How to watch HBO Max in the UK

HBO Max is currently available in the US, Latin America, and parts of Europe. However, a number of countries still lack this streaming platform, which includes hugely popular shows such as House of the Dragon and Euphoria.

Luckily, we were able to successfully find a workaround. This is the same method we use to watch channels like Hulu, The CW, and Netflix US with a VPN.

Here’s how you can access HBO Max from the UK. We also recommend taking a look at How to Watch HBO Max for Free.

Watch HBO Max with a VPN

To subscribe, you need to go to the HBO Max website. You will not be able to open the website in your normal UK browser as it is only available in the US. However, this is easily overcome with a VPN.

Having a VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to change your IP address so you can browse the Internet as if you were in another country. For HBO Max, you will need a US server. For the best performance and price, we recommend either NordVPN or Surfshark. You can also take a look at our list of the best VPNs for HBO Max.

By choosing a VPN, you have overcome the first hurdle of watching HBO Max. The next one will be when you need to enter your billing information.

Payment Information for HBO Max

For the next step, you’ll need the HBO Max app. We have successfully tested this method using NordVPN.

Once you have purchased the desired VPN, you will need to download it on your iOS or Android device. The HBO Max website currently only allows you to sign up if you have a US-linked payment card. If you don’t have it, here are the steps you should take:

• Launch the VPN on your iOS/Android device and connect to a US server.
• Create a new US Apple ID/Google Play account in your browser (leave the country field blank).
• Register a new account in the app store for iOS/Android devices.
• You should now have access to the US App Store – download and install the HBO Max app.
• Click “Skip” if the app store asks you to add payment information to your iOS/Google Play account before you install HBO Max.
• Create a new account on the HBO Max app with your email address and password.
• Use PayPal as your payment method (this can be a UK account)
• Verify PayPal with your phone number if you have two-factor authentication set up.
• After verifying your account, you will be able to log in from any device.

Sometimes the Google Play Store doesn’t change to the US version even when you create a new account.

To get around this, connect to a VPN on your PC, log into the US Google Play Store website, search for the desired app, and send it to your phone (while still connected to the VPN). You can see an example using Peacock below:

There have been reports of users being unable to install HBO Max on iOS because the app store is forcing users to register their payment details and won’t accept UK PayPal if you try to sign up with that account.

To get around this, we recommend purchasing credit from the US App Store with a digital gift card that can be added as a US payment option.

You can purchase it from places like Amazon US, although there are other retailers as well. You will need a website that will allow you to pay with UK bank details. The typical minimum amount you can purchase is $25, which is enough to cover a monthly subscription to HBO Max.

When the site asks you to enter a recipient, enter your own email address and a redemption code will be sent to your inbox. Then, when you need to add payment information to the app store, select “Use a gift card or code” and you can add money as credit to your account.

You will then be able to sign up for an HBO Max account. Once your account is activated, you can change your billing information back to your UK PayPal via the website so you don’t have to pay for a new gift card every time.

We would like to emphasize that all of these methods are technically against HBO’s terms of service, so the company can terminate your account at any time. Proceed at your own risk.