MetaTrader 4 is the most-used retail forex trading platform on the planet. Installing it sounds simple, but there’s a catch most beginners miss: you do not download MT4 from MetaQuotes — you download it from your broker. Each broker ships its own branded version of MT4 pre-configured to connect to that broker’s servers.

This guide walks you through the entire install end-to-end on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android — from picking a broker to confirming live price ticks are flowing. About 10 minutes start to finish.

Prerequisites

Before installing, you need:

An active broker account (live or demo). MT4 is useless without server credentials. If you don’t yet have an account, see our How to Open MT4 Demo Account guide — most brokers approve demo accounts in under five minutes.
A computer or mobile device that meets minimum requirements (see system requirements section below).
Stable internet — MT4 streams live tick data; flaky connections cause spread spikes and delayed orders.

How to Install MetaTrader 4: 6-Step Guide

Step 1 — Choose Your Broker

MetaTrader 4 is distributed by brokers, not by MetaQuotes (the company that built it). Each broker ships a customised MT4 build pre-configured to connect to their servers.

That means:

The MT4 you download from Broker A will only connect to Broker A’s servers.
Switching brokers later requires installing a second MT4 instance from the new broker.
Features, spread feeds, allowed EAs, and custom symbols vary slightly between brokers.

What to look for in a broker before downloading their MT4:

Criterion	Why it matters
Regulation	FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), CySEC (EU), or equivalent — protects your funds
Spreads on EUR/USD	Sub-1 pip on majors during London/NY = competitive
Account types	Standard, ECN, RAW — pick what suits your strategy
Demo account length	30+ days uninterrupted; some brokers cut at 14 days
EA / scripting allowed	Critical if you plan to run automated strategies
Customer support	24/5 live chat is the minimum acceptable

If you’re unsure where to start, most beginners use IC Markets, Pepperstone, OANDA, FXCM, or XM — all of which ship MT4.

Step 2 — Download the Installer From Your Broker’s Website

Once you’ve chosen a broker, go to their website and find the Platforms or Downloads section (sometimes labelled Trading Platforms or MT4 Download).

You’ll typically see download buttons for:

MetaTrader 4 for Windows (.exe)
MetaTrader 4 for Mac (.dmg or zipped Wine wrapper)
MetaTrader 4 for iPhone/iPad (App Store link)
MetaTrader 4 for Android (Google Play link)
MetaTrader 4 WebTrader (browser-based, no install)

Click the download for your platform. The file is small — typically 2-5 MB for desktop installers.

Tip: Don’t download MT4 from MetaQuotes.net. As of 2022, MetaQuotes no longer distributes a generic MT4 binary — only brokers do. Anything claiming to be a “generic MT4” from a third-party site is a security risk.

—

Step 3 — Run the Installer

The installation process differs slightly by operating system.

Windows (most common):

Double-click the downloaded .exe file.
Click Yes if Windows User Account Control prompts you.
Click Next through the setup wizard. Default install path (C:Program Files (x86)<Broker> MT4) is fine.
Click Finish.

MT4 launches automatically.

macOS:

Apple does not natively support MT4. You have three options:

Method	Pros	Cons
Broker-supplied wrapper (PlayOnMac/Wine)	Easiest, official	Sometimes laggy on M1/M2
Parallels Desktop + Windows	Fastest, full features	Costs money + Windows licence
MT4 WebTrader	No install at all	Limited customisation, no EAs

The broker wrapper is the fastest install. Drag the .app file into your Applications folder, double-click to launch.

iOS:

Open the App Store, search “MetaTrader 4”.
Tap Get to install.
On first launch, the app asks you to either log in to an existing account or open a demo.

Android:

Open Google Play Store, search “MetaTrader 4”.
Tap Install.
Same flow as iOS — log in or demo account on first launch.

—

Step 4 — Choose a Server

When MT4 opens for the first time, it prompts you to choose a server — this is the broker server your account is hosted on.

You’ll see options like:

BrokerName-Live01 — live trading server (real money)
BrokerName-Live02 — second live server (used for redundancy)
BrokerName-Demo — demo trading server (paper money)

Pick the server matching your account. If you don’t know which server you’re on, check the welcome email from your broker — it lists the exact server name.

If your broker isn’t in the dropdown, click Scan to refresh the broker list, or type the broker name in the search field at the top.

Tip: Demo and live servers are completely isolated. A demo account login will not work on a live server, and vice versa. Always match the server to the account type.

—

Step 5 — Log In to Your Account

After selecting the server, MT4 shows the login dialog with three fields:

Login — your account number (a 6–8 digit number from your broker email).
Password — the trading password (sometimes called the “main” password). Don’t confuse it with the investor or read-only password.
Server — should already be filled from Step 4. Confirm it matches your account.

Click Login.

