How to Use FocusTrack (ActiveTrack, Spotlight, POI) on DJI Air 2S

FocusTrack in Plain Terms

FocusTrack is DJI Air 2S’s subject-tracking toolkit inside the DJI Fly app. It’s built to keep a chosen subject framed while you capture video with far less stick-work. FocusTrack includes three modes:

• Spotlight 2.0

• ActiveTrack 4.0

• Point of Interest (POI) 3.0

(Source: DJI Support; DJI Air 2S User Manual)

What changes between the three isn’t “how nice it looks,” but who does the driving:

• Spotlight: you fly, the camera stays locked on the subject

• ActiveTrack: the drone flies to follow the subject automatically

• POI: the drone orbits around the subject automatically

Critical Limitations Before You Try (So You Don’t Think It’s “Broken”)

FocusTrack can be unavailable depending on your current video settings. If the FocusTrack button is missing, greyed out, or refuses to start, check resolution and frame rate first.

Common limitation pattern on Air 2S: FocusTrack is disabled when recording at higher resolutions and/or higher frame rates such as:

• 5.4K at 24/25/30 fps

• 4K at 48/50/60 fps

• 2.7K at 48/50/60 fps

• 1080p at 48/50/60/120 fps

In practice, FocusTrack is typically available at “cinematic” frame rates (24/25/30 fps) in supported resolutions. If you want tracking, set your video mode first, then re-open FocusTrack.

(Source: DJI Air 2S User Manual)

Best Conditions for Reliable Tracking

FocusTrack performance depends heavily on the scene. Set yourself up for success:

Choose an easy target

Tracking works best when your subject has:

• Clear shape (person, car, boat, cyclist)

• Strong contrast from the background

• Consistent visibility (not repeatedly hidden by trees, poles, crowds)

Give the drone room to think

Use FocusTrack in:

• Open, unobstructed areas

• Clear lines with minimal thin hazards like wires, branches, antennas

Tracking becomes risky or unstable in tight spaces because the drone may have to brake, climb, or reroute.

(Source: DJI Support)

Use stable light

Shifting light can confuse exposure and reduce subject clarity:

• Avoid fast flickering light, harsh backlight, or heavy shadow strobing under trees

• Lock white balance when possible to prevent color shifting mid-shot

How to Enter FocusTrack on Android (DJI Fly)

After takeoff, hover at a safe height and distance from the subject.

DJI Fly provides multiple ways to enter FocusTrack. Common methods include:

1. On the live camera view, drag a box around the subject to lock it

2. Tap the on-screen target indicator (the app may show a green target icon once the subject is recognized)

3. Enable subject scanning (if available), then use the gesture prompt to let the drone identify you as the target

Once locked, you’ll choose Spotlight, ActiveTrack, or POI.

(Source: DJI Support)

Practical tip: if the box won’t lock, increase distance slightly, keep the subject centered, and ensure the subject is not too small in frame.

Spotlight 2.0 (Camera Lock, You Control the Flight)

What Spotlight is best for

Spotlight is the safest “tracking look” because it does not force the drone to chase the subject. It simply keeps the camera oriented toward the subject while you fly manually.

Use Spotlight when:

• You want to create cinematic orbits and reveals with full control

• The environment has obstacles and you don’t want automated flight decisions

• You want tracking-style framing but prefer manual safety margins

(Source: DJI Support; DJI Air 2S User Manual)

How to use Spotlight (step-by-step)

1. Lock the subject in FocusTrack

2. Spotlight usually activates by default once the target is locked

3. Press record (app shutter button or controller shutter button)

4. Fly manually:

   • Use the sticks to control distance and position

   • Use yaw and the gimbal dial to refine composition and angle

(Source: DJI Support)

Spotlight technique that looks cinematic fast

• Do a slow sideways slide (parallax move) while the camera stays locked on the subject

• Keep speed gentle so the subject remains stable in frame

• Avoid sudden yaw snaps; rotate slowly if needed

Common Spotlight mistakes

• Subject drifting to the edge: slow down and re-center using subtle yaw

• “Nervous” framing: increase distance from the subject and reduce aggressive stick inputs

ActiveTrack 4.0 (Drone Follows Automatically)

What ActiveTrack does

ActiveTrack is the “follow” mode. The drone moves to track the subject automatically while maintaining a consistent relationship.

ActiveTrack on Air 2S includes two styles:

• Trace

• Parallel

(Source: DJI Support)

When to use ActiveTrack

ActiveTrack shines when:

• The subject is moving steadily (walking, jogging, cycling, vehicles at moderate speed)

• The route is predictable (roads, trails, open beaches, fields)

• You have plenty of clearance

Avoid ActiveTrack in:

• Crowded locations

• Near trees with thin branches

• Places with wires, poles, or sudden altitude changes

ActiveTrack mode A: Trace

Trace follows the subject from behind, in front, or along the path while keeping a constant distance.

