Honda and Acura add garage door controls to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

Soon you will be able to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in your Honda or Acura to open and close your garage door. It’s a new feature made possible through a partnership with Chamberlain Group’s MyQ Connected Garage service.

Honda says that all of its 2023 and 2024 models will be compatible with this new technology, but it also says that “millions of older Honda and Acura models that support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also compatible.” That’s great to hear that the convenience won’t be limited to new models.

As for how it works, the system is pretty much the same. You can set up a geofence that will automatically prompt a system notification when it comes within a certain distance of your garage. Follow the instructions on the screen to open, and your garage door will do as you command. The same can be done to close your garage door.

For this technology to work, Honda says you’ll need a compatible garage door opener, but there’s a good chance you’ll already do that because the myQ is compatible with most openers on the market today from LiftMaster and other Chamberlain brands. If your opener is already myQ enabled, then you don’t need to do anything. However, if you have an older model, Honda says you can use the “MyQ Smart Garage Control device” to upgrade it to one. Honda is giving everyone one for free if you sign up for its 30-day service demo subscription, so don’t worry about having to buy one.

However, if you want to go beyond the 30-day free trial, a three-year subscription costs $129, while a five-year subscription will cost you $179.

The real advantage of this system is that you will be able to open and close your garage door from anywhere, not just within the range where your opener or car’s ignition key will work. Of course, myQ has a mobile app that will do the same, but this one lets you work directly through the car’s interface without having to call.

Honda says this technology works as it stands today, so go ahead and give it a try if you have all the necessary garage door technology.