What HBO Max costs and what's included

HBO Max is a streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It offers movies, TV shows, and original series. The service has two payment tiers: a standard plan with ads, and an ad-free plan. The price of each tier changes periodically and varies depending on whether you pay monthly or commit to an annual plan.

The standard plan (with ads) is the lower-cost option. The ad-free plan costs more but removes advertisements from your viewing. Both tiers give you access to the same content library — the difference is the viewing experience. You can stream on multiple devices at once, though the number of simultaneous streams allowed depends on which plan you choose.

When you sign up, you create an account with an email address and password. You can then add a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or sometimes a third-party payment account like PayPal or Apple Pay, depending on where you sign up. Your subscription renews automatically each billing cycle unless you cancel it.

Key Takeaways

  • HBO Max offers two tiers: a cheaper plan with ads and a more expensive plan without ads, with prices that vary by region and billing cycle.
  • Both plans include the same content library; the only difference is whether ads appear during playback.
  • You can watch on multiple devices at the same time, but the number of simultaneous streams is limited by your plan tier.
  • Your subscription renews automatically each month or year, so you must cancel manually if you want to stop paying.
  • You can pause or resume your subscription through your account settings without losing your profile or watch history.

How to sign up for HBO Max

Go to the HBO Max website or download the HBO Max app on your phone, tablet, or streaming device. On the sign-up page, choose which plan you want — the ad-supported option or the ad-free option. Enter your email address and create a password.

Next, you'll enter your payment information. HBO Max accepts major credit and debit cards. Depending on your device or region, you may also see options to pay through your phone carrier, Apple, Google Play, or Amazon. Choose the payment method you want to use and complete the transaction. Your subscription becomes active immediately, and you can start watching right away.

If you already have an HBO Max account through another service — such as a cable provider, phone carrier, or bundled package — you may be able to sign in with those credentials instead of creating a new account. Check whether your existing service includes HBO Max before paying for a separate subscription.

Devices you can use and simultaneous streaming

HBO Max works on most common devices: smartphones and tablets (iPhone, iPad, Android), computers (Windows and Mac), smart TVs, streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Google TV), and gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox). You can download the app or use a web browser to access your account.

The number of people who can watch at the same time depends on your plan. The ad-supported plan typically allows two simultaneous streams. The ad-free plan usually allows four simultaneous streams. This means two or four people can watch different shows or movies at the same time on different devices under the same account.

If you try to stream on more devices than your plan allows, you'll get an error message. You can switch which devices are streaming, but you cannot exceed the limit at any one moment. If you share your account with family members, keep this limit in mind.

Pausing, canceling, and restarting your subscription

You can pause your HBO Max subscription for up to three months without losing your account, profile, or watch history. To pause, log into your account on the HBO Max website, go to your account settings, and select the pause option. During the pause period, you won't be charged, and your subscription will automatically resume when the pause ends — unless you cancel it first.

To cancel your subscription permanently, go to your account settings and select the cancel option. You'll be asked to confirm. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, so if you paid for a full month, you can still watch until that month ends. After cancellation, you lose access to the service, but your profile and watch history are saved for 10 months. If you sign up again within that window, your history returns.

If you cancel and want to restart later, you can sign back in with the same email and password. Your previous watch history and profiles will reappear if you restart within 10 months of cancellation. After 10 months, your data is deleted.

Sharing your account and profile management

HBO Max allows multiple profiles under one account. Each profile has its own watch history, recommendations, and settings. You can create up to five profiles per account. This is useful if you share your subscription with family members — each person can have their own profile so recommendations and watch history stay separate.

To create a profile, go to your account settings and select "Add Profile." You can name it and choose whether it's for an adult or a child. If you select a child profile, HBO Max restricts content to age-appropriate material and requires a PIN to access adult content.

Keep in mind that while you can have multiple profiles, the simultaneous streaming limit still applies to the entire account. If your plan allows four simultaneous streams, that's four streams total across all profiles combined, not four per profile.

Troubleshooting common issues

If you can't log in, first check that you're using the correct email address and password. If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it. HBO Max will send a reset link to your email.

If you're getting an error about too many simultaneous streams, someone else is watching on another device. Stop playback on one device, wait a moment, and try again on the device you want to use. If the problem persists, sign out of all devices in your account settings and sign back in on the device you want to use.

If the app crashes or won't load, try closing it completely and reopening it. If that doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall the app. On a web browser, try a different browser or clear your browser cache. If you're having trouble on a streaming device or smart TV, restart the device.

If you're charged but can't access your account, check your email for a confirmation of your subscription. If you see a charge but no active subscription, contact HBO Max support through the website. Have your account email and the date of the charge ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use HBO Max in other countries?

HBO Max is available in many countries, but not all. Availability and pricing vary by region. If you travel internationally, you may not be able to access your account in some countries due to licensing restrictions. Check the HBO Max website to see if the service is available where you're traveling.

What happens if I don't cancel before my billing date?

Your subscription will renew automatically on your billing date, and you'll be charged for the next cycle. To avoid this, cancel before your renewal date. You can still watch until the end of your paid period after you cancel.

Can I change my plan after I sign up?

Yes. Log into your account settings and select the option to change your plan. If you upgrade from ad-supported to ad-free, the change takes effect immediately and you'll be charged a prorated amount. If you downgrade, the change takes effect on your next billing date.

Is there a free trial?

HBO Max occasionally offers free trial periods, but these are not always available and vary by region and promotion. Check the HBO Max website to see if a trial is currently being offered in your area.

Can I get HBO Max through my cable or phone provider?

Many cable providers and phone carriers include HBO Max as part of their packages or offer it as an add-on. Contact your provider to ask if HBO Max is included in your plan or what it costs to add. If it is included, you can sign in with your provider credentials instead of paying separately.