HBO Max is a streaming platform that used to be known as Max. It offers a wider range of genres and exciting new releases to make your streaming experience even better. Like other major streaming services, Max also provides an official download service, only for subscribers.
In this guide, I'll introduce some important tips when using the Max download function and also show you how to download HBO Max movies on Windows PC and Mac, step by step.
Quick QA: Can you download on Max?
Yes. But Max supports offline downloads only in its iOS/Android app for Ad-Free and Ultimate Ad-Free members. No downloads on Windows or Mac laptops. The official download limits (Jump to Section 1) are:
- Up to 30 downloads（Ad-Free）/100 (Ultimate)
- 48 hours to finish after you press Play
To download HBO Max movies on a laptop (Windows or Mac), we need an extra tool as a safe workaround. ➡️ Jump to Section 2.
Can You Download Movies on HBO Max?
Okay, let's address the most important problem. Can you download on Max? Yes, but only in the Max mobile app (iOS/Android) officially and only with Ad-Free tiers. Max is designed to force offline users onto iPads, Android tablets, or smartphones, leaving laptop users tethered to Wi-Fi.
- Where to find the button: title detail page in the mobile app
- Who can't download: With Ads plan
- ⚠️ Not every title is downloadable (licensing)
- ⚠️ Downloads live on internal storage（no SD card move)
To learn more details about the requirements and limits, continue to read.
Requirement: What Do I Need to Download from HBO Max?
As we all know, HBO Max is packed with rich entertainment, including all your favorite HBO shows like Game of Thrones. This service offers a download option, just as many streaming sites do, but it's exclusively accessible to certain members.
Only the ad-free plan and the ultimate ad-free plan have the "watch on the go" option, according to official HBO Max information. This rule also applies to the Bundles. It means that if you want to download movies on HBO Max through its app, you need to pay at least $18.49/mo. (yes, it increased the price again) to buy the Standard Monthly Subscription.
How to download on Max? (official method, mobile only)
- Open the Max app on iOS/Android → sign in with an Ad-Free tier.
- Open a title → tap Download（if available）→ wait till it finishes.
- Go to Downloads tab → play offline. After the first play, you have 48 hours to finish.
Pay attention to the limits:
Concurrency: streaming on up to 3 devices per account (separate from downloads)
Expiration: downloads remain only while your subscription is active.
Hidden Truth: Official Downloads Are Limited
Apart from the subscription requirements, HBO Max also imposes other restrictions on its official download service. I divide them into 5 different types. When it comes to downloading videos on HBO Max, it's crucial to be aware of the download limits to optimize your offline viewing experience.
Knowing them will help you decide how best to handle your offline HBO Max content. Check them one by one and pay special attention:
Collins
Too long, don't want to read? Check the Max download limits at a glance:
- Plan access: With Ads＝no downloads; Ad-Free＝30; Ultimate Ad-Free＝100
- Devices: Mobile only (iOS/Android); no Windows/Mac app
- Availability: not all titles are downloadable (licensing)
- Expiry: 48h after first play; valid only during active subscription
- Storage: internal storage; no SD card save
Limit 1
Device Compatibility
Does HBO Max have a Windows app? No. Always remember that there is no Max desktop app, and the official download option is only compatible with mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, Android phones, and tablets.
Windows PC and Mac downloads are not supported, at least not right now. If you find any "Max desktop app for Mac/Windows", it's fake. Please download them with caution, since they may carry a potential virus.
Limit 2
Content Limit
Not all titles are available for download due to licensing agreements. Although you're subscribing to the most expensive plan on HBO Max, you're not allowed to download certain content for offline viewing here. The rules are posed by the producer, not HBO Max itself.
Limit 3
Download Quota Limit
Depending on your subscription plan, you can have up to 30 downloads at a time across all profiles and devices associated with your account. Check how much you can download on HBO Max, based on your subscription:
- Plan with Ads: No downloads allowed;
- Ad-Free Plan: up to 30 videos;
- Ultimate Ad-Free Plan: up to 100 videos.
