How to install MetaTrader 4 and log in to your account

MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is the older MetaQuotes platform that many brokers still offer for forex and CFDs. The software is free; your broker gives you the account and the trade server. To connect you need three details from the broker: your login (account number), your password and the exact server name.

MT4 · Guide 1/3 2 min read · Platform menus checked against official help: October 2026

⚠️ Risk warning: CFDs and leveraged forex are complex instruments with a high risk of losing money rapidly. Most retail accounts lose money. This content is education only, not investment advice or a recommendation.

MT4 login window (drawn mock-up)Login to Trade AccountLogin12345678Password••••••••ServerBroker-DemoSave account informationLogin
MT4 login window (drawn mock-up) — Drawn mock-up for illustration, not a screenshot. Names may differ slightly between versions and brokers.

Install MT4

  1. Download from your broker. Use the MT4 download on your broker's website. It is preconfigured with the broker's servers. Avoid unofficial download sites.
  2. Run the installer. Open the file, accept the licence agreement and follow the Installation Wizard. MT4 opens by itself when it finishes.
  3. Mac or Linux. MetaQuotes provides a macOS installer and a Linux script; both run the Windows platform inside Wine and set it up for you.
  4. Phone. Install “MetaTrader 4” from the App Store or Google Play and check that the publisher is MetaQuotes.

Log in on the desktop platform

  1. Open the login window. Choose File → Login to Trade Account, or right-click an account under “Accounts” in the Navigator window. Double-clicking a saved account also logs in.
  2. Enter login, password and server. Type your Login (account number) and Password, then pick the Server exactly as written in your broker's email: demo and live accounts are usually on different servers.
  3. Save only on your own computer. Tick “Save account information” only on a device you control, then click Login.
  4. Check the connection. The bottom-right corner of the window shows the connection status. Traffic numbers mean you are connected; “No connection” or “Invalid account” means a detail is wrong.

Log in on mobile

  1. Add the account. In the MT4 app open Settings → New Account → Login to an existing account (on Android, Manage accounts → “+”). Search for your broker's server, then enter your login and password.

Open a demo account

  1. From the terminal. Choose File → Open an Account, select the broker's demo server, pick “New demo account” and fill in the form. Many brokers also open demo accounts from their website.
  2. Use a realistic balance. Practise with an amount close to what you would actually deposit, so the lot sizes you learn are the ones you would use.
  3. Live accounts. Real accounts are opened by the broker, not from the terminal.

Common problems

Invalid account
The login, password and server do not match. Check you chose the demo server for a demo account (and live for live), retype the password and ask the broker whether the account is still active.
No connection
Check your internet connection and that the server name matches your broker's email exactly.
Trading buttons greyed out
You may be logged in with the investor (read-only) password, or the market is closed.

Frequently asked questions

Is MT4 still available?

Many brokers still offer MT4 accounts. Some offer only MT5 for new clients, so check what your broker supports before you download anything.

Where do I find my MT4 server name?

In the account email or client area from your broker. Choose it exactly, for example “Broker-Demo” for a demo account.

Can I use one MT4 account on PC and phone?

Yes. Log in with the same login, password and server on each device; positions and history are stored on the broker's server.

Sources (official help pages)