Have you ever wandered if you closed the garage door? Using smart connectivity features with your electric garage door opener can make the daily use of your overhead door system more efficient and secure. Read below for what you can do to make your garage door smarter.
Built-In WIFI Garage Door Openers
Most modern garage door openers may already come with a built-in Wi-Fi connectivity feature that allows you to connect the opener with your home Wi-Fi network and turn your cell phone into a smart garage door remote control. The apps are free to download and free to use (no need to pay for subscription fee).
Smart Garage Door Retrofitting Kits
If your garage door opener is an older model or doesn’t have a Wi-Fi connectivity feature, there are several different add-ons that you can use. The following OEM add-ons are reasonably priced and allows you to operate your garage door through smart devices and the designated apps.
- Chamberlain, Liftmaster and Craftsman garage door openers with a purple, orange, red or green learn-button are compatible with the MyQ Smartphone Control retrofitting kit. Garage door openers that are manufactured prior to 1993 are not compatible.
- Chamberlain, Liftmaster and Craftsman openers with a yellow button, MyQ enabled but don’t feature built-in Wi-Fi are compatible with the MyQ pack.
- Genie garage door openers without Wi-Fi are compatible with the Genie Aladdin Connect.
- Marantec openers are compatible with the iSmartGate Pro Wi-Fi Opener only.
MyQ Smartphone Control retrofitting kit should also work with Guardian garage door openers, Genie SilentMax, Genie QuietLift and Stealth models.
6 benefits of a smart garage door
- Updates in real-time: Set up notifications to let you know when your garage door opens and closes.
- Improved access: Control the garage door from anywhere. The app also allows you to see if the garage door is open or close, and for how long.
- Amazon-Key: Link your Amazon account with your garage door app. When using the Amazon-Key feature, the delivery driver receives a one-time temporary access to your garage so they can securely place it inside. Free for Prime members.
- Real-Time monitoring: Monitor what’s happening inside your garage by connecting a smart camera to your garage opener. Some high-end garage door openers may already come with a built-in camera, but you can also purchase a camera separately if your opener doesn’t have one. The camera has a magnetic mounting base and an optional adhesive, and can be connected through Bluetooth to the myQ app to view footage.
- Ditch the remotes: No need to use your handheld remote or purchase extra remotes. You can add as many users as you wish to your account at no cost.
- Temporary access: Add, edit, and delete users from your app to grant or deny access.
How to connect Your Opener to Your Smart Device?
If you have a Liftmaster, Chamberlain or Craftsman garage door opener, you will need to download the MyQ app. If you use Genie garage opener, download the Aladdin Connect app. Once you install the app, follow the instructions in the app to set-up a device of your choice. Before you begin, you’ll need to have:
- A Wi-Fi signal in your garage.
- The password to your home Wi-Fi network.
- A smart device with a Bluetooth capability.
- Access to the garage opener’s wall button and the opener itself.
After installing and setting up most of the smart garage door openers and accessories that manufacturers have to offer, Liftmaster (or Chamberlain Group) arguably offers the most efficient features and the largest variety of smart accessories thus far. However, for people who love technology, there are plenty of other options available as well.
The garage door industry continuously evolves and garage door opener manufacturers are rolling out new products such as smart garage door openers, smart retrofitting kits and automated lights, making it easy for consumers to control and monitor their garage doors from connected devices.
