How to connect DJI RC-N1 controller?

This guide will walk you through the steps required to connect the most popular controller DJI RC-N1 (used with drones like the DJI Mini 2, Mini 3, Air 2, Air 2S etc.) to your PC. You’ll be able to use the controller as a virtual gamepad in flight simulators like Liftoff. I'll cover software installation, driver setup, and running the Python-based interface. No prior coding experience is needed.

Why the DJI RC-N1 doesn’t work natively on PC?

The DJI RC-N1 controller isn’t recognized by Windows as a standard game controller when connected via USB. Unlike typical gamepads, it communicates using a proprietary protocol designed for drones, not for gaming or simulation. That’s why additional software and drivers are needed to interpret the controller’s signals and emulate a virtual gamepad that your PC and simulators can understand.


This guide has been created for Windows, but it should also work on macOS with minimal adjustments.

Step 1. Install DJI Assistant 2

Download software from official DJI website here[www.dji.com].

I recommend downloading the .exe file and installing it by following the standard installer steps.


By the way you can update your controller firmware using this software, but it's probably not required.

Step 2. Install python 3.9

Download Python 3.9 from the official website here[www.python.org].

Make sure to select the correct version for your operating system (in my case it is windows, I marked the appropriate link with a red arrow).

⚠️ Important: During installation, check the box that says
“Add Python 3.9 to PATH” — this ensures Python can be used from the command line.

Step 3: Verify Python Installation

After installing Python, you can check if it’s installed correctly by following these steps:

1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
2. Type cmd (for CMD) and press Enter.



In the command window that opens, type the following command:

python --version

Response like

Python 3.9.x

means that everything is installed correctly.

If you see an error like

'python' is not recognized as an internal or external command

it means Python wasn’t added to your system PATH. In that case, rerun the installer, click "Modify" and ensure you check the “Add Python to PATH” option during installation. Sometimes restarting PC is required after installation.

Step 4. Install necessary libraries

In the command window, type the following commands to install the necessary libraries

First:

pip install vgamepad

Second:

pip install pyserial

After the installation completes, you can check if the libraries were installed successfully by typing:

pip show vgamepad

and

pip show pyserial

In my case both libraries are installed correctly.

Step 5. Download program files from Github

Visit the GitHub repository where the program files are hosted. You can download the files directly from this link[github.com].




After the ZIP file has been downloaded, extract it to a folder on your computer.

Step 6. Run main.py

Now that you have all the necessary files and libraries, it’s time to run the program.

Connect your DJI controller to your PC using USB cable.

Then open terminal inside this folder.
Make sure you have a correct directory with program files! (where main.py is located)

Then type

python main.py

Do not close this window! The program is running now.


Success! Now you can run Liftoff or other simulator and your DJI controller is recognized by the game as a normal gamepad.




In next games you need to repeat only step 6 to use this DJI RC-N1 controller (just open terminal in proper directory and run main.py).


If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in comments. 😊