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Step-by-step guide to linking your trading account to Ape AI. ⏱️ Time to read: 5 minutes
📱🌐 Platform: Both iOS & Web
👤 Best for: Everyone

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🎯 Before You Start

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What You’ll Need:

For Ape Paper Trading (Easiest):
  • ✅ Ape AI account
  • ✅ That’s it!
For Real Brokerage:
  • ✅ Ape AI account
  • ✅ Active brokerage account (Robinhood, Webull, TD Ameritrade, etc.)
  • ✅ Brokerage login credentials
  • ✅ 2FA device (if your broker uses it)
  • ✅ 5 minutes
Check if your broker is supported: See Supported Brokerages →

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🍌 Option 1: Connect Ape Paper Trading (Recommended First)

This is the easiest and ALWAYS appears first.

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iOS

Step 1: Go to Portfolio Tab
  1. Open Ape AI
  2. Tap Portfolio tab (bottom right)
  3. If no brokerages connected, you’ll see “Connect Brokerage” button
iOS Portfolio Tab Empty
Step 2: Select Ape Paper Trading
  1. Tap “Connect Brokerage”
  2. See list of brokerages
  3. Ape Paper Trading is at the TOP ⭐
  4. Tap it
Step 3: Claim Your Account
  1. See welcome screen
  2. Explains you get $100,000 virtual cash
  3. Tap “Claim My Paper Trading Account”
Step 4: Done! ✅
  • Account created instantly
  • $100,000 available to trade
  • Portfolio tab now shows your balance
  • Start trading risk-free!
Total time: 30 seconds

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Web

Step 1: Go to Portfolio Page
  1. Log into app.Ape AI.com
  2. Click Portfolio (left sidebar)
  3. Click ”+ Connect Brokerage” button
Step 2: Select Ape Paper Trading
  1. Brokerage list appears
  2. Ape Paper Trading at the TOP
  3. Click it
Step 3: Claim & Activate
  1. Click “Claim Account”
  2. Instant activation
  3. $100,000 virtual cash added
  4. Portfolio page updates
Total time: 30 seconds

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🏦 Option 2: Connect Real Brokerage

We’ll use Robinhood as an example. Process is similar for all brokers.

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iOS

Step 1: Open Brokerages
  1. Tap Profile icon (top left)
  2. Tap “Brokerages”
  3. Or: Portfolio tab → ”+ Add Brokerage”
iOS Brokerages Menu
Step 2: Choose Your Broker
  1. See list of supported brokerages
  2. Scroll to find yours
  3. Tap your brokerage card
Tip: Use search bar if you have many to scroll through
Step 3: Review Permissions
  1. See what Ape AI will access:
    • ✅ View your portfolio
    • ✅ See positions
    • ✅ View order history
    • ❌ Cannot trade (unless you enable later)
  2. Tap “Continue”
Step 4: OAuth Login (Broker Website)
  1. Redirected to your broker’s login page
  2. This is YOUR BROKER’S website (not Ape AI)
  3. Enter your broker username & password
  4. Complete 2FA if required
⚠️ Important: You’re logging into your broker, not giving Ape AI your password
Step 5: Authorize Ape AI
  1. Broker asks: “Allow Ape AI to access your account?”
  2. Review permissions again
  3. Tap “Allow” or “Authorize”
Step 6: Connection Success! ✅
  1. Redirected back to Ape AI
  2. See “Connection Successful” message
  3. Your portfolio starts syncing
  4. Positions appear in Portfolio tab
Step 7: (Optional) Enable Trading
  1. By default, connection is view-only
  2. To enable trading from chat:
    • Profile → Settings → Trading Permissions
    • Toggle “Execute Trades” ON
    • Confirm with Face ID/Touch ID
Total time: 3-5 minutes

