird and be on compatible firmware..  Connect your bird and Enable FCC Mode to change from CE to FCC.  Once changed, you can leave it, or if you want even more power, you can Enable Signal Boost, along with FCC mode for the highest power output possible.  *CAUTION*  This will run your RC at max power, creating quite a bit of heat on the RF chips.  You risk burning out your RC by doing this, so enable the Signal Boost mode at your own risk.  FCC mode is fully supported by the RC and will NOT overheat your RC at all.  FCC mode has the possibility of increasing your distance for flying reception, but every flight area is different, but this change should help you with better reception.
If you are already in a FCC country, (like the USA) you do not need to enable FCC mode.  It is already on and determined by your GPS location.

Remove NFZ – This is for removing the NFZ data from the bird by applying the patch if your bird is on compatible firmware. You will not be able to apply the patch if you are not on the correct firmware version. If you want to remove the applied patch, you can do that and return the bird to stock NFZ settings. Once applied, do not upgrade or downgrade your bird, or you will lose the patch and have stock NFZ data. Also, once applied, if you get a message in GO to update your Fly Safe Database, do not do so. This will override
the patch. Remember that NFZ is still active and enforceable even after running this patch. If you use Stock GO, there are ways that DJI can override this patch and you will still not be able to take off. Best results are with using NLD GO 4.1.22, or Spark owners wanting to use OTG, with NLD GO 4.1.14. Both NLD versions have had the NFZ database removed from them.  Mavic 2 users can only use stock GO, iOS or Android.
AWAYS start your bird in this order: RC then Bird (establish connection) then connect device with GO.

DJI GO 4 Patcher (Android only) You can patch DJI go to NLD GO, and add some cool features to GO, like FCC mode by default, not having to login with your real DJI account, removing links to DJI, removing the NFZ database from GO along with other options.  The latest version of DJI GO that you can patch is 4.1.22.  This version does not support the Air, or the M2 line, so for those birds you will use the stock version of GO, either iOS of Android.  Spark users who want to use OTG, will patch 4.1.14, since DJI crippled OTG support in 4.1.22.  To patch a version of GO that we support, click on the drop down box on the left side of the screen and select the GO version you want to patch.  Click on download and save this file to your desktop, or to the NLD folder you created.  Click on the box on the right side of the screen and select an output folder where you want the new NLD DJI GO4 App to be stored.  Use the same location as where you downloaded the unpatched GO file.  Once that is done, click APPLY PATCH at the bottom of the screen and the DJI App will now be patched and converted into the modified NLD-DJI-GO4 App.  Be patient.  Depending on your internet connection, this may take a while.  Once that is done, transfer that file to your device via a USB cable hooked between the phone & the computer.  Use the “My Files” app on the phone to locate the APK file and click on it to install it in the phone.  Note you have to allow unknown apps to be installed in the settings on your device.  If you have issues with the .apk not wanting to install, download ES file explorer from the Playstore and use that.  Current Mavic 2/Air owners will use Stock GO, either iOS or Android for their birds.  We recommend flying in airplane mode, and caching your maps before you fly.  Either download offline HERE maps, or open GO on your device, go to the map and scroll around your flying area before you fly.


Firmware Manager - To Downgrade, Update or Refresh the aircraft firmware just click on the version that you want to upgrade/downgrade to or refresh.  NLD will download the firmware requested, transfer it to the bird and start the flashing procedure. This takes approximately 15-20 minutes. All the flashing is being done by DJI code on the bird itself.  NLD will ensure that the firmware is actual DJI Stock firmware by MD5 checking, and then start the firmware flashing.  BE PATIENT.  NLD will provide you status updates for each module being flashed. Pay attention to the NLD status messages.  NLD will tell you when the firmware flash has been completed.  If you are unsure if the flashing procedure is complete or not, or you think the firmware is “stuck” let the bird sit for a few minutes, at least 10.  If nothing changes, go ahead and restart your bird, but don’t touch NLD.  NLD will continue the firmware flash from where it left off.  If, after doing this it still appears that the bird is not flashing, turn on your RC and see if it connects to your bird.  If it does, the bird is not doing any firmware flashing and you will need to start all over again.  Power off the bird, close NLD, restart the PC, run NLD, connect the bird and try again.  Once successfully completed, turn off your bird, close NLD, and choose re-flash to flash a 2nd time for error checking.  The 2nd flash should be much faster to complete.  NLD will always show you the current firmware version on your bird. The other way to check if you are using a stock version of GO is to go to the about page and check the firmware version listed there.

