How to Watch HBO Max in South Africa [Updated Dec 2024]

HBO Max in South Africa

HBO Max is an amazing streaming service offering amazing shows like The Sopranos, Doctor Who, Sesame Street, The Big Bang Theory, South Park, and many more.

Sadly, HBO Max is inaccessible in South Africa due to copyright geo-restrictions. If you try to access HBO Max in South Africa, you will come across the following error message:

“Sorry, HBO MAX isn’t available in your region yet.”

That said, you can still unblock HBO Max in South Africa quite easily. 

How? 

Well, with the help of a VPN that offers US servers. 

In today’s guide, I will show you how to watch HBO Max in South Africa in just 6 super-simple steps.

Before we get started, make sure to purchase a reliable one. I recommend getting ExpressVPNRanked#1 – 16,078 reviews | TrustScore 4.7

ExpressVPN costs only $6.67/mo (49% discount – 1 year + 3 months free). Offers 3000+ servers in 94 countries. Can easily unblock geo-blocked services like Netflix US and Hulu with ease. 

Tested to offer speeds of up to 88.24 Mbps / 100 Mbps. It supports 8 device connections and also offers a full 30-day money-back guarantee.

So without any further ado, let’s get started.

6 Quick Steps to Watch HBO Max in South Africa

To watch HBO Max in South Africa, follow the 6 super easy steps below. 

Expressvpn-us-server

  1. Get yourself ExpressVPN for just $6.67/mo.
  2. Install the VPN app on your device and sign in using your credentials.
  3. Visit the VPN server list and choose a US server to connect to.
  4. Now sign up for an HBO Max account.
  5. Make payment through an international credit card or PayPal.
  6. Visit the HBO Max website or use its app to watch shows in South Africa.

Get HBO Max in South Africa with ExpressVPN

Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch HBO Max in South Africa?

HBO Max is only available in the USA. If you’re in South Africa, you won’t be able to watch shows like Friends, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Doctor Who, etc. 

I say this because you’ll get blocked by the service as soon as you visit the HBO Max website from South Africa.

HBO Max can detect that you’re not located in the US by verifying your IP address and blocking you immediately. Once you’re blocked, you’ll see this error screen:

HBO Max Outside US geo-blocked error message

This is where you’ll need a VPN to watch HBO Max in South Africa.

A VPN can help you unblock any geo-blocked website from anywhere. 

It works by replacing your original IP address with a different IP address, depending on your selected server location.

In our case, we’ll simply need to connect to a US server to obtain a US IP address. Once you’re connected, you’ll be able to watch HBO Max in South Africa without any restrictions.

But which VPN to get? 

I would recommend getting ExpressVPN. It is the fastest VPN out there. It starts from just $6.67/mo (49% discount – 1 year + 3 months free) instead of $12.95/mo. 

It offers 3000+ servers in 94 countries and can also easily unblock geo-blocked services like Netflix US and Hulu.

ExpressVPN also offers super-fast speeds, supports 8 devices connections, and offers a full 30-day money-back guarantee.

Access HBO Max in South Africa with ExpressVPN

Quick Overview of the Best VPNs to Watch HBO Max in South Africa

Best Overall VPN
$ 6.67
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Best VPNs to Watch HBO Max in South Africa

1. ExpressVPN: Overall Best VPN to Watch HBO Max in South Africa

ExpressVPN-howtowatchchannel

First up, we have the most premium VPN – ExpressVPN. It is the fastest VPN you can get to unblock HBO Max in South Africa.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for HBO Max. I say this because this VPN offers 23+ servers in 14+ US cities. In addition to that, ExpressVPN offers a global server network of 3000+ servers in 94 countries.

Because ExpressVPN offers such a massive server network, it is super fast and always offers fresh IPs to effectively trick HBO Max.

Speaking of it being fast, I managed to stream a bunch of content on HBO Max in HD picture quality without any buffering. Its USA – Atlanta server performed exceptionally well.

