Key Takeaways
- Download MT4 from your broker or MetaQuotes only. Your broker’s installer includes its servers, and unofficial download sites can carry modified, unsafe files.
- Logging in needs three details. Your account number, password and exact server name, all found in your broker’s welcome email.
- Expert Advisors only run on desktop. The iPhone and Android apps are for checking and placing trades, so run any trading bot on a computer or VPS.
- Start on a demo account. Learn how orders, stop losses and charts work in MT4 before you risk real money.
To install MetaTrader 4, download the installer from your broker’s website or the official MetaTrader 4 download page, run it, then log in with the account number, password and server your broker gave you. On a phone, install the MetaTrader 4 app from the App Store or Google Play and log in with the same details.
This guide walks through each step on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android, explains what the mobile app can and cannot do, and covers the most common setup problems.
Before You Install MetaTrader 4: Where to Download It
MT4 is free software made by MetaQuotes, but you trade on it through a broker. That makes your broker the most reliable place to get it, for two reasons:
- You get the right servers. A broker’s own installer comes with its server list, so logging in is simpler.
- You avoid version confusion. MetaQuotes now focuses on MetaTrader 5, and some traders report that older download links install MT5 instead of MT4.
MetaQuotes still lists MT4 for Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone and Android on the official MetaTrader 4 download page, so that is the safe alternative. Never download MT4 from an unofficial site, since modified installers can carry malware.
Also check that your broker still offers MT4 accounts at all. Many newer brokers and prop firms only offer MT5, and an MT4 account cannot be opened inside MT5 or the other way round. If you are still choosing, our comparison of MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 explains the differences.
How to Install MetaTrader 4 on Windows
- Download the installer. Get the MT4 setup file from your broker or the official download page.
- Run it. Double click the file, accept the license agreement and click Next. Use the Settings button first if you want to change the install folder.
- Finish and launch. When the install completes, MT4 opens automatically and may offer to open a demo account.
- Log in. Go to File, then Login to Trade Account, and enter your account number, password and server. The server name is in the email your broker sent when you opened the account.
- Check the connection. The bottom right corner of MT4 shows your connection status. A red or “No connection” message usually means the server or password is wrong.
To practice first, choose File, then Open an Account, pick a server and follow the steps to create a free demo account.
How to Install MetaTrader 4 on a Mac
MT4 is a Windows program, so the official Mac version runs inside a compatibility layer that the installer sets up for you. Download the macOS package, open it, drag MetaTrader 4 into Applications and launch it. Logging in works the same way as on Windows.
Some brokers provide their own Mac build. If the official package will not connect to your broker’s server, ask your broker for theirs.
How to Install MetaTrader 4 on iPhone and Android
- Install the app. Search for MetaTrader 4 in the App Store or Google Play and check that the developer is MetaQuotes.
- Open the account screen. On iPhone, go to Settings, then New Account. On Android, open the side menu, then Manage accounts, and tap the plus sign.
- Log in or open a demo. Choose to log in to an existing account, search for your broker’s server, then enter your account number and password. You can also open a demo account from the same screen.
- Add your symbols. In the Quotes tab, tap the plus sign to add the currency pairs or other instruments you want to follow.
- Place a trade. Tap a symbol in Quotes, choose New Order (on iPhone, Trade), set the volume and your stop loss and take profit, then confirm.
Desktop vs Mobile: What Each Version Can Do
| Feature | Desktop (Windows or Mac) | Mobile (iPhone or Android) |
|---|---|---|
| Charts and timeframes | Full charting, 9 timeframes | 3 chart types, 9 timeframes |
| Built in indicators | 30, plus custom indicators | 30, no custom indicators |
| Expert Advisors | Yes | No |
| Strategy Tester (backtesting) | Yes | No |
| Best for | Analysis, automated trading, testing | Checking positions and trading on the go |
The most important line is the third one. Expert Advisors only run on the desktop version, so if you plan to use a trading bot, the mobile app is for monitoring, not for running the bot.
Setting Up MT4 for Automated Trading
Once MT4 is installed on a computer, a few settings let Expert Advisors trade:
- Add the EA file. Go to File, then Open Data Folder, open MQL4, then Experts, and paste the EA file there. Restart MT4 or refresh the Navigator.
- Allow automated trading. Open Tools, then Options, go to the Expert Advisors tab and tick Allow automated trading.
- Attach the EA to a chart. Drag it from the Navigator onto the chart of the symbol it was built for, and set its inputs.
- Turn on AutoTrading. Click the AutoTrading button in the toolbar. A smiling face in the top right of the chart means the EA is active.
An EA only trades while MT4 is open and online, so many traders run it on a VPS rather than a home computer. Our guide to the best VPS for algorithmic trading compares the options, and our MT4 bot trading guide covers the setup in more detail.
If you want a ready made EA, XAUBOT for MetaTrader 4, our own platform, lets you customize a prebuilt bot and download it as an MT4 file. You can test it free for 15 days on a demo account before deciding.
Common MT4 Installation Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| MT5 installed instead of MT4 | Old or redirected download link | Download from your broker’s site instead |
| “Invalid account” | Wrong password or wrong server | Copy the exact server name from your broker’s email |
| “No connection” | Server name typo, firewall or internet issue | Choose the server from the list instead of typing it, and check your firewall |
| Broker’s server not listed | MT4 has not found it yet | Type the broker name in the server field and press Enter to search |
| EA not trading | AutoTrading off or EA not allowed | Turn on AutoTrading and tick Allow automated trading in Options |
| Installer blocked | Antivirus flagged it | Make sure the file came from your broker or MetaQuotes, then allow it |
MetaTrader 4 Installation Questions
Is MetaTrader 4 free?
Yes. The platform is free to download and use. Your costs come from the broker, through spreads, commissions and swaps, not from MT4 itself.
Can I use the same MT4 account on desktop and mobile?
Yes. Log in with the same account number, password and server on each device, and your balance, open trades and history appear on all of them.
Can I run an Expert Advisor on my phone?
No. Expert Advisors only run in the desktop version. You can watch the trades your EA opens from the mobile app, but the EA itself must run on a computer or VPS.
Can I log in to an MT5 account in MT4?
No. MT4 and MT5 accounts are separate, so an MT5 account only works in MT5. Check which platform your account was opened on before installing.
Where do I find my server name?
In the welcome email your broker sent when you opened the account, or in your broker’s client area. It usually includes the broker name and the words Live, Real or Demo.
Next Steps After You Install MetaTrader 4
Once MT4 is installed and connected, start on a demo account. Learn how orders, stop losses and charts work before risking real money. Our MT4 guide for beginners covers the platform’s main features.
Trading leveraged products such as forex and CFDs carries a high risk of loss. Only trade with money you can afford to lose.
