How to Stream Max (HBO Max) outside the USA

Introduction

Max, formerly named HBO Max, is undoubtedly a streaming giant in the USA. In the ever-evolving landscape of online streaming services, Max is one of the top five streaming services in the United States. Max combines the legacy of HBO’s movies, TV shows, and originals with content from extensive libraries such as Warner Bros, Discovery Channel, CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, and much more. 

The pressing issue is that it is only available in the United States and a small selection of other countries. If you’re outside of the USA or these countries, there is no way to access Max without using a virtual US card. Even using a VPN to change your virtual location to the USA isn’t enough. That’s because US-based streaming services require a US-based payment method to subscribe. 

How do you pay for Max and access HBO outside the US? 

StatesCard is a fantastic solution to easily subscribe and pay for whatever online service you’d like, including Max. In this article, we will outline how you can do that and unlock streaming freedom.

What is Max?

Max has been growing rapidly since its launch by Warner Media in 2020. (You might be wondering about the rebrand from HBO Max to Max - this is a development as of May 2023 after its successful merger with Discovery+.)

Max brings you the greatest hit TV shows, movies, and Max originals. The HBO library boasts hits like the epic saga Game of Thrones and the captivating drama Euphoria, but that’s just the beginning. With a Max subscription, you’re not limited to HBO’s rich library of award-winning movies and TV shows. You’re also unlocking a treasure trove of content from the vast libraries that Max has incorporated into its catalogue.

You’re definitely spoiled for choice with a Max subscription. StatesCard is here to help you access it.

Subscription plans

Max offers several subscription plans based on your streaming preferences and budget. 

Monthly option:

Yearly option:

Why is Max blocking non-US payments?

Blocking non-US payments is just another one of the strategies that streaming services use to make sure that you are located within the USA. Why do you have to be in the USA to access streaming services like Max? Licensing agreements. Streaming services make agreements with the companies owning movies and TV shows. Part of these agreements’ stipulations is where their content is allowed to be broadcasted. 

As a result, US-based streaming services require traffic to the website to be coming from the USA, as well as a US payment method. So to start with, you’ll need a VPN to change your virtual location to the USA. Otherwise, you’ll get this discouraging message: 

Then, you can use a US-based online payment method such as StatesCard to effortlessly pay for your shiny new Max subscription. 

Why do I need a US payment method for streaming?

Checking whether you have a US payment method is the second tool in streaming services’ toolkit to make sure that you’re coming from the USA. Streaming services, including Max, use a clever method to verify this. They check that you have an address in the US and that the first 6 numbers of your card number (the BIN) are associated with a US bank. 

StatesCard comes with both, making it equally effective to a physical card you’d get living in the USA.  

What is a virtual US card?

A virtual US card is a virtual card that can be used to pay for online US services and products. Load it up with funds and pay for whatever streaming service catches your fancy. A virtual US card comes with a US billing address and its first 6 numbers (the BIN) are associated with a US bank. This means that it will be able to work on any site that is geo-restricted to the USA. 

Why StatesCard for streaming?

A virtual US prepaid card like StatesCard is the best solution to paying for online streaming services in the USA. Why choose StatesCard to do the job?

  • Get your card in minutes with our quick sign-up process
  • Load funds instantly via credit card or PayPal 
  • No per-transaction fees
  • After getting your virtual card issued for $14.99, the monthly price is $3.95. The price of your morning coffee
  • Created by veterans of the VPN industry - no more Max or HBO gift cards from sketchy websites 

Do I need a VPN to pay for Max? 

You won’t need a VPN to download the Max app; you’ll only need a US Apple ID.

However, you will need a VPN to pay. To even access the Max website or app to begin with, your virtual location must be in the USA. Otherwise, to comply with licensing agreements, they won’t open or let you sign up. 

Our personal favourite VPN is StreamLocator, but feel free to use whatever VPN you have to do the trick.

How to pay for Max outside the USA?

To pay for Max outside the USA, you’ll need a virtual US card like StatesCard. Here is how you’d pay for Max using StatesCard:

  1. Create StatesCard Account: Begin by creating an account on our website. Provide your name, email, and address, and you’re good to go.

  1. Load Funds for the First Time: Once your account is set up, load funds onto your virtual US prepaid card.

  1. Pay for the Service: With your virtual US prepaid card loaded, pay for Max on their website or app.

Website:

a. Activate your VPN, selecting a US server to change your virtual location to the USA. This allows you to access the website to begin with.

b. Go to max.com. You may need to use incognito mode. 

c. Select your plan.

d. Enter your details.

e. Select “Debit Card” and enter your StatesCard details.

Note that you’ll need the Max app to view content on mobile. On your computer, you 

can, of course, stream via the Max website.

App:

Don’t worry about turning on your VPN just yet. You don’t need it to download the app, but you will need it to open the app. 

a. Create a US Apple ID as per this article. You’ll be making a new Apple ID and setting its location to the USA. You may need to open a new email, since you can’t use the same email as your existing Apple ID. 

b. Add your StatesCard as your payment method for your Apple ID.

c. Use your US Apple ID to log in to the App Store. Now that your StatesCard has been added to your Apple ID, you can pay for any US apps that you’d like! 

d. Download the Max app.

e. Turn your VPN on and set your virtual location to the USA, so that you can open the app.

f. Open the Max app and select your plan. 

g. Enter your details.

h. Go ahead and pay for Max.

  1. Enjoy Streaming: You're ready to enjoy the vast array of content available on Max, from anywhere in the world!

What to watch on Max?

We’re happy you asked! Here are some of the most popular movies and TV shows as of the time of writing this article.

Movies: 

  • Nun II
  • The Menu
  • Evil Dead Rise
  • Don’t Worry Darling
  • The Flash
  • Meg 2
  • The Fallout
  • Barbarian
  • Parasite
  • Dune
  • Avatar: The Way of Water
  • Black Adam
  • Mid 90s
  • Mortal Kombat
  • Godzilla vs Kong

TV shows:

  • Scavengers Reign
  • The Last of Us
  • Succession
  • Rick and Morty
  • Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch
  • Fear Thy Neighbor 
  • Love & Death
  • 30 Coins
  • The Gilded Age 
  • Station Eleven
  • Euphoria
  • Barry
  • His Dark Materials
  • The White Lotus
  • The Idol

HBO originals:

  • Game of Thrones
  • The Sopranos 
  • The Wire
  • Chernobyl 
  • Curb your Enthusiasm
  • Boardwalk Empire
  • Barry 
  • Succession
  • Band of Brothers
  • Westworld 
  • True Detective
  • Big Little Lies
  • Six Feet Under
  • Veep
  • The Leftovers