DJI released Local Data Mode for its ROMO 2 robot vacuums on 29 October 2026. With the mode switched on, the DJI Home app stops talking to the internet, and the maps, images and other data the robot uses for navigation and obstacle avoidance are stored and processed on the device itself instead of in DJI's cloud.

The feature was first shown at IFA in early September, when DJI announced the ROMO 2 series: the transparent P2 at €1,299 and the opaque A2, €100 cheaper. At the time DJI promised the mode for the fourth quarter, and it has arrived on schedule.

How to turn it on

Update the ROMO 2 to the latest firmware, then open the DJI Home app and go to the device settings, where the "Security Settings" section has a "Local Data Mode" switch. There is one catch: on first power-up the robot still needs the internet to build its map of the home. Only once the mode is on does that map stay local.

After that, DJI says navigation and obstacle avoidance keep working with no internet connection, including during an outage. You can still start and customise cleaning runs and send the robot back to its dock while it is offline. DJI also says data is not uploaded to the cloud while the robot is offline.

Other privacy settings sit alongside it. The "On-Site Photo" option controls whether photos of detected obstacles are sent to the app; turning it off does not affect obstacle avoidance. With auto-delete enabled, photos older than 14 days are removed every day, and a factory reset wipes all data from the robot.

Why DJI is pushing this

The first ROMO had serious cloud security flaws that, as The Verge reported, made it possible to reach thousands of the vacuums worldwide, including floor plans, camera feeds, microphones and remote control. DJI patched them, but the damage to trust was done, and Local Data Mode is its answer. The company also lists ETSI EN 303 645 and EN 18031 certifications and a 2026 TÜV SÜD penetration test of the ROMO P2 and the app that found no critical, high or medium issues.

Matter for local control from other platforms

The same announcement confirms that ROMO vacuums now support Matter, so they can be added to Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant. DJI notes that the available features depend on each platform. Matter Alpha reported in April that DJI's Matter certifications cover Matter 1.4.2 over Wi-Fi, with cleaning modes, room selection and error reporting such as a missing dustbin.

For anyone running Home Assistant, the combination is the interesting part: the robot keeps its map locally and can be controlled over Matter on the home network, without relying on DJI's servers for everyday use.

What is still unclear

The press release says Local Data Mode will come to future ROMO models. The Verge reported in September that DJI also planned to bring it to the first-generation ROMO, but the 29 October announcement does not mention that or give a date.