If login fails:

“Invalid account”: double-check the login number for typos. Your broker email shows it exactly.
“No connection”: firewall is blocking MT4. Allow terminal.exe through your firewall, then retry.
“Account disabled”: broker has frozen the account (failed verification, dormant, etc.). Contact support.

—

Step 6 — Verify the Connection

A successful login is silent — MT4 doesn’t pop up a “you’re in” message. Instead, watch for these visual confirmations:

Where	What to see
Bottom-right corner	Green ping bars (kb/s data rate) — live data flowing
Market Watch (top-left, Ctrl+M to toggle)	Bid/ask prices updating in real time
Title bar	Shows your account number, balance, and server
Bottom tabs	Trade tab shows account details (Balance, Equity, Margin, Free Margin)

Open any chart (e.g., EUR/USD H1) — you should see candles drawing and the most recent candle ticking in real time.

If any of these are missing, see Troubleshooting Common Issues below.

—

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“No connection” in bottom-right corner

The most common install issue. Causes:

Wrong server selected (Step 4) — confirm against your broker email.
Firewall blocking MT4 — allow terminal.exe through Windows Defender Firewall.
ISP blocks MT4 ports — try a VPN to test, or switch to a 4G mobile hotspot.
Broker server is down — check broker’s status page or social channels.

MT4 installs but won’t launch

Right-click the desktop shortcut → Run as administrator. Some brokers’ wrappers need elevated permissions on first launch only.

Login works but no charts open

Press F10 to open Market Watch, right-click any symbol → Chart Window. New MT4 installs sometimes start with no charts pre-loaded.

“Old version, please update”

MT4 auto-updates on launch. If the update fails, download a fresh installer from your broker’s website and reinstall over the top — your settings are preserved.

System Requirements

Windows desktop:
– Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit recommended)
– 2 GB RAM minimum, 4 GB+ recommended
– 100 MB free disk space (1 GB+ if running EAs)
– Stable internet connection (minimum 2 Mbps)

macOS:
– macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later for native wrappers
– M1/M2 chips supported via Rosetta or Wine
– 4 GB RAM minimum

Mobile (iOS / Android):
– iOS 12+ / Android 7+
– 200 MB free storage
– Mobile or Wi-Fi data connection

Pro Tips After Installation

Open a demo account first — even if you have a live account, demo lets you familiarise yourself with the interface without risking capital. See How to Open MT4 Demo Account.
Save your default template — once you’ve set up indicators and chart preferences, right-click chart → Template > Save Template As “Default”. Every new chart inherits your setup.
Install your custom indicators — now is the time to drop your favourite trend indicators into MT4. See How to Install Custom Indicators on MT4.
Pin MT4 to taskbar — you’ll launch it many times a day. Right-click the taskbar icon while MT4 is running → Pin to Taskbar.
Set up the Mobile app on your phone — receive trade alerts and monitor positions from anywhere. Even if you don’t trade from your phone, the alert capability alone is worth the install.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MetaTrader 4 free to download?

Yes. Every broker that supports MT4 distributes the platform free of charge. There is no licence fee, subscription, or one-time purchase. The broker monetises through spreads, commissions, and swaps on your trades — not through software licensing.

Can I install MT4 on a Mac?

Yes, but not natively. macOS does not run Windows .exe files directly. Most brokers ship a PlayOnMac/Wine wrapper that bundles MT4 with the compatibility layer needed to run on macOS. Alternatives are running Windows in Parallels Desktop or using MT4 WebTrader (browser-based, no install).

Can I install MT4 on multiple computers?

Yes, with the same account credentials. MT4 doesn’t lock to a single device. You can run the same account on your desktop, laptop, and phone simultaneously — useful if you want to monitor positions from your phone while charts run on your desk.

Where do I find my MT4 login details?

Your broker emails them after account approval. The email contains: account number (login), trading password, investor (read-only) password, and server name. If you’ve lost them, log in to your broker’s client portal and request a password reset.

What’s the difference between MT4 and MT5?

MT5 is the newer, more powerful platform from the same company (MetaQuotes). It supports more order types, more timeframes, stocks alongside forex, and a built-in economic calendar. MT4 remains the default in retail forex because of its EA library and entrenched broker support. See MT4 vs MT5 Comparison for the full breakdown.

Do I need a separate MT4 install for each broker?

Yes. Each broker ships a distinct MT4 build pre-configured to connect to their servers only. Installing MT4 from Broker A and trying to log in to Broker B will not work. You can run multiple MT4 instances on the same computer at the same time without conflict.

How big is the MT4 installer?

The desktop installer is typically 2-5 MB — extremely small. Once installed, MT4 grows to about 40-100 MB depending on how much price history is downloaded.

How to Install MetaTrader 4 (MT4) on Windows, Mac & Mobile