In today’s world, the term “smart home” is no longer just a buzzword but a way of life. From thermostats to light bulbs, our homes are becoming more connected and convenient, including with the MyQ garage door app.

The garage door can often be an overlooked aspect of the smart home ecosystem.

With our kids coming in and out of the garage all day long with bike rides, garage refrigerator snacks and sports activities, if you’re anything like me, you might have forgotten to close your garage door on occasion or wondered whether you did.

That’s where the MyQ Garage Door Smart Opener comes in. I have two garage doors and each one is connected to the MyQ platform. Listed between $20 and $30 on Amazon, it’s a very reasonable price point for the security it provides.

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Why You Need a MyQ Garage Door Smart Garage System

The MyQ Garage Door system is easy to set up and provides the comfort of peace of mind and extra security for your garage. My older version continues to work exactly as desired and this wall mount was simple and straightforward. Photo by Family Fun Money.

Before delving into the details of the MyQ Garage Door Smart Opener, let’s address a fundamental question: Why would you want a smart garage door opener in the first place?

This conversation came up during a dinner with friends just this past weekend as they were considering whether it was worth it to make their garage door “smart.” I was ready with my answers.

  1. Convenience: With the MyQ garage door app you’re able to open or close your garage door from anywhere, whether you’re sitting in your car, at the office, or even on vacation. As long as you’re connected to wifi or cell signal, you’re good. A smart garage door opener offers unparalleled convenience by being able to provide access to the babysitter, dog sitter or anyone else you need.
  2. Security: Your garage often houses valuable items such as vehicles, tools, and equipment. With a smart opener, you can receive real-time alerts whenever your garage door is opened or closed. This not only keeps you informed but also enhances the security of your property.
  3. Peace of Mind: Have you ever left your home only to wonder whether you remembered to close the garage door? A smart opener lets you check the status of your garage door remotely, providing peace of mind and eliminating unnecessary stress (or trips back home). I have personally done this more times than I can count. In the frenzy of leaving for a practice or trip, I can never remember if I actually closed the door. Now it’s at my fingertips.
  4. Integration with Smart Homes: If you’re building a smart home ecosystem, a smart garage door opener seamlessly integrates with other devices and platforms like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. This means you can control your garage door using voice commands and incorporate it into your existing smart routines.
MyQ Garage Door supports more than a dozen different garage door opener brands
The MyQ Garage Door app is ready to support more than a dozen brands as long as the opener is less than 20 years old. Photo by Family Fun Money.

The Setup Process: A Breeze

Let’s start with the setup process, which can be a make-or-break moment for any smart home device.

The MyQ Garage Door Smart Opener is straightforward and rather simple to install. It’s compatible with most garage door openers manufactured after 1993, and the instructions were clear and easy to follow.

I had it up and running in less than 30 minutes, following the prompts directly in the app. It was as simple and convenient as it could have been.

One note, I should have done a bit more research on my second existing garage door opener before purchasing my second MyQ door sensor. In order to be able to control the garage doors via the app you must pair it with the garage door motor. The LiftMaster opener I have is too old and isn’t able to pair with the sensor.

This means that I’m not able to open or close the door via the app, however, I am able to see the status of the door. Meaning, I can see if it’s open or closed. Which, if I’m honest, is what I was looking for most since that door is opened less frequently.

Pros:

  1. Simple setup with clear instructions. Step-by-step instructions are provided directly in the app, including how to mount the sensor and hub.
  2. Compatible with most garage door openers.
  3. No need for professional installation.

Cons:

  1. Requires a Wi-Fi connection, so it may not work if your Wi-Fi signal is weak in the garage.
The MyQ Garage Door opener allows for easy setup right in the app
The MyQ Garage Door app has step-by-step instructions to pair and set up your garage door opener to be controlled and monitored by the app. Photo by Family Fun Money.

Convenience at Your Fingertips

Once the MyQ Garage Door Smart Opener was installed, it quickly gave me better peace of mind.

I no longer have to worry about whether I’d left the garage door open after leaving the house. Additionally, I set a schedule so the door closes automatically at 7 p.m. each night if it was still open at that time. It all happens in the MyQ app, which is available for both Android and iOS. This is where I can open and close the garage door remotely, check its status, and set or change schedules for automatic opening and closing.

Pros:

  1. Remote control via the MyQ app.
  2. Check the status of your garage door from anywhere.
  3. Set schedules for automatic operation.

Safety and Security

One of the most important aspects of any garage door opener is safety and security, and the MyQ Garage Door Smart Opener does exactly what I was looking for.

I wanted two very clear things from a smart garage door product. 1) open/close the door and 2) check the status.

MyQ accomplishes both those requirements and also comes equipped with features like real-time alerts, which notify you whenever your garage door is opened or closed. This is not only convenient but also provides peace of mind, especially if you have valuable items stored in your garage.

This also means you can share securely with family and friends and is compatible with popular smart home platforms like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Though I have not utilized those functions yet.

While I have not experienced this issue, some reviewers have reported occasional connectivity issues, which could impact some of the security features. It’s always recommended to double check the strength of your wifi in the garage before installing.

MyQ Garage Door App device list
This is what the app looks like to operate your garage doors. On mine the “complete setup” bar remains because my opener is too old to pair which means I can’t use the app to open/close the door but the receiver will still tell me if the door is open or closed. Photo by Family Fun Money.

Integrating into Your Smart Home

Just like many other smart home products, one of the popular features of the MyQ Garage Door Smart Opener is its compatibility with popular smart home platforms like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. This means you can control your garage door using voice commands. It’s incredibly convenient, especially if you’re juggling groceries or have your hands full.

Pros:

  1. Seamless integration with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
  2. Voice control for added convenience.
  3. Expanding compatibility with other smart home devices.

Cons:

  1. May require additional hardware or subscriptions for full compatibility with some smart home platforms.

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Final Thoughts on the MyQ Garage Door Opener

The MyQ Garage Door Smart Opener has been a fantastic addition to my smart home setup, which includes cameras, doorbell, smoke detectors and lighting. I use MyQ frequently and the scheduling feature is a significant benefit to our home.

It offers convenience, security, and peace of mind, all in one package. While it’s not without its minor drawbacks, such as occasional connectivity issues, my overall experience has been overwhelmingly positive.

Pros:

  1. Easy setup with clear instructions.
  2. Remote control via the MyQ app.
  3. Real-time alerts for added security.
  4. Compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
  5. Voice control for convenience.
  6. Securely share access with family and friends.

Cons:

  1. Requires a Wi-Fi connection, which may be problematic if your signal is weak in the garage.
  2. Additional fees may apply for certain features.
  3. Occasional connectivity issues reported by users.
  4. Some smart home platform compatibility may require extra hardware or subscriptions.

If you’re looking to make your home smarter and more secure, I highly recommend giving the MyQ Garage Door Smart Opener a try. It’s an affordable and accessible entry point into the world of smart home automation, and once you experience the convenience it brings to your daily life, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Featured image courtesy of The Chamberlain Group LLC. This is not a sponsored post, all opinions are my own. I may receive compensation from advertisements when you click on links to those products on this page.