Activate the DJI SDK for Hovermap on the M300 or M350

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  • Published on May 12, 2026
  • 5 minute(s) read
  • JS
  • Matthew Toohey
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This article explains how to update the DJI firmware, install DJI Assistant 2, configure the onboard SDK, and activate both the onboard and mobile SDKs so Hovermap can communicate with the drone. SDK activation is required once per drone and once per mobile device.

What you will need

  • A DJI M300 or M350 drone with Hovermap mounted (see Set up the DJI M300 or M350 for Hovermap).

  • The DJI RC Plus controller, powered and paired with the drone.

  • A computer with internet access and the DJI-supplied USB cable.

  • A DJI account.

  • A mobile device (Samsung Galaxy tablet recommended) for Emesent Commander.

  • The drone running Emesent-approved firmware (see the compatibility table below).

Compatible aircraft and firmware

Airframe

Approved firmware

DJI M300

V03.00.0101 and above

DJI M350

V07.00.0101 and above

Drone operators are responsible for safe operation and compliance with local regulations.

Procedure

Step 1: Update the DJI firmware

If the drone is new, activate, configure, and prepare it for standard operations per DJI's instructions. Read DJI's user manual and ensure a good working knowledge of local and federal regulations for safe operations in the region, regardless of whether the drone is used with Hovermap.

Choose the firmware versions that work with the combination of M350 or M300 and controller. Refer to the Compatible Firmware Update Guide for M300 RTK and M350 RTK.

  • Do not upgrade the drone beyond the Emesent-approved firmware version.

  • Recheck all drone settings after updating the DJI firmware, as the settings may have reset.

Installing the incorrect firmware on the DJI RC Plus controller stops the DJI Smart Controller working with the drone.

Do not make any changes to the DJI drone firmware if it was supplied with a barometric modification. Updating or changing the drone firmware removes the modification.

Step 2: Install DJI Assistant 2 (Enterprise Series)

The DJI onboard SDK allows communication between Hovermap and the drone. To enable this communication:

  1. Download the DJI Assistant 2 (Enterprise Series) software from the DJI download center and install it on the computer.

  2. Log in to the DJI account.

  3. Go to the Settings tab and turn on the following options:

    • User account information

    • DJI device serial number

    • Payload SDK Product ID and License information

    • Onboard SDK APP ID

Step 3: Configure the DJI SDK

Configure the onboard SDK for the DJI M300 or M350 as follows:

  1. In the USB port next to the port labelled OSDK, connect the drone to the computer with the DJI-supplied USB cable.

  2. Power on the drone.

  3. Launch DJI Assistant 2.

  4. Click the drone name to configure the settings.

  5. On the Firmware tab, ensure the drone has the latest firmware supported by Hovermap (see the compatibility table above). If the firmware version is lower than the version supported by Emesent, log in to the DJI account and click Upgrade.

  6. On the Onboard SDK tab, configure the following settings:

Setting

Value

Enable API Control

Checked

Ground Station Status

Unchecked

Enable SDK Failsafe Action

Checked

Baud Rate

230400

Remote Controller Channel Data

50 Hz

SDK Failsafe Action

Hover

All other parameters are set by Hovermap when it is turned on.

  1. In DJI Assistant 2, click Back.

  2. Reboot the drone.

  3. Restart DJI Assistant 2.

  4. Check that the SDK settings have been saved correctly.

Step 4: Set initial DJI Pilot options

  1. On the tablet connected to the controller, launch DJI Pilot.

  2. Allow any updates during start-up.

  3. Open the three-dot menu at the top-right of the screen and set the following:

    • On the Main Controller Settings tab: set Multiple flight modes to On, and set Max Height to 119 m.

    • On the Aircraft Battery tab: disable Smart Return to Home.

  4. Close DJI Pilot.

Battery firmware fix. If the M300/M350 batteries will not charge in the battery station and an authentication alert appears ("Battery authentication failed, could not launch"), update the battery firmware:

  1. Connect the controller to the battery charge case with a Wi-Fi connection.

  2. If the battery charge case is not visible in the HMS, update the controller (not the drone) to the latest DJI firmware from the DJI download center.

  3. Insert the batteries in the charge case.

  4. Update all firmware for the charge case and the batteries.

If the drone has a barometric modification, ignore any drone notifications requesting a firmware update.

Step 5: Activate the DJI onboard SDK

This activation process is only required for the M210 and M300. Onboard SDK activation is not needed for the M350. SDK activation only needs to be done once per drone.

Register and activate the onboard SDK application as follows:

  1. Power on the controller.

  2. Power on the drone.

  3. With DJI Assistant 2 running, connect the M210 or M300 drone to the USB port of the computer.

  4. In DJI Assistant 2, click Onboard SDK. Ensure all fields are ticked, as configured in Step 3.

  5. Connect the computer to the internet.

  6. Double-check the SDK settings.

  7. With Hovermap correctly mounted and connected to the drone (via the Emesent-supplied cable):

    • Open the DJI Pilot app on the controller. Ensure the controller is connected to a Wi-Fi network with internet access to proceed with SDK activation.

    • Press the power button on Hovermap.

    • Start a scan and let it run for 2 minutes.

  8. Stop the scan and power off the drone and the controller.

  9. Disconnect the USB cable between the drone and the computer.

  10. Power on the drone and controller again.

Step 6: Activate the DJI mobile SDK

SDK activation only needs to be done once per mobile device.

  1. Power on the device.

  2. Install Emesent Commander.

  3. Connect the device to the internet.

  4. Launch Emesent Commander.

  5. Allow permission requests when prompted.

  6. Enter the user information, then select Allow registration with DJI to use drones.

  7. Connect to Hovermap Wi-Fi.

Step 7: Verify Hovermap communications

Run a quick sanity check to confirm the DJI drone, Hovermap, and remote controllers are configured correctly and that communications between the drone and Hovermap have been established.

  1. Mount Hovermap to the drone and connect the power and the serial cables.

  2. For Hovermap autonomy operations, connect the Samsung Galaxy tablet to the controller.

  3. Power on the controller.

  4. Power on the drone first, then power on Hovermap.

  5. When prompted, open the Emesent Commander app, or touch once and select Only once.

  6. Click CONNECT.

  7. Select the mission type: Assisted or Autonomous.

  8. Confirm pre-mission checks are complete.

  9. Confirm the network Commander is connecting to.

  10. Adjust the pre-mission settings if required, then click CONTINUE.

  11. Enter the scan name and click START SCAN.

  12. Hovermap runs pre-scan checks. If the pre-scan checks fail, close Commander and start the mission again.

  13. When the pre-scan check completes, the mission is ready to run.

Outcome

The DJI onboard SDK is configured and activated, the mobile SDK is registered on the device, and Hovermap communicates correctly with the drone. The drone is ready for scanning missions.

For assistance, contact the regional Emesent partner or the Emesent Client Support team.