This method is neither endorsed nor expressly prohibited by HBO. Opinions are my own.

Update (November 18th, 2020):

Amazon has added HBO Max back to the Fire TV app store. You no longer need to sideload the app. If you followed this guide to sideload the Android app, you should uninstall it and install the Fire TV app.

HBO Max launched in the US on May 27th, 2020, to millions of downloads across a number of devices: Apple TV, Android TV, iOS, Android, Chromecast, Xbox, PS4, and Samsung TVs.

Surprisingly, Amazon and Roku both decided to block their users from downloading the app, in an apparent attempt to force HBO to distribute their content via Amazon’s official apps, instead of the HBO Max app.

For Roku users, there might not be any workaround for this. However, Amazon Fire TV users are in luck!

Since Amazon Fire OS is just Android under the covers, it can run the same exact app for both Fire TV and Android TV, and you can easily sideload the Android TV app on your Fire TV and start streaming HBO Max, in just a few minutes, without any complicated setup.

This doesn’t involve breaking any warranties, or unlocking your Fire TV. All you need to do is enable the APK installation option in the settings menu, and install the HBO Max APK file on your Fire TV device.

1. Uninstall HBO Now if installed

HBO Max replaces HBO Now. So, if you have it installed, you’ll have to uninstall it before proceeding.

Note: You don’t have to uninstall HBO GO, only HBO Now.

a. Navigate all the way to the right to SETTINGS on your Fire TV, then select APPLICATIONS

b. Select MANAGE INSTALLED APPLICATIONS

c. Select HBO Now, and then UNINSTALL

2. Enable Sideloading on your Fire TV

Next, you’ll need to enable a developer option to install unsigned APKs on your Fire TV device. Luckily, this is just a few clicks away in the settings menu.

Note: Avoid installing APKs from untrusted sources on any Android device, including your Fire TV.

a. Navigate all the way to the right to SETTINGS on your Fire TV, then select APPLICATIONS

b. Select MY FIRE TV

c. Select DEVELOPER OPTIONS

d. Toggle APPS FROM UNSIGNED SOURCES to ON

3. Install the Downloader App

From your Fire TV, you can install the downloader app by searching for it, or asking Alexa to “Install the Downloader app”.

This is what it looks like on the Amazon app store:

You will be prompted to Allow Downloader to Access photos, media, and files on your device. You will need to allow access to continue.

4. Download the HBO Max App for Android TV

Next, you can download the HBO Max app for Android TV to your device.

I’ve set up a short URL for you to enter into the downloader app to get the HBO Max APK directly from ApkMirror. Just type: http://maxfire.xyz

When the page loads, click DOWNLOAD APK.

Alternatively, you can also search for HBO Max APK from the downloader app by selecting BROWSE.

One trusted source for Google Play app downloads is ApkMirror. It is a service that makes backups of every app in the Google Play store.

You’ll want the page that looks like the one below:

Next, you will be prompted to download and install the APK. Click DOWNLOAD and then INSTALL.

Congratulations! You’ve now installed HBO Max on your Fire TV. You can access it from your home screen like any other app, or via Alexa.