How to Connect a Tello Drone to a Controller (GameSir T1d and Others)
A Tello has no radio receiver for a normal RC transmitter. It is flown from a phone over the drone’s own Wi-Fi, and a physical controller works by connecting to the phone over Bluetooth, through the app. With the official Tello app the supported gamepad is the GameSir T1d: connect the phone to the TELLO-xxxxxx Wi-Fi network, turn the gamepad on in iOS or Android mode, and pair it in the app’s settings, never in the phone’s Bluetooth menu.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20264 min read
How the connection works
There are two links in the chain:
- Drone → phone: the Tello creates a Wi-Fi hotspot named
TELLO-plus six characters. The phone joins it; there is no internet on that network. - Controller → phone: the gamepad connects to the phone by Bluetooth. The app reads the sticks and sends commands to the drone over Wi-Fi.
So the phone stays in the middle: it shows the camera view and must stay within Bluetooth range of the controller and Wi-Fi range of the drone.
Step by step: GameSir T1d with the Tello app
- Charge the Tello battery and the gamepad. Install the Tello app.
- Turn on the Tello (button on the side). The status light blinks yellow when it’s ready for Wi-Fi.
- On the phone, open Wi-Fi settings and join
TELLO-xxxxxx. Ignore the “no internet” warning. - Turn on the GameSir T1d in the right mode: Y + power for iOS, A + power for Android, held for about two seconds.
- Open the Tello app, tap the gear icon, open the Bluetooth controller settings and tap the GameSir T1d. The app shows “Connected”.
- Calibrate if asked, then test the sticks on the ground before take-off.
The detailed pairing guide with screenshots-level detail is in connecting a Tello to a GameSir controller.
Other controllers
The official Tello app is built around the GameSir T1d. Some third-party Tello apps support other Bluetooth gamepads (for example Xbox, PlayStation or MFi-style controllers on iOS), but support differs by app, phone and version. Check the app’s description for the controller list before buying a gamepad. A normal RC transmitter (FrSky, Radiomaster, etc.) cannot bind to a stock Tello.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Controller doesn’t appear in the app | Power it on in the correct iOS/Android mode; unpair it from the phone’s Bluetooth list and pair only in the app. |
| App says not connected to Tello | Rejoin the TELLO Wi-Fi; turn mobile data off; restart the drone. |
| Phone keeps leaving the Tello Wi-Fi | Turn off “switch to mobile data” / smart network switch in Wi-Fi settings. |
| Laggy control or video | Fly closer, away from other Wi-Fi networks; keep phone and controller together. |
| Sticks behave wrong | Check the stick mode (mode 1/2) in the app settings and recalibrate. |
More Wi-Fi fixes are in why a Tello won’t connect.
Tips for flying with a controller
- Mount the phone on the GameSir clip so you can see the video and sticks together.
- Start in slow mode; physical sticks are more precise but the Tello still drifts in wind.
- Keep within about 100 m in open space; range drops with obstacles and interference.
- Watch both batteries: if the gamepad dies mid-flight, take over on the touch controls.
- Calibrate the IMU if the drone drifts; see how to calibrate a Tello.
FAQ
Can I connect a Tello to a regular RC remote?
No. The stock Tello only accepts commands over Wi-Fi from a phone or computer.
Can I connect a Tello to a Samsung phone?
Yes, any recent Android phone with the Tello app; join the TELLO Wi-Fi first.
Does the Tello need internet?
No. Its Wi-Fi is a local link without internet.
Why pair in the app and not in Bluetooth settings?
The app manages the gamepad connection; pairing in system settings often stops the app from seeing it.
More on this topic: the complete RC Drones guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
