HBO Max is not currently available in the Amazon Appstore for Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, or Fire TV Edition devices. Fortunately, it’s easy to sideload the app and use it as long as you first take a few precautions to avoid common issues with the app. If you simply sideload the app like you would any other APK, you could end up with the wrong icon appearing, the icon not appearing at all, or the app refusing to install altogether. Here’s a step-by-step guide for everything you need to do to have a good HBO Max experience on Fire TV devices.
Update
11/30/2020
If you’re seeing an “Unsupported Version” message in your HBO Max app, please see this article for how to resolve the issue.
- Uninstall HBO and/or HBO Now
If you have the “HBO” or “HBO Now” app installed on your device, you need to uninstall it. If you don’t know how to uninstall apps on Fire TV, follow this guide. You do not need to uninstall the “HBO Go” app.
- Delete HBO and/or HBO Now from Amazon Account
Go to the Your Apps list on Amazon.com and see if “HBO” or “HBO Now” is on the list. If either are, select the Actions menu and then select the Delete this app option for both.
- Clear Appstore Data & Cache on Fire TV
On your Fire TV, go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications. Select Appstore from the list and then select both the Clear Data and the Clear Cache options.
- Sync Amazon Account on Fire TV
Now go to Settings > My Account, which is the last settings menu on the far right. From there, select the Sync Amazon Content option and wait a few seconds.
- Restart Fire TV
Restart your Fire TV by going to Settings > My Fire TV > Restart.
- Sideload HBO Max
Sideload the HBO Max app by using the Downloader app and entering2126 (or aftv.news/2126) into the URL field.
If you’re not familiar with sideloading and need detailed step-by-step instructions for sideloading with Downloader, follow this guide.
- Launch HBO Max
Once the APK for HBO Max has been downloaded and installed, launch the app from your app list by holding the Home button on your remote and selecting the Apps option. The HBO Max icon should be at the very bottom of the list. If you see an HBO Now icon, instead of an HBO Max icon, then you likely missed a step above. You can either repeat this guide or just use the HBO Now icon because it should still launch HBO Max. If you can’t use your remote in the app, it’s because you installed the wrong version of the app. See here for more info and how to fix it.
Update
11/30/2020
If you’re seeing an “Unsupported Version” message in your HBO Max app, please see this article for how to resolve the issue.
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AFTVnews
Error forbidden try using https of you used http. This is the message when I follow instructions you give of on the url type bit.ly/hbomaxfire. Now I can not get hbo now back that I pay for
Got to the Browser section in Downloader first and enter the URL there. (This is a bug in the app that I need to fix.)
Could you also add a way to edit a website instead of clearing the entire line and typing it again?
I have the exact same frustration. Unfortunately, this is a limitation of Amazon’s on-screen keyboard. There is no way to move the typing cursor. Instead of clearing the entire text, you can delete text (using the Rewind button) up to where you want to start typing, but that’s as good as it gets unless I completely replace the on-screen keyboard with a custom one, which is a lot of work.
I tried it in the browser and it says “item not available”
will say hbo now but its load up as hob max
Thanks for mentioning that! I was looking for the icon and couldn’t find it.
Thank you, I was getting frustrated as I kept downloading and the HBO max icon was not there. Saw this comment and indeed HBO now icon is there and once I clicked on that, HBO max did open.
Installed great, app works but the icon does not show up. I have to go to the all apps in settings every time I want to run the app. I have a gen1 Fire TV that is up to date on software. Any thoughts on how to get the icon to appear in the recently used or app list from the home screen?
Did you delete the app from your Amazon.com account list, then sync your content on Fire TV, and then restart the device?
Yessir!
Hmm, under Manage Installed Applications, try going to the “Appstore” app listing and clearing the Data and Cache for it. Then do the sync and restart again.
Bravo! That did the trick! Thanks! Welcome back btw!
JR, cool, I’ll add that as a step to the guide. Thanks for confirming that it worked!
Hi. Everything worked fine until I hot subscribe and it says “sorry, we can’t reach google play right now. Why would it say that?
