I think MyQ is just changing its API and then SC needs to update to use the new API. Getting MyQ to work with Alexa is the only reason I use SC too. I would love another option that works 100% of the time, but I don’t think one exists.
Same here on Alexa. As you know IFTTT works with MyQ and Alexa, but only to "Close Garage Door". I hope you are right, this API thing seems to happen a lot.
I think more of us should reach out to MyQ to complain. I just sent them an email. We SHOULD be able to link MyQ directly to Alexa, so instead of blaming SC, we should really be harassing MyQ to get moving on this. In the MyQ app, tap your initials on the top left, then tap Support, then on the bottom right tap Contact Us and send an email.
Here’s what I wrote: Why don’t you integrate directly with Amazon Alexa devices for voice control of garage doors? You have a lot of unhappy customers who use a service called SimpleCommands to perform this functionality using Alexa and when you modify your API (like you did last week), you break other services like SC which must then make changes to re-allow users to open their doors with Alexa. MyQ users spend a lot of money on your equipment and integration with Amazon Alexa is table stakes for any product that connects via wifi these days, so why don’t you support this feature directly? This rigamarole your customers have to go through every 6 months because we rely on 3rd party services to allow integration with Alexa is hugely frustrating when you could simply add this functionality to Alexa yourself without any 3rd party hacks.
That that was my thought too - that this is a hack and MyQ is trying to keep them out. MyQ has actual partners and official integrations, and SimpleCommands is not on the list. https://www.myq.com/works-with-myq. IF MyQ was changing their API, I doubt they’d do it in a way that broke all the integrations for all their customers. so my assumption is that SimpleCommands keeps finding ways around their rules and MyQ keeps locking them out.
I wish MyQ would simply integrate directly with Alexa (I believe it actually did when I bought it). They integrate with Google Home and even with Amazon Key.
I am definitely not blaming SC. I bought and installed my MyQ device on my liftmaster knowing fully that MyQ was not supported by Alexa. But I also did my homework and found there was an SC solution. It was a way for me to make my old liftmaster opener "smart", it has worked for me for the most part, except for these hiccups.
I too would love direct MyQ Alexa integration, but something is up there between the two companies. I'd even pay an annual subscription. It's been down for a week now and I really miss my "Open Garage Door when Home" routine.
There is actually a way to link MyQ to Alexa but it's not free as SC (that's the main reason I reached out to SC). It's through a third party device "Chamberlain". If there is no resolution in the following weeks, probably that will be the best bet.
Well it's not a third party my bad. It is part of MyQ and it is a device/sensor exclusive for garage opener. You can look it at Amazon. Its not that expensive but I think most people will go for the free option if available (like SC).
Interesting. My thoughts were that's why the sensor was for because you can already open it through your phone MyQ app (then why using Chamberlain sensor). Perhaps it is for non-smart garage openers.
So SC updated their app but it seems the fix for this was not included as I still cannot get the myQ credentials to be authenticated. Sad for sure. I'll be looking for an alternative garage door kit that does integrate with alexa soon I think.
"Meross" device could be a side solution but not sure since MyQ update then probably every third party could potentially have this new issue as SC does.
I am sure everyone has different configurations and products, but at the end of the day, the MyQ app is made for Chamberlain products. My product is the Smart Hub and what this product does is make old garage door openers "smart". MyQ control this product which essentially sits in the garage and blasts an RF signal to the opener to open or close. Not rocket science. SC and talk to MyQ and SC can talk to Alexa. SC is the middle man and it's broken right now.
A device like the "Refoss" actually bypasses MyQ. It connects directly to the Liftmaster garage door opener (or any other opener) and operates the opener directly. MyQ is still connected and you can continue using the MyQ app. Buy the Refoss connects directly to Alexa and will run the garage door. I don't like that solution at all. My Liftmaster has MyQ built in. It should work with Alexa or any other voice assistant, just like every other smart device in my home. I would look for a new garage door opener, but my Liftmaster is still only a few years old and works perfectly. I agree with others on here - my disappointment is not with SC, but with MyQ.
