# SidePilot — The Ardupilot Companion App

> Portable ArduPilot drone ground station with advanced flight control and telemetry. (iPhone/iPad app by Tom Brereton.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidepilot/id1138193193 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Tom Brereton](https://appshunter.io/developer/1137848787)
- Category: Utilities, Photo & Video
- Price: $13.99
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 98 App Store ratings · 56 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 117 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2016-09-29
- Data updated: 2026-09-06
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidepilot/id1138193193/reviews.md

## What is SidePilot?

This is the BEST ardupilot companion app.

Works with ArduPilot autopilot via WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy or Cellular connection, including 3DR Solo.
Supports ExpressLRS MAVLink telemetry.

NOTE: You must have either WiFi, Cellular or Serial Bluetooth connection to your drone.

User Manual is available at https://sidepilot.net

Features:
• Supports ArduCopter, ArduPlane and ArduRover via ELRS, WiFi or Bluetooth.
• Displays current drone location, with information such as altitude, yaw, pitch and roll.
• Internet ADSB to display nearby aircraft and provide warnings.
• Create, edit and delete waypoints and geofences.
• Audible alerts for important information.
• Edit, save and load parameters.
• Perform a Pre-Flight checklist with live weather information.
• Low battery warnings and alerts.
• View onboard video, and live stream it to YouTube.
• Record telemetry logs and export for sharing.
• Follow Me - Have your drone follow you using your devices GPS location, or visually with Object Tracking.
• Orbit mode - Automatically orbit an object for a fantastic cinematic shots!
• Grid Waypoints - Create a survey grid to fly.
• Tap to fly - Tap a location on the map to send your drone there!
• Perform calibrations at the field.
• DroneCAN Viewer and parameter editor.
• And many, many more...

Quick-start guide (Using a WiFi connection):
1. Turn on drone and connect using WiFi.
2. Start SidePilot, navigate to settings and select either WiFi UDP, TCP or 3DR Solo (as applicable).
3. If setting up WiFi manually, click on WiFi Settings and input the correct IP address and port that the MAVLink protocol is running over.
4. Go back to the main screen and press the connect button on the top right. The app will begin displaying information about the drone. If not, double check your WiFi settings.

Please post suggestions and bug reports on the SidePilot Facebook page or via email to tom@sidepilot.net


WARNING: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

Note: iPads without cellular do not have GPS capability unless tethered to a iOS Device with cellular, and even then it is poor and not suitable for navigation.

## Key features

- Real-time drone telemetry display
- Waypoint and geofence creation
- ADSB aircraft integration
- Follow Me and Orbit flight modes
- Live video streaming
- Parameter editing and calibration

## Recent user reviews (10 of 56)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidepilot/id1138193193/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2026-05-24*

A great app. Gets my 3DR Solo flying again. All I need now is reliable batteries

### 1/5 — Waste of my money

*2026-02-24*

This app does not connect to my 3DR Solo Drone. It’s only a way to exploit money from hardworking people. Every time I turn on my drone and the app it says the same drone connected every time. The video camera (GoPro Hero4) shows no video, just like in the picture the developer featured himself. People don’t waste your money on a worthless app. I’m not here to pay your bills.

**Developer response:** Hi, I’m sorry to hear that you are having issues connecting to your Solo. Have you connected your phone to your Solo’s wifi network? And do you have any messages on the controller when it is turned on? And did you tap the connect button on the top right of the app?

Feel free to email me at tom@sidepilot.net for more troubleshooting. I’d love to get you back flying!

Thanks!

### 1/5 — Hard

*2026-01-17, version 2.1.6*

Trying to download this, I will try again. My control says miss match two solo and waiting for solo.

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2025-11-18*

Perfect app for flying your Solo or any Arducopter compatible drone.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the great feedback!

