What Does the "Covered List" Really Mean for DJI?

26 December 2025

There has been a lot of confusion, headlines, and speculation surrounding DJI, the FCC Covered List, and what this means for drone pilots in the U.S.

In the below video, I break down what we actually know based on DJI’s official statement and the FCC’s latest update.

Here are the key takeaways up front:

[1] DJI drones currently in use in the U.S. are not affected.

[2] Pilots can continue to buy and fly DJI drones as normal.

[3] The FCC confirms that future DJI models may still be authorized, depending on evaluations by the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security.

There’s still uncertainty around what that approval process looks like, and that’s understandable. But this update confirms there is no immediate ban, no grounding of existing drones, and that future DJI releases are not automatically off the table.

I will walk through what the FCC Covered List actually means, why existing DJI drones are safe to keep flying, how future DJI approvals could still happen. why it’s important not to jump to conclusions or panic, and what drone pilots, creators, and businesses should realistically expect moving forward.

My goal isn’t fear or hype—it’s clarity.