Setting Up Instant TradingView Notifications: Complete Beginner Guide
Setting Up Instant TradingView Notifications: Complete Beginner Guide
TradingView is the world's most popular charting platform, but its alert system can be confusing for beginners. With multiple notification methods, plan requirements, and setup options, it's easy to get lost.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn everything about TradingView notifications - from the basics to advanced setups - in plain English.
Understanding TradingView Plans & Alert Limits
Before setting up alerts, you need to understand what your TradingView plan allows:
### TradingView Basic (Free Plan)
### TradingView Essential ($12.95/month)
### TradingView Plus ($14.95/month)
### TradingView Premium ($59.95/month)
**Key Insight**: If you want instant phone call alerts or automation, you need at least Premium for webhook access. Alternatively, Essential+ ($24.95/mo) includes webhooks if you're on a budget.
Alert Methods Comparison
TradingView offers several ways to receive notifications:
### 1. In-App Notifications (All Plans)
**How it works**: Pop-up appears in TradingView when alert triggers
**Pros:**
**Cons:**
**Best for**: Active traders who keep TradingView open all day
### 2. Email Notifications (All Plans)
**How it works**: Email sent to your registered address
**Pros:**
**Cons:**
**Best for**: Long-term investors, end-of-day traders, record keeping
### 3. Mobile App Push Notifications (All Plans)
**How it works**: Notification appears on your phone via TradingView app
**Pros:**
**Cons:**
**Best for**: Mobile traders, swing traders, non-critical alerts
### 4. SMS Text Messages (Essential+ and above)
**How it works**: Text message sent to your phone number
**Pros:**
**Cons:**
**Best for**: Traders who want SMS backup, international traders
### 5. Webhooks (Premium plan only)
**How it works**: HTTP POST request sent to a URL you specify
**Pros:**
**Cons:**
**Best for**: Professional traders, algorithmic trading, phone call alerts
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
### Method 1: Setting Up Email Notifications (Free)
This is the easiest method and works on all plans:
1. **Create a TradingView account** if you don't have one
2. **Open any chart** (e.g., Bitcoin, Apple stock, EUR/USD)
3. **Click the Alert button** (clock icon) in the top toolbar
4. **Set your alert condition**:
- Click first dropdown → Select "Crossing"
- Click second dropdown → Select "Value"
- Enter your target price
5. **Configure notifications**:
- Scroll down to "Notifications" section
- Check the box "Send Email"
- Verify your email address is correct (check Settings if needed)
6. **Name your alert**: Give it a descriptive name like "BTC crosses $45,000"
7. **Click "Create"**
Your alert is now live! You'll receive an email when the condition is met.
**Pro tip**: Create a Gmail filter to move TradingView alerts to a dedicated folder and mark as important so they don't get buried.
### Method 2: Setting Up Mobile Push Notifications (Free)
For notifications on your phone:
1. **Download TradingView app** from App Store or Google Play
2. **Log into your account** in the app
3. **Enable push notifications** in phone settings:
- iOS: Settings → Notifications → TradingView → Allow Notifications
- Android: Settings → Apps → TradingView → Notifications → Allow
4. **Create alert on desktop or mobile**:
- When creating alert, check "Notify on App"
- This is enabled by default for mobile-created alerts
5. **Test it**: Create a test alert that triggers immediately to verify it works
**Important**: Keep the TradingView app running in background for best reliability. Disable battery optimization for the app.
### Method 3: Setting Up SMS Notifications (Paid Plans)
SMS requires Essential+ or higher plan:
1. **Upgrade to Essential+ plan** ($24.95/mo) or higher if not already subscribed
2. **Add your phone number**:
- Go to tradingview.com/settings
- Click "Notifications" tab
- Add phone number in international format (+1234567890)
- Verify with SMS code
3. **Create alert**:
- Click Alert button on chart
- Set your condition
- Check "Send SMS" in notifications section
4. **Click "Create"**
You'll now receive text messages when alerts trigger.
