HBO Max has arrived. Just as we promised we bring you a full guide on how you can able to stream this geo-restricted content in countries like Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, or even India. The streaming service combines all the vast content from WarnerMedia — HBO, Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, DC Entertainment, TBS, TNT, CNN, Cartoon Network, The CW, Crunchyroll, and Adult Swim — into a single streaming service already gives HBO Max one of the broadest streaming catalogs around to complete with the likes of Netflix.
HBO Max comes with additional licensed content, including the works of Studio Ghibli, titles from the Criterion Collection, shows from the BBC, and popular series like Friends and The Big Bang Theory, make it one of the most high-profile streaming services yet. And that’s in addition to original shows and movies that will be exclusive to HBO Max.
On the downside, HBO Max is also one of the most expensive streaming services around, costing UGX 57,000 or KES 1,600 or 5,900 Nigerian Naira ($14.99) per month — vastly more than Netflix, Hulu, or Disney Plus. But is it worth it?
Interested in trying it out? Here’s everything you need to know about getting started with HBO Max in countries like Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria or India.
The Cost of HBO Max
HBO Max costs UGX 57,000 or KES 1,600 or 5,900 Nigerian Naira ($14.99)UGX 57,000 or KES 1,600 or 5,900 Nigerian Naira ($14.99), making it one of the most expensive streaming services around. That price is the same monthly cost as HBO Now, however — and HBO Max offers all the content that had been available on HBO Now, plus all that WarnerMedia stuff.
There’s also a free seven-day trial for anyone looking to give it a shot before they pay up, along with plans for a cheaper, ad-supported version of HBO Max set to launch sometime in 2021.
Where is HBO Max available?
Right now, HBO Max is only available in the United States at launch, but WarnerMedia is looking to expand the service internationally — including Latin America and Europe — in the future. The point of this article is how to get you ready locked and loaded in countries outside the USA.
Devices
HBO Max is available on Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Samsung smart TV platforms (from 2016 and onward — in fact, the “new” app is actually just an update to the existing HBO Now apps on those platforms). There’s also a desktop web player for streaming on Mac, Windows, and Chromebook devices.
The Signup Process
ALSO READ: How to change your Google PlayStore to a US based Store
For Android, please make sure you have access to the USA Google PlayStore you can read the article above to do this. iOS users, we have no solution for you yet. All hope is not lost you login using your browser. But don’t forget to use a VPN. In my illustration tweet above I also show you that a VPN is very important. I personally use Express VPN.
When you finally signup you will get 7 free days of watching HBO Max without paying a dime. You see the full signup up process below. You can use any payment mode from Mastercard, VISA, PayPal or MTN Mobile Money.
Can I share an HBO Max account with friends and family?
HBO Max can be streamed on up to three different devices simultaneously, so you can share an account with friends and family members. The service also allows for multiple user profiles to be created, with options for parentally controlled “Kid” profiles on which parents can set content ratings limits.
The content
HBO Max includes HBO’s entire content library, including shows like Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Succession, and more. But that’s just the start: it’ll also include a huge amount of classic and modern Warner Bros. films, like the Harry Potter series, DC’s superhero movies (including the upcoming Zack Snyder cut of Justice League planned for 2021), and the entire Studio Ghibli catalog (except Grave of the Fireflies for some reason). Major popular TV series, like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, will also be available.
But like all major streaming services, HBO Max will also have exclusive content that won’t be available anywhere else, including Love Life (out now), the forthcoming Adventure Time: Distant Lands (a spinoff from the popular animated series), and An American Pickle. HBO Max also has numerous original shows and movies in production for the future, including a Gossip Girl reboot, Dune: The Sisterhood, a Green Lantern series, Grease: Rydell High, Station Eleven, and more.
Can I download content?
HBO Max content can be downloaded locally, but there are a few limitations: users get a total of 30 downloads per account across all devices and user profiles. Unwatched downloads also expire after 30 days or after 48 hours once you’ve started watching it. Users will be able to renew expired downloads, although it’s not clear if there’s a limit as to how often you’ll be able to do so. Additionally, only five copies of a show or movie can be downloaded at once across your various devices.
HBO Max also offers two different download options: “highest quality,” a larger file that will take longer to download, and a “fastest download” option that offers a smaller file that will download faster.
It should also be noted that taking screenshots using the app is forbidden.
