By default macOS does not allow the user to run multiple sessions of the same application. The following workaround can overcome this limitation in case you need to run the Trader Workstation for more than one user.
In case running different versions of the TWS is suitable to your needs, please follow the instructions on Procedure 1
In case you need multiple sessions of the same TWS version, please follow the instructions on Procedure 2
1) Open the web page ibkr.com
2) Navigate to the menu Technology > TWS Software.
3) First download and install one of the auto-updating TWS versions (TWS LATEST or TWS according to your preference).
4) Once you have completed the installation, download and install one of the offline versions (OFFLINE TWS LATEST or OFFLINE TWS according to your preference).
5) You will then see on your Desktop two different Trader Workstation icons. You can use the first shortcut to start the first TWS session and the second one to start the additional one (see Figure 1.). Note: the link containing the version number in the name is the OFFLINE version. This will be a version that needs periodical manual updates.
Figure 1.
1) Launch the first session of the Trader Workstation using the TWS icon present on your Desktop. If you still do not have any Trader Workstation icon, please go to the web page ibkr.com and click on the menu Technology > TWS Software. Then download and install one of the TWS versions displayed.
2) Open the Finder and click on Applications on the left side menu. Then select Utilities and then launch Terminal (see Figure 2.).
Figure 2.
3) The Terminal will appear on the screen and will point to the home folder of your current macOS user. Then enter the commands listed below (see Figure 3.) on your Terminal. After each one, press ENTER on your keyboard.
cd Applications
cd Trader\ Workstation
open -n Trader\ Workstation.app
Figure 3.
4) The login window for your second TWS session will then appear on your Desktop. You can now close the Terminal.
Note: the procedure above presumes that the TWS executable is located in the following path: users/yourusername/home/Applications/Trader Workstation/Trader Workstation.app
If at the time you installed the TWS, you selected to install it for all the users of your system, then the TWS executable will be located here:
/Applications/Trader Workstation/Trader Workstation.app
and therefore you would need to issue the following commands in the Terminal:
cd /Applications
open -n Trader\ Workstation.app
Insight into completing the new Non-Professional Questionnaire.
The NYSE and most US exchanges require vendors to positively confirm the market data status of each customer before allowing them to receive market data. Going forward, the Non-Professional Questionnaire will be used to identify and positively confirm the market data status of all customer subscribers. As per exchange requirements, without positively identifying customers as non-professional, the default market data status will be professional. The process will protect and maintain the correct market data status for all new subscribers. For a short guide on non-professional definitions, please see https://ibkr.info/article/2369.
Each question on the questionnaire must be answered in order to have a non-professional designation. As exchanges require positive confirmations of proof for non-professional designations, an incomplete or unclear Non-Professional Questionnaire will result in a Professional designation until the status can be confirmed.
If the status should change, please contact the helpdesk.
Explanation of questions:
a) Do you receive financial information (including news or price data concerning securities, commodities and other financial instruments) for your business or any other commercial entity?
Explanation: Are you receiving and using the market data for use on behalf of a company or other organization aside from using the data on this account for personal use?
b) Are you conducting trading of any securities, commodities or forex for the benefit of a corporation, partnership, professional trust, professional investment club or other entity?
Explanation: Are you trading for yourself only or are you trading on behalf of an organization (Ltd, LLC, GmbH, Co., LLP, Corp.)?
c) Have you entered into any agreement to (a) share the profit of your trading activities or (b) receive compensation for your trading activities?
Explanation: Are you being compensated to trade or are you sharing profits from your trading activities with a third party entity or individual?
d) Are you receiving office space, and equipment or other benefits in exchange for your trading or work as a financial consultant to any person, firm or business entity?
Explanation: Are you being compensated in any way for your trading activity by a third party, not necessarily by being paid in currency.
a) Are you currently acting in any capacity as an investment adviser or broker dealer?
