“Can Alexa control my garage door?” is a question that often pops up when I get into discussions with new smart homeowners about Alexa. A lot of smart home users love that they can control so many smart home devices through Alexa just by using their voice. But when it comes to garage doors, it becomes uncertain if Alexa has the ability to do so.
For starters, most smart home garage openers are compatible with one or more of these platforms you make use of in your home such as; Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit.
My guess is, your smart home platform is Alexa. Otherwise, you would not be here, reading this post right now.
Without further ado, let’s find out if Alexa can control your garage door.
Can Alexa Control My Garage Door?
The probability of Alexa being able to control your garage door is highly dependent on its compatibility with your smart garage opener. In other words, most of the smart home garage openers work with Alexa while some don’t, it is dependent on the garage door opener you own.
When it has to do with smart home garage openers, Chamberlain’s MyQ Smart Garage hub is considered as one of the best and there are others such as; Garadget
, Nexx, Tailwind, and the likes which ensure that you have easier access to your garage as well as accessibility to other smart features too.
But, take note that not all of these smart garage openers are compatible with Alexa. Hence, we have made a detailed account of the smart garage openers that are compatible with Alexa, and those that are not.
Smart Garage Openers That Work With Alexa
Thankfully, some companies were not as reserved to restrict Alexa from their product. I have a couple of suggestions for you to ruminate on.
NEXX Garage Door Opener Using Smartphone & Remote
First of all, this garage door opener actually works with Alexa AND Google Home without any reservations. Voice commands can be used to open and close your garage door, although the set up can be a bit tricky, as you have to run a wire from your garage door to the garage door opener.
If you own a Nexx garage door opener, you’d be able to permit multiple users, and also a calendar in the app lets you see when the door was opened, and by whom. It comes with a feature known as ‘Just Drive’ which uses geofencing to detect when you are close to your home, and will automatically open the garage door should you want it to be so.
Pros
- Simple app and hardware design
- Can manage multiple users
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- Frustrating setup
- Parts in the box don’t match the instruction guide or website
Tailwind iQ3 Garage Door Opener
The Tailwind iQ3 smart garage door opener works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and IFTTT. It is known to be a very reliable device that can control up to three garage doors at a time.
The Tailwind iQ3 has a unique feature that involves a connection between your Android device and your car’s Bluetooth which can trigger your garage door to open and close automatically when you arrive or leave home.
Pros
- It has Alexa and Google Home integration
- Can sense when you arrive or leave.
- Customizable features.
Cons
- It is not compatible with Homekit so, for iPhone users to effectively make use of it, they will require a car sensor.
- Installation of wires can be a bit of a hassle thereby making its installation Unintuitive.
- The range at which the garage door opener activates cannot be adjusted.
- Some openers require an additional adapter.
Garadget Garage Door Opener
Garadget garage door opener makes use of a laser that shines on a reflective tab that is mounted to your door, this is unlike other smart garage door openers that use a sensor to detect movement and tells you if your garage door is open or closed.
With its laser feature, set up is a bit complicated than other garage door openers, as you are expected to align the laser precisely.
Here’s a video showing you how.
It is compatible with Amazon Alexa, SmartThings, and IFTTT integration, which means you can create custom commands for Google Assistant as well.
The Garadget app for smartphones is available for iOS and Android. Although, it is really nice and all, but it does not include scheduling, so let’s assume you are just looking for simple commands and mobile app garage remote access, then the Garadget is just what you need to get the job done for a reasonable price of course.
Pros
- Simple setup
- Reports real-time open/closed status
- Customizable alerts
- It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, IFTTT.
Cons
- App sends incorrect alerts on occasion
- Not compatible with Homekit.
Genie Aladdin Connect Garage Door Opener
The Genie Aladdin Connect is capable of controlling up to three garage doors at a time. It is compatible with Alexa, and Google Assistant.
Its setup is quite simple, and you can control your garage door via an app. Not only that, but it is possible to add up to 19 virtual keys to give others access, and control the garage door from your smartwatch.
Another thing that makes this smart garage door opener so special is the fact that it is compatible with some Chamberlain, Liftmaster, and Craftsman garage door openers as well.
Pros
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
- It can be controlled from the App and Smartwatch.
Cons
- It is a bit pricey.