As for speeds, it quickly managed to output a download speed of 88.24 Mbps / 100 Mbps. I easily managed to stream shows like My Neighbor Totoro on HBO Max without facing any issues. 

Aside from fast speeds, ExpressVPN offers amazing apps for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Fire Stick devices, and more with easy one-click connectivity. 

As for pricing, ExpressVPN costs $6.67/mo (49% discount – 1 year + 3 months free). All of its subscription plans support 8 multi-logins and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Overall, ExpressVPN is the best VPN in the market and offers great unblocking performance.

Watch HBO Max in South Africa with ExpressVPN

2. Surfshark: Most Affordable VPN to Watch HBO Max in South Africa

Surfshark-howtowatchchannel

Surfshark is the most affordable VPN for HBO Max, costing only $2.29/mo (85% discount – 2 years + 2 months free). It offers great features at a reasonable price.  

Speaking of servers, It offers 3200+ servers in 100 countries. It also offers 500+ servers in 20+ American cities, which are all super fast. With Surfshark, you will never experience any trouble unblocking HBO Max in South Africa.

Surfshark also offers super-fast speeds and well-built apps for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Fire Stick, and more.

If we talk about speeds, when I tested it, Surfshark managed to reach speeds of up to 83.14 Mbps / 100 Mbps. With such speeds, I managed to stream shows like “South Park” in 1080p video playback quality.

One of the most impressive features of Surfshark is that it offers unlimited simultaneous connections, making it the most affordable VPN in the market. Surfshark even offers apps for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Firestick, and even routers

Unblock HBO Max in South Africa with Surfshark

3. NordVPN: Reliable VPN to Watch HBO Max in South Africa With a Massive Server Network

NordVPN-howtowatchchannel

Lastly, we have NordVPN. It is an overall rock-solid VPN service to unblock HBO Max. NordVPN offers a massive server network of 5200+ servers which is more than what both ExpressVPN and Surfshark offer.

With such a huge network of servers, it is a fantastic option to use for bufferless streaming on HBO Max and other popular channels. 

As for the streaming quality, I did not face any issues when streaming Westworld on HBO Max with NordVPN’s US servers. Speaking of which, NordVPN offers 1970+ servers in 15 US cities, which is just insane.

All of its servers are blazing fast too. When I tested its US servers, it managed to output speeds of up to 85.54 Mbps / 100 Mbps. That’s seriously fast.

Much like the other VPN I’ve mentioned so far, NordVPN also offers amazing apps for iOS, Android, Fire Stick, Windows, macOS, and more. 

As for pricing, it is really affordable. You can get NordVPN for just $3.09/mo (58% discount).  

Every subscription plan offers 6 simultaneous connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Access HBO Max in South Africa with NordVPN

How to Sign Up for HBO Max in South Africa?

To watch HBO Max content, you’ll need to first create an account.

That being said, if you’re in South Africa, you will not be able to do so since the service is geo-restricted in South Africa.

Luckily, you can use a VPN to create an account by obtaining a US IP address.

Here is how you can create an HBO Max account in South Africa in just a few easy steps:

1. Subscribe to ExpressVPN, download its app, and connect to a US server. It offers 23+ servers in 14+ American cities.

2. Visit the HBO Max website and click on the “Start your free trial” option located in the top right-hand corner of your screen.

create hbo max account outside the usa

3. Next, sign up with a valid email address, and provide a password to create your new HBO Max account.

4. Next, type in a US address. Since you’re not located in the US and don’t have a US address, you can use a source like a US address generator online. Just Google for one. 

5. After that, type in your payment details (we’re going to cover related steps to payment in more detail in the next heading).

How to Pay For HBO Max in South Africa

As I mentioned earlier, HBO Max is only available in the US. Because of that, to create an account or purchase its subscription, you need to be located in the US and have a US payment method. 

That said, there is a workaround to this problem. There are basically two ways to buy an HBO Max subscription in South Africa. 