Explanation: Are you being compensated to manage third party assets or compensated to advise others on how to manage their assets?
b) Are you engaged as an asset manager for securities, commodities or forex?
Explanation: Are you being compensated to manage securities, commodities, or forex?
c) Are you currently using this financial information in a business capacity or for managing your employer’s or company’s assets?
Explanation: Are you using data at all for a commercial purposes specifically to manage your employer and/or company assets?
d) Are you using the capital of any other individual or entity in the conduct of your trading?
Explanation: Are there assets of any other entity in your account other than your own?
a) Are you distributing, redistributing, publishing, making available or otherwise providing any financial information from the service to any third party in any manner?
Explanation: Are you sending any data you receive from us to another party in any way, shape, or form?
a) Are you currently registered or qualified as a professional securities trader with any security agency, or with any commodities or futures contract market or investment adviser with any national or state exchange, regulatory authority, professional association or recognized professional body? i, ii
YES☐ NO☐
i) Examples of Regulatory bodies include, but are not limited to,
ii) Examples of Self-Regulatory Organization (SROs) include, but are not limited to:
NOTE: If you have already agreed to the API License Agreement please start at Step 3 below.
Instructions
$ cd ~/Downloads
$ ls
Note: IB only offers API Version 9.72+. In the event you already have an existing legacy version and need to install it, please refer to the directions below:
The TWS layout settings can be saved on a USB or Network Drive, in order to import them from the same or from a different computer / TWS session. This article outlines the needed steps.
Please click one of the links below, according to your scenario:
B. I want to save my TWS settings on a USB or Network Drive and import them to a session with a different user
A. I want to save my TWS settings on a USB or Network Drive and import them to a session with the same user
1. Log in the Trader Workstation with the user whose layout settings you would like to export.
2. Click the top menu File > Layout Settings > Save Settings As...
3. Expand the Look In drop-down and select where you want to save the file (e.g. USB or Network Drive). Use a file name which would be easy to identify (e.g. migrate) and click Save. The file will be saved with the extension '.xml'.
4. Proceed with the workflow, starting with step 5 in the following section.
B. I want to save my TWS settings on a USB or Network Drive and import them to a session with a different user
1. Log in the Trader Workstation with the user whose layout settings you would like to export.
2. Click the top menu File > Layout Settings > Save Decrypted Settings As...
3. Take notice of the information about the file format and click Yes.
4. Expand the Look In drop-down and select where you want to save the file (e.g. USB or Network Drive). Use a file name which would be easy to identify (e.g. migrate) and click Save. The file will be saved with the extension '.xml'.
5. Close the TWS and log in again with the user which should import the layout (that can be a different computer).
6. Connect the USB or Network Drive to the computer.
7. Click on the top menu File > Layout Settings > Layout/Settings Recovery...
8. Select Custom... and click OK
9. Expand the Look In drop-down and select the drive where you previously saved the TWS settings file (e.g. USB or Network Drive). Select the settings file (e.g. migrate.xml) and click Open.
10. Click Open without reporting problem
11. Your TWS will automatically restart, applying the new layout settings.
Related articles
See KB3146 for instructions on overcoming the "Downloading settings from server failed" error
See KB2320 for instructions on transferring settings from one user to another
See KB2282 for instructions on how to transfer settings from one computer to another
Trader Workstation (TWS) layout settings files contains few sensitive details that are now being protected by encrypting them. Hence, you can only transfer your TWS settings from one user to another if you have a decrypted settings file from the primary user.
In this article, we will explain how to export your current TWS layout settings in decrypted format and load it on a different TWS session. You can use the same procedure to export layout settings of your Paper (Simulated) TWS and load it on your Live TWS (and vice versa).
