Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Deficit) Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated deficit	Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 0	$ 732,346	$ (1,358,571)	$ (27,301)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation			542
Return of capital to Vivint Smart Home, Inc.			(2,049)
Net Loss				(229,102)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ (1,076)				(1,076)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018	(1,167,783)	0	730,839	(1,870,925)	(27,697)
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2018		0	731,585	(1,726,540)	(27,280)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation			337
Return of capital to Vivint Smart Home, Inc.			(1,083)
Net Loss				(144,385)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(417)				(417)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018	(1,167,783)	0	730,839	(1,870,925)	(27,697)
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	(1,396,601)	0	736,333	(2,104,097)	(28,837)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation			1,834
Return of capital to Vivint Smart Home, Inc.			(442)
Net Loss				(205,052)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,074				1,074
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	(1,599,103)	0	737,725	(2,309,065)	(27,763)
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019		0	737,072	(2,193,169)	(28,267)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation			977
Return of capital to Vivint Smart Home, Inc.			(324)
Net Loss				(115,896)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	504				504
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	$ (1,599,103)	$ 0	$ 737,725	$ (2,309,065)	$ (27,763)