HBO Max is a web video streaming platform that offers all you would expect from the name and much more. It went online in May 2020 to complement HBO’s other digital media. This service provides premium content that includes HBO’s original programming like “Game of Thrones” and channels that include DC, Cartoon Network Adult Swim, Studio Ghibli, and CNN. If that’s not enough, HBO Max also has the entire Warner Brothers catalog. It means you get the Looney Tunes channel and Friends.
So if HBO Max sounds like an excellent video streaming service to you, it’s because it is indeed! But there’s a catch. HBO hasn’t invested much effort in its platforms’ internationalization. Hence HBO Max serves only US-based users, deploying a geo-blocking technology to prevent its availability outside the region. So if you’re not in the US and try to watch a video in the HBO Max catalog, you will get the error: “HBO Max is not available in your region.“
Are you one of those souls who can’t enjoy HBO Max because of your physical location? Then, this article is for you! You will be delighted to learn that you can see HBO Max even outside the US if you just know to use a single digital tool: the virtual private network (VPN).
Streaming HBO Max outside the US – The quick guide
Let’s say you already have a subscription to HBO Max and don’t have time to read our whole article. Or, you don’t need to learn that many details because you’re already conversant with VPN technology. Then, here’s how you can see HBO Max in the quickest possible way:
- Get a VPN subscription. NordVPN is our preferred VPN vendor. You can choose the one you like, but it has to be a premium service. Stay away from free VPNs.
- Download and install the VPN apps your service provides for the operating system or device you intend to use with HBO Max.
- Sign in to the VPN.
- Choose a server based in the US.
- Now launch your browser, point it to HBO Max, sign in, and enjoy all the content you want!
HBO Max and VPNs: Why do I need one?
The thing with legal video streaming services is that they can’t offer all the content they have to every user. Before showing a title, they must negotiate with the copyright owner and agree on what material the platform can broadcast to which countries. Consequently, every country has a different catalog (assuming there is something at all), depending on the platform’s rights.
Since HBO owns the copyright to its original programming, at least Game of Thrones should be available for every country. Right? Wrong. Things are never that simple. Many HBO original shows were produced in association with other companies. So, even HBO can’t decide alone what it does with that material.
Sadly for HBO fans, the company is not rushing to expand its availability to the whole planet. The primary market is, of course, the US. Then starting in November 2021, it grew to Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Spain, and Andorra. And this year should see the list grow by fifteen more countries.
An unusual feature of HBO’s expansion strategy is that some of the world’s most important markets, such as Germany, France, and the UK, still don’t get service from the Max platform.
As you can see, the US is not the only country in which HBO Max operates. Does that mean you don’t need a VPN if you live in Spain or Andorra? Well, yes, if all you want is to get access, your geo-location will give it to you. But remember that, because of copyright distribution deals, the catalog available in every country is different. The land which gets the largest (and best) video library in HBO Max is the US. So if you want to unleash HBO’s full potential, you need to be able to unlock the US catalog anywhere outside the region. For that, you need a VPN.
What else can a VPN do besides unblocking HBO Max outside the US?
This article focuses on a top-notch VPN’s ability to bypass the geo-location blocks in HBO Max. This use case exploded over the last couple of years because of the demand for home entertainment the Covid-19 pandemic brought about. And it works, as you will see as soon as you try it.
However, VPNs are one of the most versatile and powerful tools on the internet, and having a premium VPN service will give you many more benefits.
So let’s see briefly what a VPN is and what it will do for you.
A VPN is a network that will perform two essential tasks. First, it will spoof your IP address. All the traffic between your device and the rest of the world will go through a VPN server.
The servers on the other side will see you connecting from the VPN server and detect its IP address as yours. This trick enables the unblocking of HBO Max or any other video streaming platform restricted outside the US. So, as you connect from a US-based server in your VPN’s network, HBO Max sees you as a US-based client, thus giving you the entire US catalog.
The second trick every VPN must always do is encrypt all incoming and outgoing traffic. Good encryption turns a stream of meaningful data into random white noise. Thus, no external observer can figure out what is happening with your traffic unless they access the decryption keys.
So, are you worried about government surveillance? Your ISP likes to throttle video streamers and torrenters? Have you been a victim of those hackers that are always lurking around the world’s WiFi public hotspots? The encryption a VPN gives you will make all those problems go away.
So a VPN will increase your digital security, anonymity, and privacy. If you are familiar with Snowden’s revelations, you’ll immediately see how this is an excellent advantage for you.
Encryption and IP masking are the two things every VPN should do. It’s the definition of a VPN, more or less. But the best VPNs (like the ones we’ll recommend and describe in the next section) will do much more for you!