Please follow the below steps to transfer your TWS layout settings from one user to another:
1. Log in to TWS with the user whose settings you would like to export
2. Navigate to the top menu File followed by Layout Settings > Save Decrypted Settings As...
3. Click Yes on the warning pop up
4. Open the Look In drop-down and select the folder (e.g. Desktop) where you want the decrypted settings file to be saved
5. Choose a name of your preference (e.g., migrate) and click Save. A pop-up will flash to inform you that the file has been written
6. Restart the TWS. Log in with the user which should import the layout settings
7. In the top left, click on File > Layout Settings > Layout/Settings Recovery
8. Select Custom and click OK
9. Open the Look In drop-down and select the location where you previously saved the decrypted settings file (step 5). Click Open
10. Click Open without reporting problem
11. Your TWS will automatically restart, loading the imported layout settings
References
See KB2323 for instructions on how to restore TWS settings from external storage
See KB2282 for instructions on how to transfer settings from one computer to another.
See KB3146 for instructions on how to overcome the "Download settings from server failed" error
This article applies to:
The 'Store Settings on Server' feature stores the Trader Workstation (TWS) settings/configuration in the cloud and retrieve them at anytime from another computer. This allows you to transfer settings from the same user on two different machines, but not between different accounts/users.
To transfer settings from one computer to another for the same username you will need to enable the option Use/store settings on server:
1. On the computer which currently has your settings, on the lower right of the login window, click on More Options >
2. Make sure the Use/store settings on server option is unchecked and login
3. Once you are logged in, enable this function:
4. Select Apply and OK.
5. Click on File -> Save Settings.
6. To Exit the application navigate to File and Exit.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The above operation will only save one copy of the TWS settings on the server. The serve does not store any backup copies.
On any computer (on which you want to use the same settings as above): Login with the Use/store settings on server option checked on the login window. This will download the settings, which you previously saved on our server.
Related articles
See KB3146 for instructions on how to overcome the "Downloading settings from server failed" error
See KB2323 for instructions on how to restore TWS settings from external storage
See KB2320 for instructions on transferring settings from one user to another
Now that your account is funded and approved you can start trading. The information below will help you getting
started as a new customer of Interactive Brokers.
1. Your Money
Deposits & Withdrawals General Info. All transactions are administered through your secure Account Management
Deposits
First, you create a deposit notification through your Account Management > Funding > Fund Transfers > Transaction Type: “Deposit” How to create a deposit notification. The second step is to instruct your Bank to do the wire transfer with the bank details provided in your Deposit Notification.
Withdrawals
Create a withdrawal instruction via your secure Account Management > Funding > Fund Transfers > Transaction Type: "Withdrawals" How to create a withdrawal instruction
If you instruct a withdrawal over the Withdrawal limits, it will be considered an exceptional withdrawal and we will therefore need to match bank account holder and IB account. If destination bank account has been used for a deposit, withdrawal will be processed; otherwise, you must contact customer service and provide the documents needed.
Troubleshooting
Deposits: My bank sent the money but I do not see it credited into my IB account. Possible reasons:
a) A fund transfer takes 1-4 business days
b) A Deposit Notification is missing. You have to create it via your Account Management and send a ticket to Customer Service
c) Amending details are missing. Your name or IB account number is missing in the transfer details. You have to contact your bank and ask for the full amending details.
d) ACH initiated by IB is limited to 100k USD in a 7 business period. If you opened a Portfolio Margin account where the initial requirement is 110k, a wire deposit might be the better deposit option to reduce wait time for your first trade. If selecting ACH a wait time of almost 2 weeks or a temporary downgrade to RegT can be possible solutions.
Withdrawals: I have requested a withdrawal but I do not see the money credited to my bank account. Possible reasons:
a) A fund transfer takes 1-4 business days
b) Rejected. Over the max it can be withdrawn. Please check your account cash balance. Note that for regulatory requirements, when the funds are deposited, there is a 3 day holding period before they can be withdrawn.
c) Your bank returned the funds. Probably because receiving bank account and remitting bank account names do not match.