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Web

Step 1: Go to Settings
  1. Log into app.askape.com
  2. Click Profile icon (top right)
  3. Click “Settings”
  4. Go to “Integrations” or “Brokerages” tab
Step 2: Add Brokerage
  1. Click ”+ Connect New Brokerage”
  2. List of brokers appears
  3. Click your broker
Step 3: OAuth Flow
  1. New browser tab/window opens
  2. Your broker’s login page
  3. Enter credentials
  4. Complete 2FA
  5. Click “Authorize Ape AI”
Step 4: Return to Ape AI
  1. Tab closes automatically
  2. Back to Ape AI settings
  3. See broker listed as “Connected”
  4. Portfolio syncing begins
Step 5: (Optional) Enable Trading
  1. In Settings → Integrations
  2. Find your broker
  3. Toggle “Allow Trade Execution”
  4. Enter password to confirm
Total time: 3-5 minutes

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🔄 Connecting Multiple Brokerages

Have accounts at multiple brokers? Connect them all!

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How to Add a Second (or Third) Broker:

📱 iOS:
  1. Profile → Brokerages
  2. Scroll to bottom
  3. Tap ”+ Add Another Brokerage”
  4. Repeat connection process
🌐 Web:
  1. Settings → Integrations
  2. Click ”+ Connect New Brokerage”
  3. Repeat steps

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What You’ll See:

Portfolio tab shows:
  • Combined total value
  • All positions from all accounts
  • Breakdown by brokerage
  • Unified profit/loss
Example:
Total Portfolio Value: $45,250 Accounts:
  • Robinhood: $25,000 (10 positions)
  • Webull: $15,000 (5 positions)
  • Ape Paper: $5,250 (3 positions)
One dashboard. All your trading.

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🔧 Troubleshooting Connection Issues

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Issue #1: “Connection Failed”

Possible causes:
  1. Wrong broker username/password
  2. 2FA code expired
  3. Broker’s servers down
  4. Network issue
Solutions:
  • Double-check credentials
  • Try again (2FA might have timed out)
  • Check broker’s status page
  • Try different network
  • Wait 10 minutes and retry

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Issue #2: “Broker Not Responding”

Possible causes:
  • Broker doing maintenance
  • High traffic on broker’s API
  • Temporary outage
Solutions:
  • Wait 30 minutes, try again
  • Check broker’s app (is it working?)
  • Try during off-peak hours (not 9:30 AM)

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Issue #3: “Authorization Denied”

Possible causes:
  • You clicked “Deny” instead of “Allow”
  • Broker requires additional approval
  • Account restrictions
Solutions:
  • Try connecting again
  • Read permissions carefully
  • Check if your broker account has API access enabled
  • Contact broker support if needed

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Issue #4: “Some Features Not Working”

Possible causes:
  • Account type not fully supported (e.g., IRA is view-only)
  • Broker has restricted certain features
  • Need to enable trading permissions
Solutions:
  • Check Supported Brokerages for your broker’s feature list
  • Enable trading in Settings if you want execution
  • Contact Ape AI support for clarification

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Issue #5: “Portfolio Not Syncing”

Possible causes:
  • First sync takes 1-2 minutes
  • Broker API slow
  • Token expired
Solutions:
  • Wait 2-3 minutes for first sync
  • Pull to refresh on Portfolio tab
  • Try disconnecting & reconnecting
  • Check broker connection in Settings

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⚙️ Managing Connected Brokerages

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View Connected Accounts

📱 iOS:
  1. Profile → Brokerages
  2. See all connected accounts
  3. Green checkmark = Connected ✅
🌐 Web:
  1. Settings → Integrations
  2. See list of connected brokers
  3. Status: Connected / Disconnected

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Reconnect a Broker

Sometimes OAuth tokens expire (every 90 days for some brokers) When it happens:
  • You’ll see “Reconnection Required” alert
  • Portfolio stops syncing
  • Notification sent
How to fix:
  1. Go to Brokerages/Integrations
  2. Tap/click broker showing “Disconnected”
  3. Tap “Reconnect”
  4. Go through OAuth flow again
  5. Connection restored
Takes 1 minute. Easy.

