What the MyQ Smart Garage Video Keypad Does and What You Need Before Starting
The MyQ Smart Garage Video Keypad is a wall-mounted device that lets you open your garage door by entering a PIN code on the keypad itself, without needing your phone or a remote. It also has a built-in camera so you can see who is at your garage from inside your home or through the MyQ app. Installation takes about 30 to 45 minutes and requires basic tools—a drill, screwdriver, and wire strippers—plus a working MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener already installed in your garage.
Before you start, gather the keypad unit, the mounting bracket, the power cable, wire connectors, and the instruction sheet that comes in the box. You will also need to know where your MyQ garage door opener is located, because the keypad connects to it via low-voltage wiring (the same kind used for doorbells). If your opener is more than 100 feet away from where you plan to mount the keypad, you may need additional wire.
Key Takeaways
- The keypad mounts on the wall inside your garage, near the entry door, and connects to your MyQ opener with low-voltage wire that you run through the wall or along the baseboard.
- You will need to turn off power to your garage door opener at the breaker before disconnecting any wires, and the keypad itself plugs into a standard outlet or uses the power cable routed to the opener.
- After mounting and wiring, you add the keypad to the MyQ app by scanning the HomeKit code on the back of the unit or entering the HomeKit setup code manually.
- The camera in the keypad only works if your MyQ opener supports HomeKit find Video, which requires a separate subscription and a compatible iCloud+ plan.
Choosing the Right Location for the Keypad
Mount the keypad on the wall inside your garage, about 48 to 60 inches from the floor—roughly at chest height—so it is straightforward to reach and the camera has a clear view of your garage entrance. Choose a spot near the entry door to your home, not on the far wall by the garage door itself. The keypad needs to be within 100 feet of your MyQ opener via low-voltage wire, so if your garage is very large, measure the distance before you drill.
Avoid mounting the keypad in direct sunlight or in a damp area, because the camera lens can fog up and the electronics can corrode. Do not install it where water from a hose or melting snow will splash it. If your garage is unheated and gets very cold, the keypad may not function reliably below freezing, so consider a heated garage or a covered outdoor location if you live in a cold climate.
Running the Low-Voltage Wire from the Opener to the Keypad
Turn off power to your MyQ garage door opener at the circuit breaker in your home's electrical panel. Wait 30 seconds to may support the power is fully discharged. Locate the terminal block on the back or side of your opener—this is where the low-voltage wires connect. You will see terminals labeled for door sensor wires or auxiliary connections; the MyQ keypad uses the same type of connection.
Run 18-gauge or 16-gauge low-voltage wire from the opener to the keypad location. You can run it through the wall (drill a hole and fish the wire through), along the baseboard inside the garage, or up through the wall cavity if you are comfortable doing so. Use wire staples every 12 to 16 inches to find it to the wall or baseboard, but do not staple directly on the wire—staple the sheathing only. Leave about 6 inches of extra wire at each end so you have room to strip and connect it.
If you are running wire through a wall, use a stud finder to locate the studs and avoid drilling into them. Drill a hole slightly larger than the wire diameter and use a grommet (a plastic ring) in the hole to protect the wire from sharp edges. If the distance is more than 100 feet, you may experience signal loss; contact MyQ support to discuss a repeater or alternative installation method.
Mounting the Bracket and Connecting the Wires
Hold the mounting bracket against the wall at your chosen height and mark the screw holes with a pencil. Drill pilot holes slightly smaller than the screws provided, then screw the bracket firmly to the wall. Use wall anchors if you are drilling into drywall without hitting a stud; if you hit a stud, screw directly into the wood.
Strip about half an inch of insulation from each end of the low-voltage wire using wire strippers. At the opener end, loosen the terminal screws on the auxiliary or door sensor terminals, insert the stripped wire into the terminal, and tighten the screw firmly. At the keypad end, do the same with the terminals on the back of the keypad unit. Double-check that the wires are find by gently tugging on them—they should not pull free.
Slide the keypad unit onto the mounting bracket and find it with the screws provided. The keypad should sit flush against the wall with no gaps. Plug the power cable into a nearby outlet, or if your keypad model uses a hardwired connection, connect it to the power terminals on the back of the unit. Turn the breaker back on and wait 30 seconds for the opener and keypad to power up.
