Smart devices are connected to everything around us. Your entire home can be controlled by just a few taps on your phone or tablet. At first, the thought of your home being operated through an app on your cell phone can be unnerving, but in actuality, it allows a higher level of security to be placed on your home.

Just as your bank sends fraud alerts to your phone notifying you of suspicious activity with your finances, smart devices are just as vigilant in watching over your home. Many homeowners are investing in smart garage door openers to increase their day-to-day convenience and safety.

What Is a Smart Garage Door Opener?

A smart garage door opener is powered by your home’s Wi-Fi. Because of the new Wi-Fi integration, you can easily control your garage door through your smartphone. Gone are the days of having to second guess whether you left the garage door open – you can simply check by looking at your phone. With a smart opener, you can remotely open/close your garage door, turn garage lights on/off, track all the activity of your door, and see who specifically is operating the door. You can even plan out a schedule for when your door opens/closes or the lights turn on/off.

LiftMaster’s myQ opener started the rise of smart garage door openers, but now homeowners also have the option for Genie’s Aladdin Connect. While similar in basic Wi-Fi functionality, each smart garage door opener comes with its own set of unique capabilities.

LiftMaster’s myQ

Most LiftMaster motors have myQ built-in, but there are still some models that do not carry that feature. In instances when the opener is not already equipped with myQ, you can purchase a Smart Garage Control to utilize the myQ add-on.

Want to know if your current garage door opener is compatible with myQ? Find out here.

App Needed: myQ Garage & Access Control

Unique Capabilities

• Can create and manage up to 20 unique virtual keys for individual users
• Set timers for door operation and virtual keys
• Saves access history for each individual virtual key
• Ability to know if an authorized user is operating the door with the Aladdin Connect app
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Hey Google
• Connects with smart entry locks

myQ’s Smart-Home Compatibility

myQ can sync with a variety of popular smart-home devices and platforms. 

• Smart-Delivery Solutions: Amazon Key, Google Assistant^TM
• Smart-Home Solutions: Apple’s Siri, Alarm.com, ClareHome, IFTTT, Resideo, Ring, Vivint
• Smart-Auto: My Mitsubishi Connect, Evolved Vehicle Environments, Alpine Electronic, STEER Tech

Genie’s Aladdin Connect

Most Genie motors have Aladdin Connect built-in. For existing motors without Wi-Fi capabilities, Genie offers their Wi-Fi RetroFit Kit to upgrade your current garage door opener to be powered by Aladdin Connect.

Want to know if your current garage door opener is compatible with Aladdin Connect? Find out here.

App Needed: Aladdin Connect

Unique Capabilities

• Can create and manage up to 20 unique virtual keys for individual users
• Set timers for door operation and virtual keys
• Saves access history for each individual virtual key
• Ability to know if an authorized user is operating the door with the Aladdin Connect app
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Hey Google
• Connects with smart entry locks

Aladdin Connect’s Smart-Home Compatibility

Aladdin Connect can sync with a variety of popular smart-home devices and platforms.

• Smart-Delivery Solutions: WalmartInHome, Bench Sentry by Genie
• Smart-Home Solutions: Amazon Alexa, Hey Google, Samsung SmartThings, Alarm.com, Control 4, ClareHome, Yonomi, Brilliant Tech, URC, Jervis Systems, Orro

No matter which smart garage door opener you go with, you will be able to enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing and controlling who’s coming and going from your home. Contact ODW and tell us what smart technology you currently use around your home. We can help figure out which smart garage door opener is the best fit.