The first option is to use a VPN that offers US servers. ExpressVPN is a good option as it offers 23+ servers in 14+ American cities.

The second option you have is to use a digital gift card.

Let’s get started with the first option first.

Option #1 – Use a VPN to purchase an HBO Max subscription

For this method, you’ll need a VPN, an iOS or Android device, and the HBO Max app. 

First, make sure you have a VPN like ExpressVPN installed on your iOS or Android device. After that, follow the steps below to download the HBO Max app on your iOS or Android device in South Africa. 

How to download the HBO Max app on Android devices in South Africa?

Here Is How to Download the HBO Max App on Your Android Device in South Africa:

  1. Sign up for a reliable VPN ExpressVPN on your Android device.
  2. Head to the VPN server’s list and choose a US server to connect to.
  3. On your Android device, open the Google Play app.
  4. Tap on the profile icon.
  5. Tap on Settings > General > Account and device preferences > Country and profiles.
  6. Tap on the United States from the list.
  7. Follow the instructions you see on your screen to add a payment method for that country.
  8. Once your account region is changed, search for the HBO Max app in the search bar and install it on your Android device.
  9. Sign in to your HBO Max account and watch any content in South Africa.

Access HBO Max in South Africa with ExpressVPN

How to download the HBO Max app on iOS devices in South Africa?

Here Is How to Download the HBO Max App on Your IOS Device in South Africa:

  1. Sign up for a reliable VPN ExpressVPN on your iOS device.
  2. Head to the VPN server’s list and choose a US server to connect to.
  3. Open the Settings app on your iOS device. 
  4. Tap on your name, then tap on Media & Purchases.
  5. Next, tap on View Account. At this point, you may be asked to sign in to your account.
  6. Next, tap on the Country/Region.
  7. Tap on the Change Country or Region option.
  8. Scroll and choose the United States as your new country or region and agree to the terms and conditions.
  9. Tap on Agree option located in the top right-hand corner and then tap on Agree again to confirm.
  10. Finally, select a payment method and enter your new payment information and billing address. After that, tap Next.
  11. Once your region is changed, visit the Apple App Store and search for the HBO Max app.
  12. Download and install the HBO Max app on your iOS device and start watching HBO Max in South Africa.

Stream HBO Max in South Africa with ExpressVPN

Once you have downloaded the HBO Max app, use your PayPal account to pay for the HBO Max subscription instead of a US credit card.

That’s it. You will now be able to log in and watch your favorite HBO Max shows on any device. Just make sure to stay connected to a US server.

Option #2 – Use a digital gift card to purchase an HBO Max subscription

You can also purchase an HBO Max subscription with a digital gift card. You can purchase one from the Mygiftcardsupply website. Gift cards start from $25 and go up to $50. 

The whole purchase process is super easy, and it also doesn’t require a US payment method.

After purchasing the gift card for HBO Max, you will receive the code in your email inbox. 

After receiving the gift card, the only thing you need to do is click on “Redeem gift card” or enter the code yourself when you sign up for an HBO Max account. You can find the steps to redeem the gift card here.

Get HBO Max in South Africa with ExpressVPN

Worth Watching Content on HBO Max in South Africa

Confused about what to watch on HBO Max? Don’t worry as I’ve done all the hard work for you by listing some of the best movies and shows available on HBO Max.

New Releases to Watch on HBO Max in South Africa

  • Hacks, Season 3
  • Sierra Madre: No Trespassing, Season 1
  • Teen Titans Go!, Season 8
  • Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Season 11
  • Romário: The Guy (Romário: O Cara): Season 1
  • All American, Season 6
  • Real Time with Bill Maher, Season 22
  • Traces of Love (Evidências Do Amor)
  • Young Sheldon, Season 7
  • To Leslie
  • The Girls on the Bus, Season 1
  • Jerrod Carmichael: Reality Show, Season 1
  • Six Is Not A Crowd, Season 1
  • Home Sweet Rome (2023)
  • The Sympathizer, Season 1
  • We’re Here, Season 4
  • The Cleaning Lady, Season 3
  • Turtles All the Way Down
  • The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, Season 2
  • Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, Season 2
  • Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die
  • Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case (La Mano En El Fuego)
  • Found, Season 1
  • Rematch, Season 1

Best Movies to Watch on HBO Max in South Africa

Best Shows to Watch on HBO Max in South Africa

There are plenty more shows and movies that you can watch on HBO Max. For a more comprehensive list, click on this link to view all HBO Max movies and this link for all HBO Max shows.

