this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2026
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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
  2. disconnect power door motor for 30 seconds.
  3. reset door motor 1
  4. program door motor min/max locations
  5. program wired pad (why??)
  6. futz with wired pad screwdown connectors because they don't ground to the screw, they ground to small pads around the screw (why???)
  7. program wireless outdoor pad to motor 1.
  8. program remote 1 to door motor 1
  9. program remote 2 to door motor 1
  10. program car1 homelink to remote 1
  11. program car 2 homelink to remote 1
  12. reconnect battery.
  13. set up wifi using mobile app.
  14. Disconnect battery on door motor 2
  15. disconnect power door motor for 30 seconds.
  16. reset door motor 2
  17. program door motor min/max locations
  18. program wired pad (why??)
  19. futz with wired pad screwdown connectors because they don't ground to the screw, they ground to small pads around the screw (why???)
  20. prorgram wireless outdoor pad to door motor 2
  21. program remote 1 to door motor 2
  22. program remote 2 to door motor 2
  23. program car1 homelink to remote 2
  24. program car 2 homelink to remote 2
  25. reconnect battery.
  26. set up wifi using mobile app.
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[–] fluffykittycat@slrpnk.net 5 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

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

[–] 4am@lemmy.zip 6 points 20 hours ago

The sad thing is that there are smart device protocols out there that let you just hook shit up locally, use whatever app you want - and im not even talking about HomeAssistsnt DIY style. SmartThings was a hub that just let local control be a thing.

Now it’s hard if. Or impossible to find stuff that doesn’t let someone else control your stuff, monitor your stuff all the time, and make you stuff obsolete and shut it down just to make you get a new one.

The problem isn’t “smart” stuff, the problem is capitalism.