The irony in all of this is that SC should not even be necessary when you think about it. MyQ already interfaces with Amazon to allow for "Key Delivery" effectively allowing us to provide that service. If they don't want 3rd party apps to interfere with their relationship, then just give us a gosh dern MyQ skill that we can install in our Alexa app and allow voice control. The relationship is already there, so why not just extend the capability. Then we wouldn't even be here in the first place. Thank heavens for SC for being able to give us an avenue to voice control, but Chamberlain/MyQ should just seal the deal with Amazon to allow a skill with no middle man....My two cents anyways..
I wrote an email to Sc Wednesday about giving us an update on what's going on and when it possibly was gonna be fixed since the late Tuesday deadline has passed and wasn't fixed, I still yet have received a reply, there not very good at keeping us upd all they would have to do is post on here or Facebook and we would see it and not be left in the dark
As mentioned, no blame to SC, but I’d just like to know if they have waved the white flag and this extremely convenient functionality is forever gone and unsupported. It’s beginning to seem that way. Just want to know if it’s time to buy an actual new opener that natively supports Alexa.
It’s been over a week now. They got the error message fixed but still getting Invalid Credentials when trying to log into MyQ. I’m not sure how many people are still working at SC but I’ll give them the time as Chamberlain obviously is trying to lock them out as they are not a certified partner. The app has been great because it circumvents the limitations that Chamberlain has made. If SC can’t get it back I thank them for doing what they could and making the app so user friendly and integrated with so many different things. There are many other options out there but they will require a physical device to bypass Chamberlains limitations. Fortunately these devices are rather inexpensive. My worry is they are smaller companies and I am concerned about their security practices.
I honestly think it’s a hamster on a wheel at SC. Not a slam, but reality. I’ve never gotten a reply to an email or a response here on their own “support “ forum. I’ll give it another week and draw my own conclusions.
I’ve got to agree. I’ve got to agree with you all. Not slamming SC (all blame rests on MyQ - I’ll NEVER have another of their products in my home), but *I suspect* (I don’t actually know) that SC is trying to get around a restriction imposed by MyQ. Each time they find a way, MyQ finds out and blocks it. It’ll stay that way until SC (or Amazon Echo) becomes an official partner with MyQ. I don’t know what’s involved in that but it hasn’t happened. I’m also concerned that other noname, relatively small companies, like Refoss and Meross, could go out of business, or stop supporting Amazon Echo integration, or Amazon could cut them off, or any number of scenarios that would make them stop working. Not to mention the security exposure with handing over the credentials for my garage door to these companies. (Of course, I assume that SC is probably a very small company and we all went ahead and handed them access.) But that seems like it might be the best way to go because it totally bypasses MyQ. And at around $20, it sounds like an easier way to go than to continue messing with SC and MyQ.
Using MyQ with SimpleCommands on iPhone so that I can open/close the garage using Siri and it was working great since December of 2020 and no longer works. I'm getting "The User's Token is Invalid" error. When logged in the SimpleCommands website is says to press the "Fix" button but does not work.
In the Manage Items page I deleted the connection and when adding it back it askes for the MyQ email and password but says its invalid when it's not invalid.
Now I see I'm not alone with all the above comments.
While it’s not as simple as SC, an alternative is to set up a custom Alexa skill and an Amazon Lambda function. Both are free (up to 1M Lambda calls per month): https://github.com/rjcohn/alexa-pymyq
Yeah myq might have finally did it and totally blocked them out, you would think myq would want people to use there devices interactivity with alexa unles they only want people using their app
Well, count me as one of the disgruntled. Except I don’t have as much patience as many of you. Putting MyQ on Kijiji and that will be that once and for all. I did some research and have ordered this one. https://gotailwind.com
And no, I don’t work for them or anything like that.
Comments
I think MyQ is just changing its API and then SC needs to update to use the new API. Getting MyQ to work with Alexa is the only reason I use SC too. I would love another option that works 100% of the time, but I don’t think one exists.
Same here on Alexa. As you know IFTTT works with MyQ and Alexa, but only to "Close Garage Door". I hope you are right, this API thing seems to happen a lot.
I think more of us should reach out to MyQ to complain. I just sent them an email. We SHOULD be able to link MyQ directly to Alexa, so instead of blaming SC, we should really be harassing MyQ to get moving on this. In the MyQ app, tap your initials on the top left, then tap Support, then on the bottom right tap Contact Us and send an email.
