DJI drops iOS support for developers and recommends switching to Android

Historically, iOS has enjoyed superior third-party app support over its peers. While Android has closed the gap in recent years, even Microsoft acknowledged when ending Project Astoria that app developers prioritised iOS over other platforms. However, DJI has now taken the unusual decision to cease third-party app development support for iOS and iPadOS by extension.

In a post to developers, it confirmed that it no longer maintains the iOS Software Development Kit (SDK). Effective November 29, 2023, the change occurred after DJI elected against offering iOS Mobile Software Development Kit (MSDK) support for its recent drones. Instead, DJI suggests that iOS developers should transition to Android app development, which will continue to receive SDK updates.

Either way, DJI's former VP of Policy & Legal Affairs speculated that the company may have ceased iOS development because of 'government restrictions, lists and sanctions'. The same developer post states that DJI's Onboard and Windows SDKs have come to an end too. Surprisingly, DJI advises that it has no alternative solution for Windows development, with its mobile SDK or cloud API recommended 'based on your application scenario'. Conversely, DJI has integrated the Onboard SDK within its Payload SDK, although it is unclear whether full functionality has been ported across.

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