Max is geo-blocked in Australia as well, however, you can access it with a VPN. The best one to work with would be ExpressVPN. We discussed how you can overcome the geo-block with it below. Keep reading.
Why Was HBO Go Removed?
If you subscribed to HBO through cable, you will get the HBO Go app for free. The company has rolled out its premium streaming service, HBO Max, so it had to do away with Go first.
You can access Max content through Foxtel in Australia. However, the content library you’d have access to wouldn’t be that extensive. A VPN would let you bounce your IP to America, overcoming the block. You’ll have access to the full video bank this way.
How to Access HBO Max in Australia?
Here’s how you can access the streaming service:
- Download ExpressVPN. Go to the program’s website and download the application. It’s available for various devices, including PCs, mobiles, and TVs.
- Connect to a US server. There are hundreds of servers in the United States.
- Visit the HBO sign-up page. Creating an account is a breeze. We discussed how you can pay for a subscription later on.
Why ExpressVPN?
The virtual private network is one of the leading names in the game for a reason.
Servers
You will get access to over 3,200 servers in 94 different countries. Although Express hasn’t revealed the specific number of servers it has in the US, it’s speculated to be around 200. They are spread all across the country.
In terms of its IPs, you will find them in some of the most diverse locations around the world. Several of these are located in South America and Africa. Keep in mind that its competitors don’t offer such a vast array of servers.
The cherry on top is the fact that Express regularly expands its IP pool.
Price
There are three subscriptions to choose from. They are the 1-month, 6 months, and 15-month plans. You’ll be paying AUD 16.89 for the 1-month plan. The 15-month option costs AUD 8.70, while the 6-month option costs AUD 13.03.
If you’re willing to wait, you’ll be able to purchase the virtual private network on sale. This usually takes place during the holidays.
If you’re not happy with your subscription, you can get your cashback. The software comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. As long as it’s been less than 30-days since you’ve subscribed, you’ll get a refund no questions asked.
A 7-day free trial is available for mobiles too.
You can make payments in several ways, including with BitCoin.
Privacy and Security
Virtual private networks are commonly used to overcome geo-blocks. However, they can also be used to surf the net incognito. They will hide your IP, so websites will be unable to track you. Since you’ll be bounced to a foreign server, your data wouldn’t be sent back to your ISP.
ExpressVPN takes security to the next level by placing a military-level lock on your connection. Only your computer and the server that you’re being tunneled to would have the key.
The company has its headquarters in the British Virgin Islands. The location is known as a privacy haven. It has no data retention laws and is situated far from countries that collect user data.
There will also be a strict no-logging policy, so your activity online wouldn’t be tracked. You can rest easy knowing that Express sticks to its policy. In 2017, Turkish authorities investigated an individual’s Express account. However, they couldn’t find any information as ExpressVPN keeps no user logs.
The program regularly issues transparency reports too and is very open with users.
Features
When you connect to HBO Max, you should disguise the fact that you’re using a different IP. Or else, the site could ban your account. As you know, virtual private networks can get disconnected now and then if your WIFI is poor. If Express ever goes offline, you’ll go offline with it. This prevents your real IP from being exposed.
We mentioned above how the service encrypts your connection with a military level lock. Well, it also lets you double the encryption, so no one would be able to infiltrate it.
The software allows you to connect up to 5 different devices to your account. Your whole family would be able to stream content, wherever they may be.
Customer Support
If you’re trying to connect to HBO but keep running into various issues, the ExpressVPN support team would be able to help out. They are available 24/7 through live chat. They are also extremely helpful and informative, so you’re in good hands.
How Do You Pay For HBO Max?
Since you live outside the US, how do you pay for a Max subscription? There are two ways to do this.
A Credit Card
You won’t be able to use just any credit card. It needs to be owned by an individual living in America. If you have a close friend or family member in the United States, they can send you their card details to sign up with. Once it’s done, you can use PayPal to pay them back.
When signing up, you’ll be asked to include your location details. Avoid including an Australian zip code under the zip code category. Find an American one or use that of your friend or family member.
However, the same card can’t be used twice. If your US friend has already signed up for the streaming service, you won’t be able to.
Gift Card
Alternatively, you can subscribe with a gift card. These cards are easy to come by online. You can snag them on deals during the holiday time.
Why Is HBO Max Geo-Blocked?
You’ll be able to access Max content through Foxtel. However, the shows you’ll have access to won’t be as extensive as HBO Max’s in America. This is due to copyrights and licenses.
Production houses don’t license their shows or movies in every country. Max is geo-blocked outside the US so you wouldn’t be able to view shows that aren’t licensed for your region.
Why is this the case? Well, they may think that the content wouldn’t go down well in other regions. What’s more, the copyrighting process takes up a lot of time and money. So they may not have the resources to do it.
Are VPNs Legal?
Considering how they work, many people question their legality. Know that virtual private networks are completely legal in Australia. The country’s Copyright Act enables you to use them without any issue. In fact, former Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, even touched on their legality. He mentioned that they were “fine” to use.
You may be aware that they’re not legal everywhere. Several countries have censored and blocked certain sites. Since VPNs would allow citizens in these countries to overcome censorship, they are banned too. Countries that have placed restrictions on VPNs include China, Belarus, and Ukraine to name a few.
Do Free VPNs Work with HBO Max?
Free alternatives share servers amongst each other. Streaming services like HBO go on the hunt for servers to blacklist. As free alternatives share the same servers, none of them can bypass the geo-blocks.
You’re advised to stay away from free virtual private networks in general. You should ask yourself how they make cash. Many of these programs track what you do online, selling the information to third parties. You will also be targeted by inappropriate or malicious ads.
What Should You Look For in A VPN?
If you decide on one of ExpressVPN’s competitors, make sure that it has a large server count. The more there are in the US, the better.
It shouldn’t be too expensive either. Remember that you’ll be paying for HBO as well. The virtual private network should let you connect to multiple devices. This would enable your whole family to enjoy the streaming service on various devices, whether PC or mobile.
Of course, the software should be strong enough to bypass geo-blocks as well. Some of Express’s main competitors can unblock hundreds of foreign sites.
The VPN should make your time online secure as well. There should be a military lock on your connection. The data being tunneled shouldn’t be tracked or logged either.
Final Thoughts
HBO Go is geo-blocked in Australia. However, this shouldn’t be an issue, as it’s been phased out for HBO Max. You can access a lot of Max content on Foxtel but the library doesn’t provide full access to all its content in Australia. With a virtual private network, however, you’ll be able to bounce your IP to the US and access the full library on the streaming service.
The best VPN service is Express, so consider working with them to watch HBO Go.