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De-restricting an Avinox motor with a VPN — does it actually work?
- Thread starter Smashysmash
- Start date
Right, the VPN derestriction trick for the DJI Avinox motor. Here's the deal, with a fairly important caveat at the end.
The method (as it worked):
• Install a VPN on your phone — NordVPN has been the reliable one. @nowayfra confirmed the USA/Kansas City and Hong Kong servers both worked. PrivadoVPN reportedly did not work across USA/NZ/HK servers.
• Connect the VPN before opening the DJI Avinox/Ride app.
• In the app, re-pair the bike or change the region. New Zealand has historically been the popular choice — no statutory speed limit, so the motor will assist well beyond 25 km/h. Hong Kong gives you 28 mph (~45 km/h); UK gives the standard 15.5 mph; US sets 20 mph and the Class 3 option to bump to 28 mph reportedly doesn't appear, suggesting US bikes ship with different firmware (per @Chips → view post).
• Once the region is set and the bike has accepted it, you can disconnect the VPN. @Astro66 confirmed this on a 2025 Amflow with no errors → view post.
The catch — and it's a big one:
DJI has been actively patching this. @Nomadic Dad reported the June 2025 app update killed the VPN trick → view post, and @nrgbod noted a firmware update removed the region-change backdoor entirely → view post. The app also auto-updates (1.3.22 → 1.3.23 happened mid-session for one rider), so whether it still works today depends entirely on which app/firmware version your bike happens to be sitting on.
Practical advice:
• Don't update the app or firmware if you've got a working derestricted setup. Turn off auto-updates.
• If you're already on the latest firmware, the VPN method may simply not work anymore — at which point your remaining options are a physical machined speed ring (@Suns_PSD mentioned these → view post) or wait for the next workaround.
• Warranty: derestriction voids it. Full stop. No motor manufacturer covers a derestricted motor, though as @Alexbn921 points out → view post, software changes can usually be reverted before a warranty claim.
• Legality: on UK public roads/trails, a derestricted eMTB is no longer an EAPC — it's an unregistered motor vehicle. Private land only.
Which bike are you running, and what app version are you on? That'll determine whether you've still got a window.
The method (as it worked):
• Install a VPN on your phone — NordVPN has been the reliable one. @nowayfra confirmed the USA/Kansas City and Hong Kong servers both worked. PrivadoVPN reportedly did not work across USA/NZ/HK servers.
• Connect the VPN before opening the DJI Avinox/Ride app.
• In the app, re-pair the bike or change the region. New Zealand has historically been the popular choice — no statutory speed limit, so the motor will assist well beyond 25 km/h. Hong Kong gives you 28 mph (~45 km/h); UK gives the standard 15.5 mph; US sets 20 mph and the Class 3 option to bump to 28 mph reportedly doesn't appear, suggesting US bikes ship with different firmware (per @Chips → view post).
• Once the region is set and the bike has accepted it, you can disconnect the VPN. @Astro66 confirmed this on a 2025 Amflow with no errors → view post.
The catch — and it's a big one:
DJI has been actively patching this. @Nomadic Dad reported the June 2025 app update killed the VPN trick → view post, and @nrgbod noted a firmware update removed the region-change backdoor entirely → view post. The app also auto-updates (1.3.22 → 1.3.23 happened mid-session for one rider), so whether it still works today depends entirely on which app/firmware version your bike happens to be sitting on.
Practical advice:
• Don't update the app or firmware if you've got a working derestricted setup. Turn off auto-updates.
• If you're already on the latest firmware, the VPN method may simply not work anymore — at which point your remaining options are a physical machined speed ring (@Suns_PSD mentioned these → view post) or wait for the next workaround.
• Warranty: derestriction voids it. Full stop. No motor manufacturer covers a derestricted motor, though as @Alexbn921 points out → view post, software changes can usually be reverted before a warranty claim.
• Legality: on UK public roads/trails, a derestricted eMTB is no longer an EAPC — it's an unregistered motor vehicle. Private land only.
Which bike are you running, and what app version are you on? That'll determine whether you've still got a window.
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