Control MyQ through Amazon Echo

DEPRECATED: 14NOV2020: I don't recommend MyQ. I bought it when it was on sale. It was advertised as being Echo compatible. It wasn't. Someone created a work around for Echo. This worked for a while, but then stopped. I tried to get it to work again, but it doesn't work any more.

MyQ advertises itself as being compatible with Amazon Echo (Alexa). However, the company deleted the Amazon skill. And it offers the capability for $10 per month. Apparently, the company has a reputation of not supporting Home Automation DIYers and shuts down workarounds. So, I am not sure how long this will work. It works as 25JAN2020

MyQ stopped working Amazon Echo and the Alexa app around the end of SEP2020. Following the steps in the guide didn't restore it. So, I tired troubleshooting with the two approaches below.

Troubleshooting now.

  • Second attempt at Troubleshooting

      • Uninstall everything related to MyQ, Simple Commands. and so on. And then do the steps below

          • Delete MyQ and Simple Commands App from iPhone

          • Amazon Alexa:

              • Disable Kloee for Simple Commands

              • Login to Amazon Developer and delete any skills related to MyQ or Simple Commands

              • Ensure there are no skills, scenes or routines using MyQ

          • Shutoff iPhone

          • Factory reset MyQ

              • Hold gear button until it blinks blue and release. Then hold gear button until it beeps

          • Turn on iPhone

          • Do Steps 1-6 below

  • First Failed attempt at Troubleshooting

      • Ensured MyQ and SimpleCommands app can control garage door, which works

      • Neither the Alexa app not voice commands work

      • Step 1-4. works

      • Step 5 - it is unclear if this works or not. No new scenes are discovered by Echo or the Alexa App. However, the scenes do not work from Echo or the Alexa app. So, in the Alexa App:

          • Remove all garage door scenes (Open, Close and Status) [Go to Devices, scroll over to Scenes]

          • Remove all garage door routines [Click on hamburger menu, select Routines]

          • Go to Devices, scroll over to Scenes, scroll down to discover scenes. This didn't work

              • So, more drastic action is required: remove Simple Commands and Kloee for SC and restart phone

              • And restart at Step 2

Step 1. Create Simple Commands Account

On laptop, open a browser

Go to https://www.simplecommands.com/

Click on button Create an Account

set up myq

Step 2. Add Simple Commands app and skill

On an iPhone:

In App Store, download and install:

simple commands powered by Kloee

Open Amazon Alexa app

Download and enable the skill: kloee for sc

Enable and link account for Home Status

Both are required

Step 3. Connect Simple Commands to MyQ

On a smart phone:

open simplecommands app

select Connect (Connect icon)

on connections tab

click + to add MyQ

Select MyQ

login

Step 4. Create a routine in SimpleCommands app

On a smart phone:

Open simplecommands app

select Routines icon

click + and add two routines:

open garage door

Execute these actions

click on MyQ

click Select

select Open command

click Add Command

click Done

close garage door

Execute these actions

click on MyQ

click Select

select Close command

click Add Command

click Done

Step 5. Discover the Scenes

The routines created in Simple Commands are considered Scenes in the Alexa app

On a smart phone in the Amazon Alexa App discover scenes, or

Ask, Alexa to discover scenes

Step 6. Create a more natural way of using garage door commands

In the above, you would have to ask Alexa to: Alexa, start open garage door, instead of Alexa, open garage door. This step will create a more natural way of interacting with Alexa

On a smart phone open the Amazon Alexa app:

Create a routine (the bar side menu select Routines, then +)

Routine Name = Open garage door

Next

select voice

Phrase = Open garage door

Next

Add action, click +

select Smart Home

select Control Scene

select Open garage door

Add

Save

Create a routine (the bar side menu select Routines, then +)

Routine Name = Close garage door

Next

select voice

Phrase = Close garage door

Next

Add action, click +

select Smart Home

select Control Scene

select Close garage door

Add

Save