How to Watch HBO Max in the UK in 2024

HBO Max (now known as Max) offers award-winning content in 60+ countries and regions. You get all the HBO classics, plus DC, Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network, and even Discovery+ now that the platforms have merged. Unfortunately, HBO Max won’t be available in the UK until at least 2026, due to a licensing agreement between Warner Bros. and Sky Group.

As a result of that agreement, some HBO content is available in the UK with Sky subscriptions and NOW TV passes, but it's nowhere near the entire Max library. Moreover, even if you already have an HBO Max account, the content you can access when you travel varies by region. Your only choice is to get a VPN and change your IP to a supported region to unblock HBO Max in the UK. 

Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to watch HBO Max in the UK. You can also learn why you need a VPN, which providers work best, how much Max costs, and how to get around payment restrictions on the platform. Finally, you’ll find guides for watching HBO Max on various devices, content recommendations, answers to some FAQs, and much more.

How to Watch HBO Max in the UK

To stream Max in the UK, you’ll have to download a VPN and connect to a server in the US. (This is the only country where you can get the entire Max library.) Here’s the full guide:

1. Subscribe to a VPN that works with HBO Max (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN on your streaming device(s).
3. Select a US server using the VPN provider’s app.
4. Visit the new Max website and click “Sign Up Now.”

5. Choose a subscription plan and click “Continue.”

6. Input your account details and click “Create Account” at the bottom.

7. Select your payment method (US PayPal or debit/credit card required).

8. Once you add your payment info, click “Start Subscription” and enjoy!

You need a payment method with a valid US billing address to sign up for Max. This means a US debit/credit card or US PayPal account is required. Don’t have one? No worries - we’ll show you how to pay for HBO Max in the UK with some alternate methods later on. These include using an Apple gift card, a Google Play gift card, or a virtual US credit card.

Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch HBO Max in the UK?

You need a VPN for accessing HBO Max in the UK because the service won’t be available in the region until 2026 at the earliest. Warner Bros. has an exclusive deal with Sky (including NOW TV) in the UK, Ireland, Germany, and Italy, meaning HBO Max won’t expand to these territories until the agreement comes to an end.

If you try to stream HBO Max outside the US in an unsupported region like the UK without a VPN, you’ll be met with this geo-block message: “Max is Not Available in Your Region. To learn more about where you can stream Max or to get troubleshooting tips, visit our Help Center.”

You can get around such geo-blocks by changing your device’s IP with a VPN. Connect to a server in the US, and you’ll be able to sign up for Max. Alternatively, you can connect to a server in a different supported region to get HBO Max.

Keep in mind, though, that not all VPNs can unblock the platform. You'll need the best HBO Max VPN to avoid any hurdles. NordVPN is the best provider for the job because it has thousands of US servers and easily unblocks Max in the UK. Plus, it supports 4K streaming thanks to its blazing-fast connection speeds.

The Best VPN for Unblocking Max Streaming Service in the UK

The best VPN must unblock HBO Max in the UK easily, along with other streaming services. You’ll want a VPN with a large worldwide server network to watch HBO Max buffer-free from anywhere. A sizable US network is preferable since the US version of the service (called Max) has the most complete library.

Naturally, the VPN should offer great performance and fast speeds. And to hide your VPN activity in any situation, you’ll need a VPN with obfuscated servers and a kill switch. The provider should also maintain a no-logs policy, as well as include the latest protocols and offer strong encryption for security purposes.

Also, you’ll want VPN apps for all popular devices and a decent number of simultaneous connections for your household. Make sure it isn't too expensive, either. Lastly, the provider should offer 24/7 support through live chat and a generous money-back guarantee.

Based on these criteria, these are the 4 best VPNs for streaming Max in the United Kingdom in 2024:

1. NordVPN - Our #1-Rated VPN to Watch HBO Max in the UK
2. Surfshark - Access US HBO Max in the United Kingdom
3. ExpressVPN - Fast and Secure VPN for Streaming Max in the UK
4. CyberGhost VPN - Huge Server Network to Unblock Max on a Budget

1. NordVPN - Our #1-Rated VPN to Watch HBO Max in the UK

NordVPN is the best VPN to stream Max in the UK, as it can effortlessly unblock Max with its 1,970+ US servers in 16 locations. The provider works well for other streaming platforms, too. It does this with the help of SmartPlay, which uses elements of smartDNS technology to hide your DNS requests and is available on its entire network of 6,300+ servers in 111 countries.

