Auto-invest automatically puts your available cash to work, helping you stay on track with your investment targets. This article explains how Auto-invest works, how to manage your settings, and answers frequently asked questions—including troubleshooting and strategic tips.
What Is Auto-invest?
Auto-invest is an M1 feature that monitors the cash balance in your investment account. When you have at least $25 in available cash above your chosen minimum, M1 will automatically invest it in your Pie, aligning your investments with your targets—no manual trades or calculations required.
By default: Auto-invest is ON for all accounts
Default minimum cash balance: $0
Trade threshold: $25 in available cash required for an automatic investment
When your cash meets or exceeds $25 above your minimum, M1 automatically invests this amount, returning your uninvested cash balance to the minimum you've set, including cash as a result of a recent sell or slice removal.
How to adjust your Auto-invest settings
Web
Navigate to the Portfolio Tab
Scroll down to the “Automation” section located below your Pie.
Toggle Auto-invest On or Off
Mobile
Navigate to the Portfolio Tab
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen
Toggle Auto-invest On or Off
How does Auto-invest decide what to buy?
When Auto-invest initiates a buy:
M1 reviews your Pie’s target allocations.
Slices (securities) that are most underweight relative to your targets are prioritized for investment.
Your cash is divided according to your Pie’s structure, helping rebalance your portfolio toward your selected targets.
Auto-invest and minimum cash: How it works
Auto-invest ON: Any cash that exceeds your minimum (by at least $25) will be invested.
Auto-invest OFF: Deposits and dividends accumulate as cash until you invest them manually (no automatic trades).
Example:
Example 1: Minimum cash balance set to: $0
A buy order for your portfolio will be automatically placed whenever cash balance in your account reaches or exceeds $25. The buy order will return cash to $0.
Example 2: Minimum cash balance set to: $1,000
A buy order for your portfolio will be automatically placed whenever cash in your account reaches or exceeds $1,025.
Cash up to $1,000 will remain uninvested in your account. Any cash exceeding your minimum of $1,000 will be invested. This buy order will return your cash to $1,000.
Setting or adjusting your minimum cash balance
You can choose how much cash to keep uninvested in your account (your “minimum cash”):
Web
Navigate to the Portfolio Tab
Scroll down to the “Automation” section located below your Pie.
Toggle Auto-invest On
Set your minimum cash to the amount you’d like to remain in cash
Mobile
Navigate to the Portfolio Tab
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen
Toggle Auto-invest On
Select "Set Auto-invest minimum"
Set your minimum cash to the amount you’d like to remain in cash
When Auto-invest is disabled
With Auto-invest off, M1 will never automatically invest your cash. Deposits and paid dividends will accrue in your account and await your direction.
Troubleshooting common Auto-invest issues
Auto-invest not triggering: Check if your cash balance exceeds both your minimum and $25.
Securities not purchased: Delisted or inactive securities will be excluded from auto-invest
Pending deposits/trades: Funds from recent deposits or unsettled trades may not be available yet.
All examples above are for informational purposes and should not be considered an offer to buy or sell certain stocks. M1 does not provide investment advice.
Brokerage accounts on the M1 platform are either fully disclosed to APEX Clearing or cleared through M1 Finance LLC. Please look at your account statement to determine how your account is cleared.
All investing involves risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance does not guarantee future performance. Using margin can add to these risks. Users utilizing APEX cleared margin accounts should review the APEX margin account risk disclosure before borrowing. Users utilizing M1 cleared margin accounts should review the M1 margin account risk disclosure before borrowing. M1 Margin Loans are available on margin accounts with at least $2,000 invested per account. Not available for Retirement or Custodial accounts. Margin rates may vary.
Brokerage products and services are offered by M1 Finance LLC, Member FINRA / SIPC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of M1 Holdings, Inc.
This content was generated using artificial intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. While reasonable efforts are made to ensure accuracy, AI-generated outputs may omit key context; and should not be construed as financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Users should independently verify all information and consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
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