For instance, NordVPN has a feature called obfuscation. It takes all your traffic and, besides the encryption and IP spoofing, makes it look like HTTPS traffic. So any third-party tracking your activities will think that you’re simply exchanging traffic with a secured HTTP website, which is becoming the standard type of website, while you could be doing anything, from using the BitTorrent network to streaming your favorite Game of Thrones episode.
The most critical consequence of HTTPS spoofing is letting you evade censorship. The world’s most intrusive governments (some of which forbid VPNs) won’t be able to stop you from using any website you want in the world because they won’t know you’re doing it. Obfuscated VPN traffic is the very thing that allows you to bypass the Great Firewall of China or the VPN restrictions in the UAE.
We could keep telling you more about the wonders of having a good VPN, but that’s beyond the scope of this guide. Also, we’ve written extensively about such subjects on this website, so if you browse a little, you’ll find plenty of relevant information if you want to learn more.
The bottom line is that nowadays, having a VPN is not a luxury but a fundamental necessity for every digital denizen. It will improve your life in ways you can’t even imagine, and unblocking HBO Max’s complete catalog outside the US is not the tip of the iceberg. Get a VPN. It will be hard for you to be wrong.
The best VPNs for HBO Max in 2022
Unblocking HBO Max needs a VPN, as we’ve mentioned repeatedly already. The thing about the VPN market is that it’s exploded over the last few years, and there are many options out there.
Not every option will work, though. This task needs a VPN whose server connections are highly stable and very fast, to begin with — let alone that you need an option that offers enough servers in the US so that you can always find open slots. And you won’t find these features from every provider, even if they have excellent reputations.
Keep in mind that different VPNs have different priorities. Some of the best world’s VPNs can’t manage video streams regarding security and privacy. The increased security they offer (additional encryption layers, for instance) comes at the cost of transfer speeds. Thus they can’t support an HD video stream. But, again, we’re talking about some of the best options in the industry. These are not inadequate services; they’re merely the wrong tool for the job.
Finding the best VPNs for video streaming that keep you safe and do everything great VPNs should do is labor-intensive, requiring a lot of expertise, time, and resources. But you don’t need to do it! It’s our job to do the work in your stead. So we’ve tested many VPNs, and we will tell you the best three for HBO Max streaming outside the US.
1. NordVPN
The very best VPN globally and the best option for HBO Max as it boasts roughly two thousand high-speed servers from within the US.
5,200+ servers in 60 countries
P2P optimized servers
Boasts Double encryption
Has zero-logging policy
Kill switch feature
6 connections simultaneously
MultiHop-mode
30-day money-back guarantee
24/7 live chat support
Pros
- Fast speeds
- Unblocks HBO on every server
- User-friendly apps
- Adblocking feature
Cons
- Some servers can be slow
NordVPN is our go-to VPN for many tasks. In our weekly re-evaluations of many VPNs for different purposes, we mainly conclude that NordVPN is the best option. Unlocking HBO Max is not the exception.
You can get the HBO Max US catalog with NordVPN for sure. Still, this VPN unlocks almost every video streaming service in existence. So if you also want to get the best from Netflix, Disney Plus, Fox Sports Go, BBC iPlayer, or any other video streaming platform, this provider is the way to go.
The SmartPlay feature in NordVPN allows you to get geo-blocked material without using the VPN’s app. Just add the DNS addresses to your account page, and that’s it. It’s so powerful. But we’d still advise you to use the full VPN server connection to get encryption and obfuscation on your video traffic. Some ISPs observe their users’ habits and throttle accounts that stream a lot of video content. It would be better for you to prevent that.
NordVPN features the NordLynx tunneling protocol, the fastest in the industry (it’s based on WireGuard). This VPN’s high speeds and stability make it better suited for video tasks than most others.
Still unsure about using NordVPN? You can try it risk-free with its money-back guarantee, so you can use the service for a month before you decide to commit for the long term. As far as we’re concerned, you can’t go wrong with this vendor.
2. ExpressVPN
An old favorite still holds its own with HBO Max. Known for its lightning-fast speeds, ExpressVPN offers multiple reliable US IPs to stream HBO Max anywhere.
3,000 servers in 94 countries
AES-256-bit encryption
Web leak protection
P2P optimized servers
Kill switch
Zero-logs policy
5 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Fast speeds across all locations
- Stealthy security
- Includes standalone smart DNS
- Reliably unblocks HBO Max
- 24/7 live chat support
Cons
- Bit expensive
Almost no other VPN has gathered the excellent reputation associated with ExpressVPN. That’s because it’s been around for a very long time and has always provided a service at the industry’s vanguard, very high quality indeed.
While NordVPN is the service that gets all the hype lately, ExpressVPN has been every reviewer’s darling for years.
ExpressVPN’s server network is not as extensive as NordVPN’s. But it’s still quite large, with plenty of servers in the US, which is the critical element of HBO Max unlocking. The server speeds are also very high (they can give you up to 75 to 80% of your baseline ISP’s speeds), and the connections are also stable.