You cannot subscribe or make purchases through the sideloaded app because it was not specifically made for Fire TV devices.
Yes! It works perfectly.. When you go through the Browser.
It shows up in my apps as HBO Now, but when you click on it.. It is HBO MAX!
WHOOO HOOOO
I get through all of it to where it asks about adding the update to install and then it comes up saying App not installed?
I am getting the same
I’ve done the clear/resync/restart and the icon still doesn’t show for me.
Never mind. I found HBO NOW archive in my Amazon account. I deleted it there, then follows the clear/resync/restart process and the HBO Max app now shows in my apps.
Hey, can you tell me where you found the archive on your Amazon account? I’ve had this same issue with the app not showing up…
It’s under my account > my apps
I followed all the steps, but when I tried to get to the site to sideload, it says “forbidden”
I’m having the same issue. Did you ever figure it out?
Naomi and Michael,
In downloader, select the browser on the side panel. It won’t work from the URL box that is shown when the application first starts.
Regards – Marie
The bit.ly website didn’t work for me either.
I got it to work. After the restart my Firestick wasn’t connecting to the internet and that was the issue. The icon still shows HBO Now but the app works well.
Works great. HBOMax App shows up on main page and loads every time.
Having trouble signing in
Me too, just keep getting this message, “Subscription Purchase
Sorry, we can’t reach Google Play right now. Please try again later.”
Installed app as you clarified when I get to point to enter code on app on to my account it states “Sorry The Code Expired Or Is Incorrect, Go Back To Your T.V. And Get The Code Again”
Mine won’t react to my remote.
Same issue
To fix the remote not working issue, follow this guide: https://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-fix-remote-not-working-issues-with-hbo-max-on-amazon-fire-tv/
Tried everything and nothing works it opens but that is it.
tried it 4 times, done trying.
Does not react to my remote.
Will not respond to my remote either. Gen 2 firestick w/voice remote. Any suggestions developers?
Same problem.
Same! Won’t respond to my remote either!
Same for me! My remote is not working either!
I got my remote working!! I’m pretty sure that I was downloading the wrong version of the hbomax!! Make sure your downloading/installing the link with numbers.. 1605001064, and with “universal”, “Android 5.0+”, and “nodpi” to the right of all the numbers. NOT one of the links below it, with the hbomax logo!! Also, I can’t imagine this did anything, I am Sure I was downloading the wrong version, but just in case.. I went ahead and clicked on the 3 lines to launch the hbomax app, like the firetv suggests for you to do after something is installed (instead of launching it the way that is said on here). I was taken to the sign in page, got signed in, and able to use my remote after that!!! I hope this helps you, and you get your remote working!! Let me know!! Bye!!
it installed and opened fine but how do you get it to do any thin used a logitech wireless keyboard but arrow key dont do anything
does this apply the same for hbo go?
It worked great except for once problem… the icon doesn’t show up in my apps at all. I can find it in the list of apps under ‘Manage Installed Applications’, and I can launch it from there, but there doesn’t seem to be any other trace of it. Any ideas?
I have the same issue. Please let me kniw if you found a fix.
Anyone able to get Spectrum app to work successfully on firestick?
Could you point me in the right direction, a guide?
App does not respond time FireTV remote
Has anyone found a fix to it to work with the remote yet? Download and open is just fine but won’t respond to remote.
Thanks!
I got the app installed, but my remote will not work at all in the app! What’s going on with that? I have followed every step. Please help me to get the remote working! Thanks in advance!
To fix the remote not working issue, follow this guide: https://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-fix-remote-not-working-issues-with-hbo-max-on-amazon-fire-tv/
I got it working!! I had originally installed the wrong version!! I got the right version installed now!! This is cool, I got a working HBO Max installed on my Fire TV, With the HBO Max icon too!!! (I had previously installed a version from a different source, where I was having to use an HBO Now icon!) Thanks for doing this!! I appreciate it!!
