Amazon may be blocking HBO Max?s release, but that doesn?t mean you have to wait! You can install it right now and watch HBO Max in minutes.
This method is neither endorsed nor expressly prohibited by HBO. Opinions are my own.
HBO Max launched in the US on May 27th, 2020, to millions of downloads across a number of devices: Apple TV, Android TV, iOS, Android, Chromecast, Xbox, PS4, and Samsung TVs.
Surprisingly, Amazon and Roku both decided to block their users from downloading the app, in an apparent attempt to force HBO to distribute their content via Amazon?s official apps, instead of the HBO Max app.
For Roku users, there might not be any workaround for this. However, Amazon Fire TV users are in luck!
Since Amazon Fire OS is just Android under the covers, it can run the same exact app for both Fire TV and Android TV, and you can easily sideload the Android TV app on your Fire TV and start streaming HBO Max, in just a few minutes, without any complicated setup.
This doesn?t involve breaking any warranties, or unlocking your Fire TV. All you need to do is enable the APK installation option in the settings menu, and install the HBO Max APK file on your Fire TV device.
1. Uninstall HBO Now if installed
HBO Max replaces HBO Now. So, if you have it installed, you?ll have to uninstall it before proceeding.
Note: You don?t have to uninstall HBO GO, only HBO Now.
a. Navigate all the way to the right to SETTINGS on your Fire TV, then select APPLICATIONS
b. Select MANAGE INSTALLED APPLICATIONS
c. Select HBO Now, and then UNINSTALL
Remember, you only have to Uninstall HBO Now ? not HBO GO.Here?s a full video of the uninstall process, in case you get stuck.
2. Enable Sideloading on your Fire TV
Next, you?ll need to enable a developer option to install unsigned APKs on your Fire TV device. Luckily, this is just a few clicks away in the settings menu.
Note: Avoid installing APKs from untrusted sources on any Android device, including your Fire TV.
a. Navigate all the way to the right to SETTINGS on your Fire TV, then select APPLICATIONS
b. Select MY FIRE TV
c. Select DEVELOPER OPTIONS
d. Toggle APPS FROM UNSIGNED SOURCES to ON
Here?s a helpful video of the entire process, in case you get stuck.
3. Install the Downloader App
From your Fire TV, you can install the downloader app by searching for it, or asking Alexa to ?Install the Downloader app?.
This is what it looks like on the Amazon app store:
You will be prompted to Allow Downloader to Access photos, media, and files on your device. You will need to allow access to continue.
4. Download the HBO Max App for Android TV
Next, you can download the HBO Max app for Android TV to your device.
I?ve set up a short URL for you to enter into the downloader app to get the HBO Max APK directly from ApkMirror. Just type: http://maxfire.xyz
When the page loads, click DOWNLOAD APK.
This is what it looks like in your browser. You may download any version after 50.0 for Android TV.And this is what it looks like on your TV.
Alternatively, you can also search for HBO Max APK from the downloader app by selecting BROWSE.
One trusted source for Google Play app downloads is ApkMirror. It is a service that makes backups of every app in the Google Play store.
You?ll want the page that looks like the one below:
The version might be updated by the time you read this article.
HBO Max: Stream HBO, TV, Movies & More APKs – APKMirror
HBO Max is the streaming platform that bundles all of HBO together with even more of your favorite TV series?
www.apkmirror.com
Next, you will be prompted to download and install the APK. Click DOWNLOAD and then INSTALL.
Here?s what it?ll look like on your Fire TV
Congratulations! You?ve now installed HBO Max on your Fire TV. You can access it from your home screen like any other app, or via Alexa.