Also, as with NordVPN, ExpressVPN has many additional features besides robust encryption and IP spoofing that make its service unique in the market. You could find that you decided to join this VPN to use HBO Max but that you will keep the service for years because it’s so helpful in so many other ways.
3. Surfshark
The best budget VPN unblocks HBO Max as well via its hundreds of servers spread across 25 different US cities.
Over 3,200 servers across 65 countries
AES-256-bit encryption
Supports P2P traffic
Kill switch mode
Zero-logging
Multi-Hop Mode
Unlimited simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Secured with military grade encryption
- Fast speed
- All servers unblock HBO Max
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- A bit erratic P2P Behavior
Surfshark is a relatively new VPN provider. However, it offers a surprisingly top-notch set of features comparable with those in NordVPN or ExpressVPN for a fraction of the cost. Thus, it’s been an industry disruptor for the last few months.
Its ease of use also makes it among the perfect VPN for unblocking HBO Max US content anywhere outside the American region. Join the network, pick any US, Latin America, or Caribbean server, and get all the HBO Max catalogs. Also, like our previous two picks, this VPN unlocks many other platforms, such as Netflix or Hulu, so you’ll have plenty of entertainment choices besides HBO Max.
Surfshark’s features include a Smart DNS feature (like NordVPN does), so you can spoof your IP address without a VPN server. But like in the previous case, we do not suggest using it alone because your traffic remains unencrypted.
How to watch HBO Max on different devices
The premium VPN of your choice will unlock HBO Max on any device you want. So you can enjoy that new HBO show you want to see with your friends and family on your smart TV or smartphone as you travel or conduct your ordinary business.
HBO Max on Mobile Devices (Apple or Android)
If you can’t use a TV or a console, your tablet or smartphone can help you access HBO Max. Any mobile device will do the trick. Your VPN vendor provides software to download and install on your device. You can often find those apps in the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store with a simple search. Then, you need to change your online location to the US to watch your favorite HBO Max content anywhere outside the country.
Here’s what to do, step by step:
- Set your phone and app store location to the United States.
- Find your VPN app. Download and install it. NordVPN is the best option as far as we’ve seen, but the other two options will also work.
- Sign up for a new Google or Apple ID account, depending on your mobile device. This new account must have the US as your country of residence.
- Switch your device to your new US-based account.
- Search the HBO Max app. Install it.
- Sign up for an HBO Max Account. Follow the verification procedure. Or sign in if you already have an account with HBO Max.
- You’re done! Watch all the HBO Max you want!
Those steps will also work on iPads, Android tablets, or Amazon Fire devices.
Watch HBO Max on your desktop
You can also quickly access HBO Max from your Chrome OS, macOS, or Windows computer.
- Download, install and set up your VPN’s software.
- Launch the app. Connect to the VPN network through a US-based server.
- Create an HBO Max account and enjoy the shows!
HBO Max on a Fire TV Stick
The general procedure is almost the same if you want to unlock HBO Max on your Fire TV stick. First, go to the app store and find your VPN app. Install it. Set up your VPN credentials and connect to a server in the US.
Once you’re connected with a US IP address, please search for the HBO Max app in the app store and install it. Then, create a US-based HBO account and log into it.
From this moment on, you should be able to enjoy HBO Max on your Firestick, even if you’re somewhere outside the US. The procedure is the same if you have an Xfinity Xflex, a Chromecast, or a Roku device.
HBO Max on Smart TVs
This method will work on Samsung TVs, Amazon Fire TVs, Android TVs, and Apple TVs.
Like in the previous cases, you get your VPN app installed on your Smart TV, set up an account, and join the VPN network through a US-based server. Once that’s done, you download the HBO Max app, sign up (as if you were in the US) and start watching HBO Max!
There’s a more sophisticated method: if you install your VPN into your router, then every device whose internet comes from that router will be in the VPN automatically. Thus even those devices that do not support apps (like Play Station 4, 5, Xbox One, and more) will be able to use the HBO Max service without problems. We explained setting up your VPN in a router in this article here, which is a more elaborate process. However, NordVPN and ExpressVPN support that option, and their knowledge base will tell you everything you need to know so you can make this work.
Watching HBO anywhere outside the US
The United Kingdom
HBO’s distribution rights in the United Kingdom are in the hands of Sky Atlantic. But sometimes, it takes a while for the content to become available there. Also, HBO Max is unavailable in the UK, so you won’t get any of the Warner Brothers material.
So if you are a UK HBO aficionado, everything boils down to this: you can only get the latest HBO content in a timely way if you can access the US catalog, and the only way to do that is with a VPN that boasts US servers.
Canada
HBO Max doesn’t serve Canada. A VPN will allow you to join and watch the service, but you could have a problem with your payment method — the HBO payments system could reject Canadian bank cards.
