Retail Installment Contract Receivables - Installment Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Deferred interest	$ (31,652)		$ (31,652)		$ (34,164)
Retail Installment Contracts
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
RIC receivables, gross	186,077		186,077		175,250
Deferred interest	(31,652)		(31,652)		(34,163)
RIC receivables, net of deferred interest	154,425		154,425		141,087
Classified on the condensed consolidated unaudited balance sheets as:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	39,620		39,620		32,185
Long-term notes receivables and other assets, net	114,805		114,805		108,902
RIC receivables, net	154,425		154,425		$ 141,087
Interest income	$ (3,100)	$ (3,500)	$ (6,600)	$ (6,800)
Minimum | Vivint Flex Pay
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Installment loans available to qualified customers, term			42 months
Maximum | Vivint Flex Pay
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Installment loans available to qualified customers, term			60 months