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HBO Max Download Limits Reached?
You’re on a train, ready to binge your favorite HBO Max show offline. Then, bam: “Download limit reached.” I’ve hit that wall too, staring at my phone, wondering which old episode is clogging things up. But don’t stress: once you know the rules, you can avoid this hassle next time.
- It’s normal to feel stuck here because most users do at some point!
Detailed Breakdown of HBO Max Download Limits
And here comes the specific HBO Max download limits breakdown. Check if they are the reasons why you cannot download movies on Max.
1. Subscription plan requirement
First things first, only the ad-free tier Max account is allowed to download Max movies or shows. But the annoying thing is that even with the best tier, some titles are still not downloadable, such as the titles originally from Sony. So, check the title itself first before upgrading your subscription.
2. Downloads quota
HBO Max lets you save up to 30 titles per account, not per profile. That means if you, your partner, and your kids are all downloading shows, you’re sharing that 30-title pool.
However, those who subscribed to the Ultimate plan can have a total of up to 100 downloads to watch on the go. Here's the details:
| Price | Stream Devices | Resolution | Offline Quota | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic with Ads |
$9.99/month $99.99/year |
Stream on 2 devices at once |
1080p Full HD |
0 downloads |
| Standard |
$16.99/month $169.99/year |
Stream on 2 devices at once |
1080p Full HD |
30 downloads |
| Ultimate(Premium) |
$20.99/month $209.99/year |
Stream on 4 devices at once |
4K UHD and Dolby Atmos |
100 downloads |
For multiple episodes from 1 certain show, the quota is up to 25; For movies, you can have 30 downloads at one time on all mobile devices you are using the Max app.
3. Device limitations
First of all, only mobile devices can have the download function built into the HBO Max app. You can have downloads on up to 5 different devices at once. If you try to download on a sixth device, you’ll get a warning and need to remove downloads from another device first.
- Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
- Android phone and tablet
- Amazon Fire tablet
If you are thinking of downloading HBO Max to SD cards or any other portable storage devices to acquire more device seats, sadly, that's impossible. The official has never provided the option to save Max titles to extended storage.
4. Offline playbacks expiration
Once you download a show or movie, you have 30 days to start watching it. And after you begin playback, you have 48 hours to finish before the download expires.
If a title expires, you can usually renew it by reconnecting to the internet and tapping the “Renew Download” button, unless the content has left HBO Max. Yes. If HBO Max removes a show or movie from its library, your download will disappear too, even if you haven’t watched it yet.
These setups can be a little confusing, especially if you’re used to other streaming services with different rules. And yes, it’s possible to hit the device limit even if you haven’t maxed out your 30 downloads, say, if you have just a few titles on each of five devices.
- Pro tip: If you’re planning a family trip, coordinate who’s downloading what, and on which device, to avoid last-minute surprises. Because it’s easy to lose track of downloads when everyone’s using their own phone or tablet. I’ve seen it happen in my own family!
How to Fix and Remove HBO Max Download Limits
1. Reinstall the app or the episodes
Sometimes the Max app reminds you that the "Download limit reached," but apparently that's not actually happened. Then there must be something wrong with the app itself, such as temporary bugs. Then you can follow what I have tried to fix:
Or you can clear the app cache in the system settings or completely reinstall the Max app. But if none of the above are helpful to you, and you really did reach the Max download limit, you may need what I used to make a title collection to watch Max offline whenever I want, even on my laptops.
2. Use StreamFab Max Downloader
I used it with my Basic with Ads plan to save classic shows on HBO Max like Rick and Morty and South Park, etc. And according to my experience, all the Max download limits are removed by it since it can offer me pure video files in MP4 or MKV format. What's more, its output quality and exclusive functions really impressed me a lot.
- Download Max titles up to 4k UHD with Dolby Atmos 5.1 if available
- Provide video files in common formats such as MP4/MKV
- Extra support for HDR10 or Dolby Vision visual effect downloads
- No expiration, no device limit, and no ads at all, even using a basic plan
- Auto-detects and downloads the latest episode of HBO Max shows
- Bulk download multiple episodes from Max shows simultaneously
- Save metadata together to maintain convenient local streaming management
It's not a nerd tool that only suits those who studied computers for over 10 years. Regular users can also get familiar with its operations quickly through its built-in browser. Check this guide when you don't know how to proceed:
Find the HBO Max module in VIP Services. Click on it and log in with your Max account, which should be activated; any plan will do.
Search for and play the Max shows or movies you want to watch offline without limitations. Then StreamFab will give you a window to adjust the settings.
Click on the "Download Now" button to start after adjustments. Or you can download it later by clicking on "Add to Queue". The finished downloads can be found in the Downloaded section.
FAQs
Q1. How do I reset my Max download count?
A1. Delete downloads from your devices. If you can’t access a device, log out of your HBO Max account online. By the way, deleting the app or logging out cannot reset the limit. The downloads must be removed from within the app to free up space.
Q2. Will upgrading my subscription increase my download limit?
A2. Yes. You can download more episodes if you upgrade from Basic with Ads or Standard plan to the Ultimate (also called Premium plan) tier.
Final Words
You’ve made it. Now you know exactly how HBO Max download limits work, how to fix those pesky errors, and how to remove the limits to build your offline library with StreamFab Max Downloader. Whether you’re prepping for a long trip, sharing your account with family, or just want to avoid last-minute surprises, a little download management goes a long way.
If you ever feel frustrated, you’re definitely not alone, since almost every HBO Max user bumps into these limits sooner or later. But now, you’ve got the know-how to handle it like a pro.