The VPN has impeccable streaming support. We got stable performance and blazing-fast speeds while streaming HBO Max’s 4K content, regardless of our chosen region. We were able to skip around without experiencing any buffering.

NordVPN has various specialized servers, including obfuscated ones to mask your VPN activity. It also includes a powerful kill switch to prevent IP leaks during disconnections. Its no-logs policy has undergone an in-depth audit to ensure your data isn’t stored on NordVPN servers.

Moreover, its apps come with all the industry-standard protocols, including OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec (both with AES-256-GCM encryption), as well as the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol (using the ChaCha20 cipher).

You can use NordVPN on Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, smart TVs, routers, and more. It allows you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.

With all these incredible features, we're impressed that NordVPN costs as little as $3.09 per month for its 2-year plan. Lastly, its subscriptions are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee, and customer support is ready to help 24/7 through live chat.

2. Surfshark - Access US HBO Max in the United Kingdom

Surfshark is a solid alternative for HBO Max streaming in the UK because it can easily unblock HBO Max, as well as any other streamers. It has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries around the world, with 600+ US servers in 25 cities.

This VPN has unique Nexus technology, which rotates your IP without interrupting your connection. It also boosts speeds and helps keep connections stable. Overall, Surfshark has lightning-fast speeds and consistent performance, no matter which server you connect to.

Better yet, its entire network is obfuscated, so you won't have any issues bypassing geo-restrictions. Surfshark takes your privacy very seriously, which is why it has a reliable kill switch to prevent data leaks and an audited no-logs policy. For security, you will get AES-256-GCM or ChaCha20 encryption, depending on which protocol you choose from OpenVPN, IKEv2, or WireGuard.

You can install Surfshark on all kinds of streaming devices like computers, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, and more. Best of all, it allows unlimited simultaneous connections, so it's a great choice for large households or sharing with friends.

This is a great VPN if you're pinching pennies, because its 2-year plan is just $2.29 per month. Plus, Surfshark comes with a 30-day refund period for risk-free testing, and you can contact their round-the-clock customer support if you need help with anything.

3. ExpressVPN - Fast and Secure VPN for Streaming Max in the UK

ExpressVPN is another excellent option because it can access HBO Max in the United Kingdom, along with other streaming services. This VPN provider has thousands of servers in 105 countries, with a decently sized network in 24 US locations.

ExpressVPN offers reliable performance and fast speeds on all its servers around the world, making it good for streaming in 4K. Even better, all their servers have built-in obfuscation to hide your VPN activity.

Aside from obfuscation, ExpressVPN apps include a reliable kill switch to shut off Internet access in case of disconnections. The VPN has an independently audited no-logs policy to ensure your data privacy at all times.

As expected, ExpressVPN includes all the best and latest protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and its in-house Lightway option. They’re equipped with AES-256 or WolfSSL encryption, depending on your protocol choice, to keep you safe against cyber attacks.

The provider has apps for most devices out there, whether you use Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or Linux. There’s even a router app so you can watch HBO Max on devices without VPN support (like some streaming devices, TVs, and game consoles). You can use the VPN on up to 8 devices at the same time.

As one of the more expensive premium VPNs, ExpressVPN offers an annual plan for $6.67 per month. Luckily, all plans are covered by a 30-day money-back plan, and you get 24/7 live chat to help with troubleshooting.

4. CyberGhost VPN - Huge Server Network to Unblock Max on a Budget

CyberGhost VPN has the largest network out of all our recommendations, making it excellent for unblocking HBO Max. A hefty chunk of CyberGhost’s network is optimized for streaming, so it works well for unblocking 40+ other streaming platforms, too. It offers thousands of servers in 100 countries with 1,900+ servers in 11 US cities.

CyberGhost delivered decent speeds and solid performance on both close-by and distant servers, but we did notice slight speed dips on the latter. The VPN has no obfuscation, meaning it won’t deal well with tougher VPN blocks. Still, we had no problems streaming various HBO Max libraries.