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Disconnect a Broker

Changing brokers? Want to disconnect? 📱 iOS:
  1. Profile → Brokerages
  2. Tap broker you want to remove
  3. Scroll to bottom
  4. Tap “Disconnect Brokerage” (red button)
  5. Confirm
🌐 Web:
  1. Settings → Integrations
  2. Find broker
  3. Click “Disconnect”
  4. Confirm
What happens:
  • OAuth connection revoked instantly
  • Portfolio data removed from Ape AI
  • Historical data may be kept for records
  • Can reconnect anytime

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Toggle Trading Permissions

Want to turn trade execution on/off? 📱 iOS:
  1. Profile → Settings → Trading Permissions
  2. Find your broker
  3. Toggle “Execute Trades” ON/OFF
  4. Confirm with Face ID
🌐 Web:
  1. Settings → Integrations
  2. Find broker
  3. Toggle “Trade Execution”
  4. Enter password to confirm
OFF = View-only ON = Can trade from chat

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🔒 Security Best Practices

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1. Use Strong Broker Passwords

  • Unique password (not used elsewhere)
  • 12+ characters
  • Mix of letters, numbers, symbols

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2. Enable 2FA on Your Broker

  • Use authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy)
  • Not SMS (less secure)
  • Protects your broker account

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3. Review Connected Apps Regularly

  • Check your broker’s “Connected Apps” page
  • Remove apps you don’t use
  • Keep only Ape AI and apps you trust

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4. Monitor for Unusual Activity

  • Check order history regularly
  • Review trades you don’t remember
  • Report suspicious activity immediately

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5. Disconnect When Not Using

  • Taking a trading break?
  • Disconnect your broker
  • Reconnect when you’re back
  • Extra layer of security

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💡 Pro Tips

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1. Start with Paper, End with Real

Recommended path:
  1. Week 1: Connect Ape Paper Trading
  2. Learn Ape AI features
  3. Practice trading
  4. Test strategies
  5. Week 4+: Connect real broker (once profitable in paper)

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2. Connect Primary Broker First

Have multiple accounts?
  • Connect your main account first
  • Make sure everything works
  • Then add secondary accounts
  • Easier troubleshooting

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3. Test Read-Only First

Before enabling trading:
  • Connect as read-only
  • Use for a few days
  • Get comfortable
  • Then enable trading when ready

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4. Use Separate Brokers for Different Strategies

Pro trader setup:
  • Broker 1: Long-term holds (Schwab, Fidelity)
  • Broker 2: Active trading (Robinhood, Webull)
  • Ape Paper: Testing new strategies
  • All connected to Ape AI
See everything in one place.

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❓ FAQ

Q: Can I connect my broker on both iOS and Web? A: Yes! Once connected, it works on all platforms. One connection = all devices. Q: Does my broker charge fees for API access? A: No! API connections are free for all major brokers. Q: Will my broker’s app still work normally? A: Yes! Nothing changes with your broker’s app. Ape AI just reads data. Q: Can I trade through both Ape AI and my broker’s app? A: Yes! They’re independent. Trade wherever you want. Q: What if I change my broker password? A: Reconnection may be required. Ape AI will alert you. Q: Can someone hack my Ape AI and trade my account? A: Extremely unlikely. Trading requires:
  1. Your Ape AI login
  2. Face ID/Touch ID or password
  3. Confirmation for every trade
  4. Can disable trading instantly
Q: How do I know Ape AI is actually connected? A: Your positions will appear in Portfolio tab. If they’re showing, you’re connected!

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What’s Next?

After Connecting: Not Sure Yet?
  • Why Connect? → - Benefits explained
  • [Ape Paper Trading →](<../../Use-Cases/Pre-Investor/Getting Started/paper-trading-practice.md>) - Start risk-free
Connect your brokerage and unlock Ape AI’s full power! 🔗🚀