FAQs - Watch HBO Max in South Africa

How to sign in to HBO Max on Roku?

If you have a subscription to HBO Max or HBO NOW, you can sign in to your HBO Max channel on a Roku device by simply entering your HBO username and password.

Make sure to select Access all of HBO Max when a popup message shows up.

In case you access HBO Max with your cable or satellite subscription, you can use the username and password provided by your satellite or cable service provider to gain access to the HBO Max channel on a Roku device.

Can You Download Movies and Shows on HBO Max?

To download a show or a movie on HBO Max, you need:

  • An active internet connection
  • The HBO Max app for phones or tablet

Here’s how to download a show or a movie:

  1. Launch the HBO Max app on your phone or tablet.
  2. Before beginning, make sure that you’re signed in to your HBO Max account and are connected to a Wi-Fi network.
  3. Next, select any episode or movie that you want to download. Do keep in mind that some shows and movies are not downloadable.
  4. To begin downloading, tap on the Download icon (Should look like an arrow pointing down).
  5. You should be able to track the progress of the content you’re downloading by observing the circle showing you the download progress. If you want to pause or resume downloading, simply tap the same icon.

You can download up to 30 movies or shows at a time. Once you’ve downloaded any content, you have exactly 48 hours to watch it. Otherwise, the content will expire.

Do I Have HBO Max if I Have HBO?

Yes, you get access to HBO Max without paying any additional cost if you already have a subscription to HBO Now or HBO.

HBO Max bundles all HBO platforms giving its subscribers exclusive access to licensed television shows, movies, and more.

Where Can I Watch HBO Max?

HBO Max is available on HBOMax.com and through HBO’s participating subscription providers.

Here are all the sources through which you can watch HBO Max:

  • AT&T
  • Cox
  • Spectrum
  • Verizon Fios
  • Xfinity
  • YouTube TV
  • DIRECTV
  • Hulu
  • Optimum

Check out the complete HBO Max provider list here.

What Devices Can I Use to Watch HBO Max?

  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Android TV
  • Apple TV
  • Chromecast
  • LG Smart TVs
  • Roku
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox One
  • Amazon Fire Tablet
  • Android Phone & Tablet
  • iPhone & iPad
  • Samsung TV
  • VIZIO SmartCast TVs
  • Chrome OS
  • macOS
  • Windows PC
  • PS5
  • PS4

Channels Other than HBO Max to Access in South Africa

Conclusion

This wraps up our easy guide on how to watch HBO Max in South Africa. Hopefully, you can now sign up for an HBO Max account and watch any content you like in South Africa.

I highly recommend getting ExpressVPN to unblock HBO Max or any other streaming service. With ExpressVPN, you’ll be able to catch the most anticipated upcoming show Hacks, Season 3 easily in South Africa. 

It is the fastest VPN out there, starting from just $6.67/mo (49% discount – 1 year + 3 months free)

It offers 3000+ servers in 94 countries and can also easily unblock geo-blocked services like Netflix US and Hulu. To offer the best value for money, it supports 8 devices connections, and also offers a full 30-day money-back guarantee.

Ethan Tyson
Ethan Tyson

Ethan Tyson is a movie critic and an avid streamer. There's hardly any time when he's not writing something or keenly deconstructing the plot of hit movies or TV shows. Ethan writes useful guides on HowToWatchChannels.com to help readers access channels from around the world anywhere, anytime.