As someone mentioned above, the particular version of the HBONow app is a factor. I used Aptoide TV app and downlaoded the latest Android TV version of the HBONow app and it works for me. Upon selecting from launcher, instead of going to the main HBONow screen with shows listed (where remote doesnt work), there is an initial login screen to activate the app with your service provider
Remote working now Thanks.
I am interested to know if their will be a bookmarker 1 for android boxes or nvidia shield?
Thanks.
Bookmarker for Android TV/Shield TV is not a high priority right now, since I’m still ramping back into running the site and apps (there is A LOT of outdated stuff to update behind the scenes) but I do want to bring Bookmarker apps to Android TV/Shield TV eventually.
It won’t let me use my HBO account through the app. It recognizes that it’s an Amazon device. Any workaround on this?
I seem to be using the wrong URL. I have tried three different ones but nothing works. Any suggestions for the correct one?
The correct URL to use is in step 6. (I don’t want to post it in this comment because I will be updating it in the guide anytime a new version is released, so I don’t want an outdated URL to be in this comment.)
This worked perfectly for me. Thank you! Other websites give these steps but not the part where you delete the previous HBO apps. Thanks!
Thanks so much for posting and sharing.
I cannot tell you how much I love you right now, all hbo streaming on roku and amazon is now leaving at the end of July and I about flipped with anger. But you have saved me, thank you *crying from relief*
You’re welcome! Happy to help.
I followed the instructions perfectly and it installed properly, but I can’t find the app in the Apps section. It for not appear at all. I do have HBO Go, do I need to uninstall that?
Yes you do. Look at earlier post on how to.
I only see that is says HBO Now, nothing about HBO Go. I’ll try with uninstalling HBO Go though
Worked for me!!!
Thank you, THANK YOU, for such excellent detailed instructions on this!! I am the least tech-smart person ever, and by following them step-by-step I was able to get the app installed and running perfectly on both my Fire TV and my Firestick.
I downloaded it and everything is good but it change the interface of the fire stick images and app image. How do I get it back to regular?
Hi, When putting on hbomax app on Firestick for the 1st time, who do I say is my provider if i signed on directly via hbomax, to get their special pricing for a yr….thanks
Thank you!! I remember in school sitting in front of the first computer I ever saw and it had what looked like a “telephone modem” like the one in the movie “War Games”. My daughter had to install my Firestick and teach me how to use streaming four years ago when I cut the cord.
Your instructions were seamless. Thank you!
i followed these instruction but anyone else have problems with the app not appearing along side other installed apps?
Hi – I already subscribe to HBO through Amazon. If I do this, do I have to cancel my HBO through Amazon, then setup a new account with HBO Max and pay them directly? Not sure how to go about this. Any help would be really appreciated – thank you!
Regarding Step 3, Clear Appstore Data & Cache on Fire TV. When I go to “clear data” I receive this intimidating message: “All application data will be deleted permanently. This includes all files, settings, accounts, and databases.” Will this affect all my other apps?
I didn’t want to do that step either for i too did not want to risk other apps. It says HBO Now for the icon of listed apps but when you click it is definitely HBO Max. Hope this helps
This worked so well for me a few weeks ago. Can you also set up an article for the peacock tv app?
You bet! Here is a guide for installing Peacock on Fire TV: https://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-install-sideload-peacock-app-by-nbc-on-amazon-fire-tv-or-firestick/
I followed the directions and have an issue with the icon.
Deleted HBO Now from Fire TV. Deleted HBO Now from my Amazon account. Cleared data/cache of Appstore app and restarted Fire TV. Sideloaded HBO Max. Launched HBO Max. All worked.
However, the HBO Max app shows up in my App and Channels list as the symbol for the Apps (3 squares and a +) and in the home page, it shows up as a broken image icon.
I’ve tried uninstalling the app and going through the steps 4 times (except HBO Now is not in my Amazon account anymore so no need to delete) and always the same result. Also tried restarting the FireTV a few times and still no HBO Max icon.
Also, to note, I sideloaded the Peacock app also and its icon appeared right away.
