How to cancel Max depends on how you signed up

Max (formerly HBO Max) can be cancelled through the Max app or website if you signed up directly with Max. If you subscribed through another service — like Apple, Amazon Prime Video, Roku, or your cable provider — you cancel through that service instead, not through Max itself. The steps and timing differ depending on your route.

Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle. You will keep access until that date, then lose it. If you signed up for an annual plan, you may face an early termination fee depending on the service you used.

Key Takeaways

  • Direct Max subscriptions cancel through the Max app or website under account settings, and take effect at the end of your billing cycle.
  • Subscriptions through Apple, Amazon, Roku, or cable providers must be cancelled through those services, not through Max.
  • Annual plans may charge an early termination fee if you cancel before the year is up; monthly plans do not.
  • You keep full access to Max until your billing cycle ends, even after you cancel.
  • Cancellation confirmation comes by email, and you should save it in case of billing disputes.

Cancelling a direct Max subscription through the app or website

Open the Max app or go to max.com and sign in. On the app, tap your profile icon in the top right corner. On the website, click your profile icon in the top right. Select "Account" or "Settings." Look for a section called "Subscription" or "Plan." You will see your current plan and a button or link that says "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription." Click it.

Max will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer you a discount to stay. You can ignore this and proceed. After you confirm, you will see a message saying your subscription will end on a specific date — that is your final day of access. You should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. Save this email.

Cancelling through Apple, Amazon, Roku, or other third-party services

If you signed up for Max through another platform, cancel there instead. The steps vary by service:

  • Apple (iPhone, iPad, or Mac): Open Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, find Max, and tap Cancel Subscription.
  • Amazon Prime Video: Go to Your Account, select Memberships and Subscriptions, find Max, and click Cancel.
  • Roku: Go to your Roku account online, select Subscriptions, find Max, and click Cancel.
  • Google Play (Android): Open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, select Subscriptions, find Max, and tap Cancel Subscription.
  • Cable or satellite provider: Call your provider's customer service number or log into your account online and look for Subscriptions or Add-ons.

Cancellation through these services usually takes effect at the end of your billing cycle, the same as a direct cancellation. You will receive a confirmation from the third-party service, not from Max. If you do not receive one within 24 hours, contact that service's support team.

What happens to your account after you cancel

Your Max account remains active until the end of your billing cycle. You can still watch everything you could before. On your final day, you will lose access to the app and website. If you try to open Max after that date, you will see a message asking you to subscribe again.

Your watchlist, viewing history, and profile settings are saved for 10 months. If you resubscribe within that window, your account will look the same as when you left. After 10 months, Max deletes your account data.

Early termination fees and annual plans

If you paid for an annual subscription upfront and cancel before the year is over, you may owe an early termination fee. The amount depends on how much of the year remains. For example, if you paid $140 for a year and cancel after three months, you might owe a fee equal to the remaining nine months of service at the monthly rate.

Monthly subscriptions do not charge early termination fees. You can cancel anytime and only pay through the end of the current month. Check your subscription details before you cancel to see whether you have an annual or monthly plan and what the fee would be.

If you are having trouble cancelling

If the Cancel button does not appear in your account settings, you may be on a promotional plan or a plan bundled with another service. Log out completely, wait 10 minutes, and log back in. If the button still does not appear, contact Max support through the app or website.

If you subscribed through a third-party service and cannot find the cancel option there, contact that service's support team. Do not try to cancel through Max itself — the cancellation will not go through, and you will keep being charged by the third party.

If you were charged after you cancelled, contact the service you subscribed through (Max, Apple, Amazon, etc.) with your cancellation confirmation email. Most services will refund charges made after your cancellation date if you can show proof you cancelled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel Max anytime or is there a contract?

You can cancel anytime. Monthly plans have no contract. Annual plans may charge an early termination fee if you cancel before the year ends. The fee amount depends on how much of the year remains.

Will I lose access immediately after I cancel?

No. You keep full access until the end of your current billing cycle. If your billing date is the 15th and you cancel on the 1st, you can still watch Max until the 15th.

What if I cancel but keep getting charged?

Contact the service you subscribed through with your cancellation confirmation email. If you cancelled directly with Max, contact Max support. If you cancelled through Apple or Amazon, contact them. Most will refund charges made after your cancellation date.

Can I pause my subscription instead of cancelling?

Max does not offer a pause option. You can only cancel or keep your subscription active. If you want to stop paying temporarily, you must cancel and resubscribe later.

How do I reactivate Max after I cancel?

Sign back into your Max account or resubscribe through the same service you used before. If you resubscribe within 10 months, your watchlist and history will be there. After 10 months, your account data is deleted and you start fresh.