Yes. HBO Max supports offline downloads in its app, but Basic with Ads does not. On phones/tablets, use the HBO Max app. On laptops/desktops, follow the StreamFab HBO Max Downloader guide below for personal offline viewing. Standard plans allow limited offline files; details are in the table before the mobile steps.
The reason why I made this guide is that I'm traveling in Antrim, New Hampshire, and I have a really bad network, which can only support Rick and Morty on HBO Max played in 240p, and in that quality, those annoying buffers still buzz like flies.
Can You Download Movies on HBO Max?
Yes. The official download function is available on the HBO Max app, which is available on Android & iOS. And downloading and watching HBO Max titles offline is obviously a solution for me.
But if only I could watch Max offline, all these buffering issues I mentioned above would disappear. Besides, I prefer binge-watching on a bigger screen, especially now that I have my laptop with me. So, for all HBO Max binge-lovers, I wrote this guide to share how I download movies on HBO Max on different devices.
How to Download Movies on HBO Max on Mobile Devices
| Plan | Offline Download | Typical Offline Quality | Quota | Expiry Rule | SD Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic with Ads | ✖ | — | 0 | — | Not supported |
| Standard Ad-Free | ✔ | Up to 1080p | Up to ~30 files across devices | 30 days unopened / 48 hrs after play | Not supported |
| Ultimate Ad-Free | ✔ | Usually up to 1080p (streaming may support 4K) | Up to ~100 files across devices | 30 days unopened / 48 hrs after play | Not supported |
For full details, see the limitations list below in this section.
Tool required: HBO Max App
The official download function is only available on the HBO Max app, so we don't have a second choice here. Find it in Google Play or the App Store. By the way, you need at least a Standard subscription plan. The HBO Max Ads Basic plan won’t offer downloads at all.
Operation guide
Haven't used the HBO Max app to download movies on HBO Max before? Here is a step-by-step guide. The first time you launch the app, you will receive a request for cookies from it to sign in to HBO Max. Choose to accept to proceed.
Install HBO Max and sign in with a Standard or Ultimate Ad-Free subscription.
Open a title page and tap the download arrow (seasons support full-season download).
Find files in Downloads and watch offline anytime within the validity window.
And here come the hassles. The common sense is that streaming services like to put limitations on their users' activities, especially for downloading. There is a breakdown of HBO Max download limits:
- Certain HBO Max series limit downloads to 25 episodes per series.
- Standard and Premium plans allow up to 30 downloaded movies across all mobile devices simultaneously.
- Downloads cannot be saved to an SD card or any extra storage device.
- Downloads expire 30 days after downloading if not watched, or 48 hours after playback begins, or when the content leaves HBO Max.
- Switching to the Basic with Ads plan will delete all your downloads.
- Some episodes and movies are not available for download.
- HBO Max is unavailable in certain regions, including the UK.
Gosh, not finishing listing all the limitations yet, but longer than my vacations already. Anyway, I can't binge The Bear with them interrupting, so I studied how to download movies on HBO Max on laptops with a Windows or macOS system. Not as hard as I thought, I shared it below.
How to Download Movies on HBO Max on Laptop/Desktop
Words Ahead: You can only use the tool I introduced for personal entertainment. No distribution, no selling, no sending to any third party. Following copyright laws because none of us wants to be involved in it.
Tool required: StreamFab HBO Max Downloader
I've used it for weeks, and now I have all seasons of Rick and Morty and The Last of US, Adventure Time, etc., and countless movies saved on my laptop with it. I even bought a 4TB portable SSD for storing them. I have to admit it's awesome to watch HBO Max movies without any buffering or ad pausing. You know, the better part is, I downloaded them with just a Basic with Ads plan, but totally ad-free, and some of them reached 4k UHD quality plus Dolby Atmos.
StreamFab HBO Max Downloader offers a built-in browser, bulk downloads, and auto-download scheduling, helping you save episodes efficiently for personal offline viewing.
Besides, it has some functions worth mentioning, since I acquired a lot of conveniences with them. The first one is the bulk download function. We don't have to download every episode manually, repeating the selecting and downloading over and over again but download all or favorite episodes simultaneously.
The second one is its auto-download function that allows it to detect and download the latest releases of HBO Max following a user-customized schedule. And that sets me free from saving the shows in person. Take a nap, and the episodes are ordered in my drives already.
Operation guide
Unlike the nerdy tools(no offence), running as a command-line tool can be found on GitHub. StreamFab HBO Max Downloader has a complete, user-friendly built-in browser. Check the guide I wrote for you, and you will know how easy it is to download movies on HBO Max with it.
Go to VIP Services and click on HBO Max to log in to it within the built-in browser. You need an activated HBO Max subscription to proceed.
Find the HBO Max movies you want to download. Click it to let StreamFab start analyzing. A pop-up with settings will be shown on your screen for you to adjust.
Is everything confirmed? Click on the Download Now button to start downloading. If you are busy right now, click Add to Queue to download them later.
Common Fail Points & Quick Fixes
| 🚫 Issue | ✅ Quick Fix |
|---|---|
| Stuck at 720p / 1080p won’t download |
|
| “Download Failed” / Error 321, 905, 420 |
|
| “Download limit reached” |
|
| Expired file / “Renew” button missing |
|
| Random log-outs / “Too many devices” or VPN warning |
|
| “Can’t play title” after a successful download |
|
Comparison Between Two Methods
Have a quick sheet to help you see which download method suits you more.
| HBO Max App | StreamFab HBO Max Downloader | |
|---|---|---|
|
System |
Android, iOS |
Windows, macOS |
|
No expiration? |
❌ |
✅ |
|
No quota? |
❌ |
✅ |
|
Download requirement |
Non-Basic with Ads |
All plans available |
|
Format |
Encrypted |
MP4, MKV |
|
Resolution |
1080p |
4K + HDR10/Dolby Vision |
|
Audio |
Original |
Dolby Atmos |
|
Bulk download |
❌ |
✅ |
|
Auto download |
❌ |
✅ |
FAQs
Use downloads for personal, offline viewing only, and follow HBO Max’s Terms of Use. Do not share, sell, or redistribute files. Availability, quality, and limits depend on your plan and region.
As long as the movies or shows support 4k online streaming originally, then StreamFab HBO Max Downloader can download them in 4k.
Final Words
All in all, if what you need is just to take a random episode on HBO Max to spend your spare time and you don't care about resolution or quota at all, but only the portability, subscribe to its ad-supported plans to save your favorite HBO Max movies or TV series with the HBO Max app to enjoy them.
But if you don't want to waste your fancy monitor with crystal-clear definition, or maybe wanna access HBO Max movies on PC devices without Internet, in that case, StreamFab HBO Max Downloader, which supports 4k resolution and Dolby Atmos, etc., is much more suitable for you. If you are a new user of it, you can download 3 HBO Max movies for free during its trial; it won't let you down. Alternatively, you can also screen record HBO Max, which provides another practical option to capture shows and movies for offline playback.
