# Copy Trading FAQ > Answers for Trade Echo members about copy trading, brokers, risk, approvals, and getting help. Source: https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/faq (updated 2026-07-26) ## Is copy trading investment advice? **No.** Copy trading is a **tool**. It is **not** personalized investment advice from Trade Echo or from pilots. **Past performance** (theirs or yours) does **not** guarantee future results. Only use money you can afford to lose. ## How does linking my broker work? We use a **secure broker-connection partner** - a standard way to connect broker accounts **without Trade Echo storing your broker password**. You log in at your broker during setup. The link you create **inside Copy Trading** is **only for copying**. It is **separate** from **Broker Sync** if you use the trade journal elsewhere in the app. ## Why is Copy Trading empty or showing an error? Common reasons: - Copy trading is **not enabled** on your subscription yet. - We are still **rolling the feature out** to more members. - Your **broker link** expired or needs reconnecting - try **Broker Accounts** and reconnect. Try **signing out and back in**, then **Refresh** on the Overview tab. If it persists, **contact support** with the **approximate time** (and your timezone) and a **screenshot** of any message on screen. ## Do I have to keep the Copy Trading page open? **No.** After you are connected and following pilots, the platform keeps working **in the background**. You use the dashboard to **check in**, change **settings**, and answer **approval** prompts. Turn on **notifications** (email or device) if you use manual approval so you do not miss time-sensitive prompts. ## What is a pilot? What is a subscriber? - **Pilot** - A trader other members can **choose to copy**, when the program allows it. - **Subscriber** - A member who **follows** one or more pilots and routes copied activity to a **linked broker account**. The app shows the tabs that match **your** role. ## Can I stop or pause copying? Yes. Use **Settings** and any **pilot-level** controls the app shows. You can also **disconnect** or manage the connection at your broker. Stopping **new** copies does not always **close** existing positions - check **Positions** and your **broker** directly for open risk. ## I missed a manual approval - what happens? That **specific** trade may **not** have been copied. Review **Positions** and **Performance**. If you want fewer prompts in the future, look in **Settings** for options when your plan supports them. ## Why did my copy trade skip? A skip means the platform evaluated a pilot signal but **did not send** an order to your broker. Common causes: - **Capital % gate** - Estimated cost exceeds your **Max capital per trade** (% of account), or account capital was unavailable for the risk check. - **Max contract price gate** - The contract's **total** cost (premium × 100 for options) exceeded your **Max contract price** setting. This limit is **total dollars per contract**, not the per-share premium - a $2.50 option counts as **$250** against it. - **Sizing rounded to 0** - Percent-of-trader sizing can round down to zero contracts (for example, copying 50% of a 1-lot pilot). - **Paused** - Auto-copy is paused globally or for that pilot in **Settings**. - **No buying power** - Your linked broker account did not report enough buying power at order time. - **Slippage / strict limit** - **Strict slippage** or a wide spread vs your **Max spread** can leave a limit unfilled; the buy is skipped instead of chasing with a market order. - **Broker permissions** - The linked account is not eligible for copy trading, or no **active** broker is selected. **Where to look:** Open **Overview** for recent activity, then **Positions** → **Executions** (or the executions sub-tab) and read the **skip label** on the row. Labels distinguish a **capital gate** from **sizing rounded to 0**, spread/slippage limits, pause states, and broker issues. Adjust **Settings** or reconnect on **Broker Accounts** based on what you see. ## Monthly vs Lifetime broker routing - **Monthly / Yearly subscribers** - Copy trading routes through **one active broker account** at a time. Connect on **Broker Accounts**, then tap **Set Active** on the funded account you want copies to use (Cash or Margin, whichever you trade). - **Lifetime subscribers** - You still choose a **default active broker** on **Broker Accounts**. When the app shows it, you can also **assign a broker per pilot** so different pilots can copy into different linked accounts. **Set Active** remains the default for new pilots until you assign otherwise. If copies land in the wrong account, open **Broker Accounts** and confirm which row is **Active**. ## VIP Alerts vs Copy Trading **Discord VIP alerts** can show a pilot's **posted** trades for the community. **Copy Trading** mirrors **fills** detected on the pilot's **active linked broker account** inside Trade Echo. If a pilot's everyday "main" trading account is **not** the same account they set **Active** for copy trading, followers may see VIP alert posts but **miss** those trades in copy. That is **expected routing**, not a platform glitch. Pilots should **Set Active** on the account they actually trade for alerts and live execution. See **[Pilot Setup](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/pilot-setup)**. ## What is the Support tab? Subscribers see a **Support** tab inside Copy Trading with an in-app chat powered by **Cortex**. It can answer **account-aware** questions using your copy trading status (read-only) - for example, why a trade skipped or whether copying is paused. It **cannot** place or change trades. Use it before Discord or email when the question is about **your** copy setup. ## Where do I get help? - **Copy Trading Support tab** (subscribers) - In-app Cortex chat tied to your account; see the section above. - **Trade Echo support** (email or in-app, whichever you use today). - **[Discord community](https://tradeecho.com/docs/community/discord-server-guide)** - Great for how-to questions with other members. When you write in, include **what you were trying to do**, **what you saw on screen**, and a **screenshot** if possible. You do not need to send technical logs unless support asks. ## Why does Trade Echo say you are testing copy trading sometimes? We **expand access carefully**. If you see a message about **testing** or **limited rollout**, features may change or be unavailable briefly while we improve stability. We will communicate when access widens.