How To Watch HBO Max in Canada [Updated]

Updated on March 2, 2024
How To Watch HBO Max in Canada [Updated]

HBO Max hosts several popular TV shows, including Game of Thrones and The Last of Us. Seeing as they’re a pop cultural phenomenon and widely loved by fans worldwide, it makes sense why viewers would want to get their hands on an HBO Max Subscription.

The sad news is that HBO Max isn’t accessible in Canada. HBO Max is only available in certain countries, so not everyone can use it. The good news, however, is that there is a quick fix to get around geo-restricted content. AstrillVPN is a reliable VPN provider with features that not only help you gain access to HBO Max but also offer security protocols, excellent speed, and the ability to stream your favorite TV shows in high definition and with no buffering issues.

We will discuss all this and more in detail as you review this guide. So are you ready to watch all your favorite shows and catch up on episodes before you run into any spoilers? Let’s get into it!

HBO Max Is Now Max – HBO

Max was introduced on 23rd May 2023 as the refashioned streaming service to replace HBO Max. Max includes all the original HBO content, including the popular Game of Thrones and The Last of Us. However, Max will consist of an even deeper library of a wide variety of content and incorporate content from all genres, including lifestyle, food, true crime, and reality TV. There were less than 40 titles on HBO Max that you could stream in 4K HDR. However, with Max, if you’ve purchased its Ultimate Plan and a device that supports 4K, you can stream up to 1000 titles, which is just a bonus. It also includes an enhanced and improved user experience. As its tagline suggests, it’s the one to watch.

Why Do You Need A VPN to Watch HBO Max in Canada?

You will need a VPN to get past geo-location restrictions. HBO Max is a streaming service primarily available in the United States. Because of certain licensing agreements and content distribution rights, HBO Max is not accessible outside the States, including Canada.

A VPN can easily pass geo-location restrictions since it masks your IP address and encrypts your traffic. You can connect to a server that’s from the USA, and it will allow you to access HBO Max while you’re sitting in Canada. Your IP address will make it appear like you’re from the United States, enabling you to access the streaming service quickly and easily.

HBO Max has other content licensing agreements that may differ from country to country. Shows and movies available on HBO Max may have different licensing agreements in Canada. Through a VPN, you can access content meant for the United States, which means you will have a wider pool of movies and TV shows to choose from.

AstrillVPN helps you connect to a server in the United States, and your internet traffic then gets routed through that server, making it seem like you’re in the United States. Bypassing HBO Max’s restrictions will give you access to their diverse content.

How to Watch HBO Max in Canada Using AstrillVPN?

AstrillVPN will enable you to connect to a server from the States, through which you can begin using HBO Max to watch all their movies and TV shows. Let’s go through a step-by-step process:

  1. Subscribe to AstrillVPN and choose the plan that works best for you.
  2. Download and install AstrillVPN on your phone or computer.
  3. Login to your AstrillVPN account using your credentials.
  4. Connect to a server in the United States.
  5. Go to the HBO Max website and log in to your HBO Max account.
  6. You can now stream and binge-watch your favorite HBO Max TV shows without hassle.

How to Watch HBO Max in Canada on iOS and Android?

iOS

  1. Ensure your iOS device meets the system requirements to use the HBO Max app.
  2. Download the HBO Max app and install it on your device. Go to the App Store and search for HBO Max. Once you find it, click “Get” and install the app. You can download the app for free but need a subscription to watch the movies and TV shows.
  1. Once the download is complete, find the app’s icon on your home screen and tap on it to officially launch the application.
  1. Sign In to your HBO Max account using your login credentials. If you’re signing up, you must pay the subscription before you can use your account.
  1. Once you’ve accessed your account, you can stream TV shows, movies, and documentaries. Ensure you have AstrillVPN turned on and are connected to a US server to access it.
  1. You can also customize settings to have an enjoyable viewing experience. You can create watch lists and set up profiles for other users.

Android

  1. Ensure your Android device meets the system requirements to start running the HBO Max app.
  2. Either go to the HBO Max website or download the app by going to the Google Play Store and searching for HBO Max.
Either go to the HBO Max website or download the app by going to the Google Play Store
  1. Download and install HBO Max on your device. Ensure you download and log in to AstrillVPN and connect to a US server.
  1. Sign up to your HBO Max account, or Sign In if you haven’t already, and begin streaming a wide variety of content now easily accessible via VPN.
Sign up to your HBO Max account
  1. You need to have an active subscription to access HBO Max’s content. With an active subscription, you can have a seamless viewing experience.
You need to have an active subscription to access HBO Max's content

How to Watch HBO Max in Canada on macOS and Windows?

macOS

  1. Download and install AstrillVPN on your Mac.
  2. Launch the application on your macOS device and access it using your login credentials.
  3. Connect to a server in the US and then head over to the HBO Max website on your browser (Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari.)
  4. Click “Sign In” at the top right corner, and use your login credentials to access your account. If you’re Signing In, follow the on-screen instructions to create your account.
  5. If you’re using the HBO Max app, go to the App Store on Mac and download the app, log in with your credentials, and begin streaming.

