# Getting Started With Trader Journal for MT4 & MT5

> Everything you need to get Trader Journal running with your MT4 or MT5 account. From download to your first synced trade in under 10 minutes.

**Tags:** trader-journal, getting-started, setup, mt4, mt5
**URL:** https://traderjournal.app/app-guide/getting-started-trader-journal

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# Getting Started With Trader Journal for MT4 & MT5

Trader Journal is a trade journaling app built specifically for MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 traders. It connects to your trading terminal via an Expert Advisor and syncs closed trades automatically, so there is no manual data entry involved.

This guide walks you through the complete setup from download to your first synced trade.

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## Step 1 - Download the App

**Android:** android.traderjournal.app

**iOS:** ios.traderjournal.app

Install the app on your phone. When you open it for the first time, you are signed in automatically using an anonymous ID. No email or social login is required.

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## Step 2 - Add Your Trading Account

Tap the Accounts tab at the bottom of the app. Tap the plus button to add a new account.

Fill in the following details:

- **Account name** - any label you want, like "IC Markets Live" or "Demo EURUSD"
- **Platform** - select MT4 or MT5
- **Broker** - your broker's name
- **Server** - your MT4/MT5 server name (visible in your terminal's login screen)
- **Login** - your MT4/MT5 account number
- **Currency** - your account base currency
- **Initial balance** - your starting balance (used for drawdown calculation)

Tap Save. The app will generate a unique API key for this account.

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## Step 3 - Copy Your API Key

After saving, the app shows your API key one time. Copy it now. You will need it in the next step when setting up the Expert Advisor.

If you miss it, you can reveal it again from Account Settings, or rotate it to get a new one.

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## Step 4 - Install the Expert Advisor

The Expert Advisor (EA) is the script that runs inside your MetaTrader terminal and pushes trade data to the app.

Download the EA file from the app's account setup walkthrough screen. There are two versions: one for MT4 (.mql4 / .ex4) and one for MT5 (.mq5 / .ex5).

Copy the file into your terminal's Experts folder:

- On Windows: `C:/Users/YourName/AppData/Roaming/MetaQuotes/Terminal/[TerminalID]/MQL4/Experts/`
- Or from inside MT4: File > Open Data Folder > MQL4 > Experts

Restart MetaTrader, or press F5 in the Navigator panel to refresh.

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## Step 5 - Configure the EA

In MetaTrader, find the Trader Journal EA in the Navigator panel under Expert Advisors. Drag it onto any chart.

In the settings dialog:

- **ApiUrl** - the sync endpoint shown in the app (pre-filled in the walkthrough)
- **ApiKey** - paste the API key you copied in Step 3
- **PushIntervalSec** - leave at 30 (pushes every 30 seconds)

Click OK.

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## Step 6 - Enable WebRequest

MetaTrader restricts which URLs EAs can make HTTP requests to. You need to whitelist the Trader Journal endpoint.

In MT4: Tools > Options > Expert Advisors tab > Allow WebRequest for listed URL, then add the API endpoint shown in the app.

In MT5: Tools > Options > Expert Advisors > Allow algorithmic trading, then add the URL.

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## Step 7 - Verify the Sync

Back in the app, pull down to refresh on the Dashboard tab. If the EA is running correctly, your account balance and any recent closed trades will appear within 30 seconds of the next push cycle.

The EA icon in the top-right corner of the MT4 chart should show a smiley face, indicating it is running without errors.

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## What Happens Next

From this point, the journal runs automatically. Every time you close a trade in MT4 or MT5, it appears in your Trader Journal app within 30 seconds. Open positions sync on the same interval and are visible in the Open Positions tab.

You can add notes, tags, screenshots, and ratings to each trade from the trade detail page. The Dashboard and Reports tabs update automatically as data accumulates.

For multi-account setup, repeat steps 2-6 for each additional MT4/MT5 account. Switch between accounts using the dropdown at the top of the Dashboard.