Put the ApeX Journal file in MQL5\Indicators and the free ApeX License service in MQL5\Services, start the service once from the Navigator, then drag the Journal onto a chart. Open ☰ › License on the Journal bar, paste the key from your purchase email and press Activate — the card turns to Active within a few seconds.
The Journal cannot reach the internet by itself — MetaTrader does not allow it for indicators — so the service does the checking in the background and the Journal verifies the signed answer it leaves behind.
What do I need to download?
Both come from the download page of the shop.
- ApeX Journal — the Pro file once you have signed in with an active licence, or the Demo file, which anyone can download.
- ApeX License — a free service that both editions need. It runs only while a Journal is open, and checks again by itself when you switch trading accounts.
The AI Coach uses a third, separate service, ApeXAiBridge. You only need it if you plan to switch the coach on.
How do I install it?
- In MetaTrader 5 choose File › Open Data Folder, then open the MQL5 folder.
- Copy the ApeX Journal file into Indicators and the ApeXLicense file into Services. Back in MetaTrader, right-click inside the Navigator and choose Refresh so both appear.
- In the Navigator, open Services, right-click ApeXLicense and choose Add Service. In the window that opens, tick Allow DLL imports and confirm. The service talks to the licence server through Windows, and will not connect without this permission.
- Right-click the new service and choose Start. You do this once: MetaTrader starts it again on its own every time the terminal opens.
- Drag ApeX Journal from Indicators onto any chart. The Journal's bar shows up on the chart. On that first run it goes through your account history to fill its database, so an account with years of trades needs a little longer.
How do I activate the key?
- Click ☰ on the Journal bar and choose License. While the Journal is locked, clicking the bar opens the same card, and it also pops up on its own the first time it locks.
- Paste the key from your purchase email into the box and press Activate. Dashes, spaces and upper or lower case do not matter.
- The status reads Waiting while the service checks, then Active. The card then shows your plan, the date it is valid until and how many real accounts are in use.
The key is saved once per computer and is not tied to one MetaTrader account: every terminal and chart on that machine uses it. Each ApeX product has its own key, so a Trade Manager key will not unlock the Journal, and the other way round.
How does the demo trial work?
The Demo edition needs no key, but it still needs the ApeX License service running. It works on demo trading accounts only and runs for a free trial period counted per computer; the card shows when the trial has ended. To keep using the Journal after that, buy a plan, install the Pro file and activate the key.
What does the License card show?
- Active — the licence is valid for this account and every page is unlocked.
- Waiting — a check is on its way. It normally takes a few seconds.
- Locked — the Journal cannot be used yet. The line underneath says why; find it in the table below.
- Plan · Valid until · Real accounts · Key · Edition — the details of the licence in use. Demo shows "demo accounts only" instead.
- Activate · Remove key · Check now — Remove key needs a second click within a few seconds, so it cannot happen by accident. Check now asks the server again straight away and is on the Pro edition only.
Every licence message, and what to do
Messages from the licence server are always in English. The Journal's own lines follow the language set in Settings — the English wording is listed here.
| Message | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
Enter the license key from your purchase email, then click Activate. |
No Journal key has been entered on this computer. | Paste the key and press Activate. |
Key format: APX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX |
What was pasted is not shaped like a key, so it was not saved. | Copy the whole key again from the email. |
The ApeX License service is not running. In MT5 open Navigator > Services, right-click ApeXLicense and choose Start. Tick "Allow DLL imports" in its settings. |
The Journal cannot hear the service, so nothing is being checked. | Start the service as in step 4 above. If it is not listed under Services, the file is not in MQL5\Services yet. |
The ApeX License service could not connect. Tick "Allow DLL imports" in its settings. |
The service is running but has no permission to go online. | Right-click ApeXLicense › Properties, tick Allow DLL imports, then Stop and Start it. |
Can't reach the license server. Retrying every minute. |
No connection at the moment. A licence that was already active keeps working for a while without one. | Nothing, unless it lasts — then check your internet connection or firewall. |
Checking your license. This takes a few seconds. |
A check is in progress. | Wait a few seconds. |
The license reply could not be verified. Retrying. |
The answer on disk did not pass the signature check, so it was ignored. | Usually clears itself within a minute. If not, Stop and Start the service. |
Invalid license key |
No licence matches this key — often an older key that was replaced by a newer one. | Use the most recent key email, or send a new key from your account page. |
This key is for ApeX Trade Manager |
The key is real but belongs to a different ApeX product. | Use the key from your Journal purchase email. |
License in use on 3/3 accounts - remove one at shop.apexaltus.com/account |
Every real-account place on the licence is taken. The numbers are your own count and allowance. Demo accounts never use a place. | Remove an account you no longer use on your account page, then press Check now. |
License expired on 2026-11-01 |
The paid period ended on that date — for a subscription, usually a renewal that did not go through or was cancelled. | Check the subscription on your account page, then press Check now. |
License suspended - contact support · License cancelled · License blocked - contact support |
The licence has been stopped on our side, for example after a refund or a payment dispute. | Email us and we will look into it. |
Demo trial ended (14 days on this computer) |
The free trial of the Demo edition is used up on this computer. The number is the trial length at the time. | Buy a plan, install the Pro file and activate the key. |
The demo edition works on demo accounts only. Please switch to a demo account. |
The Demo file was opened on a real account. | Log in to a demo account, or install the Pro file. |
This version is no longer supported. Please download the latest version. · This build has expired. Please download the latest version. |
This copy of the Journal is too old to be accepted. | Download the current file and replace the old one in MQL5\Indicators. Your data is kept — it lives in a separate database. |
Can I move to another account or computer?
Another real account is added to the licence automatically the first time the Journal is checked on it, as long as a place is free; switching between accounts that are already added needs nothing at all. On a new computer, install both files, start the service and paste the same key once. If every place is taken, remove an old account from your account page on the shop.
Questions
Why does ApeX Journal need a separate licence service?
MetaTrader 5 does not let indicators make network requests, and ApeX Journal is an indicator. The free ApeX License service makes the check in the background and saves a signed answer, which the Journal verifies on its own.
Do I have to start the service every time I open MetaTrader?
No. Once you have started it, MetaTrader 5 starts it again by itself whenever the terminal opens, until you stop it.
Does the Journal work without an internet connection?
Yes, for a while. After a successful check the licence stays valid offline for a set period, and the Journal reads your trades from MetaTrader without going online. It needs to reach the licence server again before that period runs out.
I lost my licence key. How do I get it again?
Sign in to My account on the shop and send a new key for the Journal licence. The new key replaces the old one, which stops working straight away; the accounts already added stay on the licence.