Requirements previously used in this guide are no longer supported. Please do not use this guide for any functional usage. See brbeaird for newer feature updates to help support SmartThings and MyQ.
MyQ for LiftMaster and Chamberlain is not directly supported by Smartthings, so the only way to make it work is by using a SmartApp called SmartThings_MyQ created by brbeaird. SmartThings_MyQ SmartApp works great to open and close the door, but it does not have the ability to natively monitor the MyQ open/closed status. SmartThings_MyQ has a nice feature that allows the ability to add smart tilt sensors to a MyQ controlled garage door for monitoring open/closed status. Smart tilt door sensors can add up in cost depending on how many doors you have and they are not always reliable. Recently MyQ added a premium service feature to support various partner integrations with MyQ. Unfortunately, SmartThings was not one included in the smart partnership, but IFTTT was a selected partner. The service is considered a premium service and normally cost monthly or yearly, but as of 10/25/2020, the service changed from paid to free. Before the limited-time free offer, the cost was only $1/month or $10/year, which can be cheaper than buying smart door tilt sensors with the added bonus of accurate open/closed status. For now, the service can be enjoyed for free unless they make a change to the offer. Unfortunately, starting 10/08/2020 IFTTT has decided for users that need over 3 applets to pay for one of their subscription options. Iâll explain a workaround to this below if you choose not to pay for IFTTTâs subscription model.
IFTTT Subscription:
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If you only have one garage door you do not need to worry about any IFTTT subscription. You will only need 2 applets.
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If you have more than one door you have two options.
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Option 1 (Monthly Payment): Purchase IFTTTâs monthly subscription to have unlimited Applet access. I purchased this and set my price at $1.99 per month. IFTTT is offering this until 10/31/2020. Paying $1.99 per month is fine with me to support IFTTT and have the option to do other things in the future. After 10/31/2020 the cost will start at $3.99 per month.
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Option 2 (Free): Use additional separate free IFTTT accounts to create your applets. For Example: If you have two garage doors you will need two IFTTT accounts. If you have three doors you will need three IFTTT accounts. Use one account per door.
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This guide will explain the steps required to set up your MyQ door sensor status into SmartThings_MyQ SmartApp. If you have questions about setting up SmartThings_MyQ please search the SmartThings community or brbeairdâs Github for additional setup information.
Guide Updated: 10/26/2020
Requirements:
- Knowledge of SmartThings API: https://account.smartthings.com
- SmartThings_MyQ: https://github.com/brbeaird/SmartThings_MyQ
- IFTTT Account: https://ifttt.com
- Active MyQ to IFTTT Subscription (Currently Free): https://www.myq.com/ifttt
Note1: SmartThings_MyQ SmartApp only supports the ability to add sensors for close/open status.
Note2: IFTTT only supports the ability to add SmartThings switches, locks, and siren/strobes for actions.
The SmartThings_MyQ and IFTTT device compatibility limitations (see Note1 & Note2) requires the need for an all-in-one "simulated (virtual) switch and contact sensor" device. Natively SmartThings does not have a device that can simulate a switch and contact sensor as one. Fortunately, SmartThings gives users the ability to create "device handlers" for use in SmartThings. This section will be the most custom part of the deployment, but since you already setup SmartThings_MyQ you will know most the steps required.
Step 1: Create Device Handler
Here you will create the device handler that will act as an all-in-one switch and contact sensor.
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1.1: Login to: https://account.smartthings.com and click âMy Locationsâ and select the location name where the garage door resides.
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1.2: Click "My Device Handler"
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1.3: Click "Create New Device Handler"
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1.4: Select "From Template"
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1.4.1: Protocol: "LAN/Other"
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1.4.2: Checkbox: "Contact Sensor & Switch"
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1.4.3: Enter a Namespace name and device handler name (ex: Simulated Switch and Contact Sensor)
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1.4.4: Click "Create"
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1.5: Now you will see all the pre-built code after clicking create. You need to replace lines 30-39 with the code below.
