Chamberlain Group (owner of MyQ smart garage door controller technology) announced the closure Any “unauthorized access” to the API. This move breaks smart home integration for thousands of users who relied on platforms such as: home bridge Home Assistant can do things like close your garage door when you lock your front door, flash a light when you leave the door open for 10 minutes, or do anything else you want to do on a device you’ve bought and paid for. Perform control, automation, etc.
The move comes a year after Chamberlain discontinued official Apple HomeKit integration and months after it ultimately ended support for Apple HomeKit. Google Assistant. Sadly, this is yet another example of the company’s continued hostility to interoperable smart homes.
At some point last week, blog postDan Phillips, Chamberlain’s chief technology officer, explained the reasoning behind the move:
Chamberlain Group recently made the decision to prevent abuse of the myQ ecosystem through third-party apps. This decision was made to continue to provide the best possible experience for our more than 10 million users and certified partners who trust us. We understand that this will impact some users, but ultimately it will improve the performance and reliability of myQ, benefiting all users.
MyQ was the first connected garage door controller on the market. The service was launched in 2011 to solve problems such as having to turn back on your way to the airport to start a two-week vacation because you can’t remember if you closed the garage door. Currently, it’s both a standalone device that can connect to and control your existing garage door opener, as well as technology integrated into Chamberlain and Liftmaster garage door openers (Chamberlain owns his Liftmaster).
There are no useful sanctioned integrations in Chamberlain, so people relied on “unsanctioned integrations”
This means if you have Verge Mike Dougherty, the reader who first alerted us to this situation, says he has a Chamberlain door opener with built-in MyQ technology, but is now either buying an entirely new opener or using a third-party controller like You need to purchase the device. Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener Remote Control Restore previous functionality.
“It’s frustrating when you go outside of the general principles and find out your garage door opener has smart features built in that you won’t use anymore,” he said. “I hate having to add an additional device (and yet another IP address on the network) to serve the purpose of a feature I’ve been using for years. But I need HomeKit as well as Amazon Key. If so, this seems necessary.”
The bait-and-switch here is another warning to consumers about the downsides of purchasing cloud-integrated products whose features can be changed by manufacturers at any time.
The reason people were relying on “unapproved integrations” is that Chamberlain has created a useful approved integration for those who want to do more than control a smart garage door opener using the MyQ app or vehicle software. Because it is not provided.
Despite being a key partner for Amazon Key, Amazon’s in-garage delivery service, MyQ has never worked with Amazon Alexa. The half-baked Google Assistant integration (you couldn’t open the door, you could only close it remotely) died a slow and painful death, including: Attempts to charge users fees For the privilege of being able to close the door with their voices.
MyQ was one of the first Apple HomeKit accessories, but MyQ no longer supports new HomeKit integrations since it discontinued the $70 Home Bridge Hub that made the integration possible last year.Currently the only open smart home platform MyQ is compatible with IFTTTis cloud-based and requires a paid subscription to set up more than one “applet”.
I asked Chamberlain Group what they are recommending to customers who relied on these now-defunct integrations. “We have a number of certified partners that people are happy to use,” said spokeswoman Christina Mullenson. Partner webpage.
However, these partners are primarily smart security companies (such as Alarm.com and Vivint) and car manufacturers that take monthly subscriptions. Ring integration is just a shortcut to the MyQ app. Mullenson confirmed that the HomeKit integration will still work if you purchase the Home Bridge Hub. However, Chamberlain no longer makes that product and said there is no other way to integrate the MyQ controller into his Apple Home. (note: MyQ Home Bridge Hub is different from home bridge platforman open source software solution for integrating devices into Apple HomeKit).
Chamberlain left over 200,000 people without a viable solution.
Interestingly, Chamberlain is increasing its integration with its automotive companies with the new MyQ software solution. MyQ Connected Garage, which integrates smart door controller technology directly into the vehicle’s software platform. This has led to partnerships with: Tesla, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen More recently honda, acuraand Mercedes-Benz. It seems like these kinds of lucrative partnerships are what the company wants to lure customers to, rather than play around with a free smart home platform.
Mullenson noted that the change will only affect a small number of users, “approximately 2%” of the customer base. However, considering Chamberlain just announced it has 10 million users. The company’s MyQ platform leaves approximately 200,000 people without a viable solution.