Gogogate 2 Garage Door Opener
What is unique about this smart garage door opener is the fact that you can create additional users via the app so that you don’t have to share a single account among friends and family members. This feature comes in handy if you are looking to provide temporary access to your guests.
It is compatible with IFTTT and can be linked to Alexa as well as other smart home systems.
Visual feeds from a variety of security cameras are displayed via Gogogate’s app. Other features include; 1GB of storage per month and 1GB of real-time video monitoring per month.
Pros
- Supports multiple users
- Compatible with Alexa and IFTTT.
- 1GB of storage per month, as well as 1GB of real-time video monitoring per month.
Cons
- Doesn’t natively support many smart home systems.
Senclo FI Mini Smart Garage Door Opener
Senclo is quite similar to Nexx Garage Door Opener in regards to its features. It can control only one garage at a time and has an auto open and auto close feature using geofencing too.
Senclo is compatible with major garage brands such as; Chamberlain, Genie, and Liftmaster. Aside from that, it works with Android and iOS devices.
Its features include; monitoring your garage temperatures and sending notifications to your smartphone or tablet.
Pros
- It is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Homekit.
- It is compatible with major garage brands.
- It monitors your garage temperature.
Cons
- It is a little bit more expensive than the Nexx garage door opener.
- It can only work with one garage.
Alcidae Garager 2 Garage Door Opener
The Alcidae Garager 2 comes with a two-in-one camera and easy control for your garage door.
It is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and voice commands to open and close your garage doors are communicated via your wi-fi connection.
Its features include; 1080p color and night vision video, two-way audio, clip storage that requires a $5-per-month subscription.
The Alcidae app for smartphones works with Android and iOS devices. Set up is pretty easy, just attach this surveillance camera to the bottom of your garage door opener using its magnet and control your garage door from the Alcidae app.
Pros
- It is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
- It has a 1080p color and night vision video.
- Two-way audio.
Cons
- It is a bit on the high side in terms of price.
- A monthly subscription is required for clip storage.
Smart Garage Door Openers That Will Not Work With Alexa
Some companies restrict Amazon Alexa from having access to their product for several reasons, most prominent being; security issues and low profits.
Whatever the reason may be, I’m sure it is not to be taken lightly. So, here are the smart garage door openers that won’t work with Amazon Alexa.
Chamberlain MyQ-G0301 Garage Door Opener
Although Chamberlain’s MyQ-G0301 is often considered as the best smart garage door opener overall, it shockingly isn’t compatible with Amazon’s Alexa.
Instead, MyQ works with Nest, SmartThings, and Xfinity Home smart home systems. It has the potential to support Homekit devices but you need to purchase a $49 adapter that will let you control your garage doors using Siri, and create scenes so that the lights come on when the door goes up. Once again, the one thing MyQ-G0301 does not do, though, is work with Alexa.
It has a lot of interesting features which include, a sensor for your garage door as well as a hub that connects to your Wi-Fi network; The MyQ app, which works with both Android and iOS devices, also enables you to control your garage door. For instance, you can check if your door is open or close, and likewise, you can also open or close it remotely.
Pros
- Simple physical setup requirements.
- It has a simple app interface.
- Can manage multiple devices.
- It works with Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Wink, SmartThings, Xfinity Home, and IFTTT.
Cons
- Does not work with Amazon Alexa.
GarageMate Garage Door Opener
GarageMate smart garage door opener is very much unlike the other smart garage door openers we have written about. Compared to the others which connect to your wi-fi, GarageMate connects to your smart devices via Bluetooth.
This brings us to its downside; you will not be able to check on its status, or operate it when you are out of range, which is most likely when you are away from home or possibly engaged in other activities.
The GarageMate smart garage door opener is not compatible with other smart home systems. Although, you can use Siri or Google Assistant to voice-launch the app and automatically open the garage door through your smartphone.
Its features include; GarageMat’s Activity Log, which enables you to monitor who opened your garage for added security, and an ability to function with up to eight users.
Pros
- Simple setup.
- Can manage multiple openers and users.
Cons
- It does not provide open or closed status.
- It does not work with other smart-home systems.
