MyQ betrayed its users, now what? (here's what I did)

Posted on
Sat Nov 04, 2023 7:01 pm
hensed offline
Posts: 59
Joined: Feb 01, 2012
Location: Oakland, CA

MyQ betrayed its users, now what? (here's what I did)

After reading this notice from MyQ: https://newsroom.myq.com/2023-10-30-A-M ... age-of-myQ

It's apparent that they are not tightening security around APIs, they are actively hunting and killing 3rd party integrations like @flyingDiver's awesome plugin that has worked so well over the years. I hate it that I have a MyQ Garage opener. I would never support a company like this. They are out for $$ and your data to sell.

Anyways, this plugin was so essentially vital to my overall automation and security, I had to find a solution. So I copied some of the folks from the HA thread. I grabbed a spare controller from the utility drawer. Ordered a soldering iron ($15 on Amazon; never soldered before in my life), a Zooz GEN16 and some shielded copper wire.

I soldered 2 wires from the underside of the board, where the button that controls my door is connected. I then connected the wires to the Zooz GEN16, set as a momentary switch. I now have control again of my garage door. I'm using a z-wave tilt sensor to let me know the status of the door. Good luck out there folks!
Attachments
Image 14.jpeg
Image 14.jpeg (206.55 KiB) Viewed 1531 times
Image 13.jpeg
Image 13.jpeg (210.07 KiB) Viewed 1531 times
Last edited by hensed on Sun Nov 05, 2023 1:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Posted on
Sun Nov 05, 2023 6:27 am
eme jota ce offline
Posts: 618
Joined: Jul 09, 2009
Location: SW Florida

Re: MyQ betrayed its users, now what? (here's what I did)

Great photos and description! Thanks.

Posted on
Sun Nov 05, 2023 9:23 am
FlyingDiver offline
User avatar
Posts: 7222
Joined: Jun 07, 2014
Location: Southwest Florida, USA

Re: MyQ betrayed its users, now what? (here's what I did)

I agree this is a viable solution to the issue. But a couple things to be aware of -

(1) using a remote this way will NOT activate the warning buzzer that you get with the MyQ app or the plugin. So if you have kids or pets that hang out in the garage, be careful.

(2) you need to do some conditional programming, based on the tilt sensor(s), to make sure the door is going to do what you want. Just like using the remote in your car, it's a toggle, not a specific open/close. Papamac's Virtual Garage Door plugin will help here: https://www.indigodomo.com/pluginstore/267/

Lastly, I wouldn't use the word "betrayed" because the library (and plugin) was always based on reverse engineering the protocol. They never promised any API access. However, what they're doing is deliberately "screwing" their customers, so that's how I would classify it. I also will never buy another MyQ based product.

For my new house I'll be using Genie products that support their "Aladdin Connect" system.

joe (aka FlyingDiver)
my plugins: http://forums.indigodomo.com/viewforum.php?f=177

Posted on
Sun Nov 19, 2023 3:49 pm
FlyingDiver offline
User avatar
Posts: 7222
Joined: Jun 07, 2014
Location: Southwest Florida, USA

Re: MyQ betrayed its users, now what? (here's what I did)

My ratgdo device just shipped. Now I need to find some time to play with it.

joe (aka FlyingDiver)
my plugins: http://forums.indigodomo.com/viewforum.php?f=177

Posted on
Sun Nov 26, 2023 4:46 pm
vtmikel offline
Posts: 645
Joined: Aug 31, 2012
Location: Boston, MA

Re: MyQ betrayed its users, now what? (here's what I did)

I think I'll go the Ratgdo route as well. The Meross looks like a complete solution as well, and there is a python library available. It looks like device control is done via the internet though.

Posted on
Sun Nov 26, 2023 4:58 pm
FlyingDiver offline
User avatar
Posts: 7222
Joined: Jun 07, 2014
Location: Southwest Florida, USA

Re: MyQ betrayed its users, now what? (here's what I did)

I have my ratgdo device, and I've flashed the firmware and set it up for my Wifi and MQTT server. Now I just need to install it and test it out.

joe (aka FlyingDiver)
my plugins: http://forums.indigodomo.com/viewforum.php?f=177

Posted on
Wed Nov 29, 2023 11:57 am
FlyingDiver offline
User avatar
Posts: 7222
Joined: Jun 07, 2014
Location: Southwest Florida, USA

Re: MyQ betrayed its users, now what? (here's what I did)

Installed and tested. Does work with the MQTT shims plugin, but the way he did the MQTT topics would require a separate Shim for each status. Dedicated plugin in the works.

joe (aka FlyingDiver)
my plugins: http://forums.indigodomo.com/viewforum.php?f=177

Posted on
Thu Nov 30, 2023 12:27 pm
FlyingDiver offline
User avatar
Posts: 7222
Joined: Jun 07, 2014
Location: Southwest Florida, USA

Re: MyQ betrayed its users, now what? (here's what I did)

Any further discussion should be in a ratgdo thread in this forum: viewforum.php?f=216

joe (aka FlyingDiver)
my plugins: http://forums.indigodomo.com/viewforum.php?f=177

Page 1 of 1

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests