Max, or previously HBO Max is a premium streaming platform that is available in the US and a few European countries except for Ireland.
The only way to watch HBO Max in Ireland is with the help of a reliable VPN and by connecting to the US server.
If you try to access HBO Max from Ireland without a VPN, you will see an error message that says:
“Sorry, HBO Max isn’t available in your region”
I was able to unblock HBO Max with the help of ExpressVPN and the other best VPNs that we have mentioned in the guide.
Our Recommended VPN – ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our recommended choice for streaming any geo-restricted services that are unavailable in Ireland OR it is used to stay anonymous over the internet for watching anything for free as it hides your streaming activity from the ISPs.
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How to Watch HBO Max in Ireland
The only way to watch Max in Ireland is to first subscribe with the service and then access the Max website using a VPN.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
Step 1: Subscribe to your VPN of choice (ExpressVPN is our #1 choice)
Step 2: Download the ExpressVPN app and install it on your device
Step 3: Open the VPN app and connect to the US server (e.g. New York)
Step 4: Go to the HBO Max website and click on Sign Up
Step 5: Click on “sign in with your account”
Step 6: Enter your email/password OR click Subscribe to create an account
Step 7: Choose either Movies OR Series
Step 8: Select your profile icon
Step 9: Select any TV series that you want to watch i.e. House of the Dragon
Step 10: Start streaming!
How to Sign up for Max from Ireland?
As I discussed earlier, Max isn’t available in Ireland so you won’t be able to sign up for the service. In fact, it won’t even access the Irish credit card as well.
You can rather sign in with Max via provider like Hulu, DirecTV, Prime Video, etc. if you have their membership.
But if you don’t have that either, then we’ll show you a different way signing up with HBO Max from Ireland.
We’ll be using screenshot for iPad/iPhone:
Step 1: You will need to change your accounts country to the USA. Open your iPad and select Settings
Step 2: Scroll down to select iTunes & App Store
Step 3: Click on your Apple ID
Step 4: Select View Apple ID
Step 5: Now click on Country/Region
Step 6: Then select Change Country or Region
Step 7: Scroll down to select United States
Step 8: Select the payment method to None
Step 9: Now add a random/fake Street No. and other details
Step 10: Now open your App Store
Step 11: Search for MAX app
Step 12: Click Get or Download. For Android users, download MAX APK
Step 13: Once the download is completed, connect to the US server of ExpressVPN or otherwise you will get an error that says: “MAX is unavailable in your region”
Step 14: Now open MAX app and you will need an iTunes gift card in order to subscribe Max. First, disconnect the VPN temporarily and go to mygiftcardsupply.com
Step 15: Choose the $15 iTunes gift card and provide your payment information. For Android users, select Play Store Gift Card
Step 16: Add your personal information. Now click Proceed to PayPal. Add PayPal payment info
Step 17: By now My Gift Card Supply must have sent you an email. Open the email and click on the link to view the gift card
Step 18: Note down the CODE
Step 19: Open the App Store once again and click on the Profile icon
Step 20: Select Redeem Gift Card or Code
Step 21: Click on ‘You can also enter your code manually’
Step 22: Enter the code and click Redeem
Step 23: Now once again connect to the ExpressVPN US server and then open MAX app once again and click on the Profile icon
Step 24: Click Subscribe Now
Step 25: Enter your personal information
Step 26: Click Confirm. You have successfully subscribed to the Max service from Ireland.
What are the Best VPNs to Watch Max in Ireland?
We’ve tested around 35+ different premium VPN services, and we have come to the conclusion that only 3 of them were able to access HBO Max from within Ireland and within the first attempt.
Here’s a list of the top 3 VPNs to unblock HBO Max in Ireland:
1. ExpressVPN
When it comes to unblocking HBO Max from Ireland, we prefer ExpressVPN because it has servers in 30+ US cities.
In total, it has 3,000 US servers that help unblock other streaming services apart from HBO Max, these include 6Play, Pandora, ProSieben, etc.
Some of the security features of ExpressVPN include 24-hour customer assistance, AES-256 encryption, a kill switch option, DNS and IP leak protection, and other amazing features.
It offers a blazing fast speed (i.e 81 Mbps out of 100 Mbps) to avoid every kind of buffering, so you won’t have to worry about that. ExpressVPN app is very easy to use and supports all types of devices including Android, macOS, iOS, and Linux.
This high-performance VPN costs €6.42/month and provides the usual 30-day money-back guarantee. With a single subscription, you can use ExpressVPN on 5 different devices simultaneously.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is another excellent VPN for watching HBO Max in Ireland as it has 500+ servers in the United States alone, allowing you to conveniently unblock sites based in the US.
