Smartphones now drive more than half of global retail‑FX order flow, and MetaTrader’s mobile apps make it easy to glance at charts or tap out trades from the train. After a short removal, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) returned to Apple’s App Store in March 2023—restoring full iPhone access for millions of traders.
But the apps still have one glaring limitation: they can’t host Expert Advisors (EAs) or copy‑trade bridges. The workaround is to keep your robots and trade‑copy software running 24/5 on a low‑latency Forex VPS, then monitor or intervene from your phone whenever you like. This guide shows you exactly how.
Table of Contents
Installing MetaTrader on iPhone & Android
| Platform | MT4 Link | MT5 Link |
|---|---|---|
| iOS / iPadOS | MetaTrader 4 — App Store | MetaTrader 5 — App Store |
| Android | MetaTrader 4 — Google Play | MetaTrader 5 — Google Play |
- Open the official listing for your platform.
- Verify prerequisites
• iOS / iPadOS 15+ (80 MB free)
• Android 8.0+ (MT4) / 11+ (MT5) with 200 MB free
• Stable Wi-Fi or 4G/5G — ideally < 150 ms ping to your broker. - Install & launch. Grant network permissions; location is optional.
Tip — Dual-App Setup: You can install MT4 and MT5 side-by-side if your brokers support both builds.
First-Time Login & Broker Server Selection
- Tap
＋ → Login to Existing Account. - Search your broker name exactly
(e.g., “ICMarkets-SC-Live02”).
A common error is picking Demo servers by mistake. - Enter your account number and password, then toggle
“Save Password” if you want one-tap entry
(Face ID / Fingerprint secures the app).
Stuck on “Connecting…”? Verify you chose the correct server suffix and that your broker isn’t undergoing maintenance.
Mobile vs Desktop: Feature Gaps That Can Cost You
| Desktop MT4/5 | Mobile MT4/5 |
|---|---|
| Unlimited custom indicators & EAs | No EAs, no DLLs |
| Full Market Watch & Depth-of-Market | Limited symbols, no DOM |
| Tick-by-tick history (if stored) | Shorter chart history |
| VPS plug-in support | N/A |
| Hotkeys, templates, scripts | None |
Mobile MetaTrader is perfect for monitoring, quick entries, and push alerts — but
automated strategies and latency-sensitive execution still belong on a server-grade Windows environment.
Why Pair Mobile MT4/5 With a Forex VPS
A Forex VPS is a Windows virtual server sitting in the same data-centre
as major liquidity hubs (NY4, LD4, TY3). Keep MT4/5 running there 24/5; your phone
becomes a lightweight command centre.
Key Benefits
- 24/5 Uptime for EAs & Copy-Trade Tools — Robots keep trading even when you lose signal.
- < 1 ms Execution — Orders hit the broker’s matching engine faster than home or mobile Internet.
- Remote Desktop Access From Any Device — iPhone, iPad, Android, Chromebook.
- Firewall Isolation & ISO 27001 Hosting — Critical for prop-firm and institutional compliance.
Need proof? Try our low-latency Forex VPS plans or check your broker latency right now.
Step-by-Step: Access Your VPS From a Phone
iPhone / iPad (iOS 17)
- Install the free Windows App Mobile RDP client from the App Store.
- Add PC:
＋ → Add PC→ enter your VPS IP (e.g.,45.43.5.146). - Credentials: user
Administrator, password from your welcome email. - Save & Launch. Swipe down for the on-screen keyboard; pinch to zoom.
Android (Android 13-14)
- Install Microsoft Remote Desktop (RD Client) from Google Play.
＋ → Desktop→ enter VPS IP & credentials.- Leave “Gateway” as None; keep the default port
3389. - Save and tap the tile to connect.
Latency Tip: Pick Touch mode (not Mouse) and keep resolution at
1280×720to save data.
Best Practices for Seamless Mobile Trading
- Sync Push Alerts — Configure MT4/5 on the VPS to forward alerts to your MetaQuotes ID.
- Schedule Windows Updates outside market hours (23:00–00:00 UTC) to avoid NFP-day restarts.
- Enable Two-Factor Auth on both your broker and VPS logins.
- Reduce RDP Bandwidth by disabling desktop background & animations in the RDP-client settings.
Troubleshooting Checklist
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “No Connection” (mobile) | Poor 4G/5G signal | Switch to Wi-Fi or a stronger network |
| “Invalid Account” | Wrong server or password | Re-enter credentials; verify server suffix |
| RDP Drops | Mobile OS kills background apps | Enable “Stay Connected” in RD Client settings |
| EA Not Trading | EA disabled after MT crash | Log into VPS, enable AutoTrading, check logs |
Final Thoughts
Mobile trading is here to stay, but an always-on Forex VPS gives you the edge:
robots run 24/5, copy-trade bridges never sleep, and you still enjoy fingertip control
from your phone.
Ready to try it? Spin up a VPS in the same building as your broker, running 24/7 and feel the difference for yourself.
Happy trading — see you in the low-latency lane!