Here’s what I wrote: Why don’t you integrate directly with Amazon Alexa devices for voice control of garage doors? You have a lot of unhappy customers who use a service called SimpleCommands to perform this functionality using Alexa and when you modify your API (like you did last week), you break other services like SC which must then make changes to re-allow users to open their doors with Alexa. MyQ users spend a lot of money on your equipment and integration with Amazon Alexa is table stakes for any product that connects via wifi these days, so why don’t you support this feature directly? This rigamarole your customers have to go through every 6 months because we rely on 3rd party services to allow integration with Alexa is hugely frustrating when you could simply add this functionality to Alexa yourself without any 3rd party hacks.
That that was my thought too - that this is a hack and MyQ is trying to keep them out. MyQ has actual partners and official integrations, and SimpleCommands is not on the list. https://www.myq.com/works-with-myq. IF MyQ was changing their API, I doubt they’d do it in a way that broke all the integrations for all their customers. so my assumption is that SimpleCommands keeps finding ways around their rules and MyQ keeps locking them out.
The only other option I’ve seen is to get a device like this one which hooks into the opener and integrates with Alexa, basically bypassing MyQ. https://www.amazon.com/Refoss-Garage-Control-Compatible-Assistant/dp/B07PM59X4J
I wish MyQ would simply integrate directly with Alexa (I believe it actually did when I bought it). They integrate with Google Home and even with Amazon Key.
I am definitely not blaming SC. I bought and installed my MyQ device on my liftmaster knowing fully that MyQ was not supported by Alexa. But I also did my homework and found there was an SC solution. It was a way for me to make my old liftmaster opener "smart", it has worked for me for the most part, except for these hiccups.
I too would love direct MyQ Alexa integration, but something is up there between the two companies. I'd even pay an annual subscription. It's been down for a week now and I really miss my "Open Garage Door when Home" routine.
There is actually a way to link MyQ to Alexa but it's not free as SC (that's the main reason I reached out to SC). It's through a third party device "Chamberlain". If there is no resolution in the following weeks, probably that will be the best bet.
Do tell? A device or an app called Chamberlain?
Well it's not a third party my bad. It is part of MyQ and it is a device/sensor exclusive for garage opener. You can look it at Amazon. Its not that expensive but I think most people will go for the free option if available (like SC).
That's what I have and it does not work with Alexa, not even for a fee.
Interesting. My thoughts were that's why the sensor was for because you can already open it through your phone MyQ app (then why using Chamberlain sensor). Perhaps it is for non-smart garage openers.
So SC updated their app but it seems the fix for this was not included as I still cannot get the myQ credentials to be authenticated. Sad for sure. I'll be looking for an alternative garage door kit that does integrate with alexa soon I think.
"Meross" device could be a side solution but not sure since MyQ update then probably every third party could potentially have this new issue as SC does.
I am sure everyone has different configurations and products, but at the end of the day, the MyQ app is made for Chamberlain products. My product is the Smart Hub and what this product does is make old garage door openers "smart". MyQ control this product which essentially sits in the garage and blasts an RF signal to the opener to open or close. Not rocket science. SC and talk to MyQ and SC can talk to Alexa. SC is the middle man and it's broken right now.
A device like the "Refoss" actually bypasses MyQ. It connects directly to the Liftmaster garage door opener (or any other opener) and operates the opener directly. MyQ is still connected and you can continue using the MyQ app. Buy the Refoss connects directly to Alexa and will run the garage door. I don't like that solution at all. My Liftmaster has MyQ built in. It should work with Alexa or any other voice assistant, just like every other smart device in my home. I would look for a new garage door opener, but my Liftmaster is still only a few years old and works perfectly. I agree with others on here - my disappointment is not with SC, but with MyQ.
