How to use the Universal Garage Door Opener System

 Program your universal remote to appear as an icon in your center display, replacing up to 8 physical remotes. The Universal Garage Door Opener System works for most new garage door openers as well as certain security systems and home devices.  

The process to program a garage door remote or other universal remote is time sensitive. Make sure you’re ready to complete the next step quickly. It may be helpful to have another person assist you.

These instructions are for garage door openers, but you can follow similar steps for other compatible devices.

1. Park outside in front of your garage. There should be a clear path between the vehicle and the garage door receiver.

2. Have your garage door opener handheld remote with you in the vehicle. Make sure it has new batteries so the signal is strong.

3. On your vehicle’s center display, tap the Controls, then tap Universal Remotes. You may have to tap See More Controls to see the icon.

a. On some models, you access the Universal Remotes icon from the Controls display in the Front Command Center (if equipped). 

4. Tap Add Remote.

5. Select Yes if your opener came with a handheld transmitter. If not, follow the alternate steps on screen.

6. Hold the transmitter about 1-3 in. away from your rearview mirror. Press and hold the handheld transmitter button. Don’t let go until Signal Found appears on the center display.

7. Once the signal is found, you can test the universal remote by selecting Test on the screen. You may need to tap Test several times.

If the garage door moves, select It Worked from the prompts on-screen. 

If the garage door did not move, select It Didn’t Work from the prompts on-screen. Continue with the steps for Using the Learn or Smart button. 

1. On some garage door openers, you’ll need to press the Learn or Smart button on the receiver inside the garage (requires a ladder).  
2. Locate the Learn or Smart button on your receiver (it’s usually near the antenna wire). 
3. Return directly to your vehicle and press the Test button again. You may need to press it several times. 

If the garage door moves, select It Worked from the prompts on-screen. 

If it’s still not working, select It Didn’t Work and repeat steps 1-3. Or you can: 

• Visit the HomeLink website. 
• Call HomeLink at (800) 355-3515. 
• Check your Owner’s Manual for other steps recommended to program your remote. 

Once a remote is programmed, tap the Pencil icon to rename it so it’s easily findable in the center display.  

After your Universal Garage Door Opener is programmed, the remote will appear in your center display. Simply tap the icon on the screen to use it. When the vehicle is in Reverse, the icon will appear on the reverse camera screen.

Your vehicle will also save your GPS coordinates when you program your remote. Then, when you reach the programmed location, the vehicle will automatically display the remote in the App tray of your center display for easy access.

You can use the pencil icon to update the location saved during programming. This might be necessary if you want the remote to appear on-screen earlier when approaching your garage. For example, you can drive to your mailbox and set that location, causing the remote to pop up earlier as you approach.

You can use the Pencil icon to update the location saved during programming. This might be necessary if you want the remote to appear on-screen earlier when approaching your garage. For example, you can drive to your mailbox and set that location, causing the remote to pop up earlier as you approach. 

Note: When setting the location, keep in mind that the remote will only be visible within a limited range around the saved GPS coordinates.