NO WIFI SSID CONNECTION FOR EUROPE FIX FOR SKYDIO 2+

 

NO WIFI SSID CONNECTION FOR EUROPE FIX FOR SKYDIO 2+

This is a fix is for people in europe that are having trouble with their drones (Connection Issues)


This is only for Skydio 2+ owners outside the US

This is all procedure steps that I did and documented (I did this 2 times)

Before you begin the procedures make sure that your skydio 2+ is turned off for more than 30 min

PHASE 1 (RECOMMENDED STEPS):
This are just recomended extra steps (because I'm just paranoid)

1. Go to a location without GPS signal (Not sure if this is necessary but better be safe)
2. Uninstall the Skydio app
3. Put the phone on airplain mode
4. turn on the WiFi on your phone (cellular data must be off)
5. Get the fake GPS app like the one: Fake GPS location - Apps on Google Play and in the app change your location to USA (you have to enable "Allow mock locations" option in the android developer options menu)
6. Install the Skydio app

PHASE 2 (MANDATORY STEPS):
Factory Reset for Skydio 2+ (it seems the procedure is not the same for the old Skydio 2)

1. Remove the battery from the Skydio 2+ (for this to work the drone must be with NO battery)
2. Connect the usb-c cable for battery charging to the main unit's usb-c connector that is on top of the drone.
3. When you connect the usb-c cable to the drone the blue light of the main body will turn on an then it will start to blink.
4. When it starts the blinking pattern just count 6 blinks and immediately remove the USB-c port from the charging port.
5. Repeat this power cycle 6 times: (Connect the cable > Blue light turns ON > 6 blinks > disconnect de cable)
6. At seventh time, connect the cable and leave it alone. The blue light will start to blink and the factory reset will begin.
7. You can now connect the (full) battery to the drone but don't disconnect the usb-c power cord from the drone
8. It will take 10 - 15 mins for the factory reset be completed
9. After factory reset is completed the blue lights from the drone will be steady (no blinking)
10. You will see now the SSID visible from the skydio 2+ on you phone's WiFi settings
11. You can now open and connect the skydio app to the drone
12. If the connection drops you have to go to your phone's wifi advanced settings and turn off the automatic connection
13. DON'T UPDATE THE FIRMWARE FOR NOW

That's it, that's the Jailbreak of the Skydio 2+, I called SKYDIO2+FOREU method
I hope it works with you guys


Regarding the theory of this issuse, I have several theories why this is happening:

1 - New Firmware Update brings geofencing feature for European costumers
it works like this: if the drone comes without the new firmware update out of the box, you will be able to connect to the drone with your phone and perform the initial setup, you will be able to fly normally but after you update the firmware the change to the drone's system protocol will not be instant, it will wait chronologically or after the last flight and then when you turn it on again the new system protocol it will be activated and you will not see anymore the Drone's WiFi SSID (This was certainly my case and the most plausible theory)

2 - The app knows where you are and sends a disable WiFi Network command to the drone and it's permanent (not very realistic and plausible theory because it will disable permanently the wifi connection with no way for the skydio team remotely enable the wifi again when you come back home to USA.)

3 - The Skydio 2+ has built in GPS and knows where you are and if you are outside USA it will disable the WiFi module (this theory is very plausible because it's an easy way to automate and manage geofencing because theres no need for internet connection just a GPS position, it's very easy i can do this with some raspberry pi modules and some switches and programming...)

Regardless witch all of the 3 theories are true, all of them shares the same obscure principle that is making me sick:
THIS IS NOT a "malfunction" as stated by the Skydio support team, this "issue" was made by design.
they say that european WiFi devices are not compatible with the US 5GHz bands, but my European devices are working ok with the drone without the "Magic Firmware Update" you don't need to be very smart to understand what's going on right?


NOTE:
After you've followed all the steps and still can't see the Drone's WiFi (SSID) on your phone, It's because most likely your phone is incompatible with some of Skydio's WiFi 5GHz channels: CH 149, CH 153, CH 157, CH 161, CH165
The most Compatible and working Channels are; CH 36, CH 40, CH 44, CH 48
So you need to have a phone that supports 5GHz wide range channels.
Phones tested and 100% compatible with Skydio's 5GHz WiFi network:
Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy XCover Pro.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

I'm currently working on a new permanent fix for this "no WiFi connection outside of USA" issue
I'm performing a lot of testing to be sure that I'm 100% right,
I will try to release all the information and detailed instructions late today (If I can)

but there's one thing you must be aware: If you bought your Skydio 2+ recently "DON'T TURN IT ON YET"
If you already have turn it on an try to connect to your phone you will have to perform the "Factory Reset"

Please be patient and Stay tune.