Interesting, looks like the Refoss would work for me and much cheaper. Little bit of wiring but I am comfortable with that.
https://www.amazon.com/Refoss-Garage-Control-Compatible-Assistant/dp/B07PM59X4J/ref=asc_df_B07PM59X4J/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=344004050138&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1347808015421590726&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001881&hvtargid=pla-782915651900&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=69357499575&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=344004050138&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1347808015421590726&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001881&hvtargid=pla-782915651900
This is what I have now (I paid a lot more), I will wait a few more days to see if SC gets going again:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075H7Z5L8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The irony in all of this is that SC should not even be necessary when you think about it. MyQ already interfaces with Amazon to allow for "Key Delivery" effectively allowing us to provide that service. If they don't want 3rd party apps to interfere with their relationship, then just give us a gosh dern MyQ skill that we can install in our Alexa app and allow voice control. The relationship is already there, so why not just extend the capability. Then we wouldn't even be here in the first place. Thank heavens for SC for being able to give us an avenue to voice control, but Chamberlain/MyQ should just seal the deal with Amazon to allow a skill with no middle man....My two cents anyways..
Word!
Meross is also like Refoss btw if want to go that route.
Still down :-(
Sending SC a note now - still busted :(
I wrote an email to Sc Wednesday about giving us an update on what's going on and when it possibly was gonna be fixed since the late Tuesday deadline has passed and wasn't fixed, I still yet have received a reply, there not very good at keeping us upd all they would have to do is post on here or Facebook and we would see it and not be left in the dark
Thanks for keeping us updated, I too have sent emails but no response as yet
As mentioned, no blame to SC, but I’d just like to know if they have waved the white flag and this extremely convenient functionality is forever gone and unsupported. It’s beginning to seem that way. Just want to know if it’s time to buy an actual new opener that natively supports Alexa.
It’s been over a week now. They got the error message fixed but still getting Invalid Credentials when trying to log into MyQ. I’m not sure how many people are still working at SC but I’ll give them the time as Chamberlain obviously is trying to lock them out as they are not a certified partner. The app has been great because it circumvents the limitations that Chamberlain has made. If SC can’t get it back I thank them for doing what they could and making the app so user friendly and integrated with so many different things. There are many other options out there but they will require a physical device to bypass Chamberlains limitations. Fortunately these devices are rather inexpensive. My worry is they are smaller companies and I am concerned about their security practices.
I honestly think it’s a hamster on a wheel at SC. Not a slam, but reality. I’ve never gotten a reply to an email or a response here on their own “support “ forum. I’ll give it another week and draw my own conclusions.
I’ve got to agree. I’ve got to agree with you all. Not slamming SC (all blame rests on MyQ - I’ll NEVER have another of their products in my home), but *I suspect* (I don’t actually know) that SC is trying to get around a restriction imposed by MyQ. Each time they find a way, MyQ finds out and blocks it. It’ll stay that way until SC (or Amazon Echo) becomes an official partner with MyQ. I don’t know what’s involved in that but it hasn’t happened. I’m also concerned that other noname, relatively small companies, like Refoss and Meross, could go out of business, or stop supporting Amazon Echo integration, or Amazon could cut them off, or any number of scenarios that would make them stop working. Not to mention the security exposure with handing over the credentials for my garage door to these companies. (Of course, I assume that SC is probably a very small company and we all went ahead and handed them access.) But that seems like it might be the best way to go because it totally bypasses MyQ. And at around $20, it sounds like an easier way to go than to continue messing with SC and MyQ.
Ugh!
Using MyQ with SimpleCommands on iPhone so that I can open/close the garage using Siri and it was working great since December of 2020 and no longer works. I'm getting "The User's Token is Invalid" error. When logged in the SimpleCommands website is says to press the "Fix" button but does not work.
In the Manage Items page I deleted the connection and when adding it back it askes for the MyQ email and password but says its invalid when it's not invalid.
Now I see I'm not alone with all the above comments.
While it’s not as simple as SC, an alternative is to set up a custom Alexa skill and an Amazon Lambda function. Both are free (up to 1M Lambda calls per month): https://github.com/rjcohn/alexa-pymyq
Yeah myq might have finally did it and totally blocked them out, you would think myq would want people to use there devices interactivity with alexa unles they only want people using their app
Well, count me as one of the disgruntled. Except I don’t have as much patience as many of you. Putting MyQ on Kijiji and that will be that once and for all. I did some research and have ordered this one. https://gotailwind.com
And no, I don’t work for them or anything like that.
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