How to run Trace:

1. Lock the subject

2. Select ActiveTrack

3. Choose Trace

4. Tap GO

5. Start recording

In Trace, the drone attempts to maintain distance and can plan a route to avoid obstacles based on its sensing.

(Source: DJI Support)

Best Trace shots:

• “Chase” perspective behind a cyclist

• Slow front-follow walking shot (open area only)

• Tracking along a winding trail with clear overhead space

ActiveTrack mode B: Parallel

Parallel tracks from the side, keeping a constant angle and distance. It creates strong parallax and a premium “commercial” look when the background has depth.

How to run Parallel:

1. Lock the subject

2. Select ActiveTrack

3. Choose Parallel

4. Tap GO

5. Press record

(Source: DJI Support)

Best Parallel shots:

• Side tracking of a car on an open road (legal and safe area)

• Jogger or cyclist with scenery sliding behind them

• Boat moving parallel to shoreline

What happens if the drone loses the target

If ActiveTrack loses the subject, the drone will hover in place. This is normal behavior and a safety feature. Reacquire the subject and try again.

(Source: DJI Support)

ActiveTrack settings and habits that increase success

• Keep the subject large enough in frame for recognition

• Maintain consistent speed; sudden acceleration can break tracking

• Avoid rapid direction changes behind obstacles (trees, poles)

• Choose a background with contrast (subject shouldn’t blend into it)

Point of Interest (POI) 3.0 (Automatic Orbit Around a Subject)

What POI is for

POI makes the drone circle around a subject while keeping it centered. It’s the fastest way to get a smooth orbit without manual stick finesse.

Use POI when:

• The subject is mostly stationary (monument, building, viewpoint, vehicle parked safely)

• You want a clean orbit for cinematic establishing shots

• You have open space all around the subject

(Source: DJI Support; DJI Air 2S User Manual)

How to run POI (step-by-step)

1. Fly to a safe altitude above ground

2. Lock the subject in FocusTrack

3. Select POI

4. Set orbit direction and speed

5. The drone will treat the target as the center and calculate the orbit radius automatically

6. Start recording

During POI, the drone maintains its altitude and flies around the subject.

(Source: DJI Support)

POI tips that make the orbit look professional

• Choose a wide enough orbit so the drone doesn’t constantly brake for obstacles

• Keep the subject slightly off-center artistically only if you’re confident; otherwise keep it centered for a clean result

• Use slow orbit speed for a “cinematic drift” look

• Avoid tight orbits near trees, lamp posts, cables, or rooflines

How to Stop FocusTrack Safely

You can exit FocusTrack by:

• Tapping Stop in the flight interface, or

• Pressing the Flight Pause button on the remote controller

The drone will stop the automated behavior and hover, giving you back full manual control.

(Source: DJI Support)

Troubleshooting FocusTrack Like a Pro

Problem: FocusTrack option is missing or greyed out

Most common cause: your current resolution/frame rate doesn’t support FocusTrack.

Fix:

• Switch to a supported recording mode (typically 24/25/30 fps)

• Avoid the combinations where FocusTrack is disabled (5.4K 24–30; 4K 48–60; 2.7K 48–60; 1080p 48–120)

• Return to the camera view and try again

(Source: DJI Air 2S User Manual)

Problem: Target can’t be recognized

Fixes:

• Make the subject larger in the frame (fly closer safely)

• Improve contrast (change angle so the subject stands out)

• Avoid backgrounds with similar colors/patterns

• Use Spotlight instead of ActiveTrack if recognition keeps failing

Problem: The drone suddenly stops tracking mid-shot

Causes:

• Subject temporarily blocked from view

• Subject moves too fast or changes direction abruptly

• Drone loses contrast due to lighting changes

• The target becomes too small in frame

Fixes:

• Reacquire the subject in a clear open segment

• Reduce speed or choose a smoother route

• Increase altitude slightly for fewer obstacles crossing the line of sight

(Source: DJI Support)

Problem: The footage looks jerky even though tracking works

Fixes:

• Increase distance from the subject (micro-corrections become less visible)

• Reduce flight speed

• Avoid sudden yaw inputs

• Use a slower orbit speed in POI

Which FocusTrack Mode Should You Pick (Fast Decision)

• Spotlight: best overall safety and control, ideal when obstacles exist

• ActiveTrack Trace: best for “follow behind/front” movement shots

• ActiveTrack Parallel: best for side tracking with strong cinematic parallax

• POI: best for smooth orbits around a mostly stationary subject

If you only choose one to master first, start with Spotlight. It delivers the “tracked” look while keeping you in full command of where the aircraft goes.

A Reliable “First Success” Setup

For the highest success rate on Air 2S:

• Use an open field or wide beach

• Set video to a FocusTrack-supported mode (often 4K at 24/25/30 fps)

• Choose Spotlight first

• Lock the subject, start recording

• Fly a slow sideways slide or gentle orbit at a safe distance

Once that’s consistent, step up to ActiveTrack Parallel for more dramatic shots, then use POI for effortless orbits around landmarks.