After decades as a premium cable channel, HBO finally jumped into standalone streaming with HBO Now in 2015. However, in order to better compete with the rest of the video streaming world, WarnerMedia pooled all its content resources into HBO Max, which launched in 2020.
The service brings together shows from Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, and HBO as well as the film library of Warner Bros. Studios and distribution rights to Studio Ghibli animated movies. In order to take advantage of a service with so much to offer, here are a few features you should know how to use before kicking off that next binge-watch.
1. On a Budget? Get the Ad-Supported Tier
When HBO Max initially launched, it only offered a $14.99-per-month, ad-free plan, which we found to be expensive for a streaming service. While you can save a little money by signing up for the $149.99 yearly plan, WarnerMedia last summer launched an ad-supported tier that’s $9.99 a month or $99.99 for the full year.
If you have the ad-free plan and want to make the switch to commercial-free streaming, or vice-vers, click your profile icon (then click the settings gear on mobile) and choose Subscription > Manage Subscription >Switch Plans.
HBO Max does not offer a free trial, but it does have a “Watch Free” section where you can sample episodes from some of its shows without signing up for HBO Max. That includes the first episodes of And Just Like ThatAnd Just Like That, Euphoria, Succession, The White Lotus, and The Gilded Age.
2. Add a Profile Image
Want to customize your account profile with a unique image? Click your profile icon and select Switch Profiles > Manage Profiles. Choose the profile, then tap the camera icon. From here, you can choose to take your own picture, upload an image, or choose a character from the app’s collection. With Choose a Character, you can the pick images of characters from HBO, Adult Swim, and Warner Bros. franchises.
3. Control What Kids See
HBO Max features content for many different age groups. While you might trust a tablet to babysit your little ones with a few episodes of Sesame Street, you probably don’t want them accidentally turning on Euphoria. As such, HBO Max allows you to create kid profiles and determine what they’re allowed to watch. When a kid’s profile is engaged, it requires a pin to switch back to an adult profile.
To set this up, hit the profile icon on mobile or the web, and select Switch Profiles > Add Kid. (HBO Max only supports five profiles, so the kid option will only appear if you have four or fewer profiles.) You then create a PIN that authorizes you to switch back and forth. Change your four-digit PIN at any time by going to your profile and selecting Parental Controls.
Once the PIN is set, you can add a name and birthday, and choose the ratings for movies and TV (G through NC-17 and TV-Y up to TV-MA, respectively) that your child is allowed to view. If you ever need to update the restricted content, go to Switch Profiles > Manage Profiles, then select the profile in question and choose Edit Age and Parental Controls.
4. Download Video For Offline Viewing
Like other video-streaming services, HBO Max supports downloads for offline viewing. Go to content you wish to download and tap the Download icon to save it on your device. Wait for the download to finish or tap the stop button at any time to pause. When you’re ready to watch offline, tap the profile icon and tap Downloads. To delete, tap Edit and select the X button.
Unwatched downloads expire after 30 days, and you have 48 hours to finish once you start watching. Downloads will also automatically expire when the show or movie leaves HBO Max. Expired content can be renewed when you’re connected to the internet, and the same videos can be renewed multiple times. Just tap the expired download and select Renew.
5. Check Out the Hub
HBO Max’s top selling point is its wealth of content from WarnerMedia’s deep catalog. You can watch HBO’s original shows, Max Original content, DC’s collection of animated movies, and TCM’s library of classic films all in one place. To help you find what you want, HBO Max offers hubs that splits the app’s library into sections that include HBO, Max Originals, DC, TCM, Adult Swim, Studio Ghibli, Cartoon Network, Sesame Workshop, Looney Tunes, and Cartoonito. Open the hamburger menu and scroll to the bottom to select one of these sections.
6. Audio Description For the Masses
For those with visual impairments, audio descriptions are key. However, it’s impossible to search through every TV and film to see what options are available. Instead, open the hamburger menu and choose Audio Description to see a collection of content that has audio descriptions available. Once you find something to watch, choose the text box option on the playback menu and select audio description under the Audio section.
7. Watch Anime in Japanese
HBO Max carries Japanese-language productions from Studio Ghibli and others, but they will play in English by default. If you’re a Japanese speaker or want to watch in Japanese with subtitles, select the English button to turn on Japanese audio. Tap the Japanese button to switch things back to English.
Just remember that once you make a choice, there’s no way to switch during playthrough. If you decide to change languages, you will have to back out of what you are watching, make the switch, and start over. All content will also default to the option you choose, so make sure to review your language preference before jumping into something new.
8. Erase Content From ‘Continue Watching’
If you start a TV show or movie, but decide it’s not for you, you don’t want it hanging out in your Continue Watching section. Zap it on the profile screen and selecting Continue Watching > Edit, where you can delete individual entries or choose Clear All to wipe the slate clean.
9. See What’s New and Upcoming
HBO Max makes it easy to keep tabs on new and departing shows and movies. Open the hamburger menu and choose Just Added to see what was recently added to the service. Select Last Chance to see what’s about to leave at the end of each month. Want to look to the future? Select Coming Soon to view trailers, sneak peeks, and other videos for upcoming shows and movies.
10. Sign Out of Devices
If you left your account signed in on a device that’s not yours—a friend’s phone or TV, for example—or you think someone has unauthorized access to your account, you can revoke access from afar.
Open your profile (then click the settings gear on mobile) and select Manage Devices. Here you’ll see all the devices currently signed into your account. Hit the X icon next to any device to revoke its access. You can also choose Sign All Devices Out to wipe them all and require anyone with the password to sign in again.
