How to sideload HBO Max app on Android TV

Install HBO Max on Android TV

HBO Max has launched and is available on a number of platforms. One of these platforms if Android TV. However, many users have claimed that they cannot seem to find the HBO Max app in their Google Play Store. Even though HBO Max is supposed to have a dedicated Android TV app, the app seems to be missing from the Google Play Store.

Luckily, we have a fix. Using the HBO Max APK, you can install the new video streaming service’s app on your Android TV!

How to watch HBO Max on: Samsung TV | LG TV | Roku

How to sideload the HBO Max app on your Android TV

In this guide, we will show you how to download the HBO Max APK, and sideload it on to your Android TV.

Related: How to sideload HBO Max on Amazon Fire Stick

Required

If you have the HBO Now app installed on your TV, you must uninstall it before sideloading the HBO Max app. You will also need:

  • A device (PC/mobile) to download the APK
  • The HBO Max APK
  • A Cloud storage service (Dropbox/Google Drive)
  • An active internet connection (To upload and transfer the APK)

Now, let’s get started!

Allow ‘Unknown sources’

The first thing you need to do is allow your Android TV to install apps from Unknown sources. By default, the OS only allows you to download apps from the Google Play Store. To change this setting, scroll down to the bottom of the screen and go to the ‘Settings’ menu (the gear icon).

Now scroll down to ‘Security & restrictions’. In this tab, toggle the ‘Unknown sources’ button to ‘on’. You can now install apps from unknown sources too (other than Play Store).

Related: What’s missing from HBO MAX at launch?

Install File Commander app on your Android TV

Now, make sure your TV is connected to the internet, and go to the Google Play Store. Here search and install ‘File Commander’ on your Android TV. File Commander is a file management app that features cloud storage integration. This means that you can upload a file to your cloud service, and access it through the app!

Download the HBO Max APK and upload to Google Drive

The next step is to get the HBO Max APK via the link given below.

Download: HBO Max APK [Version 50.0.1.45, June 1st, 2020]

Upload HBO Max APK file to Google Drive

Open Google Drive on your PC. Now, upload the APK file to your Google Drive. You can simply drag the file from your PC to Google Drive’s webpage to upload it. Else, use the ‘New’ button to upload the file.

Download the HBO Max APK on your Android TV

Now, on your Android TV, launch the newly installed File Commander app. Select Drive > Add drive > Google Drive. Here sign in with your credentials to access your Google Drive folder.

Select the APK that you uploaded from your PC and then ‘Install’. That’s it! You now have the HBO Max app installed on your Android TV.

How to access HBO Max on your Android TV

Unfortunately, sideloaded apps do not appear on the app launcher on an Android TV. There are two ways you can access your HBO Max app.

Method #1: Go to Settings > Apps > HBO Max > Open.

Method #2: Install ‘Sideload Launcher‘. Search for the app on your Android TV. Using this app brings up all your apps on your TV; both official, and sideloaded!

Note: Some users have found that when installed, the app logo reads ‘HBO Now’. But do not worry, when you launch the app, it is HBO Max.

Have you installed the HBO Max app on your Android TV yet? Let us know in the comments below. 

Related:


→ Post updated on May 29, 2020, to fix the download link of the HBO Max’s Android TV APK file.