We have some good news related to the DJI drones. The software update support time is now being extended to 2029. That clearly means recently announced drones like Avata 360, or all the DJI drones that were announced before the December 2025 ban, are eligible to get software updates till January 2029, and yes, they are also fully eligible to be sold in the United States of America. Only the drones that were announced after December 2025, like the DJI Lito X1, and so on, are banned from being sold in the United States of America.
On May 8, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology quietly released Public Notice DA 26-454. This notice extends the waiver that allows already-authorised foreign-made drones — including popular DJI and Autel models — to continue receiving critical firmware and software updates until at least January 1, 2029.
Here’s the full breakdown from a USA user perspective: what changed in the latest update of May 2026, what hasn’t, and exactly what this means for your drone flying future.
What the FCC DJI Extension Actually Does
The FCC’s decision does three key things:
- Extends the update window from the previous January 1, 2027 cutoff all the way to January 1, 2029.
- Expands the scope to include both routine Class I changes (security patches, bug fixes, compatibility updates) and more significant Class II permissive changes.
- Applies to any drone, UAS critical components, or consumer routers that were FCC-authorized before being placed on the Covered List.
In plain English: If you already own a DJI drone that was legally sold and authorized in the U.S., DJI can keep pushing out official firmware updates, security patches, and feature improvements for the next 2+ years.
This directly affects millions of American owners of:
- DJI Mini series
- Air series
- Mavic series
- Avata / FPV drones
- Enterprise models (Matrice, Matrice 300/350, etc.)
- Autel drones
Why the FCC Made This Move (And Why It Matters)
The agency openly acknowledged that suddenly cutting off security updates would create a bigger cybersecurity risk than the original national-security concerns the ban was meant to address.
Without patches, existing drones could become vulnerable to hacking, leave users exposed, and create safety issues in the national airspace. They do need the help of DJI to keep the drones safe, those are already in the hands of consumers, and that’s why they have extended the ban period., By extending the waiver, the FCC is prioritising real-world consumer protection while the drone industry transitions.
Important Clarification: The DJI Ban Is Still in Effect
This extension is not a rollback of the broader restrictions.
- New DJI drones cannot receive FCC equipment authorization and cannot be legally imported or sold as new products in the U.S.
- The Covered List rules (stemming from the 2025 NDAA and earlier FCC actions) remain fully in place.
- You still cannot buy the very latest unreleased DJI models through official U.S. channels.
In short: Your current fleet is supported longer — but the pipeline for brand-new DJI hardware is closed.
What This Means for Different Types of US Drone Users
Recreational Pilots
Your weekend flyer (Mini 4 Pro, Air 3S, etc.) will keep getting the latest features, bug fixes, and security updates through 2029. No sudden obsolescence. Resale value on the used market should remain strong for the next few years.
Part 107 Commercial Operators
This is huge for real estate photographers, inspectors, farmers, and infrastructure pros. You can confidently schedule jobs knowing your primary tools will stay current and secure. No need to panic-upgrade your entire fleet right now.
Enterprise & Government Users
The extra breathing room gives organizations time to evaluate Blue UAS–compliant alternatives or diversify their fleets without being forced into an immediate (and expensive) swap-out.
Everyone
You can keep using the DJI Fly / Pilot apps and official update channels without interruption.
The Bottom Line for American Drone Users
The FCC’s DA 26-454 extension is a smart, practical decision that protects millions of U.S. drone owners from sudden obsolescence and cybersecurity gaps.
It buys the entire industry valuable time to develop secure domestic alternatives while keeping your current DJI investment safe and supported through at least 2029.
Official Source:
If you own a DJI drone in the United States, this is genuinely good news. Your current fleet just got a multi-year lease on life.
What do you think — will you keep flying DJI through 2029, or are you already testing alternatives? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Share this article with fellow drone pilots and operators who need to know the real story behind the headlines.
The article “Xtra Muse 2 Pro and Muse 2 Get Dual-Side Flip Touchscreen” was written by thenewcamera.com team on 7:50 pm, Saturday, 23 May 2026, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
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