I spoke to Home Assistant founder Paulus Schoutsen. The platform’s MyQ integration has been available since 2017. He said Home Assistant has reached out multiple times about becoming a “certified partner,” but Chamberlain has not formally responded. “We’re also not going to pay for integration with manufacturers. It’s users who want access to their data,” he said.
Chaussen is just blog post About the situation explaining why Home Assistant is discontinuing the integration and encouraging users to buy it ratted. For those looking for a way to reestablish smart home functionality, let’s take a look at this and other options.
MyQ Smart Garage Controller Alternatives
MyQ was the first smart garage door controller, but many competitors have since emerged. I’ve tested most of them over the years and these are my favorite three of his solutions. However, if you’re not interested in smart home integration or local control, check out Chamberlain’s $30. MyQ Smart Garage Control is the cheapest option and the easiest to use and configure.And that technology may already be built in your door opener.
If you have a Chamberlain Group opener (Chamberlain owns Liftmaster and Craftsman, and with them about 70 percent of the U.S. garage door opener market), third-party devices may require additional hardware provided by the controller manufacturer.
This is due to a “security feature” that Chamberlain added to the opener in 2011, which was also a unique measure to prevent third-party controllers from connecting directly to the opener.to the opener yellow learning button and/or if you use Chamberlain’s Security Plus or Security Plus 2.0 technology, additional hardware is likely required.
Tailwind iQ3 Pro Smart Garage Controller
canadian company $90 smart garage door from Tailwind The gate controller has a wide range of smart home integrations including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, and more, as well as support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (via HomeKit). Tailwind also provides a local control API for developers.
It’s expensive, but it comes with a commercial grade wired sensor that won’t fall out of the door or send false alerts that the garage door is open (we tested the wireless sensor with a smart garage door controller) (happened many times when I was there). It also has very good auto-opening technology built in and supports up to 3 doors.
Tailwind is one of the only MyQ compliant alternatives. UL Safety Standard for Remote Garage Door ControllerTailwind will ship any additional hardware needed for your Chamberlain Group opener free of charge with your order.
Meross Smart Garage Door Opener Remote Control
Meross is a famous smart home brand in China. $60 Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener Works with Apple HomeKit (and CarPlay), Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings. (A $36 version Excludes HomeKit compatibility. ) Compliant with UL safety standards, no flashing lights or beeps when closed.
If you have a new Chamberlain Group Opener, you’ll need to request additional hardware from the company after you purchase it on Amazon, but there’s no charge.
iSmartgate Garage Door Controller
ice smart gateThe garage door controller works completely locally and is compatible with gates as well as garage doors. The Spain-based company also offers wired and wireless sensors.of iSmartgate Mini starts at $40 Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings, but is not UL certified.
If you need Apple HomeKit, iSmartgate Lite is $140. To take advantage of his UL safety features like alarms, flashing lights, and 3 door support, you need to take the next step up. iSmartgate Pro $200. If you have a Chamberlain Group opener, you will also need to purchase an iSmartgate opener. $25 universal switch adapter.
Ratgdo Wi-Fi Control Board
home assistant user Paul Wieland has developed a solution for users of Chamberlain and Liftmaster openers called . ratted. This $30 hardware device allows you to control your door opener locally and integrate with your home assistant via a local API. Schoutsen said Wieland reverse engineered Chamberlain’s Security Plus 2.0 protocol. I’ll test this out soon.
For Chamberlain, the moral of the story here is that while the company may continue to play whack-a-mole with its customers and try to rally them all to keep paying to use its services, people will do what they want. I’m sure they’ll find a way to do it. do.
The morality for smart home users is neatly summarized in Schoutzen’s book. blog postis “buying products that work locally and don’t stop working if management wants an additional revenue stream.” While this is a general rule to follow, it may not be practical for items that come with the home you live in and are expensive to replace, such as large appliances or garage door openers.
It’s not always easy to find products that don’t rely on the cloud, but this is one of the key features the new Matter standard brings to smart homes. With Matter support, any products you bring into your home will continue to work locally. Case What will manufacturers do next with their cloud services and APIs? Chamberlain Group is a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the group behind Matter. But based on its current track record, I’m not holding my breath in supporting Matter.