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How to Connect MetaTrader 4 to IG in the UK

Updated 14 July 2026 · 7 min read · PipTax education

If you want to connect MetaTrader 4 to IG, the good news is that the process is straightforward once you know where IG's server details live and what to check before you fund the account. This guide walks through the whole workflow — from opening the right account type to logging in on desktop or mobile — plus a few UK-specific things worth confirming before you trade with real money.

Why traders connect MetaTrader 4 to IG

IG is one of the UK's longest-established brokers and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which matters if you want protections like segregated client funds and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. IG built its own proprietary platform, but it also offers MetaTrader 4 for traders who prefer MT4's charting tools, custom indicators, and — most importantly for many — the ability to run Expert Advisors (EAs).

Common reasons traders pick MT4 over IG's native platform:

• EA and algo support — IG's own platform doesn't run MT4-format EAs.
• Familiarity — many traders have built years of chart templates, indicator libraries, and muscle memory in MT4.
• Third-party tools — copy-trading services, VPS setups, and custom scripts are often built specifically for MetaTrader.
• Consistency across brokers — if you also trade with another MT4 broker (Pepperstone, for example), keeping everything in one platform simplifies your workflow.

Whatever your reason, confirm on IG's own site that MT4 is available for the specific account type you're opening, since platform availability and account structures can change. Then use PipTax's [broker pages](/brokers/index.html) and [cost tool](/audit.html) to sanity-check the all-in cost of trading before you commit.

Step 1: Open the right IG account type

Before touching MetaTrader, you need an IG trading account that supports MT4:

1. Apply via IG's website and complete identity verification (standard FCA-mandated KYC). 2. Confirm with IG — either in the account dashboard or via their support team — that the account you've opened is MT4-compatible, since not all IG account types necessarily support it. 3. Note your account number and set your MT4 password during setup; you'll need both to log in. 4. Fund the account through IG's standard deposit methods once you're ready to trade live.

If you're opening a demo first (sensible for testing the connection and your own settings), IG will issue demo login credentials the same way — separate from any live account details.

Step 2: Download and install MetaTrader 4

MT4 is free and available in a few forms:

• Desktop — Windows application, the most common choice for EA use and multi-chart layouts.
• Mobile app — iOS and Android, useful for monitoring and simple order management.
• WebTrader — browser-based, no install needed, handy on a locked-down work PC.

You can download MT4 either from IG's own client area (which often pre-fills the correct server) or from the general MetaQuotes/MetaTrader download page. If you go the generic route, you'll need to manually add IG's server in the next step.

Step 3: Find IG's MT4 server details

This is the step people get stuck on. To connect MetaTrader 4 to IG, you need the correct server name, not just your login and password. Server details are typically shown:

• In the welcome email sent when your MT4-enabled account was approved.
• Inside IG's client portal, under platform or account details.
• Directly within MT4 itself, if you download the platform via IG's client area link (it's often pre-configured).

Because server naming conventions can change over time, always confirm the current server string on IG's own site rather than relying on old screenshots or forum posts — an outdated server name is the single most common reason a login fails.

Step 4: Log in and check your connection

Once MT4 is installed:

1. Open MT4 and go to File > Login to Trade Account. 2. Enter your account number, password, and select IG's server from the list (or type it manually if it's not pre-loaded). 3. Click Login. A successful connection shows live prices ticking in the Market Watch window. 4. Check the bottom-right corner of the terminal — it should show a signal/connection icon rather than a "no connection" cross.

If login fails, double-check:

• You're using the MT4 password, not your IG web platform password (they can differ).
• The server name matches exactly what IG issued.
• Your firewall or antivirus isn't blocking MT4's outbound connection.

Confirming costs and conditions before you trade live

Connecting the platform is only half the job — before risking real capital, verify the trading conditions that actually affect your returns:

| What to check | Why it matters | |---|---| | Spreads and commission structure | Directly affects cost per trade | | Leverage | FCA caps retail leverage at 30:1 on major FX pairs | | Swap/rollover rates | Matters for positions held overnight | | Execution model | Market vs instant execution affects slippage on EAs | | EA/algo permissions | Some account types restrict automated trading |

Never assume specific numbers from a blog post or forum — spreads, commissions, and swaps change and vary by account type. Run your own numbers through PipTax's [cost tool](/audit.html), and check IG's entry alongside comparable MT4 brokers like Pepperstone on our [brokers page](/brokers/index.html) so you're comparing like-for-like FCA-regulated options.

Common connection problems and quick fixes

A short troubleshooting checklist if things aren't working:

• "Invalid account" error — you may be using a demo login on the live server, or vice versa; check which account type you're logging into.
• Server not listed in MT4 — add it manually via File > Login to Trade Account > Server > Scan/Add new, using the exact string from IG.
• Prices frozen or greyed out — usually a connectivity issue; check your internet connection and restart the terminal.
• EA won't trade — confirm "AutoTrading" is enabled (top toolbar button) and that your account permits automated trading.
• Password rejected repeatedly — request a password reset through IG's client portal rather than guessing, to avoid account lockouts.

Final check before going live

Once you've managed to connect MetaTrader 4 to IG and confirmed the login is stable, don't skip the groundwork: test on demo first, confirm current spreads and swaps through IG's own disclosures and PipTax's [cost tool](/audit.html), and read up on execution basics in our [trading school](/school/index.html) if MT4's order types are new to you. Trading forex carries real risk of loss, and leverage — even capped at 30:1 under FCA rules — magnifies both gains and losses, so treat the platform connection as step one, not the finish line.

Keep going: Audit Index Index