Roost Smart Garage Door Sensor
Roost smart garage door sensor is a simple yet effective way of knowing when your garage door is open or closed. Also, Roost does not work with other smart home devices, and Alexa is not an exception in this case.
The Roost Smart Garage Door Sensor comes with a small Wi-Fi chip, as well as a sensor that knows when your garage door is moving. In other words, you can’t control your garage door via Roost, you are just alerted to its movement. So, if all you are looking for is a simple way to know if your garage door is open or closed, this is a really good option to purchase.
The Roost smart garage door sensor costs $39.99 on Amazon.
Pros
- It is budget-friendly.
Cons
- Doesn’t let you open or close your garage door.
- Doesn’t work with other smart home devices.
Hacks To Getting Chamberlain MyQ To Work With Alexa
If you already own an MyQ garage door opener or you are probably thinking of purchasing one, then you will be glad to know that there are certain loopholes that allow MyQ to work with Alexa.
There are four ways actually; Using SimpleCommands, using IFTTT, using Raspberry Pi and your phone, OR using Amazon Skill Kit.
But bear in mind that, the first and second methods are quite simple, but the other two methods will require a little bit of manual labor.
Using SimpleCommands To Get MyQ To Work With Alexa
SimpleCommands is a company that developed a solution to enable users control their garage doors with their voice. To get started, go to the App Store or Google Play store and download SimpleCommands.
To find out more about this process, you can read all about it here.
Using IFTTT To Get MyQ To Work With Alexa
IFTTT is a web-based application that allows you to connect and automate different tools using simple “If This Then That” commands.
And one of the easiest ways to connect MyQ to Alexa is with IFTTT.
To find out more about this process, you can read about the steps to follow here.
Using Raspberry Pi To Get MyQ To Work With Alexa
First of all;
A Raspberry Pi is a cheap computer that has the ability to interact with many things from the outside world. It can be used to learn programming and can as well be used in a wide variety of projects.
So, using a Raspberry Pi together with your smartphone can get your garage door to open. Here’s a rundown of how to go about it:
You’ll have to use self-signed certs on your phone which help make it secure. And then you are going to have to buy a lot of parts and tools which will come out to more than $100.
A long blog post with the full details on how to go about this is available, and you can read all about it here; if you are interested in following this process.
Using Amazon Skill Kit To Get MyQ To Work With Alexa
To use the Amazon Skill Kit to get Alexa to work with your garage door opener, you are going to have to find someone with tech know-how.
Then, you are going to need to connect your MYQ Gateway, followed by downloading some files, extracting it, and then creating an Alexa Skill Kit.
It does not end there, you will still need to create the AWS Lambda Function and follow some more steps which involve more configurations.
If you are interested in this process, the full steps are at this website.
Other Related Questions That Involve The Chamberlain MyQ Garage Door Opener
Does MyQ work with Google Assistant?
Of course, MyQ works with Google Assistant, but a monthly subscription of $10 per month is required.
Does MyQ work with IFTTT?
Yes, MyQ will work with IFTTT, but it requires a monthly subscription of $10 per month.
Does MyQ work with HomeKit?
Of course, MyQ will work with Apple Homekit, although two things are required in this case; a monthly subscription of $10 per month and the MyQ Bridge too.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Your list of smart garage door openers that ork with Alexa. We have also looked at some of the best garage doorss that are not compatible with Alexa.
You can choose to purchase any of the various smart garage door openers mentioned through the course of this write-up, especially the ones that already have smart home compatibility built-in. However, if you own an older garage door opener, it can be made ‘smart’ by purchasing a kit that will enable you to connect it to the Internet, thereby allowing you to control it remotely using your smart devices.
Meanwhile, you must find out which doors an opener is compatible with on the manufacturer’s site before doing any purchasing. This comes in handy if you are looking to buy a smart garage door opener that will work with your existing garage door.
Smart garage door openers function with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to connect to your smart devices. We recommend you stick with the Wi-Fi models, as they are capable of remotely monitoring your garage door; while the Bluetooth models will only work when you are within range of the garage, possibly 20 feet. The range might vary, depending on the smart garage door opener you have.
You should also find out how many smart home systems your garage door opener is compatible with — the more options you have, the better. That being said, a good smart garage door opener should be compatible with the leading smart home systems; Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit, and it should be able to easily link to them.
Cheers!