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To set up HBO Max, subscribe at max.com/product or install the Max app on a supported device and choose Subscribe Now. Select a plan, create an account, add payment, and then sign in on the devices where you want to watch. In the US, the three listed plans range from Basic with Ads at $9.99 per month to Premium at $20.99 per month; the right choice depends on ads, downloads, stream count, and picture quality.
Choose a Max plan that fits how you watch
The prices below are the US prices listed by Max’s Help Center in 2026. Prices and available billing periods can vary by market, so check the plan choices shown during signup if you are outside the US.
| Plan | US price | Ads | Simultaneous streams | Resolution and audio | Downloads | Live sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic with Ads | $9.99/month or $99.99/year | With ads | 2 | Up to 1080p; other audio details not stated on the US plan page | Not stated on the US plan page | Not listed as included on the US plan page |
| Standard | $16.99/month or $169.99/year | Ad-free plan | 2 | Up to 1080p; other audio details not stated on the US plan page | 30 | Included: select events |
| Premium | $20.99/month or $209.99/year | Ad-free plan | 4 | 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Atmos when available | 100 | Included: select events |
Max’s plan comparison says all plans include the same core catalog, while features such as 4K and Dolby Atmos depend on the title and device. See Max’s US plan comparison and plan feature details for the current specifications.
Pick Basic with Ads if price matters most
Basic with Ads is the least expensive listed US option. It supports two simultaneous streams at up to 1080p, but its listed plan features do not establish an offline-download allowance or live sports inclusion.
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Choose Standard for downloads and select sports
Standard retains two simultaneous 1080p streams and includes 30 downloads. Max lists select live sports with Standard and Premium, including MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA Men’s March Madness, U.S. Soccer, and premier cycling. Availability is for select events, not a guarantee that every game or competition is available.
Choose Premium for more streams and higher-end playback
Premium permits four simultaneous streams and includes up to 100 downloads, 4K Ultra HD, and Dolby Atmos when available. It is the listed choice for a household needing more than two concurrent streams or seeking those higher-end formats; compatible titles and devices are required.
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Sign up on a phone or computer
- Open max.com/product in a browser on your phone or computer.
- Select a plan and choose monthly or yearly billing if both are offered in your market.
- Enter your email address. New subscribers complete the account form and select Create Account. Returning subscribers sign in with their existing Max or HBO Max password.
- Add a payment method and start the subscription. Max says subscriptions automatically renew until canceled.
- Select Start Streaming, then sign in to Max on each supported device you want to use.
Max’s signup instructions are available in its official Help Center plan and signup information.
Install Max on a TV or streaming device
Max supports phones, tablets, computers, TVs, streaming players, set-top boxes, and game consoles. On a supported TV, open its app store, find and install Max, then open the app and choose Subscribe Now to create an account or Sign In if you already subscribe. Exact menu names can differ by device.
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Install Max on an Amazon Fire TV Stick
- On the Fire TV home screen, open Find or search.
- Search for Max, select the app, and download it.
- Open Max and choose Subscribe Now or Sign In.
Max lists Amazon Fire TV Stick devices, Echo Show 15, and smart TVs with Fire TV built in as supported when they run Fire OS 5 or later. See the Max supported-device guide for device compatibility information.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Activate the TV app with a QR code or code
Some TV setup screens display a QR code or six-digit activation code. Complete the account setup on a phone or computer rather than entering account and payment details with the TV remote.
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- Enjoy the show in 4K Ultra HD, with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
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- On the TV, open Max and select the option to subscribe or sign in. If a QR code appears, scan it with your phone camera and open the displayed link.
- If a six-digit code appears instead, use the device-specific Max signup URL shown on the TV, open it on a phone or computer, and enter the code.
- Finish account creation and payment on the phone or computer, then return to the TV and select Start Streaming.
Max’s signup instructions describe code-based setup for supported TV flows. Follow the URL shown by your own device because the activation page can be device-specific.
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If setup does not work
- Max is missing from the app store: Check whether the TV or streaming player appears in Max’s supported-device guide, including the listed Fire TV requirement of Fire OS 5 or later.
- The TV shows a code: Complete activation on a phone or computer using the QR link or device-specific URL displayed by the TV, then return to the app.
- You already have an account: Choose Sign In and use the existing Max or HBO Max password instead of creating another account.
- You are outside the US: Use the plans, prices, and billing periods displayed for your market; the prices in this guide are the Help Center’s US listings.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