To prevent accidental IP leaks, CyberGhost’s kill switch is permanently enabled. Plus, their no-logs policy has passed a successful audit recently, showing their commitment to your privacy. You also get all the tried-and-tested protocols, like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec (both AES-256-GCM enabled), along with the high-performance WireGuard (with ChaCha20 encryption).

CyberGhost allows 7 simultaneous connections, which is pretty generous considering it’s one of our more budget-friendly options. The VPN has easy-to-use apps that work flawlessly on PCs, tablets, smartphones, and more.

You can get a 2-year plan for only $2.03 per month, which is quite the steal. Best of all, CyberGhost comes with a robust, 45-day money-back guarantee on longer plans. Naturally, you get 24/7 live chat customer support in case you need server recommendations or help with any technical issues.

How Much is US HBO Max in the UK?

HBO Max can cost as little as $9.99 (£8.02) per month up to $19.99 (£16.05) monthly. You can also choose to pay annually, if you want. There are 3 separate Max plans (With Ads, Ad-Free, and Ultimate Ad-Free), and none of them come with free trials.

The cheaper plans allow 2 concurrent streams and Full HD video. Meanwhile, the Ultimate Ad-Free ups the limit to 4 streams and lets you enjoy Max content in 4K quality. 

Here’s a breakdown of each subscription, their prices in both US dollars and British pounds, and what they bring to the table:

Subscription	Price in USD	Price in GBP	Features
With Ads	$9.99/month ($99.99/year)	£8.02/month (£80.27/year)	- 2 screen limit - Watch titles in full HD
Ad-Free	$15.99/month ($149.99/year)	£12.84/month (£120.41/year)	- 2 screen limit - Watch titles in full HD - 30 downloads to watch on the go
Ultimate Ad-Free	$19.99/month ($199.99/year)	£16.05/month (£160.54/year)	- 4 screen limit - 4K video - Dolby Atmos audio - 100 downloads for offline viewing

How Can You Pay for HBO Max in the UK?

To pay for Max in the UK, if you don’t have a US credit or debit card, you’ll need to find alternate methods. We’ll show you how to pay with 4 different options: a prepaid credit card, using gift cards on the App Store or Google Play Store, or a borrowed US PayPal account.

Using a Prepaid Credit Card

You can get a reloadable prepaid virtual US credit card from online stores, which you can use to buy HBO Max in the UK. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Subscribe to a VPN for HBO Max (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN on your streaming device.
3. Connect to a US server.
4. Go to USUnlocked and click on “Get Started.”



5. Enter your details to create an account. 



6. Add funds to your account to get your new virtual payment card information. 
7. Head to the Max website and click “Sign Up Now.”
8. Follow the sign-up process presented in the intro.
9. Choose "Credit or Debit Card" as your payment method and input your virtual card info.



10. Click “Start Subscription,” and you’re good to go.

Using an Apple Gift Card

This method involves using a US Apple gift card to subscribe to HBO Max, as well as a VPN service to change your region to the US. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Sign up for a VPN that works on HBO Max (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download the VPN on your Apple device.
3. Connect to a VPN server in the US.
4. Create a US-based Apple ID (with a US billing address).
5. Get a US Apple gift card and apply it to your account.



6. Download the Max app from the App Store.



7. Open the app and subscribe to the plan you want.
8. Choose a TV show or movie and enjoy streaming.

Using a Google Play Gift Card

As with the previous method, you can get a US Google Play gift card to pay for HBO Max in the UK, but you'll need a US Google account. Also, you need a VPN to switch your virtual location to the US, as shown below:

1. Get a VPN that can unblock HBO Max (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Install the VPN on your Android device.
3. Connect to a US server from the provider’s list.
4. Create a US Google account (set your billing address to the US).
5. Buy a US Google Play gift card and add it to your balance.



6. Download the Max app from the Play Store.



7. Launch the HBO Max app, select a plan, and add your account details.
8. Choose a show and have fun!

Using a PayPal Account

This method is a super easy way to get a US Max subscription if you have friends or family in the US who will let you use their PayPal account. Then all you have to do is get a VPN to unblock the US version of the service. Here’s step-by-step instructions: 

1. Subscribe to a VPN that unblocks Max in the UK (we recommend NordVPN). 
2. Download and install the VPN on your device for streaming Max. 
3. Launch the VPN and connect to a server in the US. 
4. Open the HBO Max website and go through the usual sign-up process. 
5. Select the PayPal option when checking out.  



