quote:

Originally posted by gjgalligan:
Does new openers have built in wifi?
Asking because I have a buddy that takes his home portable wifi unit with him when he travels.
He would like to be able to remotely check the status of open/closed of his door. Also needs to be able to open for somebody if he needs to let them in.

Ah just missed that point, if he takes his home wifi router with him then nothing in the house that works off wifi will work, all his security systems, thermostat, myQ that need wifi to communicate will have no way to be reached.

I don't get taking it with you when you travel, just unplug it if it's a security concern.

Now he could connect them to the internet company modem/router but that seems like a lot of overkill...

Oh shoot, is this like the time my kids wanted the WiFi password for the house in MI?

At the time they equated Wifi with internet, but they didn't believe me until I gave them the password and none of their stuff worked.

Yes, many new garage door openers have built in WiFi, which is just the ability to connect to you network at home without a wire, nothing more, nothing less.

If by "home portable WiFi unit", you mean an all-in-one device that provides his connection to his ISP, creates his network, and routes traffic on his network and to/from the internet, then no garage door openers have that built in.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

I don't get taking it with you when you travel, just unplug it if it's a security concern.

...

Think summer cottage/hunting camp.

Why not put the Cell Phone in MOBILE HOTSPOT mode and use the phone as the router when..."Think summer cottage/hunting camp."

I use MyQ. I also have a wifi camera in the garage that can confirm the status of the door (closed or open). The sensors are not foolproof, and can report the wrong status. It's nice to have a live view of the door to confirm whether it's open or closed.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Why not put the Cell Phone in MOBILE HOTSPOT mode and use the phone as the router when..."Think summer cottage/hunting camp."

I don't know. it isn't me.
Maybe he does streaming on the tv. He also has company up there from time to time. Maybe his data package on his phone is limited. Lots of reasons.

The question was about garage door openers so lets get back on topic.

I have a Liftmaster opener that predates the remote capability. Adding the MyQ module to the opener gives me full control, scheduling and notifications through my home security app. I use it far more than I ever anticipated.

quote:

Originally posted by gjgalligan:

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Why not put the Cell Phone in MOBILE HOTSPOT mode and use the phone as the router when..."Think summer cottage/hunting camp."

I don't know. it isn't me.
Maybe he does streaming on the tv. He also has company up there from time to time. Maybe his data package on his phone is limited. Lots of reasons.

The question was about garage door openers so lets get back on topic.

10 people have said the answer to your question is: yes. The topic is done.

But that doesn't solve the problem your friend is having, does it? The topic has to move beyond garage door openers to solve the problem:
"He would like to be able to remotely check the status of open/closed of his door. Also needs to be able to open for somebody if he needs to let them in."

To do this, at his house he'll need:

1. Network capable garage door opener, either wired or wireless (WiFi for example)

2. A network

3. A connection to the internet

If by "home portable WiFi unit" you mean his home's sole method of providing for 2 & 3, then he's going to have to find another way to provide for 2 & 3.

At whatever location he wants to use his garage door opener from, he'll need

4. A connection to the internet

5. A device that runs program that allows him to control the garage door opener over the internet

Many people find a smartphone with a garage door opener app and a data plan from a cellular service provider satisfy 5 & 4.

My bad, I should have worded it differently.
I simply wanted to know it anybody simply knew if any openers have intnet wifi built in.
My cpap machine and my printer have it built in so I was inquiring about openers.

Somebody that knows the magic can delet this thread.
Thanks all for your comments.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
It certainly does imply serious security vulnerabilities, but most anything that provides convenience opens new avenues of attack.

Not counting just breaking a glass window, your garage door is the least secure part of your house for about four or five different reasons, so honestly this isn't making it much worse.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
It certainly does imply serious security vulnerabilities, but most anything that provides convenience opens new avenues of attack.

Not counting just breaking a glass window, your garage door is the least secure part of your house for about four or five different reasons, so honestly this isn't making it much worse.

"hey, there are 4 or 5 holes in this boat already, why should anyone care if I drill a 6th?"

quote:

Originally posted by gjgalligan:
My bad, I should have worded it differently.
I simply wanted to know it anybody simply knew if any openers have intnet wifi built in.
My cpap machine and my printer have it built in so I was inquiring about openers.

Somebody that knows the magic can delet this thread.

Thanks all for your comments.

You are simply not understanding that WiFi is not internet.