2. Configure your account to trade
Difference between Cash and Margin accounts: If you have chosen the FastTrack application, by default your account type is a cash account with US stock permission. If you would like to get leverage and trade on margin, here how to upgrade to a RegT Margin account
Trading Permissions
In order to be able to trade a particular asset class in a particular country, you need to get the trading permission for it via your Account Management. Please note that trading permissions are free. You might however be asked to sign risk
disclosures required by local regulatory authorities. How to Request Trading Permissions
Market Data
If you want to have market data in real-time for a particular product/exchange, you need to subscribe to a market data package charged by the exchange. How to subscribe to Market data
The Market data assistant will help you choose the right package. Please watch this Video explaining how it works.
Customers have the option to receive delayed market data for free by clicking the Free Delayed Data button from a non-subscribed ticker row.
Advisor Accounts
Have a look at the user guide getting started as advisors. Here you see how to create additional users to your advisor account and grant them access and much more.
3. How to trade
The Trader's University is the place to go when you want to learn how to use our Platforms. Here you will find our webinars, live and recorded in 10 languages and tours and documentation about our various Trading Platforms.
Trader Workstation (TWS)
Traders who require more sophisticated trading tools can use our market maker-designed Trader Workstation (TWS), which optimizes your trading speed and efficiency with an easy-to-use spreadsheet interface, support for more than 60 order types, task-specific trading tools for all trading styles, and real-time account balance and activity monitoring. Try the two models
TWS Mosaic: for intuitive usability, easy trading access, order management, watchlist, charts all in one window or
TWS Classic: the Advanced Order Management for traders who need more advanced tools and algos.
General Description and Information / Quick start guide / Usersguide
Interactive Tours: TWS Basics / TWS configuration / TWS Mosaic
How to place a trade: Video Classic TWS / Video Mosaic
Trading tools: General Description and Information / Users guide
Requirements: How to install Java for Windows / How to install Java for MAC / Port 4000 and 4001 needs to be open
Login TWS / Download TWS
WebTrader
Traders who prefer a clean and simple interface can use our HTML-based WebTrader, which makes it easy to view market data, submit orders, and monitor your account and executions. Use the latest WebTrader from every browser
Quick Start Guide / WebTrader User's Guide
Introduction: Video WebTrader
How to place a Trade: Video WebTrader
Login WebTrader
MobileTrader
Our mobile solutions allow you to trade your IB account on the go. The mobileTWS for iOS and the mobileTWS for BlackBerry are custom-designed for these popular models, while the generic MobileTrader supports most other Smart phones.
General Description and Information
Order Types Order Types available and Description / Videos / Tour / Users guide
Paper Trading General Description and Information / How to get a Paper Trading Account
Once your paper account is created, you can share the market data of your real account with your paper trading account: Account Management > Manage Account > Settings > Paper trading
4. Trade all over the World
IB accounts are multi-currency accounts. Your account can hold different currencies at the same time, this allows you to trade multiple products around the world from a single account.
Base Currency
Your base currency determines the currency of translation for your statements and the currency used for determining margin requirements. Base currency is determined when you open an account. Customers may change their base currency at any time through Account Management.
We do not automatically convert currencies into your Base currency
Currency conversions must be done manually by the customer. In this video you can learn how to do a currency conversion.
In order to open a position denominated in a currency that you do not have in your account, you have two possibilities:
A) Currency conversion.
B) IB Margin Loan. (Not available for Cash Accounts)
Please see this course explaining the mechanics of a foreign transaction.
5. Five points to enrich your IB experience
1. Contract Search
Here you will find all our products, symbols and specifications.
2. IB Knowledge Base
The Knowledge Base is a repository of glossary terms, how-to articles, troubleshooting tips and guidelines designed to assist IB customers with the management of their IB accounts. Just enter in the search button what you are looking for and you will get the answer.
