How to Login to MT4: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

How many daily users do you think MetaTrader 4 has? Believe it or not, over 16 million traders use MT4. It’s impressive that a platform launched back in 2005 is still this popular 18 years later. Currently, MT4 (developed by MetaQuotes) is still the top choice for Forex trading. Even though MetaQuotes has stopped providing new updates for MT4 to focus on MetaTrader 5, the older version hasn't lost its charm. The first step to getting started is signing up. But where do you begin? In this post, we’ll walk you through the MetaTrader 4 registration process with a clear, step-by-step visual tutorial.

What is MT4 and Why You Need to Login

MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is the most popular trading platform in the world, providing everything you need for online trading within a single interface. On this platform, you will find a powerful combination of analytical technologies and advanced trading tools that allow traders to implement their desired strategies effectively.

To use the features of this trading tool, you must log in to the platform. Without successful authentication, the platform remains in an isolated state and all analytical capabilities, including the execution of Expert Advisors and custom indicators, remain disabled.  he MT4 authentication system is designed to clearly distinguish between full operational access and monitoring or read-only access. In the table below, the structural differences between access levels when logging into the MetaTrader 4 platform are analyzed.

Next, we will review the prerequisites and the login process for MetaTrader 4. If you’re new to the platform, first learn What is MetaTrader4 and why it matters for traders.

Preparing for MT4 Login (Account and Broker Setup)

Before attempting to log in to MetaTrader 4, the account’s technical infrastructure must be verified and approved by the broker. This preparation includes receiving the three required credentials: the account number, password, and server name. These details are usually provided to the trader via secure email channels or through the broker’s user panel.

MetaQuotes has announced that starting from July 2025, only updated versions of the platform (Build 1440 and above) will be able to connect to trading servers. This decision was made to enhance encryption protocols and close security vulnerabilities present in older versions. Therefore, the first step in preparation is to ensure that the latest version provided by the broker is installed.

After receiving the account details, you are ready to log in to the MT4 platform across different versions. In the following sections, we will review the login process for desktop, mobile, and web versions.  If you’re still deciding which platform suits your trading style, take a moment to compare MT4 vs MT5 and understand the key differences before moving forward.

How to Login to MT4 on Desktop

To achieve maximum stability, the software should be downloaded directly from the broker’s official portal. This ensures that the server configuration files (.srv) are preloaded in the /config directory and that the platform is optimized to recognize the specific infrastructure of that broker. The desktop login process should be followed as outlined below:

1. Open the login window: After launching the application, go to the File menu in the top toolbar and select Login to Trade Account.

2. Enter credentials: Input your numeric account number and master password. Copy-paste should be used with caution, as extra spaces at the beginning or end of the text string are the primary cause of the “Invalid Account” error.

3. Server matching: The selected server must exactly match the one specified in the registration email (such as Broker-Live 2 or Broker-Demo). If the server does not appear in the list, you can manually enter the server IP address provided by the broker’s support team.

4. Session persistence: Enabling the Save account information option stores the credentials in encrypted local files. This is critical for algorithmic traders who require the platform to reconnect automatically after a system restart.

If everything is configured correctly, the connection status indicator in the bottom-right corner of MT4 will turn green, allowing you to view charts and place trades.

How to Login to MT4 on Mobile (iOS and Android)

The mobile version of MT4 is available for both Android and iOS devices. To log in to your account on mobile, follow these steps:

1. Install the MT4 app: Download and install the MetaTrader 4 application from Google Play (Android) or the App Store (iOS).
   

2. Open the accounts section: Launch the MT4 app. Then, from the bottom navigation bar or the side menu (usually indicated by a menu icon or three horizontal lines), tap on Manage Accounts or Accounts and select Login to an existing account.
   

3. Search for your broker: In the search field, enter the name of your broker (for example, the brokerage company name). After searching, a list of servers associated with your broker will appear. Select the appropriate server for your live or demo account.

4. Enter account details: Enter your MT4 account number (Login ID) and password, then tap Sign In or Login.

If the account details and server information are entered correctly, you will be logged into the trading environment within a few moments, and the list of symbols and charts will be displayed.

Note: The process is similar on both iOS and Android. Just make sure you download the application from a trusted source (the official app store) and follow the steps above.