Jobey, I second your comment, this is my first day trying and my experience is exactly like yours. If it matters, my HBO subscription doesn’t cancel off my account until tomorrow even though it has just magically disappeared off my subscription list today so I’ll keep trying for the next 2 days and update this post with the results. Thank you for posting and keep us updated as well !!!
I followed all the steps to a t get the HBO Max icon but when i click it and go to sign in the code it gives to go to sign in link does not work. Am I doing something wrong?! I see things posted about remote not working is that related to it not working? Any help on what to do will be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Keep getting “Error connection lost” when trying to install.
I had the same problem. Think that just means you’re on weak Wi-Fi and probably keep losing connection mid download. I tried connecting my fire stick to my phone’s hot stop and then tried redownloading and it worked!
I’ve gone through the tutorial 3 times. Never had HBO Now. Always just watched HBO through the ATTVNow app, and on the HBOGo app on my iPad.
It loads but it will not put the icon into my applications. I have also moved it to my plugged in USB STICK AND BACK, nothing it still will not place an icon on the homepage or in apps.
I had the same problem as you. I installed the app without removing HBO GO from my Fire stick. I cleared the cache and data and synchronized as instructed. I then uninstalled HBO GO and it shows on the app or recently used. So I didn’t have to go through settings anymore. If it disappears again I just clear the cache and data again and sync again. When I installed Peacock HBO Max icon disappeared again so I cleared the cache and data and synched. Oh and restarted Everytime I did that. Everything is back to normal.
One other thing I only used HBO GO through Cable Subscriber because I am one of the few who still pays for Premium Cable but just like to use apps everywhere I go when needed.
I had HBOGo, and uninstalled it and even remived from the cloud. The HBOMax sideload worked, but I can only find the icon in the list of apps under “Manage Installed Applications.” I can launch it from there, but it does not appear elsewhere. I cleared the data and cache, and restarted the Firestick, but no change. Appreciate any advice. Thanks.
(For what it’s worth, your instructions on sideloading Peacock worked like a charm. Thanks for that too!)
I assume that (sadly) we will lose access to the HBO MAX app if HBO does get taken off of the Amazon Fire TV on August 1st?
What’s the trick to signing in?
There’s no trick. If you’re having trouble, you might have the wrong app version. See here for info on that: https://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-fix-remote-not-working-issues-with-hbo-max-on-amazon-fire-tv/
My remote works. I can’t sign into my account
I’m getting a content not available message when I’m in the HBOmax app and try to play anything. When I googled, the HBO max help page just says that if you’re getting that message it’s not compatible with your device. Any suggestions?
Same situation, here.
Worked its way out.
Worked immediately on my second Fire Cube.
Thank you so much for this, it works great! I followed the directions exactly, but I have the icon for HBO now. When I click that icon, the HBOMax app starts. Not a huge deal, but how do I get the right icon on the firestick?
Uninstall the app and redo all of the steps, paying close attention to where you have to go to amazon.com and delete the HBO Now app, clear cache, and restart.
Do you know if we’ll lose access to HBOMAX if HBO gets taken off of the Fire TV on August 1st?
Probably not because the Firestick is based on a modified Android otherwise we would not be able to install it in the first place and it is available for Android TV and phones.
Downloaded everything great. However I can’t get a code to work to sign in. I keep getting message that code doesn’t work and to go back to TV for new code. Help!
For Fire TV, why do you have to delete HBO NOW before installing HBO MAX?
Thank you so much! Yours are the only instructions that work (and they’re the most concise, too). The others (listed by Google ahead of yours) all gave me the “forbidden” error. Gonna take care of this on the other TV and make a contribution at the same time!
Quick question. Can this be side loaded on to A Kindle Fire HD 10? I noticed I could not find the downloader app that I used on the Fire TV and 4K Firestick. Can I use an alternative? HBO GO is on the Kindle. Thanks
Nevermind I installed it directly from the Silk Browser and installed it without a problem. Works on Kindle Fire HD 10
hola! he descargado y abierto pero surge un error, algo asi como que no es la region de usa? o algo asi y no sale de alli por lo tanto lo desinstalado. sera incompatible para españa esta version o algo asi?
