Can you use your smartphone as a garage door controller? With the right accessories and setup, the answer is yes. Turning your phone into a garage door remote allows convenient access and control from anywhere.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to make your garage door smartphone-compatible, the installation process, how the technology works, and the benefits of upgrading to remote access.
Table of Contents
Transforming Your Smartphone into a Garage Door Remote Controller
Transforming Your Smartphone into a Garage Door Remote Controller is the process of enabling your smartphone to function as a remote control for your garage door.
Newer garage door openers often have built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing them to be controlled through a smartphone app. Popular brands like Merlin offer opener models that work with a companion app to provide smartphone control.
For older openers without built-in connectivity, smart garage hubs and kits can be added to enable remote access and smartphone control.
These hubs connect to your home WiFi network and communicate with the opener using radio frequencies. Popular options include Merlin’s MyQ hub, Nexx Garage, and Garadget.
So, both newer smart openers and hub add-ons can effectively turn your phone into a garage door remote you can use from anywhere.
How Do I Use My Smartphone as a Garage Door Remote?
Using your smartphone as a garage door remote requires getting a compatible smart garage door accessory or opener, installing it correctly, downloading the right app, and completing the in-app setup process.
The general workflow is the same for both Android and iPhones, with only minor differences.
Android
To control your garage door from an Android smartphone, follow these steps:
- Connect the smart garage door hub or WiFi/Bluetooth opener to your existing opener according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Install the smart device and ensure it is communicating properly with the opener. Check that the operation works correctly.
- Download the compatible app from the Google Play store, such as Chamberlain’s MyQ or Garageio.
- Open the app and go through the entire configuration process. Enter your garage door model information, connect to your home WiFi network or pair via Bluetooth, and set up a user account.
Once the app is fully configured, you can open or close your garage door from anywhere using your Android phone.
iPhone
The process is very similar for iPhone users. To control your garage door from an Android smartphone, follow the below steps.
- Connect the smart hub or WiFi-enabled garage door opener to your existing garage door opener.
- Install the device by following the included instructions.
- Download the compatible app from the Apple App Store. Top options like Chamberlain MyQ and Garageio have iOS apps.
- Open the app, select your opener or hub model, connect to your home WiFi network, and set up a user account.
Once set up, you can control your garage door from your iPhone from anywhere. The app should provide full functionality.
How Does a Smartphone Garage Door Opener Work?
The smart garage hub or WiFi opener connects to your home wireless network to communicate with the app on your smartphone.
When you use the app to open or close the door, it sends a signal over the internet to the hub, using radio frequencies to tell the garage door opener motor to operate.
This lets you remotely control your garage door from anywhere, as long as your phone has an internet connection. The distance doesn’t matter, providing convenience and control from anywhere.
What are the Benefits of Using a Smartphone as a Garage Door Opener?
The benefits of using a smartphone as a garage door opener are mentioned below.
- Remotely open or close your door from anywhere, with no distance limitations
- Monitor your garage door status and receive real-time alerts
- Create schedules for automated opening and closing
- Integrate with smart home platforms like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and more
- Never worry about lost or forgotten garage door remotes again
- Greater convenience over wall-mounted openers
- Smartphone control’s convenience and remote access make the investment worthwhile for most homeowners. It’s a simple way to upgrade your garage.
Can I Control Multiple Garage Doors With My Smartphone?
Yes, smart garage door apps and hubs like Chamberlain MyQ support managing multiple doors from one phone. By pairing the app with several compatible openers, you can conveniently control and monitor various doors around your property from a single smartphone.
Are There Any Security Concerns With Smart Garage Door Openers?
Though generally safe, any device connected to WiFi presents some risk of hacking. Taking precautions like using strong passwords, enabling 2-factor authentication, keeping firmware updated, and reviewing access logs can help minimise security concerns with smart garage door openers.
Takeaway
With a newer WiFi/Bluetooth-enabled garage door opener or the addition of a compatible smart hub, both Android and iPhones can effectively serve as garage door openers.
The right app allows you to access your garage from anywhere conveniently. Consider upgrading to smartphone control for your garage door.
Though generally safe, any device connected to WiFi presents some risk of hacking. Taking precautions like using strong passwords, enabling 2-factor authentication, keeping firmware updated, and reviewing access logs can help minimise security concerns with smart garage door openers.
If you would like to know more about garage door automation or using your smartphone as a garage door remote, get in touch with us.