Limit 4
Offline Viewing Period
Once you begin to watch a downloaded video, you have 48 hours to finish watching it before it expires. And all downloads are only available during your subscription period.
Limit 5
Storage Location
Downloads you get via the HBO Max app are stored on your device's internal storage. Unfortunately, saving HBO Max downloads to an external storage device (such as a hard drive) is not possible.
How to Download HBO Max Movies on Windows PC and Mac?
Can you download Max shows on a laptop (Windows/Mac)? No officially. Max allows online streaming on the web, but doesn't provide a dedicated desktop app for Windows PC or macOS. So officially, laptop downloads are not available on Max.
But sometimes, it'll be quite frustrating that the HBO Max download service for iOS or Android doesn't work suddenly. An HBO Max user from Reddit shared their similar experience and thoughts in a post:
Since there is no HBO desktop app, the download function for mobile devices is the only choice. Or, is it really the only one...? This video can answer:
If you want to make full use of your Max basic subscription and download videos quickly on PCs when having good internet, we recommend using a third-party tool to download movies from HBO Max on PCs. KeepStreams for HBO Max is a worthy choice. It can not only download Max shows in 1080p and 4K, but also convert the HBO Max downloads into a compatible MP4/MKV format automatically.
KeepStreams is a dedicated tool for downloading HBO Max movies to PC. If you want to know more about the HBO Max downloader, keep scrolling to explore a few other alternatives.
Benefits and Tips of Third-Party Tools
KeepStreams is a versatile and robust tool designed specifically for HBO Max users. It supports 1080p and 4K saving, and is able to convert downloads into MP4/MKV video files automatically. What's more, this tool boasts auto-download, subtitle extraction, batch download, and many additional features.
In this way, these downloaded videos can break all the limits we mentioned above, and you can move the HBO Max download to the SD card as you prefer. Check the comparison table:
| Feature | HBO Max App | KeepStreams | Other Downloaders |
| Pricing | $18.49 | $34.99 | $29.95 - $69.99 |
| Video Quality | 1080p | 4K, 1080p | 1080p |
| Video Codec | Varies | HDR10, Dolby Vision, H.264, H.265 | H.264, H.265 |
| Audio Codec | Varies | Atmos, EAC3 5.1, AAC2.0 | AAC 2.0 |
| Output Format | Encrypted | MP4, MKV | MP4, MKV |
| Download Cap | 30 or 100 in total | 100 per day | 50 per day |
| Expiration | Expires in 30 days or 48 hrs | Never expires | Never expires |
| Ad Removal | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Auto-Downlaod | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Free Trial | ❌ | 3 full-length videos | 5 minutes of each video |
| Supported Device | iOS, Android, Fire OS | Windows / Mac | Windows / Mac |
The best function of KeepStreams is that it can download nearly all videos from HBO Max. Even with a $10.99/mo. Max with-ads Plan, you can still remove all ads from the downloaded Max videos, which can help you save up to $90 per year.
Is it safe and legal to use third-party downloaders? (e.g. KeepStreams)
It's acceptable to make personal copies of content that we have rights to access. It's like a traditional DVR. But we should only use these downloads for personal backup, and review local regulations before proceeding. Never upload, share, or sell them.
⚠️ Some tools claim to save Max videos to a PC without a Max subscription. Technically, it's impossible. Such tools might be disguised by malware and could implicate DRM rules. Laws differ by region.
How to Use the Tool to Save HBO Max Movies to Computer?
Since KeepStreams is built with an embedded browser, it's quite simple to use it. If you need HBO Max download offline on a computer, here's how to download movies on HBO Max step by step:
Step1
Install KeepStreams
First, install KeepStreams on your Windows PC or Mac. Visit the official KeepStreams site or directly click the following buttons to get the official installation package.
