rethink

The goal of this project is to de-cloud LG ThinQ-branded appliances, meaning to communicate with them without using the official LG app and cloud service. The project is developed by reverse engineering various components of the ThinQ ecosystem.

Status

A working version of rethink-cloud is now available. This is a service which emulates the cloud part of ThinQ and translates the protocol to HomeAssistant-compatible MQTT.

An optional "bridge" mode is also supported, in which the messages are forwarded to the actual LG ThinQ cloud. This can be used as a reverse-engineering aid, or simply to allow the user to still use the original LG app alongside HomeAssistant.

The following appliances are currently supported in rethink:

• 👍 LG DualCool Standard Wall-mounted Air Conditioner - mostly working,
• 👍 LW1822HRSM, Smart Window Air Conditioner - mostly working,
• 🫤 LF28H8330S, Standard-Depth 4-Door French Door Refrigerator - preliminary support,
• 🫤 GSJV70PZTE, LG Side by Side Refrigerator - preliminary support,
• 🫤 Washing Machine (name unknown) - preliminary support

The supported appliances can be used "out of the box" with HomeAssistant or another compatible MQTT consumer.
Appliances not listed above can still be used with the bridge mode, but they will not be translated to MQTT. Contributions are welcome!

Most of the findings from the reverse engineering process are available on the project wiki as well.

Installation

See the instructions.

Management

A simple web interface is available on a user-defined port (default: 44401). The interface supports:

• listing the devices connected to rethink
• monitoring their communications (with packet injection)
• configuring the bridge mode

Code

The following code is currently available:

• rethink-setup - a simple tool to perform the "initial setup" from a Wi-Fi connected PC, without using the official LG app
• rethink-cloud - a server that replaces LG's cloud service. It's meant to be installed on your local network and hosts its own simplistic MQTT broker.

Miscelanneous utilities:

• packet-parser - an utility to interpret TLV-formatted packets received from the appliance via MQTT. It connects to rethink-cloud
• packet-sender - an utility to create TLV-formatted packets & send them via MQTT to the appliance. It connects to rethink-cloud
• packet-parser - an utility to interpret TLV-formatted packets received from the appliance via MQTT. It connects to rethink-cloud
• packet-sender - an utility to create TLV-formatted packets & send them via MQTT to the appliance. It connects to rethink-cloud
• appliance simulator - a program which allows the Wi-Fi module to be operated without connection to an appliance. It simulates a minimum set of UART responses to activate the Wi-Fi module.

Notice

LG ThinQ is likely a registered trademark, or whatever, I don't care. The name is used here for identification purposes only. I'm not in any way affiliated with LG.

Warning

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
GNU General Public License for more details.

This means that if your device breaks, you get to fix it yourself or keep both pieces.