(Continued from previous post)
How to configure NLD GO 4.1.22

To enable displaying of AGL height over changing terrain, for this function to work correctly for NLD GO 4.1.22 - you will need to do a couple of things:
    Go to https://urs.earthdata.nasa.gov/ and sign up for an account
    Go to http://dwtkns.com/srtm30m/ and download up to 4 "tiles" for your flying area and save them to your device you use with GO.
Copy and paste the names of these files into the .json file installed on your device. (Due to the different data sets, we are unable to do this for you.)
Go to /DJI/og_settings and edit the dtm.settings.json file. This will be easier to do on your PC. Open this file with the editor of your choice, or you can use Notepad++. It will look like this:
{"m_AlgoChoice":3,"m_AlgoParams":[30.0,5.0,15.0,3.0,50.0,20.0,3500.0],"m_AltitudeOffset":0.0,"m_DTM_tiles_paths":["/mnt/sdcard/DJI/srtm_data/N21W158.SRTMGL1.hgt.zip","/mnt/sdcard/DJI/srtm_data /N21W159.SRTMGL1.hgt.zip"],"m_DoLogging":false}
Replace the names of the files with the names of your files (“tiles”). Only replace the names of the two that are there and leave the rest of the text alone. So for my example, I will only have one to replace, so the result after editing will be:

{"m_AlgoChoice":3,"m_AlgoParams":[30.0,5.0,15.0,3.0,50.0,20.0,3500.0],"m_AltitudeOffset":0.0,"m_DTM_tiles_paths":["/mnt/sdcard/DJI/srtm_data/N21W172.SRTMGL1.hgt.zip"],"m_DoLogging":false}

Keep a backup of the original file. Save your changes and transfer back to your device, (/DJI/og_settings/dtm_settings.json).  All you want to do is replace N21W158.SRTMGL1.hgt.zip and or N21W159.SRTMGL1.hgt.zip with the name of your tiles for your area. Make changes to this file as you fly in different areas that need different tiles. Check the map here: http://dwtkns.com/srtm30m/  You can have up to 4 tiles listed at a time in this file.
*If you don't have any tiles loaded you will see QFE instead of DTM.
*You can save all your tiles for different areas in the DJI\srtm folder and then you just need to change the dtm.settings.json file for each flying area


How to switch between Google Maps and HERE maps upon restarting NLD GO 4.1.22.

Here is what you need to do on your device:
Using a file browser on your device, go to internal storage and look for the /DJI/og_settings folder.
Make your own text file named "useGoogleMap" without the quotes and save it there.  Make sure it doesn’t have a .txt extension.  It's just a .txt file saved without a .txt at the end.  You may find this easier to do with your device connected to your PC.  Just make sure that there is no  useGoogleMap.txt file.  You can't have it with a .txt extension in Android for it to work correctly.  You can create a .txt file on your pc, but delete the .txt off the end.  You can create the .txt file, transfer it to your device, then on your device rename the file and delete the .txt off the end if it is easier for you.  Contact support if you have a hard time making the file, we can send you one.
Run GO. You should see Google Maps.  Turn on data to your device and Google maps should show you your location.  Leave your data on for real time map updates, or cache the maps before you fly so you can turn off data.  To cache Google maps, open up Go with a data connection, open Google maps in GO and scroll around where you are going to fly.  This will cache the area.  Zoom in, zoom out etc.  Now you don't need to have a data connection and you will see the cached map area in Google when you use it.  You can't download offline maps, like HERE can.
If you want to switch back to HERE maps, just rename that file. As a suggestion, you could name it HuseGoogleMap.
*You may need to install ES File explorer to browse your device. Available in the Play store.