Step2
Launch KeepStreams and Select HBO Max
Open the KeepStreams application and navigate to the VIP Services section. Select HBO Max from the list of supported platforms and enter the official site quickly.
Step3
Sign in to HBO Max
Visit HBO Max with the built-in browser. Log in to your HBO Max account using your existing credentials. This allows KeepStreams to access and download your favorite content on HBO Max.
Step4
Explore HBO Max Library
Browse through the HBO Max library and play the shows or movies you wish to download. KeepStreams will begin to analyze the video automatically. Note: To protect your HBO Max account from being tagged as a "risky account", you can save up to 100 titles per day with KeepStreams.
Step5
Customize Download Settings
Customize your download preferences, such as Video, Audio, Subtitle, and more. Change the settings to match your preferences.
Step6
Initiate Downloads
With your settings in place, simply click on the Download Now button for each selected show or movie. After a while, you can find your downloads in the "Downloaded" tab.
All downloaded HBO Max videos will be converted into MP4 or MKV format (select your preferred one in the Settings of KeepStreams) automatically, and saved in the local folder on your computer. KeepStreams is also compatible with Mac, helping you download HBO shows on Mac easily.
The Failed Alternatives: What Doesn't Work?
I have trawled the Reddit threads and technical forums where users ask "how to download HBO Max movies on laptop." In fact, there are more methods than using an extra tool. However, not all of them work. I have tested the "hacks" so you don't have to. Here is what will not work:
1. Screen Recording
When we want to save HBO Max movies on a laptop, the first instinct might be to pull up the movie in our browser and turn on OBS or QuickTime screen recording. I tried, but the result I got is a black screen with audio.
Max uses aggressive Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology. It detects screen capture software and blacks out the video feed instantly. Therefore, traditional recorders can't help us capture the Max screen.
2. Android Emulators
Some tech-savvy users try to install an Android emulator on their Windows laptop or Mac to "trick" Max into thinking the computer is a phone. While technically possible, it is often a miserable experience.
The Max app frequently crashes on emulators, the video quality is often capped at SD (480p) because of the unstable environment, and it requires a powerful computer just to run without stuttering. It is not a viable solution for a relaxing movie night.
FAQs
Q1. Why is there no download button next to a title?
A1. That title isn't licensed for download because of copyright concerns. Choose another title.
Q2. How to watch on a TV offline on HBO Max?
A2. Max's TV apps require the internet. Official downloads are mobile-only. We can subscribe to the ad-free plan and download on phone/tablet via the HBO Max app for offline viewing.
If you want to enjoy Max shows on a bigger screen, try using KeepStreams for HBO Max to download them into MP4 files first, and then move them to a USB drive. Connect the USB drive to your TV, and you can watch HBO Max shows on it without any difficulty.
Q3. How many people can watch Max shows at once?
A3. On HBO Max, you can only enjoy up to 3 concurrent streams and create up to 5 profiles.
Q4. Is using third-party downloaders legal?
A4. Legality varies by regions and countries. DRM circumvention may be restricted. Only download for personal, lawful use and follow local laws. Read the copyright explained for more details.
Q5. Is KeepStreams safe to use?
A5. Yes, KeepStreams is a reliable tool published by KeepStreams LLC (established in 2022). It's trusted by 172+ anti-virus vendors (Google, Microsoft, Norton, Acronis, etc.) and millions of users. There are no ads or unsourced pop-up windows when using KeepStreams. It's totally safe to use.
Conclusion
This article has covered everything you need to know step-by-step, in order to help you download movies on HBO Max and enjoy endless Max entertainment, whether you’re traveling, dealing with slow internet, or just want to watch without Internet.
Disclaimer
U.S. Copyright Act (DMCA) § 1201 prohibits the circumvention of copyright protection measures. KeepStreams is intended for creating a personal backup of content you have legally accessed, and the end-user assumes full responsibility for complying with all applicable laws. For more details, please review the KeepStreams Copyright Compliance.
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