HBO’s highly anticipated offspring, ‘HBO Max‘ launched today. The video streaming service is said to be working in congruence with HBO Go and HBO Now, and will not replace either of them. HBO Max comes packed with documentaries, movies and even its own ‘Max originals’. If you reside outside US or are living abroad, then here is how you can still access HBO MAX from any country.
Where is HBO Max available?
However, the service is currently only available for users in the US. There is no indication given as to when or even if the service is going to be available abroad. Luckily, we have a fix.
In this article, we will explain how you can access HBO Max outside of the US and stream your favorite shows and movies!
What is a VPN?
A VPN or Virtual Private Network basically extends your own private network by bouncing your IP address off different servers. Since it can extend so far, you can use a VPN to bounce your IP address off a certain location so that it mimics your geographical location.
Why do you need a VPN?
Since HBO Max is geographically locked to the US, this means that users with IP addresses outside of the US will not be able to access it. That is why you need a VPN to create the illusion that your IP address originates within the US!
So, get the VPN app of your choice from below for iOS, Android or Chrome browser, as applicable to you, and then check out the guide to use at the bottom to find how to use VPN to access HBO MAX form any part of the world.
Best VPN apps for Android
Here are the best VPNs for Android:
Related: Cloudfare 1.1.1.1 with Warp+
Best VPN apps for iOS
Here are some of the best VPNs for iOS:
Best VPN Chrome extensions
You can also add a VPN to your Google Chrome browser, using Chrome extensions. Simply install the extension from the Chrome Web Store and you’re good to go! No need for another VPN Windows client.
How to access HBO Max using a VPN
Once you have got the VPN service of your choice from the above, it’s time to use it to access HBO MAX from outside the US.
On phone, open your VPN app and provide necessary permissions to it. Or, if you are on PC, access the Chrome extension you installed above.
Related: How to set up VPN
Now, select the region in the VPN app/extension as US. Any city in the US would do if the app has multiple servers from the US. Be sure to check out which one has a better speed indicator because we are looking to stream videos. Yes, it’s a good idea to get a paid VPN service if you plan to watch a lot of videos hassle-free.
VPNs usually have the flag of the country shows next to their servers for easy recognition. Once you have selected a US server, turn on the VPN (in case it doesn’t connect to that server automatically). This may take a few seconds, depending on where in the world you are.
Now, you can access it via the web (for PC) or their app (here’s the link for Android and iOS). That’s it! You’re in! The HBO MAX website or app will no longer lock you out because you are not in the US. You will be able to access the service easily now from any part f the world.
Note: you must keep the VPN running as long as you are streaming through the service. Be sure to exclude the VPN app from battery optimization on your phone so that it can run in the background without being blocked by the system.
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