Because of its clutter-free user interface and design, this VPN sits well with newcomers to the VPN concept.
It also allows an unlimited number of devices to log in at the same time. With 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, IPv6 leak protection, and DNS for data protection, this VPN’s security is also remarkable.
Android, Linux, Mac, Windows, iOS, Fire Stick, and Amazon Fire TV are all supported by Surfshark. It also has plugins for Google Chrome and Firefox browsers.
Surfshark is extremely reasonable at $2.30/month and comes with a typical 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. NordVPN
NordVPN is the third VPN on our recommended list because it has 1,900+ US servers (out of 5,440 servers) that help bypass HBO Max geo-restrictions.
NordVPN also boasts some unique features, such as double VPN protection, which covers your web traffic with an extra layer of security, and CyberSec, which protects you from dangerous content.
NordVPN’s 2-year subscription plan is similar to Surfshark’s, except it is somewhat more expensive, at $3.49/month. With a single NordVPN account, you can connect to 6 devices simultaneously.
Like many other premium VPNs, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it out with HBO before committing.
Why Do You Need to Use a VPN with HBO Max?
The reason why you need a VPN when using HBO Max is that the service is unavailable in the Irish region. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) changes your virtual location and disguises your original IP address.
HBO Max is currently available in the US and 21 European countries, but it is blocked in Ireland due to copyright ownership and licensing agreements.
If you try to access HBO Max website from the Ireland region you will see an error message that simply says:
“Sorry, HBO Max isn’t available in your region yet”
Once you connect to the US server of a VPN, you will be assigned a US IP address. After that, you will be able to access the HBO Max website without any trouble or error.
A VPN service will also help you protect your online privacy because it hides most of your online actions, ensuring that your privacy is protected.
What Can You Watch on HBO Max?
HBO offers a terrific collection of movies and shows in their service. And if you are confused as to what you can watch, we’ve compiled a list of suggestions to assist you.
- House of the Dragon
- Rick & Morty
- Chernobyl
- The Sopranos
- Succession
- Last of Us
- Westworld
- Band of Brothers
- Curb your Enthusiasm
- True Detective
- Game of Thrones
- Ad Astra
- Watchmen
- Suicide Squad
- Birds of Prey
- Aquaman
How Much Does MAX Costs?
Max is offering 3 different pricing plans. However, users can also subscribe it through many providers like Hulu, Prime Video, DirecTV, etc. You can subscribe with Max HERE.
3 different pricing plans (monthly plans) for Max are:
- $9.99/month – With Ads (2 devices)
- $14.99/month – Ad-Free (2 devices)
- $19.99/month – Ultimate Ad-Free (4 devices)
3 different pricing plans (yearly plans – Save upto 20%) for Max are:
- $99.99/year – With Ads
- $149.99/year – Ad-Free
- $199.99/year – Ultimate Ad-Free
How to Get Max App on your Mobile
HBO Max may not be available on either Play Store OR iTunes outside the US because of geographical restrictions. However, you can download HBO Max APK on your Android Phone instead.
Here are the steps you need to watch HBO Max on your Android Phone:
Step 1: Subscribe to ExpressVPN and connect to the US server (i.e. New York)
Step 2: Download Max APK on your Android device
Step 3: Click Install
Step 4: Open the HBO Max app and click on the Profile icon
Step 5: Click ‘Sing into your account’
Step 6: Enter your email/password
Step 7: Select any show to watch i.e. Westworld
Step 8: Select any season or episode
Step 9: Start streaming!
FAQs – HBO Max
What countries have HBO Max available?
HBO Max is available across America and other 39 Latin American territories. But there is a chance that it will be available in some of the European countries like the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, and 14 other European markets by the end of this year.
Is HBO Max available on Amazon Prime?
No, HBO Max is no longer available on Amazon Prime Video. But if you have a Hulu membership, you can watch it there.
Other Streaming Services to Watch in Ireland
Similar to HBO Max, we have listed some of the streaming services that you can watch in Ireland but with the help of a VPN:
On top of that, you can find the best cord-cutting options in Ireland to watch some of the best content from Ireland and outside.
Conclusion
HBO is a mainstream tv powerhouse, not only due to its vast library but also because of its dedication to the creation of incredible TV Shows and Movies.
The only way to watch HBO Max in Ireland is with the help of a VPN (such as ExpressVPN) because HBO Max is unavailable in the region.
So, don’t simply think of a VPN subscription as an additional expense to your streaming service; it’s also an added layer of liberty and safety in an age when we spend so much of our time online.
