For some time now, quadcopter makers have offered apps you can download, so you can fly with your smartphone instead of always using a bulky transmitter.
I hadn't given these apps much time, so in this video I look at three of them in some detail. They're on my iPhone, but they're also available for Android.
Phone or transmitter?
- Phone apps are handy and usually show the live camera view.
- A transmitter gives proper sticks, more precise control and usually a longer, more reliable range.
Many people start with the app and move to a transmitter once they're more confident. See learn to fly: your first flights.
Good to know in 2026
Apps from this era may no longer be updated or available, especially for older toy drones. Check your app store before buying a second-hand drone that relies on one.
More app videos are in the Quadcopter Apps playlist.