How to Login to MT4 Web Platform

Some brokers offer a web-based version of MT4 (WebTrader). In this case, there is no need to install any software, and you can access your account from any web browser. To use MT4 WebTrader, simply visit your broker’s website and look for a link such as MT4 WebTrader or Login to MT4 Web. Once you open that page, an online MT4 interface will load directly in your browser. Then, as in the previous steps, enter your account number, password, and server to connect.

Due to the nature of browser-based access, it is recommended not to select the Save Password option when using public or shared computers, as this could compromise account security. The web platform is automatically updated with the latest security patches, which eliminates the risks associated with using outdated desktop versions in 2025.

Troubleshooting Common MT4 Login Issues

Failure to log in to MetaTrader 4 is usually accompanied by specific error messages, each indicating a technical issue at a different layer of the connection process.

Incorrect login details (wrong username or password)

The most common login issue is related to incorrect credentials. If you see error messages such as Invalid account, Authorization failed, or No Connection, it is often due to entering the username or password incorrectly. It is recommended to enter the account details exactly as provided by the broker and to be careful when copying and pasting, as extra spaces at the beginning or end of the text are a common cause of these errors.

Forgotten password

The MT4 password is usually the one you selected when registering the account and is not included in the welcome email. If you have forgotten your password, you need to use the password recovery option in your broker’s client area.

Server connection issues

If you receive a No Connection or Invalid account message after entering your account details, the wrong server may have been selected or the correct server may be hidden. First, make sure you have chosen the correct server. Many brokers name their servers based on the account type (Live or Demo). You can select the appropriate server from the list or type its name exactly. For example, if your account is hosted on the Edge03 server, you must enter “Edge03.”

Server not displayed in the server list

If the server does not appear in the list, you can scan for available servers. From the top menu in MT4, select File > Open an Account, then click the Scan button. This will prompt MT4 to search for available servers. Once the correct server (for example, your broker’s name) appears, close the window and try logging in again via Login to Trade Account. In most cases, this resolves server connection issues.

“Invalid account” or “No Connection” errors

If you still see Invalid account or No Connection errors after following the steps above, the account details or server information may not be correctly entered. Double-check whether you are logging into a live or demo account and ensure the server name matches accordingly. Also note that some brokers operate multiple servers (for example, XM.com and XMTrading), so make sure you have selected the correct one.

If none of the above solutions resolve the issue, contact your broker’s support team to verify the status of your account.

Security Tips for MT4 Login

Security in MetaTrader 4 goes beyond a simple password. Given the high value of assets under management, traders should adopt multi-layered defense mechanisms.

Layer One: Password Management and Investor Password

Using the Investor Password is one of the smartest features of MT4. This password allows a third party, such as a trading mentor or a performance evaluation firm, to monitor account activity without the risk of placing unauthorized trades. Periodically changing both the master password and the investor password, especially after sharing access, is considered a standard security practice.

Layer Two: Two-Factor Authentication (OTP)

The OTP process in MetaTrader 4 is based on Time-Based One-Time Passwords (TOTP). In this model, the MT4 mobile application acts as a code generator. Once the account is paired, the desktop platform requests a code at each login, which is valid for only 30 seconds. This method is highly resistant to phishing and keylogging attacks, because even if a hacker obtains the master password, they cannot access the account without physical access to the trader’s mobile device.

Layer Three: Security in VPS Environments

For traders who use Virtual Private Servers (VPS), login security becomes even more critical.

• Hardening: Restricting Remote Desktop (RDP) access to specific IP addresses and changing the default port 3389 to a non-standard port are essential steps in preventing brute-force attacks.

• Encryption: Using strong, complex passwords (including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols) for both the Windows server account and MetaTrader itself is mandatory.

These measures help ensure that you can use the MT4 platform with confidence, without concerns about account security.

conclusion

In this article, we walked step by step through how to log in to MetaTrader 4 (MT4). Finally, if you trade seriously on MT4 or use Expert Advisors and trading robots, there is one important point you should not overlook: connection stability and speed. This is where using an MT4 VPS Hosting service can provide a real advantage. With an MT4-dedicated VPS starting from 1 Gbit, your trading platform stays online 24/7, personal internet outages or system shutdowns do not affect your trades, and automated trading is executed with much lower latency. This means greater control, lower risk, and peace of mind while trading.