Can I Access My Garage Door Opener with My Smartphone?

So, you’ve heard about how smartphone apps can allow you to open and close your garage door, and now you’re interested in finding out how to do it on your own. That’s great – you don’t need to worry about using your remote, and you can open the door from pretty much anywhere that you have an Internet signal. However, there are a few things that you need to know before getting started. We’ll cover those below.

Not All Garage Door Openers

Before we dive too deep, understand that not all garage door opener models can be operated with a smartphone. The door needs to be relatively modern. The good news is that the three major brands are generally compatible with smartphone app technology (LiftMaster, Craftsman and Chamberlain). If your garage door opener is made by another company, you can check this information to find out more about compatibility.

You also need to think about the year of manufacture. If your garage door opener was made prior to 1998, chances are good that it cannot be made to work with smartphone technology. It was 1998 when Chamberlain (and its in-house brands LiftMaster and Craftsman) introduced the Security+ system.

Not sure when your garage door opener was manufactured or installed? Don’t worry. Just get a stepladder and get a better view of the opener motor’s housing. Here, you’ll find a range of information and terms. You should see the manufacture date listed on a sticker or placard. You may also see other things, including the words Security+, Security+ 2.0, and MyQ. You might also see a button (square yellow, square purple or round yellow) that says “Learn”.

You’ve Got a Compatible Opener

So, you’ve found that your garage door opener was made after 1998. The next step is to find out what color your learn button is (if you haven’t already). Again, you’ll need access to the motor housing for this. Pull off the plastic cap over the light, and you’ll see the learn button. There are four possibilities here.

If your button is orange, it was made between 1996 and 2005. It’s equipped with the older Security+ system. If the button is purple, the unit was made between 2006 and 2014 and it features the same Security+ system. If the button is yellow, you’ve got the Security+ 2.0 system. If your garage door was made anywhere between now and the middle of 2017, then you have a yellow button, a Wi-Fi integrated system, and Security+ 2.0.

What Do I Do?

Making sure that your garage door opener is compatible is just the first step. You’ll need to do a few more things to connect with the MyQ app.

For Security+ systems, you’ll need to purchase and install the 888LM control panel (it’s standard equipment with the 8500C model opener. You’ll also need an Internet gateway (828LM).

For Security+ 2.0 systems and MyQ, you’ll need just the Internet gateway (828LM).

As a note, Chamberlain, LiftMaster and Craftsman model openers have featured MyQ technology and integrated Wi-Fi since the third quarter of 2017. This allows you to easily integrate your garage door opener with other upgrades like Google Home or Apple’s HomeKit.

Need More Help?

If you’re still not sure how to get connected with MyQ, we’d be happy to help. Contact us any time. Call 613-547-4566 and one of our expert specialists will guide you through the process. We’d also be happy to provide you a quote over email, or you can visit us in our showroom. If you’re thinking about a new garage door, take a spin through our Design Centre, or use our image gallery to get an idea of the results we can achieve for you.