Trading Alerts
Set custom price and indicator alerts in MetaTrader 4 and receive notifications on desktop, mobile, or email — so you never miss a key market move.
What Are Trading Alerts?
Trading alerts are automated notifications that fire when a pre-set condition is met — such as a price reaching a specific level, a technical indicator crossing a threshold, or a time condition being triggered.
In MetaTrader 4, alerts are a built-in feature available on all platforms: desktop, WebTrader, iOS, and Android. They allow you to step away from your screens while staying informed about critical market levels.
Alerts are purely informational — they do not automatically execute trades. For automated trade execution, you would use an Expert Advisor (EA).
Types of Trading Alerts
MetaTrader 4 supports several types of alert conditions to suit different monitoring needs.
Price Level Alerts
Trigger a notification when an instrument's price reaches a specific bid or ask level. Ideal for monitoring key support, resistance, and breakout levels.
Indicator Alerts
Alerts based on technical indicator conditions — for example an MA cross or an RSI level. Note: this requires an indicator with a built-in alert function or a custom indicator/EA; native MT4 alerts cover price and time conditions.
Time-Based Alerts
Configure alerts to fire at a specific time — useful for reminding you of upcoming economic events or scheduled trading sessions.
Margin Level Alerts
MT4 automatically warns you when a margin call occurs at the broker's set level. Custom margin-level alerts at your own chosen percentage require an Expert Advisor or custom monitoring tool.
How Alerts Are Delivered
MT4 Desktop Popup
An on-screen popup appears in your MT4 desktop terminal when the alert condition is met. Available whenever MT4 is open and running.
Mobile Push Notification
Receive a push notification on your iPhone or Android device via the MT4 mobile app — even when your computer is off.
Email Notification
MT4 can send an email when an alert fires. Configure your email address in MT4 → Tools → Options → Email.
Platform Sound Alert
Play a custom sound in MT4 when an alert triggers — useful for traders who are actively at their computer but monitoring other work.
How to Set Up Alerts in MT4
Desktop (Windows)
- 1Open MetaTrader 4 and press Ctrl+T to open the Terminal window.
- 2Select the Alerts tab, right-click inside it and choose 'Create'.
- 3Choose the symbol, condition (Bid >, Bid <, Ask >, Ask <, or Time =) and the trigger value.
- 4Set the action — Sound, File, Mail, or Notification (mobile push) — and click OK.
- 5Manage, edit, disable or delete alerts at any time from the same Alerts tab.
Mobile (iOS/Android)
- 1Install the MT4 mobile app and find your MetaQuotes ID under Settings → Chat and Messages (iOS) or Settings → Messages (Android).
- 2In MT4 desktop, go to Tools → Options → Notifications and tick 'Enable Push Notifications'.
- 3Enter your MetaQuotes ID and click 'Test' to confirm delivery to your phone.
- 4Create an alert in the desktop Alerts tab and set its action to 'Notification'.
- 5Keep the desktop terminal running (or use a VPS) — alerts trigger in the desktop terminal and are pushed to your phone.
Practical Alert Strategies
Breakout Monitoring
Set price alerts at key support and resistance levels. When price approaches or breaks through a level, receive an alert to assess whether to enter, exit, or adjust a position.
News Event Preparation
Set a time alert before a major economic release to remind yourself to review your open positions, adjust stop losses, or stand aside during high-volatility periods.
Risk Management Monitoring
Configure margin level alerts to notify you before your account reaches the margin call level, giving you time to add funds or reduce position size.
Re-entry Setups
After missing an entry, set a price alert at your preferred entry level. When price returns, you receive a notification to reassess whether the setup is still valid.
Trading alerts are a tool to help you monitor markets — they do not remove trading risk. Always apply appropriate risk management.
Trading Alerts FAQs
Common questions about setting up and using trading alerts in MetaTrader 4.
Start Using Trading Alerts
Open an account and access the full MT4 alert system at no extra cost.
Trading involves risk. Read our Risk Disclosures before trading.