**Cost consideration**: Some plans include a limited number of SMS per month. Check your plan details for limits.
### Method 4: Setting Up Webhooks for Phone Calls (Premium)
This is the most advanced but fastest method:
1. **Requirements**:
- TradingView Premium account ($59.95/mo)
- 2-Factor Authentication enabled
- TradeAlert.Pro account (or similar service)
2. **Enable 2FA on TradingView**:
- Go to Settings → Security
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication
- Use Google Authenticator or Authy
3. **Get webhook URL**:
- Sign up at [TradeAlert.Pro](/dashboard)
- Verify your phone number
- Copy your webhook URL from dashboard
4. **Create webhook alert**:
- Open TradingView chart
- Click Alert button
- Set your condition
- Scroll to "Notifications" section
- Check "Webhook URL"
- Paste your TradeAlert.Pro webhook URL
- Click "Create"
When your alert triggers, your phone will ring in under 2 seconds!
**Full webhook tutorial**: See our [complete webhook guide](/blog/tradingview-webhook-phone-tutorial) for detailed instructions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
### Mistake #1: Setting "Only Once" Instead of "Once Per Bar Close"
**Problem**: "Only Once" expires after the first trigger. Your alert will never fire again.
**Solution**: Use "Once Per Bar Close" for recurring alerts. This re-arms the alert after each trigger.
**When to use "Only Once"**: For one-time events like "Alert me when Bitcoin first crosses $50k this year."
### Mistake #2: Creating Alerts on Wrong Timeframe
**Problem**: You create an alert on the 1-hour chart but view the daily chart. The alert fires based on 1-hour closes, not daily.
**Solution**: Always create alerts on the timeframe you're actually trading. The alert condition is tied to the chart timeframe when you create it.
### Mistake #3: Not Testing Alerts Before Relying On Them
**Problem**: You set up an alert but never verify it works. You miss important trades because notifications weren't configured correctly.
**Solution**: Always create a test alert that triggers immediately (set to current price) to verify all notification methods are working.
### Mistake #4: Forgetting to Check Notification Settings
**Problem**: You create an alert but forget to enable email/SMS/app notifications. The alert fires but you never know.
**Solution**: Before clicking "Create," always verify the notification checkboxes are ticked in the Notifications section.
### Mistake #5: Using Too Many Alerts on Free Plan
**Problem**: Free plan only allows 1 active alert. You try to monitor 5 different stocks and wonder why only 1 works.
**Solution**: Either upgrade to paid plan or prioritize your most important alert. Free plan is for trying out TradingView, not serious trading.
### Mistake #6: Not Understanding Alert Cooldowns
**Problem**: You set "Notify every time" thinking you'll get instant notifications, but you're flooded with 100 alerts per minute.
**Solution**: Use "Once Per Bar Close" for most alerts. This waits for the candle to close before alerting, reducing false signals.
### Mistake #7: Ignoring Plan Limitations
**Problem**: You're on Essential plan trying to create webhook alerts, but webhooks require Premium.
**Solution**: Check your plan's capabilities before attempting advanced features. Upgrade if needed or use alternative methods.
Advanced Tips for Power Users
### Tip #1: Use Alert Placeholders for Dynamic Messages
Instead of static text, use TradingView's placeholders:
```
{{ticker}} crossed {{price}} at {{time}} on {{exchange}}
```
This automatically fills in the values when alert triggers.
### Tip #2: Create Alert Templates
For recurring alert patterns:
1. Set up your perfect alert once
2. Name it descriptively
3. Duplicate it (right-click alert → Duplicate)
4. Modify only the price/ticker
This saves time when creating similar alerts.
### Tip #3: Use Sound Alerts for Desktop Trading
Enable sound on in-app notifications:
1. Create alert
2. In Notifications section, select a sound from dropdown
3. Choose loud, distinct sound that won't be confused with other notifications
### Tip #4: Set Up Email Filters for Organization
Create Gmail/Outlook filters:
### Tip #5: Combine Multiple Notification Methods
Don't rely on just one method:
This redundancy ensures you never miss critical alerts.
### Tip #6: Use Naming Conventions for Alerts
Good naming helps manage many alerts:
Brackets indicate ticker, then alert type, then level.