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Carefully followed your instructions, and it is playing as I write this. DirecTV worked like a charm.
Worked perfect !!! Thank you and very
GlAD to have you back.
GLAD
Wow! It works on my Amazon Cube 2nd gen. First time too!
Huge thanks for this wonderful assistance!
May the wind be at your back.
For me, it seems to have installed correctly, but, when I try to launch it, there’s a black screen, and then it’s back to the Home screen. Not sure if anyone else has experienced that, but, if it sounds familiar, I’d love to know how to get around it.
Never mind – it looks like I was just being a little impatient. It just took a few minutes to kick in. Thanks very much!
Everything works up until the Install. It starts to install but then say “not installed”
Same! Any idea how to fix this?
Same thing happening here. Followed to a T and then I get “app not installed.” What am I doing wrong?
What about kindle fire tablet?
Have you found an answer to this?
The sad thing is that I found a working APK, which properly fit the screen, (without being extra large, and impossible to move around), but then upgraded to the newest Amazon Fire 10′ , and have tried about 25 different versions/sources,! And they are all the wrong version.
Works great post August 1.
FWIW in addition to HBO Go which I removed, in the “Your Apps” list on Amazon.com, I had an old app from 2016 just called “HBO” which was in the cloud but not installed on my Fire Stick. I didn’t remove that. Now on the Fire, the icon shows up as “HBO” but starts HBO Max. I think “HBO” may have been an old version of HBO Now?
Anyway steps 1 & 2 apply if you have HBO Go or HBO Now.
The app won’t download. It worked fine on my first fire stick and now it won’t work on this tv. When I click download box it redirects to WHOcovid information. And doesn’t download
Hbo MAx sideload to FIRE TV quit working
I was able to sideload over a month ago, everything was working great till about a week ago. Now it lets me log in through hbomax.com/tvsignin but when I click on anything it asks me to subscribe/restore google purchases but it shows my profile and watch history. I tried the following
1. Log out and back in
2. Delete the app & reinstall
3 look for (Android tv) apk install
4. Use other apk and install. Log out of other apps like amazon.
5. Search for other downloads and install.
What do I do next?
The screen mirroring /Air play with 4 different apps fails in 30 seconds
I think everything works now, (thank you very much!!!) Except I now have a display message about settings that won’t leave the screen no matter what app I’m watching. Down side it says MUL . Message says Audio Code: mpeg Hardware accelerator, etc then below that is Video and those settings. This message even overlays the screensaver.
Thank you so much for this! I tried two other methods that didn’t fully work. This worked perfectly for me.
It keeps saying App not installed in the Downloader. Any way to resolve this!
I was installing for the first time and having the same issue. I had to delete my HBO and HBO Go apps, syncing, restarting, etc…basically following the instructions in this article.
I also loaded the original APK from bit.ly/hbomaxfire. Once it was all set up for use I updated it according to https://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-update-your-sideloaded-hbo-max-on-amazon-fire-tv-and-firestick/.
Hope this helps.
Trying to install HBO Max. We get to where you put in the address, it starts to download and a box comes up with install at the bottom but it will not install.
I was installing for the first time and having the same issue. I had to delete my HBO and HBO Go apps, syncing, restarting, etc…basically following the instructions in this article.
I also loaded the original APK from bit.ly/hbomaxfire. Once it was all set up for use I updated it according to https://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-update-your-sideloaded-hbo-max-on-amazon-fire-tv-and-firestick/.
Hope this helps.
I did everything exactly in your instructions and I have the icon. Each time I click the icon it just goes to my home screen. Every time. The app will not open
Okay it opened. Now I get “sorry we can’t reach Google play right now”. What do I do
Me too! What the what?
