Summary: Based on 2025-2026 search data, this tutorial covers the most requested MT4/MT5 topics: opening a demo account, placing trades, setting stop-loss, installing EAs, and understanding margin systems.




Based on search trend analysis from 2025 to 2026, these are the most frequently searched MT4/MT5 tutorial topics among both beginner and intermediate traders.

1. Opening a Demo Account and First-Time Login

Problem: New users don't know how to start trading without risking real money.

Step-by-Step:
  • Launch MT4/MT5 and click <strong>File > Open an Account</strong>.

  • Select your broker from the server list (or manually enter the server IP if the list is empty) .

  • Choose "New Demo Account" and fill in your personal details.

  • The platform will automatically generate a login ID, password, and server name. Save these credentials.

  • Click <strong>File > Login to Trade Account</strong>, enter your credentials, and click Login .

  • Reference: Hmarkets Help Center (2025)


    • 2. Placing Your First Trade: Market Order

    Steps:
  • In the <strong>Market Watch</strong> panel (Ctrl+M), right-click a symbol like XAUUSD or EURUSD and select <strong>Chart Window</strong> .

  • Press <strong>F9</strong> or click the <strong>New Order</strong> button on the toolbar.

  • Set your <strong>Volume</strong> (lot size). Beginners: start with 0.01 lots .

  • (Recommended) Set Stop Loss and Take Profit levels directly in the order window .

  • Click <strong>Buy</strong> (if you expect prices to rise) or <strong>Sell</strong> (if you expect prices to fall).

  • Your open position appears in the <strong>Terminal</strong> window (Ctrl+T) under the Trade tab.

  • Reference: TIOmarkets User Guide (2026)


    • 3. Setting Stop Loss and Take Profit

    Why: These automatic orders protect your capital and lock in profits without constant monitoring .

    Two Methods:
  • During order placement: Enter the price levels in the Stop Loss and Take Profit fields.

  • After opening a trade: In the Terminal window > Trade tab, right-click the open position > Modify or Delete Order > adjust the levels > click Modify.


    • Pro Tip: A common strategy is maintaining a 1:2 risk-to-reward ratio (potential profit double your potential loss) .
  • Reference: TIOmarkets (2026)


    • 4. Installing Your First Expert Advisor (EA)

    Most Searched: "How to put EA on MT4"

    Steps:
  • In MT4, click <strong>File > Open Data Folder</strong>.

  • Navigate to <strong>MQL4 > Experts</strong> (for MT5: MQL5 > Experts).

  • Copy your EA's .ex4 or .ex5 file into this folder.

  • If the EA requires DLL files, copy them into the <strong>MQL4/Libraries</strong> folder.

  • Restart MT4/MT5 or right-click the <strong>Navigator</strong> panel (Ctrl+N) and select <strong>Refresh</strong>.

  • Drag the EA from Navigator onto any chart.

  • In the popup window, go to the <strong>Common</strong> tab and check <strong>"Allow DLL imports"</strong> (if needed) and <strong>"Allow live trading"</strong>.

  • Click OK. The EA's smiley face icon in the chart corner confirms it's running.

  • Reference: MetaQuotes Help Desk


    • 5. Understanding Margin Call and Stop Out

    Most Searched: "What is margin level in MT4"

    Definitions:
  • Margin Call (100% margin level): The platform warns you that your equity is low. You cannot open new positions .

  • Stop Out (20% margin level): The platform automatically closes your losing positions to prevent negative balance .


    • Formula: Margin Level (%) = (Equity ÷ Used Margin) × 100

    How to monitor: The Terminal window shows your Balance, Equity, Margin, and Free Margin in real-time.
  • Reference: Hmarkets Trading FAQ


    • 6. MT4 vs MT5: Which One Should You Use? (2026 Update)

    Key Differences:
    | Feature | MT4 | MT5 |
    |---------|-----|-----|
    | Focus | Forex-focused | Multi-asset (forex, stocks, futures, commodities) |
    | Timeframes | 9 standard timeframes | 21 timeframes (adds M2, M10, H2, H12, etc.) |
    | Pending Orders | 4 types | 6 types (adds Buy Stop Limit, Sell Stop Limit) |
    | Backtesting | Single-threaded (slower) | Multi-threaded (much faster) |
    | Economic Calendar | Not built-in | Built-in calendar with impact levels |
    | Architecture | 32-bit | 64-bit multi-threaded |

    Recommendation for 2026: MT5 is the future. MetaQuotes has stopped major updates for MT4 and focuses entirely on MT5 development . However, if you have existing MT4 EAs that work perfectly, there's no rush to migrate.

    7. Mobile Trading: Adding Instruments on MT4/MT5 App

    Most Searched: "How to add forex pairs on MT4 mobile"

    Android:
  • Open the MT4/MT5 app and go to the <strong>Quotes</strong> tab.

  • Tap the <strong>+</strong> (plus) icon in the top-right corner.

  • Browse or search for the symbol you want.

  • Tap the symbol to add it to your list .


    • iOS:
  • Go to the <strong>Quotes</strong> tab.

  • Tap the <strong>search bar</strong> at the top.

  • Type the symbol name (e.g., XAUUSD).

  • Tap the <strong>+</strong> next to the symbol to add it .


    • 8. Server Search Empty? Fix for China Users (2026)

    This has been a recurring issue in 2025-2026, affecting China-based users when searching for broker servers .

    Solution:
  • Update MT4/MT5 to the latest version (currently build 1470+ on iOS).

  • Use a stable network connection during the first login attempt.

  • Manually enter the server IP if you have it: File > Login to Trade Account > Enter the server address manually.

  • Once logged in, the server address is cached. Future logins will work normally even without special network configurations .


    • Why it happens: The server list node is periodically restricted. Existing users with cached server addresses are unaffected.
  • Reference: Industry reports (June 2025, February 2026)


    • 9. How to Switch Between Timeframes

    Most Searched: "MT4 change time frame shortcut"

    Methods:
  • Toolbar: Click the time period buttons (M1, M5, M15, M30, H1, H4, D1, W1, MN).

  • Right-click on chart: Select Timeframes then choose your period.

  • Keyboard shortcuts (default):

    • - Ctrl+1: 1 minute
    - Ctrl+5: 5 minutes
    - Ctrl+6: 1 hour
    - Ctrl+7: 4 hours
    - Ctrl+8: Daily

    Beginner tip: Use H1 (1 hour) to identify the trend, then switch to M15 (15 minutes) to find entry points .

    10. Saving and Applying Chart Templates

    Steps to save a template:
  • Set up your chart with your preferred indicators, colors, and timeframes.

  • Right-click on the chart > <strong>Template > Save Template</strong>.

  • Name your template and save.


    • To apply a saved template to another chart:
  • Open the target chart.

  • Right-click > <strong>Template > Load Template</strong>.

  • Select your saved template.


    • References:
  • MetaQuotes Help Desk (2025)

  • Community search data (MQL5, Hmarkets, TIOmarkets, EBC, 2025-2026)