Add or correct a missing IBKR symbol in PickMyTrade

Quick answer

Compare the app’s symbol settings with the exact TWS contract. Use PickMyTrade’s documented Create Settings workflow when a symbol is missing. A successful ticker search is only useful if it resolves the intended product.

Educational software guidance. Trading involves risk. Read the financial and information disclaimers.

Step by step

1 Find the product in TWS and open its Description. See screenshot.
2 Record the needed contract details, including expiry and multiplier where applicable. See screenshot.
3 With IB selected, open Settings and use Filter symbol. If the intended symbol is missing, open Create Settings. See screenshot.
4 Enter verified Symbol, Local Symbol, IB Symbol, Exchange, Currency, tick size and Lot Size. Choose the product type and review any extra fields. Do not guess a value to pass the form. See screenshot.
5 Review the fields before using Save Setting. This form adds _USER to custom symbols. Check the resulting name and resolved contract in a paper workflow before live use. See screenshot.

A practical example

The chart name looks right, but the app says no matching symbol setting exists. Open the product in TWS and read its full details. Then use the app’s IB symbol form. A stock form and a futures-option form need different fields. Do not guess at a tick value or exchange just to save the row. Resolve the saved mapping and check the full product before using it for a trade.

Illustrative scenario, not a record of a trade placed during this review.

Screen reference

PickMyTrade empty Create Symbol form with broker symbol, exchange, currency, tick and lot fields — The form shows Symbol, Tick size, Lot Size, Local Symbol, IB Symbol, Exchange, Currency and Instrument Type. The notice says custom symbols receive _USER. No mapping was saved. Captured in PickMyTrade on 3 October 2026. Open the image for full size.

PickMyTrade Symbol Settings heading, Filter symbol control and mapping column labels — Search existing mappings before opening Create Settings. This excerpt shows the table headers only. Further columns may require horizontal scrolling. Captured in PickMyTrade on 3 October 2026. Open the image for full size.

PickMyTrade Automated Symbol Settings notice describing Settings and symbol creation — The notice directs users to Settings to find a symbol or create a missing mapping. Confirm broker contract details before entering a custom mapping. Captured in PickMyTrade on 3 October 2026. Open the image for full size.

TWS stock Description showing SMART route, NASDAQ primary exchange, currency, contract ID, minimum tick and frozen data status — This stock is an example of the fields to compare. SMART routing and Primary Exchange are separate fields. The observed feed is Frozen and the market is closed; this is not a live-price or trading recommendation. Captured in TWS paper mode on 3 October 2026. Open the image for full size.

TWS futures Description showing contract month, expiry, multiplier, exchange, tick size and trading schedule — This example future shows where to read the month, multiplier and tick size. Use your own intended contract; the pictured contract is not a recommendation. The captured market is closed and data is Frozen. Captured in TWS paper mode on 3 October 2026. Open the image for full size.

PickMyTrade Instrument Type menu listing Futures, Future Options, Stocks, Options and Cash — Choose the product that matches the resolved broker contract. Similar symbols can refer to different products. No order was sent. Captured in PickMyTrade on 3 October 2026. Open the image for full size.

How to confirm the result The mapping should select the intended contract and supply the correct product-specific values.

Mistake to avoid

Do not invent an exchange or tick value to get past a needed field.

Common questions

Can I use another broker’s symbol settings?

Use the IB-specific mapping for this workflow.

Does adding a symbol grant permission to trade it?

No. Account approval and product support remain separate.

TradingView to IBKR through PickMyTrade: setup checks TradingView alert fired but no IBKR order appeared TradingView webhook delivery failed: check the cause TWS error 200: contract not found or ambiguous

Financial and information disclaimers

Financial disclaimer

These guides explain software. They are for education, not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. No example is a suggestion to buy or sell a product or use a trading strategy. Trading can lose money, including all funds you put at risk. With margin, futures, short sales, or some options, losses can exceed your starting funds. Automation can fail, send duplicate orders, or act late. Stops do not guarantee a fill or a price. Review your orders and positions, and seek advice from a qualified professional for your own needs. Paper trades, examples, and past results do not predict live results or promise a profit.

Information disclaimer

This is general help based on the sources and check date shown on the page. Screens, settings, fees, data access, and product support can change or differ by app version, account, country, and broker. The content may contain errors or become out of date; accuracy, completeness, and continuous service are not guaranteed. Check current broker and app instructions before acting. Screenshots show where controls are; they do not prove that an order test passed. This guide does not replace broker terms or risk notices. References to IBKR and TradingView identify their products and do not imply their endorsement of this guide.