6. Complete the purchase through PayPal's interface.
7. That's it! Once you're redirected back to Max, you can start streaming! 

How to Stream Max on Your Devices in the UK?

To watch HBO Max on your devices, you’ll need to install a VPN and connect to a server in the US (or another supported region). If you want to stream on a device with no VPN capabilities, you’ll need to set up a VPN on your router instead. Below, you’ll find individual guides to stream HBO Max in the UK on any device:

Mobile Platforms	iPhone & iPad, Android
Game Consoles	PlayStation, Xbox
Smart TVs	Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Android TV
Other Streaming Devices	Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, TiVo, Xfinity X1 and Flex

What to Watch on HBO Max in the UK?

HBO Max TV shows and movies are some of the most well-remembered hits of the past century. Indulge your fantastical side with Game of Thrones or binge the Emmy-winning Succession. If you're looking for some movie night options, you've got plenty to choose from, including The Dark Knight, the entire Matrix saga, or the recent remake of The Color Purple.

You get access to content from the DC Universe and Warner Bros., as well as channels like Cartoon Network. Plus, since Max merged with Discovery Plus, there is a ton of content from channels like HGTV and TLC, too.

Here are some of the best selections you can find on the platform:

HBO Series	Max Originals	HBO Max Movies	HBO Max Classic Shows
True Detective: Night Country	Our Flag Means Death	Barbie	Rick and Morty
The Last of Us	Tokyo Vice	Avatar: The Way of Water	Doctor Who
House of the Dragon	Love & Death	Hereditary	The Big Bang Theory
The Gilded Age	The Flight Attendant	Parasite	South Park
Barry	And Just Like That	Dune	Friends
The Regime	Hacks	Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom	The West Wing

Is HBO Max on Sky TV and NOW in the UK?

Some HBO content is made available with Sky TV subscriptions and NOW TV passes. However, it's not the same as getting the standalone HBO Max service. It also doesn't contain anywhere near the entire HBO Max content library. If you want to access the Max streaming service, you'll need a VPN to connect to a supported region.

Your best bet is to connect to a US server to get the home country version of Max and unblock the largest content library. We suggest using NordVPN because it has thousands of US servers and is excellent

When is HBO Max Coming to the UK?

HBO Max is expected to launch in the UK sometime after 2025, once Sky Group (which includes NOW TV) loses its exclusivity rights in the region. Until then, HBO content must be distributed through their services. Therefore, there is no official HBO Max UK launch date as of yet.

Can You Access Max Streaming Service with a Free VPN?

Yes, you can use a free VPN to unblock HBO Max in the UK, but we don’t recommend doing so. The reason? Well, HBO Max and other sites typically block free VPNs to maintain their licensing obligations (whether it’s with Sky or other local providers).

Moreover, free services usually come with strict data caps, have limited server networks and slow speeds, or may show in-browser ads to cover costs. Some may even put your privacy in danger by selling your browsing data or leaking it online.

Avoid all the hassle and get a premium VPN trial for free instead to safely stream without restrictions. We suggest a free trial of NordVPN, which they offer on Android for 7 days (or there is a 30-day refund period for other devices). Once the trial is over, we recommend getting one of the best VPN providers. Each comes with a hefty money-back plan, so there’s no risk in trying them out on HBO Max.

Final Thoughts

HBO Max won’t be available in the UK until 2026 at the earliest after their deal with Sky Group (which includes NOW TV) expires. Moreover, the US Max service has the largest content library. Even if you have an HBO Max account, if you travel to the UK, you won't be able to use it. Luckily, you can use a VPN to avoid all these issues.

NordVPN stands as our premier VPN pick for streaming HBO Max in the UK. Its 1,970+ ultra-fast US servers can easily unblock Max, and it has plenty of obfuscated servers to mask your VPN activity. You'll be able to watch HBO Max in 4K without any buffering no matter where you're located.

That concludes our guide on how to watch HBO Max in the UK. If you need any extra pointers, feel free to drop a comment below. Thanks for reading!