This issue goes away if you pay your membership through Android and Apple devices because HBO doesn’t manage those payments directly.
Europe
Sky distributes HBO to Germany and Italy. Then there’s HBO Europe in Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia, Romania, Portugal, Poland, Norway, Montenegro, Macedonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Czech Republic, Croatia, and Bulgaria. VPNs are the only way to access HBO if you are anywhere else on the continent.
Mexico
Mexican HBO enthusiasts are probably the luckiest outside the US. HBO Max became officially available in Mexico one year after its US launch. As a result, every Mexican HBO Go account became an HBO Max one, and the entire US catalog is available too.
Australia
Binge and Foxtel include HBO in Australia. However, the time difference makes it hard to avoid web spoilers. At any rate, you can’t get HBO Max at all in Australia unless you use a VPN in Australia.
Paying for HBO Max from outside the US
If you sign up for HBO Max on the website, you must pay for your subscription using a domestic (US) payment method. But you don’t need to be discouraged; there are other ways to do this.
Suppose you already have your VPN app installed and a US HBO Max account ready. All that is left is to pay for your subscription. So here’s what you do: you pay for your subscription using Google Pay, for instance, so that you can pay with any paying card or with Paypal. The same goes for Apple devices.
And there’s another method: you can pay for an HBO Max account with a digital gift card. You can buy them at Amazon US, which allows you to pay for your purchases in various ways, not limited to American-based cards.
Fix to HBO Max not working with VPN
First of all, don’t panic. Minor issues commonly arise with HBO Max connections, even with the best VPNs.
If you are using a VPN but still can’t enjoy your HBO Max subscription, you might have picked a lousy VPN for this task or are using an inconsistent server. You can fix either issue by subscribing to a top-notch VPN (NordVPN or ExpressVPN, for instance) and picking a different server in the network.
Another frequent issue has to do with your browser’s cache. If it’s already full of cookies and other things that give away your actual location. So, you must clear your cache before HBO Max recognizes you as a US-based user.
Upon any irregularity, your first action should be to delete all cookies, clear the cache and reboot your operating system.
If, even after trying all those things, the problem persists, go to your VPN’s vendor customer service. The three VPNs on our list have excellent customer service platforms that will solve your problem quickly.
So what is the big deal about HBO Max, anyway?
Before 2020 HBO had two streaming services: HBO Go and HBO Now. But in 2020, it merged both into a new product, HBO Max, which has all the HBO content in the US (or abroad if you know how to mask your IP, of course).
The HBO original content is viral worldwide, which makes this platform a big player in the video streaming industry. Specifically, the platform includes the whole Warner Brother Catalog (which means you get Friends, the Looney Toons) and much other excellent content.
HBO Max and HBO GO, what is the difference?
HBO Go is an online app for users with HBO in their cable package. The content in both HBO Go and HBO Now is the same.
The difference is that HBO Now allows other people without a cable service or with a cable service without premium channels (like HBO) to see HBO’s content by paying for a subscription.
Best shows you can watch on HBO Max
Since HBO Go and HBO Now merged in 2020, the combined streaming service HBO Max has taken the quality of HBO content to the next level. Here, you can find all your favorite shows in fine video quality. Some of the worthy mentions you can enjoy on HBO Max include,
- Game of Thrones (seasons 1 to 8)
- Friends (season 1 to 10)
- Harry Potter (all seasons)
- Big Bang Theory (seasons 1 to 12)
- Rick and Morty (seasons 1 to 5)
Final thoughts
The internet has no borders. So why should your digital life have any?
Oh, ok, we are exaggerating a little. Countries have different policies about internet access and how you use it. And many service providers (in the video streaming business and others) have varying services for different countries.
But the question holds: a VPN gives you a digital VISA to be wherever you want in the world at the click of a button. So why not use it?
Also, a VPN will make your digital life safer, more anonymous, and enhance your privacy. And it’s so cheap (one of your suggested providers gives you the complete service for fewer than 3 USD monthly!). So why should you miss out on the benefits of a VPN?
And, when all is said and done, that VPN will grant you access to all the HBO Max content you ever wanted from anywhere outside the US boundaries.
FAQs
Yes, you can. From anywhere in the world (even China), if you pick the correct VPN. The key is to have a top-notch VPN service and connect from a US-based server.
HBO Max used to have a free trial for its service. Not anymore, though. However, you can get a trial through Hulu.
No, you can use a web browser too.
Not at all. ExpressVPN or other VPNs will give you VPN services on offer. But if you want HBO Max, you must sign up and pay for it.
The answer is: it depends. If you choose a free VPN, the chances are that you won’t even be able to see a minute of video. If, on the other hand, you choose one of the three providers we suggested, your video quality will be pristine all the time, and you’ll have no buffering problems.
No, but if you subscribe to the HBO add-on on Amazon Prime, you can have both!
