My father loves sitcoms and spends most of his leisure time watching them. Recently, he got hooked on a particular show streaming on HBO Max and sought my help to install the app on his Vizio SmartCast TV. As I browsed his TV, I found that the HBO Max app, currently known as Max, comes preinstalled on it. Therefore, all I needed to do was to add the app to Vizio TV‘s Home screen for easy access and then sign in to his Max account. Once signed in, he started streaming his favorite show on HBO Max on Vizio Smart TV.
If you are someone like my father and have no idea how to watch HBO Max on Vizio TV, then go through this article. Here, I’ve covered the installation and signing-in procedure along with the Casting and AirPlay. Before getting into the process, do remember that HBO Max is a subscription-based service, and it is listed at a minimum price of $9.99/month on its official website.
How to Install HBO Max on Vizio SmartCast TV
As mentioned earlier, the HBO Max app comes preinstalled on your Vizio SmartCast TVs, and you can access it from the Apps & Inputs section on the Home screen. If you can see the app, then directly jump to the sign-in procedure. If not, then follow the ensuing steps.
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1. Turn on your Vizio TV and connect it to the internet.
2. Press the Left Arrow button on your SmartCast remote. A Menu section will appear on the left of the TV.
3. Scroll down and click on the Apps option as shown in the picture below.
4. Now, go to the App Search sub-section, enter HBO Max, and search for the app.
5. From the search results, click on the app and go to the app page.
6. In that, tap on + Home Screen and add HBO Max to your Vizio Home screen.
7. After it gets added, you can access the app from the Apps & Inputs section.
How to Sign In to HBO Max on Vizio SmartCast TV
To watch HBO Max on your Vizio TV, you need to sign in to your account on your device. The sign-in procedure is similar on all models of Vizio TVs and can be done in 3 ways. They are,
- Sign In Via Activation Code.
- Sign In with a Cable TV Provider.
- Sign In with a Remote.
Sign In Via Activation Code
1. Connect Vizio TV to a standard WIFI network.
2. Launch the HBO Max app on your Vizio TV and click on the Sign In option
3. After this, a 6-digit activation code along with a web activation link (https://auth.max.com/link) is displayed on your TV.
TIP: A QR code is also displayed alongside. Scanning the QR code with your Smartphone will take you to the activation website directly.
4. Open the web link on a browser and enter the activation code in the required field.
5. Click on Continue to proceed further.
6. In the following step, you’ll be asked to sign in to your HBO Max account on the same web browser.
7. After signing in, the HBO Max app on your Vizio TV refreshes and takes you into your account.
8. Now, you can start streaming your favorite Max content on Vizio TV.
Sign In with a Cable TV Provider
This method involves signing in using your Cable TV or Mobile Plan credentials. If you have a cable TV or a smartphone plan that includes HBO Channel, then follow the steps below.
1. After launching the Max app, click on Sign In.
2. Then, select Sign In Through TV or Mobile Provider.
3. Now, choose the specific provider and sign in to your HBO Max account.
Sign In with a Remote
Here, we’ll directly enter your HBO Max credentials using your TV remote. Here’s how we do it.
1. After opening the HBO Max app, click on the Use your Remote option.
2. Then, enter the HBO Max credentials in the following steps and click on Sign In.
3. Now, you’ll get signed in to your Max account on Vizio TV.
How to SmartCast HBO Max on Vizio Smart TV
All Vizio SmartCast TV models support casting. As the HBO Max app has a built-in cast feature, you can easily cast its content onto your Vizio Smart TVs via an Android Smartphone. Here’s how we do it.
1. Install the HBO Max app on your Android Smartphone and sign in to your HBO Max account.
2. Now, connect your Vizio TV and your Smartphone to the same WIFI network.
3. After this, launch the HBO Max app and click on the Cast icon provided at the top.
4. In that, choose your Vizio TV and connect to it.
5. After this, you can Cast HBO Max content onto your Vizio TV.
How to AirPlay Max on Vizio TV
HBO Max app has a built-in AirPlay feature, with which you can easily AirPlay on Vizio TVs. The procedure to do this from an iPhone/iPad is,
1. Connect your Vizio SmartCast TV and your iPhone/iPad to the same WIFI network.
2. After this, install the HBO Max app on your iOS device and sign in to your account.
3. Now, enable AirPlay on Vizio TV by clicking on the SmartCast button on the TV remote → Select Extras → Apple AirPlay → AirPlay Settings → Turn on AirPlay.
4. After this, start playing the content you want to AirPlay
5. While it’s playing, click on the AirPlay icon provided at the top right and connect with your Vizio TV.
6. Once it gets connected, the HBO Max content gets AirPlayed onto your Vizio TV.
How to Watch HBO Max on Older Vizio Smart TVs?
There’s no assurance that the HBO Max app will be available on older Vizio TV models like Vizio Internet Apps and Internet Apps Plus TVs (VIA & VIA+). If the app is available, then fine. If not, then you need to either Cast HBO Max from a Smartphone or use streaming devices like Roku, Firestick, Chromecast, Apple TV, etc.
How to Fix HBO Max Not Working on Vizio TVs
Sometimes, the HBO Max on your Vizio TV won’t work due to various reasons. In most cases, it is due to poor internet connection or minor technical issues. Some of the causes, along with its fixes, are given below.
- A poor internet connection causes the HBO Max app to buffer a lot. Therefore, check your WIFI network and restart the router if required.
- If the HBO Max app is struck on its loading screen, force close the app and reopen it and see if it solves the issue.
- A quick restart of your Vizio TV can potentially fix minor bugs and errors that are causing the HBO Max app not to work. After doing a restart, check if it works or not.
- If you are running an outdated app, try updating the app to its latest version. After updating the app on Vizio TV, the app would run smoothly without any glitches.
- In certain Vizio TV models, like the Vizio SmartCast, the HBO Max app is embedded in its OS. In such cases, updating the firmware on Vizio TV can fix any minor issues that are causing the app not to work.
- Factory resetting Vizio TV is a drastic method that deletes all the data saved on your Vizio TV, including the HBO Max app. After this, reinstall the HBO Max app and see if it works or not.
- If no method seems to work out, then Vizio Customer Support is your best bet. You can contact them through their official website and get their valuable suggestions.
FAQ
HBO Max app comes preinstalled on all models of Vizio SmartCast TVs released after 2018. If you can’t find the Max app, it might not be available on your Vizio TV. So, check the compatibility before adding the app to your home screen.
No, HBO Max doesn’t offer a free trial for its new subscribers. In the past days, existing Prime Video subscribers can opt for a 7-day free trial on HBO Max by adding the Max channel as an add-on. However, MAx also removed the option in recent days.
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