How to Buy Stock on an iPhone

For decades, a desktop or laptop was necessary for trading. But now, mobile app trading is on the rise, with 2023 revenue topping $20 billion.⁽¹⁾ Robinhood alone boasts over 14.5 million monthly active users, showing just how popular online brokerages have become.⁽²⁾

With trading on the go, there’s no reason to miss that must-have investment. Here’s what you need to know about how to buy stocks on iPhone stock apps.

How to buy stock on an iPhone in 7 steps

Learning how to buy stock on iPhones is simple with the help of the right app. You can begin trading in just seven steps.

1. Choose a brokerage and download the app

Compare options from the best brokerages that support mobile trading. To aid in your comparison, here are some key considerations:

• Products. Make sure that your brokerage offers the type of investment products that interest you.
• Account types. Consider the type of account you want, whether it is a cash account, margin account, individual retirement account (IRA) or joint account.
• Resources. Ensure your brokerage has educational resources to help you develop your investment know-how.
• Mobile app. Since you will be using your iPhone to trade, it is important to assess the app’s user-friendliness.

Once you choose a brokerage, go to the App Store or Google Play and search for its app. Tap Get and then Open once the download is complete.

2. Open an account

To open an account with most brokerages, you will need to provide the following:

• Personal information, including your name, Social Security number and address
• Financial information, such as income and employer details
• Financial objectives, such as your risk tolerance
• A login name and password

Be sure to review the terms and conditions carefully and then agree.

3. Research stocks

Before you place any trades, first determine which investments interest you. There are two main strategies to assess a stock’s performance: fundamental analysis or technical analysis.

The fundamental analysis allows you to assess a company’s strength based on its structure and makeup, considering factors such as its earnings per share (EPS), price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, revenue and industry position. Meanwhile, the technical analysis studies past performance and infers future movement from that data.

When assessing a company’s strength, examine factors like revenue, profit margins and overall debt. Consider your long-term investment goals and overall risk tolerance to find the right investments that match your objectives.

4. Fund the account

Once you are ready to trade, it is time to fund your account. Typically, there are multiple ways to fund your new brokerage account. Most brokers allow you to link a bank account for single or recurring transfers. Also, you can usually transfer funds from another brokerage account.

Check what options exist with your specific brokerage. For example, Charles Schwab accepts both electronic funds transfer (EFT) and wire transfer requests. You can also mail a check deposit or visit a local branch.

5. Purchase your stocks

Once you know what stock to buy, open your broker’s mobile app.

1. Go to the search bar and type in your stock to find the appropriate stock ticker (e.g., AAPL for Apple, Inc.).
2. Review the price quote, including the last price of shares traded, bid and offer.
3. Indicate whether you want to buy or sell.
4. Choose between a market order or limit order.
5. Enter the dollar amount or number of shares to buy.
6. Tap the button to place your order and confirm your trade goes through.

6. Monitor the trade

Once you have made your trade, be sure to monitor changes in the market. Whether you read articles online or tune in to your TV, try to stay informed about market trends and investing strategies so you can manage your investments accordingly.

7. Review and refine your strategy

Not all trades are winners, so it is important to analyze your investment strategies to find the right one for each investment. Consider your asset allocation and diversify your portfolio to lower risk. Ensure your investments align with your long-term goals and adjust accordingly.

Can you buy stocks on the Apple Stock app?

Apple Stocks is the go-to app for many investors today, but unfortunately, there is no way to buy stocks on the iPhone stock app. Instead, it allows you to track market growth and access the latest news.

You can also create watchlists to track your portfolio and compare tickers to find the best investments based on current market conditions.

Overall, the Apple Stocks app is a great companion app for your brokerage account, helping to keep you abreast of market developments.

iPhone trading advantages and risks

While it offers invaluable convenience, there are both pros and cons to iPhone trading.

Compare brokerage platforms for trading on iPhone

Compare similar platforms by available asset types, trade fees and minimum deposit requirements. Select Go to site to sign up for an account.

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Product USFST	Finder Score	Available asset types	Stock trade fee	Minimum deposit	Key features	Offer
OPTO	Finder score 7.4 Great	Stocks, ETFs	$0	$0	Discover emerging trends Invest by theme Design your own stock index	Earn up to $300 when you deposit between $500–$3,000	Go to siteView details	loading Fetching your data...
SoFi Invest®	Finder score 8.6 Great	Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Alternatives	$0	$0	Invest, bank, borrow and more SoFi Plus benefits Taxable and retirement accounts	For a limited time, get up to $2,000 in stock when you open and fund a new account. T&C apply.	Go to siteView details	loading Fetching your data...
Tastytrade	Finder score 8.6 Great	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Treasury Bills	$0	$0	Real-time market insights Live educational shows Professional trading tools	Get $50-$5,000 when you open and fund an account with $2,000 to $1,000,000+	Go to siteView details	loading Fetching your data...
Robinhood	Finder score 9.2 Excellent	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures	$0	$0	Get up to 3% in IRA match with Gold Get 4% APY on cash with Gold Active trading tools	Get a free stock when you successfully sign up and link your bank account.	Go to siteView details	loading Fetching your data...
Zacks Trade	Finder score 7.8 Great	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, CDs	$0.01	$250	Low margin rates Customizable trading platforms Professional trading tools	Get up to $1,000 when you open and fund an account. Terms apply.	Go to siteView details	loading Fetching your data...
Interactive Brokers	Finder score 9.2 Excellent	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Forex, Treasury Bills	$0	$0	Active and robo investing Global market access Professional trading tools		Go to siteView details	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

When you know how to buy stocks on iPhone stock apps, a new world of investing opens up right at your fingertips. To get started, check out the best trading apps and start investing today.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best app to buy stocks for beginners?

The best app to buy stocks for beginners depends on your personal investment needs, but popular choices today include SoFi Invest®, Public and eToro.

How much money should you have to start buying stock?

Every brokerage has different requirements, with some offering a $0 opening deposit. You can even get started trading without investing any funds. For example, Charles Schwab allows paper trading so you can practice investment strategies.

There are also brokerages that are more affordable, with Robinhood and Opto offering fractional shares and Fidelity and Firstrade allowing penny stocks.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Lena Borrelli

Contributor

Lena Borrelli is an experienced finance writer with a deep understanding of personal finance, investing and consumer banking. Her work has been featured in top-tier publications such as Forbes, TIME, Bankrate, Moneywise and Annuity.org, where she provides expert insights on financial trends, smart money management and emerging fintech solutions. With a background in personal finance and content strategy, Lena specializes in breaking down complex financial topics into clear, actionable advice for readers. When she is not writing or scanning the news for the latest headlines, she is happiest spending time in the Florida sunshine with her husband and two pups. See full bio