# How to Connect Your MT5 Account to Trader Journal

> Step-by-step guide to connecting a MetaTrader 5 account to Trader Journal. Includes hedging and netting account notes.

**Tags:** mt5, setup, expert-advisor, connection
**URL:** https://traderjournal.app/app-guide/connect-mt5-account-trader-journal

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# How to Connect Your MT5 Account to Trader Journal

MT5 connection works similarly to MT4 but uses a different EA file and has a few MT5-specific settings worth knowing about. Here is the complete process.

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## Step 1 - Add the MT5 Account in the App

Open Trader Journal. Go to Accounts > Add Account. Select MT5 as the platform.

Enter your broker name, server name, account number, currency, and initial balance. Tap Save and copy the API key that appears.

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## Step 2 - Download and Install the MT5 EA

From the account setup walkthrough in the app, download the MT5 EA file (.ex5 format).

In MetaTrader 5:

1. Go to File > Open Data Folder
2. Navigate to MQL5 > Experts
3. Copy the .ex5 file into this folder
4. In MT5, press Ctrl+R to open Navigator, then right-click Expert Advisors and select Refresh

The EA appears in the Expert Advisors list.

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## Step 3 - Attach and Configure

Drag the EA onto any chart. In the settings dialog under Inputs:

- **ApiUrl** - from the app's setup walkthrough
- **ApiKey** - the key you copied in Step 1
- **PushIntervalSec** - 30

MT5 also uses OnTradeTransaction, which means the EA fires a sync immediately when a trade closes, in addition to the regular polling interval. You do not need to configure this - it is built into the EA.

Click OK.

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## Step 4 - Enable Algo Trading and WebRequest

In MT5: Tools > Options > Expert Advisors. Check "Allow automated trading" and add the API URL to the WebRequest allowed list.

Also make sure the MT5 toolbar shows "Algo Trading" is active (green icon). If it shows red, click it to enable.

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## Hedging vs Netting Accounts

MT5 supports two account types:

- **Hedging** - you can hold multiple positions in the same symbol simultaneously. Works similarly to MT4.
- **Netting** - one position per symbol at a time. Opening a reverse position reduces or closes the existing one.

Trader Journal handles both account types. The EA detects your account type automatically. You do not need to configure this.

If you trade a netting account, positions that partially close due to a new order in the opposite direction are handled correctly by the server-side processing.

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## Verifying the Connection

Open the MT5 Toolbox (Ctrl+T), go to the Experts tab. Look for log lines showing successful pushes.

In the app, pull to refresh on Dashboard. Your balance should appear within 30 seconds of the first successful push.

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If you have both MT4 and MT5 accounts, each connects separately with its own EA and API key. The account switcher in the app handles multiple accounts from the same interface.