Windows

  1. Download and install AstrillVPN on your Windows device.
  2. Connect to a server located in the United States. Ensure that the server is optimized for streaming.
  3. Once the VPN connection is on, go to your preferred Web Browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox) and go to the HBO Max website.
  4. Go to the HBO Max website, create a new account, or Sign In using your login credentials.
  5. Once you’ve signed in, you can begin streaming your favorite shows.
  6. If you want to use the HBO Max app, go to the Microsoft Store, download it, and install it on your device.
  7. Log in with your credentials and begin streaming.

How to Watch HBO Max in Canada on Roku?

  1. Ensure you have a Roku streaming device or a Roku-enabled Smart TV.
  2. Create your Roku account by heading over to their website.
  3. Go to the Roku homepage and select channels from the drop-down menu.
  4. Use the search function within the Channel Store and search for HBO Max.
  5. Once you find the HBO Max channel, select “Add Channel.”
  6. You can now access HBO Max and begin streaming.

How To Watch HBO Max in Canada on Firestick?

  1. Set up your Firestick with your Amazon account.
  2. Firestick only allows the installation of apps from the Amazon Appstore by default. To install HBO Max, you must change the settings to “Apps from unknown sources.”
  3. On your Firestick, go to “Settings,” then “Device,” “Developer options,” and then lastly, click on “Apps from Unknown sources.”
  4. You need to sideload the app on Firestick. You download the HBO Max APK file from a trusted source and install it manually. You can also use the Downloader app.
  5. Install the Downloader App on Firestick and enter the URL from a trusted source to download the HBO Max APK file.
  6. Once it’s downloaded, follow the on-screen instructions to launch HBO Max on Firestick.
  7. Sign in to HBO Max with your login credentials and begin streaming.

How To Watch HBO Max in Canada through the  Amazon App Store?

  1. Go to the device’s home menu.
  2. Go to the search tab and search for the HBO Max app.
  3. Download and install the app and then open it.
  4. You will receive an error message at this point, since HBO Max is geo-restricted.
  5. Open AstrillVPN and connect to a US server to begin streaming HBO Max.

How To Watch HBO Max in Canada on Xfinity?

  1. Subscribe to AstrillVPN and launch it on your device.
  2. Open the app and connect to a server in the USA.
  3. Xfinity users can go to the HBO Max website and watch its content directly from X1 and Flex.
  4. Primary Xfinity users can sign in to HBO Max using their Xfinity ID and password on supported devices.

HBO Max Pricing

HBO Max has been recently rebranded as Max and already has many Blockbuster movies and TV shows under its belt. Subscribers will also get access to Discovery Channel programming and other new movies and TV shows under Warner Brothers. Here is the current pricing plan for the new Max subscription.

  • With Ads: $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year (16% savings)
  • Ad-Free: $19.99 per month or $149.99 per year (20% savings)
  • Ultimate Ad-Free: $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year (16% savings)

Can I Watch HBO Max in Canada with a free VPN?

Yes, you can watch HBO Max in Canada with a free VPN, but it’s not recommended since free VPNs have many drawbacks. Firstly, they have limited server locations. Since HBO Max is based in the United States, a free VPN may not have a server located in the United States. The servers also have limited capacity and low speed, disrupting the viewing experience.

Free VPNs also have restrictions when it comes to bandwidth usage. Since streaming sites like HBO Max require a lot of bandwidth, free VPNs can restrict your internet speed, making it difficult to stream high-quality shows and movies.

Free VPNs also have an unreliable performance since they get disconnected frequently and have a slower speed. If you use a free VPN to access HBO Max, you would constantly have to experience buffering and interruptions when streaming content, which can be annoying and frustrating for the viewer.

There are also security and privacy concerns when using free VPNs. Since free VPNs don’t charge a subscription fee, many of these companies can sell your data to advertisers and third parties since ads are the most predominant way they earn revenue. A reputable VPN provider safeguards your privacy and keeps your data confidential so that no third party can access it.