### Tip #7: Monitor Alert Quota Usage
Premium allows 400 active alerts. Track your usage:
Troubleshooting Common Issues
### Issue: Not Receiving Email Notifications
**Check these:**
1. Verify email address in TradingView Settings
2. Check spam/junk folder
3. Add noreply@tradingview.com to contacts
4. Verify "Send Email" was checked when creating alert
5. Check alert is still active (not expired)
### Issue: Push Notifications Not Working
**Solutions:**
1. Ensure TradingView app is installed and logged in
2. Check phone notification settings allow TradingView
3. Disable battery optimization for TradingView app
4. Restart phone and re-login to app
5. Re-enable notifications in app settings
### Issue: SMS Not Arriving
**Check these:**
1. Verify phone number is correctly added (with + and country code)
2. Confirm number is verified (check for verification SMS)
3. Check you haven't exceeded monthly SMS limit
4. Verify your plan includes SMS (Essential+ or higher)
5. Try a different phone number (some carriers block automated SMS)
### Issue: Alerts Not Firing At All
**Common causes:**
1. Alert condition never met (check price hasn't reached target)
2. Alert expired (if set to "Only Once" and already triggered)
3. Alert accidentally deleted
4. Chart timeframe doesn't match alert timeframe
5. Trading pair changed (created alert on BTCUSD but viewing BTCUSDT)
### Issue: Too Many False Alerts
**Solutions:**
1. Change from "Any Time" to "Once Per Bar Close"
2. Add additional conditions (e.g., price AND volume threshold)
3. Use longer timeframe (15min instead of 1min)
4. Set larger price buffer (trigger at $45,100 instead of $45,000)
Free vs Paid: What's Worth It?
### Stick with Free (Basic) If:
### Upgrade to Essential+ ($24.95/mo) If:
### Upgrade to Premium ($59.95/mo) If:
**ROI Perspective**: If you're trading with $5,000+ and alerts help you catch even one extra profitable trade per month, Premium pays for itself. For casual investors with $1,000, stick with free plan.
Recommended Setup for Different Trading Styles
### Long-Term Investor (Days to Months)
### Swing Trader (Hours to Days)
### Day Trader (Minutes to Hours)
### Scalper (Seconds to Minutes)
### Algorithmic Trader
Next Steps: Your Action Plan
Now that you understand TradingView notifications, here's what to do:
1. **Assess your needs**: What trading style? How many alerts? How fast do you need notifications?
2. **Choose your plan**: Free for learning, Essential+ for active trading, Premium for professionals
3. **Set up one notification method**: Start simple - email or push notifications
4. **Create a test alert**: Verify everything works before relying on it
5. **Monitor for a week**: See if your chosen method meets your needs
6. **Optimize**: Add redundancy (multiple notification methods) or upgrade if needed
7. **Learn advanced features**: Webhooks, custom messages, indicator alerts
**Ready for instant phone call alerts?** [Start free with TradeAlert.Pro](/dashboard) - 3 free test calls, no credit card required. Perfect for testing webhooks before upgrading to Premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
**Q: Can I get instant notifications without TradingView Premium?**
A: Push notifications (3-15 seconds) are available on all plans. For true instant (<2 second) notifications via phone calls, you need Premium for webhook access.
**Q: How many alerts should I create?**
A: Quality over quantity. 5-10 well-thought-out alerts are better than 50 poorly configured ones. Start small and add as needed.
**Q: Will alerts fire if TradingView is closed?**
A: Yes! Alerts run on TradingView's servers. Your computer can be off and alerts will still fire.
**Q: Can I create alerts on mobile?**
A: Yes, TradingView's mobile app supports full alert creation. It's sometimes easier on desktop for complex conditions though.
**Q: What happens when I reach my alert limit?**
A: You can't create new alerts until you delete old ones. Upgrade your plan to increase the limit.
**Q: Do alerts expire?**
A: Depends on your setting. "Once Per Bar Close" alerts never expire (they re-arm). "Only Once" alerts expire after first trigger.
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