Here is how to enable boosted RC for Mavic (1.5w output) and 32 channel mode for P4.

It's configured from the /DJI/og_settings/datalink.settings.json on your device with NLD GO 4.1.22 installed.
Edit the datalink.settings.json file with a text editor, find the variable called "boost" and change this from false to true to enable the 1.5W boost feature to get even more range than FCC mode. Do the same for the 32Channels and change false to true. Save the file. Boost has been tested and working on Mavic, and 32 channel tested and working on P4P.  This feature runs the RF chips at their max voltages and as such generates a LOT more heat. Its not advisable to use this mode in very hot climates as the small internal cooling fan may not be able to cope with the extra heat. Run this boost mode at your own risk!

If you need to contact NLD with issues, or questions don’t hesitate to go to: support.nolimitdronez.com  
Open up a support ticket, even if you just want to tell us how much you like NLD.  We like hearing from you!!

More information and links:
Excellent videos on how to use NLD by user Flymymavic…please subscribe to his channel.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hW7b8MzH7ptRjVxOdMGTnLW1qWGwSQg&app=desktop
Over all Guide, GO Patcher, NFZ info forum links:
https://nolimitdronez.com/boards/topic/12/over-all-guide-read-this-first
https://nolimitdronez.com/boards/topic/3/dji-go4-apk-patcher-nld-go4
https://nolimitdronez.com/boards/topic/27/remove-nfz
https://nolimitdronez.com/boards/forumgroup/1/nld-user-guide-tips-tricks

How to roll back to iOS GO 4.1.3:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziP2SBTzDh0

Crystal Sky patching thread:
https://nolimitdronez.com/boards/topic/39/howto-rooting-dji-crystal-sky

Unpatched GO links:
4.1.22 - http://www.openpilotlegacy.org/dji.go.v4-4.1.22-3028592-noseceo.apk
4.1.14 - http://www.openpilotlegacy.org/dji.go.v4_4.1.14-1027326-noSecNeo.apk

DJI Assistant 1.2.4 -
https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/dji_assistant/20180516/DJI+Assistant+2+1.2.4.zip

DJI Assistant 2.0.8
https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/dji_assistant/20190423/DJI+Assistant+2+For+Mavic+2.0.8.zip

Hey quad 404, im new to NLD and have a question?  I fly my spark with a ipad mini 2,  will i still have to use the nld version of the Go4 app to make everything work?  Also when it comes time to sell,  how do i revert back to factory settings?  Thanks so much

PLEASE FOR THE SANITY OF YOUR PAYING CUSTOMERS update and revise this guide to include the newest and simplest methods! In order that is simple to follow step by step. It is SO HARD to follow this guide as things are worded strangely, sometimes misspelled or misworded which makes it literally impossible to follow step by step.. it's like trying to decode what you are trying to say at times. For example, getting the Google maps to work on the latest patched app, you say "create a FILE named usegooglemaps. HOW DO YOU CREATE A FILE?! WHAT KIND OF FILE? do you mean folder? And if so WHAT FILE do I put in the folder?! If I told you to CREATE A FILE and name it something, would you have ANY clue what that actually meant? There are so many kinds of "files" if I was told what kind of file, maybe I would have somewhere to start in figuring out what you're trying to say but you just say create a file. I'm soooo confused, and by NO MEANS am I new to computers. Very well trained. Enough to know that you cannot simply be told to create a file, without being told what kind of file, and proceed successfully. And after reading the overall guide following step by step as much as possible, I somehow find a newer updated version of certain steps somewhere else on the website scattered into places that you would never expect to look and I can't tell what's new and what's old

jared wrote:

I understand the frustration,  seems like everything you read or videos you watch are over two years old.  I basically had to figure out on my own. Really the only items i changed were nfz and height restrictions so far on the spark.  

jose wrote:same here

jared wrote:

I have lost precious sleep over this thing since I purchased it a day ago(02-01-2019) and still no cigar for my poor little slow Mavic Air.  Please post the simple and newest way to do this.  Thank you.

pat wrote:

Please help me!