Why Is HBO Max Not Working In Canada With a VPN? Quick Fixes

There may be many reasons that HBO Max is not working in Canada despite using a VPN. Luckily, there are quick fixes to deal with these issues. Sometimes, the VPN will not work with HBO Max because it tries to detect any VPN connection and blocks access to those accessing it outside the permissible regions. You will know your VPN is not working when you try to gain access to HBO Max and you see the message “Not in Service Area or VPN Detected” or “Sorry, HBO Max isn’t available in your region yet.” Here’s how you can fix this:

  • Max’s detection methods aren’t as effective as BBC iPlayer or Netflix’s. Connecting to a different server in the US often helps unblock HBO Max.
  • If changing the server doesn’t work, delete your browser’s cookies and cache and see if that helps improve things. It will remove the whereabouts of your geolocation. You can also try accessing Max in Incognito Mode or Private Browsing.
  • You should also contact your VPN’s customer support team. The VPN provider may be experiencing technical issues from its end, which is why you will have to call the VPN provider specifically to get this issue sorted.
  • Check for IP or DNS Address leaks because if your VPN leaks your actual IP address, HBO Max will be able to detect it and block you from gaining access to HBO Max.
  • If the current VPN protocol that your VPN provider is using isn’t working, try using a different VPN protocol. You can change this from the VPN’s settings.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a VPN to Watch HBO Max in Canada

When choosing a VPN to stream geo-restricted streaming services like HBO Max, you must consider some essential factors. Let’s go over them so that you can enjoy an uninterrupted and seamless experience when watching shows and movies on HBO Max.

  • Choose a VPN that has an extensive list of servers. Since HBO Max is based in the United States, it should have many servers located in the States. AstrillVPN has over 3000+ servers located across 50+ countries. They also have many servers in the United States that you can use to access HBO Max.
  • Streaming high-quality video content requires fast internet speed and excellent performance. A reputable VPN provider has an extensive server network that minimizes congestion and maintains fast speed.
  • Your Security and Privacy concerns should be at the top-most priority. Users should protect their online privacy and secure their data because cyber criminals and hackers can steal confidential information if you’re not careful. AstrillVPN has a strict No-Logs Policy and Strong Encryption Protocols like OpenWeb, WireGuard, and StealthVPN, and it also includes a Kill Switch feature to ensure your online identity remains safe and anonymous at all times.
  • A good VPN provider must also be compatible with various devices and operating systems, including macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux. The VPN should support the platform you plan to watch, HBO Max.
  • Opt for a premium VPN service rather than going for a free VPN. As mentioned earlier, a free VPN has many drawbacks, and the user becomes more vulnerable to privacy and security risks. A premium service offers many security features and excellent speed, providing an incredible viewing experience with no buffering or disruptions and safeguarding your online privacy, something not possible with a free VPN.

Does HBO Max Offer Free Trial in Canada?

HBO Max does not offer a free trial in general. However, if you sign up using Hulu, you can watch HBO Max for a seven-day free trial. Hulu enables users to experience a seven-day free trial to watch HBO Max. It is important to note that Hulu is also a geo-restricted streaming service, so if you want to access it, you must use a VPN and connect to a US server.

How to Get HBO Max Subscription in Canada?

Getting an HBO Max subscription is a relatively simple process. All you need is to get your hands on a reliable VPN provider. VPNs provide you with an IP address associated with the USA, and that is how you can bypass geo-location restrictions to stream HBO Max in Canada.

  1. Subscribe to a reliable VPN service that offers the most features and functionality to provide a seamless viewing experience.
  2. Download and install AstrillVPN on your devices.
  3. Connect to a server in the United States.
  4. Go to the HBO Max website, log in to your account, or Sign Up if you haven’t already.
  5. Choose a payment method, and then choose “Start subscription”.
  6. Start streaming HBO Max.

Wrapping Up

HBO Max is a streaming service that hosts some of the world’s most popular TV shows and is as good as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. Many people are eager to watch their favorite shows like The Succession and The Last of Us but need help since HBO Max isn’t available in Canada.

If you want to watch HBO Max in Canada and bypass geo-location restrictions, the best route is to use a VPN. It masks your IP address and spoofs your location so that it appears that you’re using HBO Max from the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is streaming allowed in Canada?

In Canada, streaming a movie or TV show is not unlawful; you can do it, provided it’s on a streaming service available in Canada.

In which countries is HBO Max available?

HBO Max is primarily available in the United States. You can also access it in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Is HBO Max available in the UK?

HBO Max isn’t currently available in the UK due to licensing agreements. However, you can access HBO Max in the UK by using AstrillVPN.

Is HBO Max free to use?

HBO Max isn’t free to use and requires you to pay a subscription fee to stream its movies and TV shows.

Is HBO Max available on Amazon?

Amazon Prime members can add HBO Max to the Prime Video Channels and begin to stream all of the content on HBO Max.

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About The Author

Urfa Sarmad

Urfa is a business management graduate who delved into the world of tech, data privacy and cybersecurity and has been writing tech and privacy related content ever since. In her free time.

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