// handle commands
def on() {
log.debug "Turning Switch and Sensor On"
sendEvent(name: "switch", value: "on", isStateChange: true, display: true, displayed: true)
sendEvent(name: "contact", value: "open", isStateChange: true, display: true, displayed: true)
}
def off() {
log.debug "Turning Switch and Sensor Off"
sendEvent(name: "switch", value: "off", isStateChange: true, display: true, displayed: true)
sendEvent(name: "contact", value: "closed", isStateChange: true, display: true, displayed: true)
}
Before:
After:
- 1.6: Click "Save" and then Click "Publish" â> "For Me"
Step 2: Create Device
This step will create your simulated switch/sensor device. You will build one for each garage door opener you have.
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2.1: Click "My Devices" at the top of the screen
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2.2: Click "New Device"
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2.2.1: Here you will name your simulated switch/sensor device. I personally like to name mine with "DO NOT PRESS - Simulated 1 Car Garage Door Switch and Sensor", but you can name the simulated switch any name you would like. Also, the "Device Network ID*" just needs to be unique from any other device. I like to use the same name as the switch with no spaces.
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2.2.2: Now under type, you will click the drop down and search for the name of the device handler you created in step 1.
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2.2.3: Under Version select "Published"
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2.2.4: Under Location Hub select your location, hub information, and Click "Create"
Step 3: Setup IFTTT Applet
Note: myQâs premium subscription (currently free) needs setup for IFTTT before continuing. See the requirements section for the link.
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3.1: Log into IFTTTâs website.
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3.2: Click "Create"
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3.2.1: Click "If This"
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3.2.2: Search for myQ and select
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3.2.3: Click "Door closed"
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3.2.4: Click "Connect"
Note: If your myQ account is already linked skip to the next step (3.2.5).
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3.2.5: Select the door you want to monitor
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3.2.6: Click "Then That"
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3.2.7: Search for SmartThings and select
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3.2.8: Select "Switch off"
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3.2.9: Click "Connect":
Note1: If your SmartThings account is already linked skip to the next step (3.2.10).
Note2: When you link your SmartThings you will be asked to select, which devices IFTTT can control. Make sure you select the new devices you created in section 2 at a minimum.
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3.2.10: Select the device created in step 2. This will be your simulated switch/sensor device.
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3.4.11: Click "Continue"
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3.4.12: Click "Finish"
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3.4.13: Now go back through "Steps 3.4" and complete these again for the "door open" applet. You will select "Switch On" for this applet. Also, if you have any other doors you will run through the same steps.
Note: If you did not purchase IFTTTâs subscription service and have more than one door you will run through "Steps 3.4" again, but using a different IFTTT account.
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Step 4: Add Simulated Switch From "Steps 2" Into SmartThings_MyQ SmartApp.
This example will be explained using SmartThings app options on an Android device. Most steps should be similar or the same on other platforms. You need to have SmartThings_MyQ setup for this setup to be completed.
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4.1: Open SmartThings on your device
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4.2: Click "SmartApps"
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4.3: Click "MyQ Lite"
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4.4: Once open click "Tap to modify account" and connect to your myQ account.
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4.5: After you are connected to your myQ account with MyQ Lite, click "Tap to modify devicest"
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4.6: Select which garage doors you want to use.
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4.7: Under Optional Sensors and Push Buttons select the simulated switch/sensor device you created in "Steps 2" and then select "Next"
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4.8: The final page will be your summary page. I already had my doors setup, so my screen says my doors already existed. Click "Done"
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4.9: Now go back to the main SmartThings Home page.
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4.10: Click the simulated switch/sensor device you created in "Steps 2" and set the switch to "Open".
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4.11: Look at your garage door status and check to see if the door now says "Open".
Note: This will not open the door. This is manually testing the status feature.
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4.12: Click the simulated switch/sensor device you created in "Steps 2" and set the switch to "Closed"
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4.13: Look at your garage door status and check to see if the door now says "Closed"
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4.14: If the simulated switch/sensor device made the correct changes to your garage door, your simulated switch is working correctly within SmartThings. Now letâs test if MyQ and IFTTT will update the simulated switch, which in return will update the "<#> Car Garage Opener" device status.
Note: This will make your garage door open. Click the open button on your garage door and wait to see if the status changes to "Open" on both your simulated switch/sensor and your garage door devices.
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4.16: Close your garage door and check if the status changes to "Closed".
If the open/closed status updates correctly you are all done!