3. Account Management
As our trading platforms give you access to the markets, the Account Management grants you access to your IB account. Use Account Management to manage account-related tasks such as depositing or withdrawing funds, viewing your statements, modifying market data and news subscriptions, changing your trading permissions, and verifying or changing your personal information.
Log In Account Management / AM Quick Start Guide / AM Users Guide
4. Secure Login System
To provide you with the highest level of online security, Interactive Brokers has implemented a Secure Login System (SLS) through which access to your account is subject to two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication serves to confirm your identity at the point of login using two security factors: 1) Something you know (your username and password combination); and 2) Something you have (an IB issued security device which generates a random, single-use security code). As both knowledge of your username/password and physical possession of the security device are required to login to your account, participation in the Secure Login System virtually eliminates the possibility of anyone other than you accessing your account.
How to Activate your Security Device / How to Obtain a Security Code Card / How to return Security device
In case you forgot your password or lost your security code card, please call us for immediate assistance.
5. Statements and Reports
Easy to view and customize, our statements and reports cover all aspects of your Interactive Brokers account. How to view an Activity Statement
The Trader Workstation is a Java-based application. As any other Java applications, it executes within a Java virtual machine (JVM) which manages the interactions between the program and the underlying Operating System (OS).
The memory (RAM) which is allocated by the operating system to the JVM constitutes the heap space. That is the area where all the class instances and arrays needed by the application are allocated. The heap space is created when the JVM is started and it is dynamically freed-up by the Garbage Collector (GC), the Java memory manager. When the need arises, the Garbage Collector is invoked to free up the heap space by unloading Java classes and other code structures no longer used by the application.
If the heap space is undersized, the Garbage Collector may not be able reclaim memory at the needed pace or may have to be called too often, draining the processor (CPU) resources. When this happens, the application may slow down, be unresponsive or even crash completely.
To ensure a smooth TWS run, it is therefore sometimes necessary to change the memory allocation, according to the layout complexity and the needs of the application itself.
Please follow one of the links below for the instructions, according to the Operating System and TWS release you are using
4) Click on Apply and then on OK
5) Shut down the TWS
1) Close TWS in case it is running
This article explains how to setup Cloud Watchlists.
It is now possible to synchronize the watchlists on your mobile devices with the watchlists of Trader Workstation on your computer. You will no longer need to worry about adding same tickers over and over again. The Cloud Watchlists feature is available in Trader Workstation build 936 and higher. Once the Cloud Watchlists have been enabled, they can be then imported in mobileTWS using the "Import" option from the Configuration menu.
Please note that it is not possible to sync watchlists from mobileTWS to your desktop TWS.
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) provides to its account holders a variety of proprietary trading platforms at no cost and therefore does not actively promote or offer the platforms or add-on software of other vendors. Nonetheless, as IBKR's principal trading platform, the TraderWorkstation (TWS), operates with an open API, there are numerous third-party vendors who create order entry, charting and various other analytical programs which operate in conjunction with the TWS for purposes of executing orders through IBKR. As these API specifications are made public, we are not necessarily aware of all vendors who create applications to integrate with the TWS but do offer a program referred to as the Investors Marketplace which operates as a self-service community bringing together third party vendors who have products and services to offer with IBKR customers seeking to fill a specific need.
While MetaQuotes Software is not a participant of IBKR's Investors Marketplace, they offer to Introducing Brokers the oneZero Hub Gateway so that MetaTrader 5 can be used to trade IBKR Accounts[1]. Clients interested would need to contact oneZero directly for additional assistance. Please refer to the Contact section from the following URL.
Note: Besides oneZero Hub Gateway, different vendors such as Trade-Commander, jTWSdata and PrimeXM also offer a software which they represent, acts as a bridge between MetaTrader 4/5 and the TWS. As is the case with other third-party software applications, IBKR is not in a position to provide information or recommendations as to the compatibility or operation of such software.
1: oneZero is not available for Individual Accounts, please click here for more information on Introducing Brokers.