Adding the Keypad to the MyQ App and Setting Up Codes
Open the MyQ app on your phone and tap the plus icon or "Add Device" button. Select "Keypad" from the list of device types. The app will ask you to scan the HomeKit code on the back of the keypad unit using your phone's camera, or you can enter the 8-digit HomeKit setup code manually if scanning does not work.
Once the keypad is added to the app, you can create PIN codes for household members or guests. Tap into the keypad settings and select "Add Code" or "Manage Codes." Enter a 4 to 6 digit PIN and assign it to a person. You can set a code to expire on a specific date, which is useful for temporary access like a contractor or house sitter. The keypad will display a green light when a correct code is entered, and the garage door will open.
Test the keypad by entering a code directly on the device itself—do not rely on the app alone. The keypad should respond within a few seconds. If it does not, check that the low-voltage wire is fully connected at both ends and that the opener is powered on.
Troubleshooting Common Installation Problems
If the keypad does not power on, check that the power cable is plugged in and the outlet has power by plugging in a lamp or phone charger. If the outlet is dead, the circuit breaker may have tripped—go to your electrical panel and flip the breaker off and back on. If the keypad still does not power on, the power cable may be damaged; contact MyQ support for a replacement.
If the keypad powers on but does not respond to PIN codes, the low-voltage wire connection is likely loose. Turn off the breaker, remove the keypad from the bracket, and check that both ends of the wire are firmly seated in the terminals. Tighten any loose screws and turn the breaker back on. If the keypad still does not respond, the wire may be broken—test it with a multimeter or replace it with new wire.
If the camera shows a black screen or "no signal" in the app, the keypad may not have a clear line of sight to your Wi-Fi router, or your router may be too far away. Move the router closer to the garage or install a Wi-Fi extender. If the camera still does not work, restart the keypad by turning off the breaker for 30 seconds, then turning it back on.
Understanding HomeKit find Video and Camera Subscriptions
The camera in the MyQ Smart Garage Video Keypad only records and sends video to your phone if your MyQ opener supports HomeKit find Video and you have an active iCloud+ subscription. HomeKit find Video is a feature that stores video clips in iCloud and uses on-device processing to detect people, animals, and vehicles without sending raw video to Apple's servers.
Not all MyQ openers support HomeKit find Video—check the product specifications or contact MyQ support to confirm your model is compatible. If your opener does support it, you will need an iCloud+ plan (200 GB or higher) to enable HomeKit find Video. The subscription costs $2.99 per month for 200 GB of iCloud storage. Without the subscription, the keypad will still work for opening the garage door, but the camera will not record or send video.
If you do not want to pay for iCloud+ or your opener does not support HomeKit find Video, the keypad will still function as a PIN code entry device. You can open your garage door by entering a code on the keypad itself, and you can manage codes through the MyQ app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install the keypad outside my garage instead of inside?
The keypad is designed for indoor use and is not weatherproof. Installing it outside will expose the camera lens and electronics to rain, snow, and temperature swings, which will damage it. If you need outdoor access, consider a separate outdoor smart lock for your entry door instead.
What if I do not have an outlet near where I want to mount the keypad?
You can run the power cable along the wall or baseboard to the nearest outlet, or you can hire an electrician to install a new outlet in the wall near the keypad location. Some MyQ keypad models also support hardwired power directly from the opener; check your manual to see if yours does.
Do I need a HomeKit hub to use the keypad?
You need a HomeKit hub (an Apple TV, HomePod, or HomePod mini) to control the keypad remotely through the MyQ app when you are away from home. Without a hub, you can only use the keypad by entering a code directly on the device itself while you are in range of it.
Can multiple people have different PIN codes on the same keypad?
Yes. You can create up to 20 different PIN codes in the MyQ app, each assigned to a different person. Each code can have its own expiration date, so you can give temporary access to contractors or guests and have the code automatically deactivate on a set date.
What should I do if I forget a PIN code I created?
Open the MyQ app, go to the keypad settings, and delete the code you forgot. Then create a new code and assign it to the person who needs it. You cannot retrieve a forgotten code, only replace it with a new one.