Lessons learned: 1). You need to first allow “Apps from Unknown Sources. Go to Settings, My Fire TV, Developer Options, Apps from Unknown Sources. 2). You need to delete ALL HBO apps—including HBO, HBO Go, and HBO Now. 3). When you type in the URL into the Downloader app the screen will include text at the bottom that says “MediaFire Uses Cookies”. You have to click “I Accept” before going to the HBO Max download. I installed on two TVs. My only small issue is that on one TV the HBO Mac icon shows on my “Your Apps and Channels” line on the Firestick home page. But if I click on “See All” on that line the app icon is the HBO icon rather than the HBO Max icon. Not a big deal. But strange. Did not have this issue on the other TV.
After using the side loader app and the current download file, when I go to install hbomax, it says “not installed”. I’ve gone through the process a couple times, has anyone dealt with this?
I have tried this 4 times. Deleted all versions of HBO from Amazon app store and all fire sticks. Am able to use downloader and get HBOMax in my apps. Am able to log on and browse. But when I select something to watch, it takes me to set up your free HBO trial or sign into your account with Google Play. And when I click on either of those choices, it says “we cannot reach google play right now” Am I SOL? Not sure what I am missing. I was able to get HBO max on 2 of my fire sticks, but not the 3rd. Thanks
Instructions worked, I was able to download and open HBO Max once on the TV. Once it was closed and reopened, and every time thereafter, states “no internet connection” and the other option to ‘retry’ with each message toggling back and forth and is difficult to exit the app with our fire stick, it keeps going back and forth with the above two messages. Internet connection is not the issue as all other apps are up and running perfectly. Subscription to HBO Max is thru YouTubeTV.com. Can you help?
I’ve managed to get the app up and running but get stuck trying to log in. It takes me to a page which tells me to sign in via hbomax.com/tvsignin and enter a 5 digit code but every time I try the site tells me it can’t connect. Any way to fix this?
Downloaded Google Play services and signed in, but still getting “SUBSCRIPTION RESTORE Sorry, we can’t reach Google Play right now. Please try again later.” It’s been a week.
Hi and thanks for the very helpful instructions. I followed them exactly, two times, and everything worked except that HBO Max doesn’t show up on my list of apps, i.e., no icon. I can launch it from Settings->Applications->Manage Installed Applications, where it shows up with the correct icon. When I do that, it then shows up in Recents with a broken-link icon, but not the HBO Max icon. Then of course it disappears from there if I watch a bunch of other shows that take its place in Recents.
I have a Fire TV Cube, 2nd Gen. Signed up for HBO Max via YTTV, which I can’t imagine makes a difference. I did all the steps you mentioned to prepare. I had no HBO apps of any kind if my AMZ library. Tried twice and same result. I watched a YT video that notes the same problem and says to just launch it from the Settings location, which afaic is a pain.
Any thoughts? Thanks again for publishing the best article I found for doing this. It’s linked on FB YTTV user groups in several places.
I found unplugging my firetv stick and waiting and then plugging it back in helped
Hello, I have followed every single instruction posted but anytime I attempt to download the app from the link provided I get an “error forbidden. try using https if you used Http”. Yes, I used the browser part of downloader, it takes me to the website. I download the latest apk android version but I still get this error. What is the best way to fix this, please? I use a firestick. Thank you
Did everything, step by step. Loading the app isn’t the issue. Once in the app, shows will not play. It defaults to “start trial “.
I have no trouble downloading it, but whenever I click install, it pauses as if installing and then comes up with an error message that it hasn’t installed.
LO instale y el icono aparece pero al ejecutarlo me dice
“hbo max firestick can ́t connect”
¿alguna solucion? ¿ha alguien le ha pasado?
I made it all thru the process to open the app and it’s asking for a subscription $14.99/month. I have this app on my Iphone and it’s free ? I didn’t think I’d have to buy it or i would subscribe to HBO thru direct tv. Any suggestions???
Hi great work! Only thing is I got it installed but now it’s asking for an update, and then sends me to the official Amazon site to get it, but that was the problem in the first place for me (it’s unavailable in my area on Amazon fire tv even though I’m a subscriber). Will you be able to update and app you’re hosting for us to the latest version? Thanks!