Your CPAP machine and your printer simply do not have the ability to connect to the internet by themselves. They must be connected to a network and that network must be connected to the internet. WiFi is just a connection to your network. That’s it. A replacement for some wires.

There are garage door openers that have the exact same capability to connect to a network as your CPAP machine and your printer, but if you don’t have a network to connect to and that network is not connected to the internet, then you cannot do anything remotely with any of them.

Explain how the Dr's office can connect to my CPAP to get the report and my cpap has never been connected to my modem/router? As can the vendor that supplied it to me. I have never done anything to connect it.
When I look on any of my phones, tablets, ect for available wifi it shows my printer on the list. One of my neighbors can see list also.

They are not connected to any network that I am aware of.

Here is your answer:
YES, A garage door MODEM

quote:

Originally posted by gjgalligan:
Explain how the Dr's office can connect to my CPAP to get the report and my cpap has never been connected to my modem/router? As can the vendor that supplied it to me. I have never done anything to connect it.
When I look on any of my phones, tablets, ect for available wifi it shows my printer on the list. One of my neighbors can see list also.

They are not connected to any network that I am aware of.

Most newer machines (such as the ResMed AirSense or Philips DreamStation) upload your nightly usage data to cloud-based networks via built-in cellular chips—meaning it works just like a smartphone or cellular game camera and requires no Wi-Fi or effort on your part.

That is how my last 2 CPAPs told the insurance company how often and how long I'm using it. Also, my doctor can access the data.

quote:

Originally posted by gjgalligan:
Explain how the Dr's office can connect to my CPAP to get the report and my cpap has never been connected to my modem/router? As can the vendor that supplied it to me. I have never done anything to connect it.
When I look on any of my phones, tablets, ect for available wifi it shows my printer on the list. One of my neighbors can see list also.

They are not connected to any network that I am aware of.

CPAP machine is connected to a cellular network just like your phone. You said it was WiFi. WiFi devices need a network and internet connection for remote access.

You cannot access your printer from a remote location, cabin/summer home, the way you are using its WiFi capability. You could if you used its WiFi capability to connect it to your network and your network is connected to the internet because WiFi devices need a network and internet connection for remote access.

Neither example changes what your friend needs to open and close his garage door from a remote location.

I can access my garage door openers, printer, thermostats, security systems, cameras, water shut off valves, whole house backup generators from anywhere my cellphone has a cellular network connection because they are all WiFi devices that are connected to a network that's connected to the internet.

I can even use that same phone's WiFi capability instead of having it connect to a cellular network to access all the same things provided I use the phone's WiFi to connect it to a network that's connected to the internet.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Here is your answer:
YES, A garage door MODEM

Your link doesn't work. Here's what somebody's AI said when I searched "garagqe door modem":
Overview A "garage door modem" is a colloquial term for a Wi-Fi controller or smart hub that connects your existing garage door opener to your home internet, enabling remote smartphone control and monitoring. Prices typically range from $25 to $90 depending on the brand and model.

Note it says a "garage door modem" uses WiFi to connect to your home internet, in other words a network that's connected to the internet.

If his buddy takes his "portable home internet unit" and that's his sole connection to the internet at home, then a "garage door modem" will not work for him because it's a WiFi device that needs to be connected to a network that's connected to the internet for his buddy to use it from his cabin/summer home.

My CPAP and my BP device have cellular chips, they communicate outside the wifi world directly to the internet via cellular.

If he takes his wifi connection with him, then none of the devices at the house will be accessable.

I suppose he could buy a cellular hotspot that sits at his main house and connect everything to it that he wants to access, then again, why not just get a second one or a mobile hotspot from his internet provider.

I would get a Starlink, take it with him and use it for access on the road and at the cabin, he can turn it off when he doesn't need it and then loses zero internet connectivity to the main home.

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
I have some of the best security many "can't" buy.

Nosey neighbors. Their house faces my garage doors.

No thanks, the downsides outweigh the benefits.

The GSM 4G LTE Access Controller Relay Switch is a budget-friendly 4G LTE relay that lets you control your garage door using SMS text commands, phone calls, or an app.

We literally just moved into a new home and it has lift master garage door openers, they have a camera and a number pad outside.
MRs Mike can open it for a delivery, watch it on camera and close it if the guy forgets too.

It was a PITA to program the keypad to a new number. The book says press learn twice, but it took three presses to make it work.