The Chamberlain Group, renowned for MyQ smart garage door controller tech, has ceased all “unauthorized access” to its APIs. This action disrupts smart home integrations for numerous users, affecting platforms like Homebridge and Home Assistant. Users accustomed to tasks such as closing the garage door alongside locking their front door or activating lights after leaving a door open now find their routines disrupted.
This decision follows Chamberlain’s discontinuation of Apple HomeKit integration and termination of Google Assistant support. Sadly, it underscores the company’s unfriendly stance towards an interoperable smart home environment.
In a recent blog post, Dan Phillips, Chamberlain’s Chief Technology Officer, elucidated the rationale behind this move. He stated that preventing unauthorized use of the myQ ecosystem through third-party apps ensures an enhanced experience for over 10 million users and authorized partners. Although affecting a minority of users, this measure aims to bolster myQ’s overall performance and reliability, benefiting the entire user base.
An update on November 7th revealed additional details. Chamberlain claimed that unauthorized API access resulted in high traffic, constituting a substantial DDOS event that consumed significant resources.
MyQ, introduced in 2011 as the pioneering connected garage door controller, addressed inconveniences like uncertainty about the garage door’s status while away. Presently, it functions both as a standalone device for existing garage door openers and as integrated technology in Chamberlain and Liftmaster garage door openers, with Chamberlain owning Liftmaster.
Chamberlain’s Shift: Impact on Users and Alternative Solutions
People relied on “unauthorized integrations” due to Chamberlain’s lack of useful authorized options. Now contemplates purchasing a new opener or a third-party controller like the Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener.
Expressing frustration, Dougherty highlighted the inconvenience of adding an extra device to regain lost functionality. He emphasized the necessity for this step to maintain both HomeKit and Amazon Key features.
This situation serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of cloud-integrated products, subject to manufacturers altering functionality abruptly.
Chamberlain’s withdrawal of authorized options led users to depend on “unauthorized integrations.” Despite being Amazon Key’s main partner, MyQ lacks compatibility with Amazon Alexa. The limited Google Assistant integration faced a gradual demise, with an attempt to charge users for voice-activated door closure.
As an initial Apple HomeKit accessory, MyQ no longer supports new HomeKit integrations, discontinuing the MyQ Home Bridge Hub that facilitated integration last year. Presently, MyQ is only compatible with IFTTT, which requires a paid subscription and reportedly faces integration issues.
Chamberlain suggests exploring authorized partners, primarily smart security firms and car manufacturers, for alternative solutions. Notably, HomeKit integration persists only for those with the existing MyQ Home Bridge Hub, a product no longer in production. Chamberlain’s spokesperson, Christina Marenson, assured users that efforts are underway to resolve the IFTTT integration issues.
Chamberlain’s Impact: Disrupted Solutions and Shifting Priorities
Chamberlain has left approximately 20,000 users without viable alternatives.
Remarkably, Chamberlain focuses on car integrations, partnering with Tesla, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Honda, Acura, and Mercedes-Benz through the MyQ Connected Garage solution. This strategic shift emphasizes lucrative partnerships over free smart home platforms.
According to spokesperson Christina Marenson, the impact is minimal, affecting “less than 0.2 percent” of the user base. However, with 10 million MyQ users, this equates to around 20,000 individuals facing a lack of viable solutions.
Home Assistant founder Paulus Schoutsen, whose platform integrated MyQ in 2017, expressed frustration. Despite reaching out to become an “authorized partner,” Chamberlain has not responded. Schoutsen refuses to pay for integration, emphasizing users’ right to access their data.
In response to the situation, Schoutsen published a blog post announcing Home Assistant’s withdrawal and recommending Ratgdo. Explore this and other alternatives for restoring smart home functionality.
Exploring Alternatives to MyQ Smart Garage Controllers
Numerous competitors have emerged since MyQ’s inception as the first smart garage door controller. Having tested many options, here are my top three recommendations.
For those uninterested in smart home integrations or local control, Chamberlain’s $30 MyQ Smart Garage Control stands out as the most budget-friendly and user-friendly choice.
If you own a Chamberlain Group opener (likely, given their market dominance), you might require additional hardware for third-party devices. This necessity arises from security features implemented by Chamberlain in 2011, preventing direct connections to openers.
Chamberlain’s ownership of Liftmaster and Craftsman, commanding 70% of the US garage door opener market, reinforces the need for extra hardware. Identifiable by a yellow learn button or Chamberlain’s Security Plus/Security Plus 2.0 tech, these openers likely mandate supplementary equipment.
Tailwind iQ3 Pro: A Smart Garage Controller with Extensive Integrations
Tailwind, a Canadian company, presents the $90 iQ3 Pro smart garage controller with broad smart home compatibility. It seamlessly integrates with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, and more. Additionally, it supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay via HomeKit, offering a local control API for developers.
Despite its price, the iQ3 Pro includes a robust commercial-grade wired sensor, ensuring accurate alerts about your garage door’s status. Unlike some competitors with wireless sensors, it avoids false alerts. Notably, it boasts an auto-opening and closing feature and accommodates up to three doors.
What sets Tailwind apart is its adherence to the UL safety standard for remote garage door controllers, positioning it as a MyQ alternative. Furthermore, Tailwind provides free additional hardware for Chamberlain Group openers with each order.
Meross Smart Garage Door Opener: Affordable and Versatile
Meross, a prominent Chinese smart home brand, offers the $60 Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings. (A $36 version excludes HomeKit compatibility.) Despite lacking UL safety standards compliance, it supports multiple platforms.
Distinctly, the $70 model can manage up to three doors. Notably, for newer Chamberlain Group openers, additional hardware is required post-purchase, available at no extra cost.
iSmartgate Garage Door Controllers: Diverse Options for Secure Access
iSmartgate’s garage door controllers prioritize local functionality, compatible with both gates and garage doors. The Spain-based company offers wired and wireless sensors for enhanced security. The entry-level iSmartgate Mini, starting at $40, integrates with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings, though it lacks UL certification.
Opting for Apple HomeKit compatibility requires the iSmartgate Lite, priced at $140. For advanced safety features, including alarms, flashing lights, and support for three doors, the iSmartgate Pro at $200 is the recommended choice. If you own a Chamberlain Group opener, consider adding the iSmartgate $25 Universal Switch Adaptor.
Ratgdo Wi-Fi Control Board: A DIY Solution for Garage Door Integration
Paul Wieland, a Home Assistant user, crafted Ratgdo, a $30 hardware solution for Chamberlain and Liftmaster openers. This device enables local door opener control and seamless integration with Home Assistant through a local API. This integration extends compatibility to platforms like Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa.
Wieland ingeniously designed a device communicating directly with Chamberlain’s Security Plus 2.0 openers, coining the name “Rage Against the Garage Door Opener.” Stay tuned for my upcoming test of this innovative solution.
Ratgdo: Defying Garage Door Control Challenges Creatively
Ratgdo, a clever acronym for “Rage Against the Garage Door Opener,” emerges as a brilliant solution.
For Chamberlain, the lesson is clear—persistent attempts to control customers may not thwart their ingenuity.
Smart home users, as articulated by Schoutsen, should prioritize products working locally, avoiding disruptions tied to additional revenue streams. Although challenging for significant investments like garage door openers, it’s a prudent rule.
Finding products independent of cloud reliance can be tough, but the new Matter standard promises local functionality, resisting manufacturer service changes. Despite Chamberlain’s membership in the Connectivity Standards Alliance, skepticism prevails regarding its commitment to Matter support.
