> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.alpha-relay.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Companion Capture Mode

> Use AlphaRelay beside the native flight app on Android drone controllers.

Companion Capture Mode lets AlphaRelay run beside the native flight app on Android drone controllers. The controller's native flight app remains responsible for aircraft operation; AlphaRelay captures the controller screen, streams it into the mission, records mission footage, and logs events.

This is not a third mission button. Start the mission normally with **Field-device mission** or **Relay mission**. When the pilot app detects supported controller hardware, Companion Capture Mode turns on automatically.

## When it appears

Companion Capture Mode is available on Android-based drone controllers that can install **AlphaRelay Pilot** and grant Android screen capture permission. It is not limited to DJI controllers. The pilot app shows a log message such as **Companion Capture Mode enabled** when the controller is detected.

On phones and tablets, AlphaRelay uses the normal pilot workflow.

## Install on a controller

1. Connect the controller to internet.
2. Open the controller **Settings** app and turn on **Developer mode** if the controller requires it for third-party app installs. On many Android controllers, open **About device** and tap **Build number** seven times; the exact path can vary by manufacturer.
3. Open the controller web browser.
4. Download **AlphaRelay Pilot** from the dashboard app download link. If needed, open [alpha-relay.com/download.html](https://www.alpha-relay.com/download.html) directly.
5. When Android asks about installing unknown apps, allow the browser or file manager to **install unknown apps** from that source.
6. Install and open **AlphaRelay Pilot**.
7. Grant requested permissions.
8. Activate the app with the short controller pairing code generated by an admin, or use another device license method from [Devices and Licenses](/alpharelay/one-time-setup).

## What changes

* The controller's native flight app remains responsible for flight, camera, and safety controls.
* AlphaRelay disables direct aircraft commands in the pilot app.
* The live source becomes the controller screen instead of an in-app aircraft camera preview.
* **Takeoff**, **Land**, camera controls, and other aircraft commands in AlphaRelay are blocked.
* Controller screen recordings are saved in chunks and queued for upload after the mission.
* Voice relay can still create timeline events when microphone permission is granted.

## Start a mission

1. Open AlphaRelay on the supported controller.
2. Tap **Choose Mission Mode**.
3. Name the mission and choose a scenario template if needed.
4. Tap **Field-device mission** or **Relay mission**.
5. If prompted, start **Live stream (WebRTC)** or choose **Not now**.
6. Approve the Android screen capture prompt.
7. Let AlphaRelay leave the foreground when prompted, then fly in the controller's native flight app.

Use the controller's native flight app for flight operation. Use AlphaRelay for mission start, event logging, relay/remote live setup, and mission closeout.

## During the mission

* In **Relay mission**, Mission Overwatch connects to the pilot device the same way it normally does; the LAN live view shows the controller screen.
* In either mission mode, **Live stream (WebRTC)** can publish the controller screen to remote Overwatch users when the pilot device has internet.
* Say `relay` followed by event details to create a voice relay event. AlphaRelay saves a current controller-screen screenshot with the event when available.

## Stop and upload

Tap **Stop Mission** from AlphaRelay or use the **Stop Mission** action in the Companion Capture Mode notification. AlphaRelay finalizes the current controller-screen recording chunk, queues recordings for upload, and closes the mission.

Keep the controller powered on and connected to internet until queued uploads finish.

## Limits

* AlphaRelay does not fly the aircraft in Companion Capture Mode.
* The captured footage is the controller screen, including native flight-app overlays, not a raw camera file.
* Android screen capture permission is required every time capture starts.
* If microphone permission or speech recognition is unavailable, voice relay is disabled but screen capture can still run.

→ [Start a mission](/alpharelay/start-a-mission) · [Watch in Mission Overwatch](/alpharelay/watch-in-mission-overwatch) · [Upload footage](/alpharelay/footage-upload)