Is there a smart garage door opener worse than liftmaster?

#1

Brkdncr

💬

Do not buy one of these for their smart features unless everything else is worse.

I'm in a rural area and my options for garage door service people are limited. They only install liftmaster. I have 2 garage doors, and wanted a simple external pad to operate both, while also letting me program temp codes for when i have someone performing work.

Somehow the dealer programed one PIN code to both door motors. I told them I would take care of it using the app.

These liftmaster devices are the worst. Some wireless pads simply dont pair to the app, so programing PINs from the app won't work. This was the first sign of trouble. I contacted their support, which was available on the weekend, a real human, and was honestly very helpful.

Program the wrong PIN, or want to change one? Can't do it through the app. You'll need to get a ladder out so you can unplug the motor power, disconnect the built-in battery, and do a full reset.

A full reset means you'll need to program the door max open and max close locations. You'll also need to reprogram the wired pads (why???). The learn button on the wired pad? can't be used to program the remotes. oh don't forget the homelink buttons on your vehicles.

Here's what i had to do to remove a single PIN and get the wireless pad minimally working:

1. Disconnect battery on door motor 1
1. disconnect power door motor for 30 seconds.
1. reset door motor 1
1. program door motor min/max locations
1. program wired pad (why??)
1. futz with wired pad screwdown connectors because they don't ground to the screw, they ground to small pads around the screw (why???)
1. program wireless outdoor pad to motor 1.
1. program remote 1 to door motor 1
1. program remote 2 to door motor 1
1. program car1 homelink to remote 1
1. program car 2 homelink to remote 1
1. reconnect battery.
1. set up wifi using mobile app.
1. Disconnect battery on door motor 2
1. disconnect power door motor for 30 seconds.
1. reset door motor 2
1. program door motor min/max locations
1. program wired pad (why??)
1. futz with wired pad screwdown connectors because they don't ground to the screw, they ground to small pads around the screw (why???)
1. prorgram wireless outdoor pad to door motor 2
1. program remote 1 to door motor 2
1. program remote 2 to door motor 2
1. program car1 homelink to remote 2
1. program car 2 homelink to remote 2
1. reconnect battery.
1. set up wifi using mobile app.

14 Jun 2026 01:09

#2

Blue_Morpho

💬

Have liftmaster. I haven't used another brand but I can't imagine anything worse. And my liftmaster is app free. There's no way I'd pair an app to a door to my house.

14 Jun 2026 01:31

#3

tal

💬

I’m in a rural area and my options for garage door service people are limited. They only install liftmaster.

I would guess that as long as you're willing to pay them more to cover travel, you can probably convince a company further away to do it. Can't hurt to try, at any rate.

14 Jun 2026 01:52

#4

DarrinBrunner

💬

I installed my Genie myself almost 30 years ago, so no messing around with apps, etc. Don't they sell basic openers with simple remote buttons anymore?

I don't want workers in my garage when I am not there, so I don't need that. Why does a garage door opener need wifi access? Sounds like a bunch of "features" no one needs, or at least I don't need them because I've never had them, and I can't imagine what more I'd want a garage door opener to do, but open the door when I pull up and push the button.

14 Jun 2026 02:00

#5

CompactFlax

💬

As I recall they locked out HomeAssistant from their API. Crappy company.

14 Jun 2026 02:26

#6

GreenKnight23

💬

just build your own with a pi pico

14 Jun 2026 02:37

#7

yesman

💬

My experience is that any object dependent on an app is invariably worse than the manual/old version.

14 Jun 2026 02:43

#8

favoredponcho

💬

I have an ancient liftmaster, pre-smart home. Third parties sell conversion kits online that basically make them smart. Works great. Works with home assistant too. See if you can get a 20 year old liftmaster.

14 Jun 2026 02:58

#9

MrMeowMeow

💬

I’m in the same boat. My garage door pad has two 16AWG wires going to it. Commercial doors I have installed have four. I know the tempting “convenience” of having wifi for all of your devices, but garage doors are stupidly simple to hard wire.

14 Jun 2026 03:03

#10

fluffykittycat

💬

I know, it sucks. The bullshit factor increased faster than the helpfulness with these half asses smart devices

14 Jun 2026 03:05

#11

thatsnothowyoudoit

💬

We’ve been using a ratgdo for years. Spectacular.

https://ratcloud.llc/

We were chamberlain users who got locked out of their API using homebridge.

This little esp32 device worked a treat.

It’s been pretty reliable. On one or two occasions we’ve had to reboot the device after a power blip but overall it’s been excellent.

We 3D printed our own enclosure for it too.

14 Jun 2026 03:17

#12

tyler

💬

You don’t even need an API for a garage door, just use a switch, the garage door handles it all with its own sensors. OP could just add a keypad that works with HA and program it to open or close the garage door with a garage door box, whatever they’re called.

14 Jun 2026 03:21

#13

Brkdncr

💬

My SO regularly leaves the door open. I sometimes get anxious that I left it open.

I like opening the door remotely and remotely starting my vehicle.

I want to see if the door opens while we’re away from the home.

There are a number of reasons to want some of these features.

14 Jun 2026 03:54

#14

Brkdncr

💬

I’ve learned that it’s better to find a company local if they are reliable and back their work, which this company is.

It can hurt to try because like many of my other tasks, the non-local company have screwed me over. Ive paid for a 2nd roof and the work is bad, but the company is gone. Plumbing/well work has never been right from the companies from the city.

14 Jun 2026 03:58

#15

Brkdncr

💬

Cool thanks for the input.

14 Jun 2026 03:59

Is there a smart garage door opener worse than liftmaster?

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