### 2/5 — Unable to install the firmware on the drone

*2025-11-08*

Sorry for the twin stars.. Followed the instructions and tried to update the copter firmware.  It abruptly ended and now my drone has a solid red orange led light lit up.  The controller is unable to pair or locate the drone.  It keeps displaying waiting for Solo.  Can you help pls

### 3/5 — Langage

*2025-08-07*

Très bonne application , dommage que ce ne soit pas en Français car pour les réglages c’est galère quand on comprend pas l’anglais…… 😡
Dommage aussi que l’on ne puisse pas mettre le solo 3DR à jour ….

**Developer response:** Hi Mickado,
Thank you for your feedback, we do plan to add translation in future versions. In the meantime, if you have any questions on what settings mean, please email me at tom@sidepilot.net

Thank you,
Tom

### 5/5 — Solo

*2025-06-09*

iPhone app for the Solo drone. It’s always being updated by Tom . The drone is a beast and it has a gimbal that holds a GoPro camera for great photos! I’ve been using this app for years now and it works really great

### 5/5 — 3dr Solo

*2025-05-23*

This app has kept my Solo flying and I have watched this app go through the changes. Thank you for all the work put into this and keeping my old Solo flying. Cheers.

**Developer response:** Hi Cory, glad you are enjoying it! If you ever have any suggestions or improvements, free to send me an email at tom@sidepilot.net

Thanks!
Tom

### 1/5 — Bad

*2025-05-13*

I can not connect to my dron

**Developer response:** Hi, can you please elaborate on the issue you are experiencing? Please contact support at tom@sidepilot.net for assistance.
Thank you!

### 5/5 — Excellent app

*2024-12-22*

Would be lost without this, Saved my Solo from a certain death❤️

**Developer response:** Thanks for the great feedback!

## Frequently asked questions about SidePilot

### What is SidePilot?

SidePilot is a portable ground station application designed for drone enthusiasts using ArduPilot autopilots. It allows users to control and monitor their drones from a mobile device, offering features like real-time telemetry, waypoint navigation, and advanced flight modes.

### How does SidePilot connect to my drone?

The app connects to your ArduPilot drone via WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy, or a cellular connection. It supports various ArduPilot flight controllers and includes integration for ExpressLRS MAVLink telemetry. A stable connection is required for the app to display drone information.

### What are the key features of SidePilot?

Key features include displaying current drone location and flight data, ADSB integration for nearby aircraft warnings, creating and editing waypoints and geofences, audible alerts, parameter management, pre-flight checklists with weather, live video streaming, and advanced flight modes like Follow Me and Orbit.

### Is SidePilot free to use?

Yes, based on the provided information, SidePilot is a free application. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or subscription models, indicating it is available at no cost to users.

### What kind of drones is SidePilot compatible with?

The app is specifically designed to work with drones running the ArduPilot autopilot system, including support for ArduCopter, ArduPlane, and ArduRover. It also mentions compatibility with 3DR Solo and ExpressLRS MAVLink telemetry.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1.7.3 — 2026-08-12

• New Servo Setup Page
• New Vehicle Icons
• Updated Link Quality Stats
• Supports Ardupilot 4.7.0 Parameters
• DroneCAN Viewer
• Many bug fixes and other improvements!

### 2.1.7.2 — 2026-04-17

● Video recording at wrong framerate.
● Crashing on video playback.
● Fixed Plane 'Go To Point'
● Fixed TLogs missing data
● Improved GeoFences
● Added TLog Playback
● Added more Action Items (Set Parameter, Follow Me and GCS Distance)

### 2.1.7.1 — 2026-03-05

- Improved ArduPlane support.
- Fixed parameter loading feedback on slow connections such as ELRS.
- Fixed a bug with certain parameters causing the app to crash.

### 2.1.7 — 2026-02-25

- Improved ArduPlane support
- Fixed parameter loading feedback on slow connections such as ELRS.

### 2.1.6 — 2026-01-13

● Added FPV Mode (fullscreen video)
● Added ADSB filter for maximum altitude
● Fixed GPS2 Altitude status
● Added Rangefinder HUD options
● Fixed pre-flight checklist arm warning not appearing
● And more!

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-06.*