Fixing "Remote Controller Not Detected" Error with DJI RC-N3 and SimuDrone on Android

When I tried using SimuDrone—a drone flight simulator—with my DJI RC-N3 controller connected to my Android phone, I ran into this frustrating error:

Remote Controller not detected.
Please connect to remote controller and restart SimuDrone. Or, you can enable virtual joysticks to play.

Even though my USB-C cable was working and DJI Fly would launch automatically upon connection, SimuDrone failed to detect the remote.

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🔍 Root Cause

The problem was caused by setting DJI Fly as the default app to handle USB connections from the remote. Because of this, Android was automatically routing the USB accessory to DJI Fly—blocking SimuDrone from accessing the controller.

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✅ How I Fixed It

Option 1: Uninstall & Reinstall SimuDrone

This is the quick-and-dirty fix:

1. Uninstall SimuDrone.
2. Reinstall it from the Play Store.
3. Reconnect the DJI RC-N3 via USB-C.
4. When Android prompts you with an “Open with” dialog, choose SimuDrone.
5. 🎮 Done! SimuDrone now detects the controller.

Option 2: Clear Default App Settings

If you want to keep both apps installed without constantly reinstalling:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > DJI Fly
2. Tap on “Set as default”
3. Choose “Clear defaults”

Now, the next time you plug in your RC-N3, Android will ask which app to open—choose SimuDrone instead of DJI Fly.

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🛠️ Additional Tip

If you want to switch back to DJI Fly after a SimuDrone session, you can always reconnect the controller and choose DJI Fly when prompted—or manually launch it later.

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🚁 Why This Matters

Simulators like SimuDrone are a safe and cost-effective way to practice drone control skills. If you’re using real hardware like the DJI RC-N3, knowing how Android handles USB input routing is crucial to avoid these app conflicts.

Hopefully, this post saves you the same confusion I faced. Happy flying!

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