How to Easily Install HBO Max on Your TCL TV

smart tv living roomsmart tv living room

When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Installing HBO Max on your TLC TV gives you access to an exceptional selection of the most popular and critically acclaimed films and television shows ever created. Of course, before you can sit down and finally binge Game of Thrones or toss on Sesame Street for your kids, you need to have HBO Max installed and ready to go.

In this article, we’ll take you step-by-step through the process of installing HBO Max on your TCL TV in minutes. As you read, you’ll learn what additional devices you might need to stream HBO Max, how to set them up on your TCL TV, and how to access all HBO Max’s content once installed.

Make Sure Your TCL TV Comes with the Roku

The first step of this process is going to rely heavily on what model TCL TV you have. Typically, TCL TVs come with the Roku streaming application, as the companies partnered back in 2014. As a result, almost all TCL TVs built-in 2015 or since should have this app.

Follow the steps below to determine if you have a Roku TV:

  1. Press the home button on your TCL TV remote.
  2. Select the “Settings” option.
  3. Select the “About” option. This should bring you to the “System Info” page.
  4. Look for a Roku account email and other information, such as the Roku TV model number and Roku TV support information.

Another telltale sign that you have a Roku TV is if you see the Roku logo on your TCL TV or on its home page. If you have it, congrats. You don’t need any additional devices for this guide.

What if My TCL TV Doesn’t Have Roku?

Unfortunately, there are a limited number of TVs that come with an HBO Max application, and without a streaming service, like Roku, already built into your TV, you’ll need an additional accessory for this guide.

In order to install and operate HBO Max on a TCL TV that does not come with Roku services, you will need to purchase a separate streaming device, such as a Roku Stick or Amazon Fire Stick.

These are highly affordable accessories that you plug into your TCL TV’s USB port and will give you access to multiple streaming services, including HBO Max. Other options include:

  • Apple TV
  • Android TV
  • LG Smart TV
  • Samsung TV
  • Vizio Smart TV

Alternatively, if you’re an avid gamer who has an accessible gaming console and would prefer not to spend the extra cash on a streaming device, then you’re in luck.

Instead of purchasing a streaming device, you can connect your TCL TV to one of many compatible gaming consoles, including:

  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X/S

To access HBO Max, you would connect your gaming console to your TCL TV device as you normally would for gaming (ensure the system is plugged in and attach the HDMI cord from your system to the TV), and then follow the rest of the guide.

Download HBO Max Using Roku (or Alternative Streaming Device of Choice)

Considering most TCL TVs come with Roku services, we’re going to assume you’re acquiring HBO Max through this specific streaming option for the rest of this guide.

To download HBO Max on your TCL TV, you’ll need to either open “The Roku Channel” application on TCL TVs that have Roku built-in, or you will need to press the home button on the Roku remote that came with your Roku Stick (make sure the stick is plugged into one of your TCL TV’s USB ports), and the TV is on the proper HDMI channel).

Once you’ve opened this application, click on the “Streaming Channels” option. This will open a list of channels you might have already downloaded or could download.

If HBO Max doesn’t pop up automatically in the suggested channels, then scroll down and open the “Search Channels” option. Next, type “HBO Max” into the search box and click “Add Channel” when it pops up. The app itself is free to download.

You should then be able to the home page of your Roku channel or streaming device and find HBO Max listed amongst your other downloaded streaming applications.

Sign Up or Sign into HBO Max

Like most popular streaming services, HBO Max isn’t free; users have to pay a monthly subscription fee (currently $9.99) to access its content.

Once you’ve successfully downloaded HBO Max onto your TCL TV using Roku, you can either sign up for HBO Max or sign into a pre-existing account.

If you’re subscribing for the first time, all you need to do is choose your preferred plan (their current options are a $9.99 plan with ads or a $14.99 without ads or annual subscriptions of each at a discounted rate) and then enter the necessary account information.

This will include your name, an email address, and a password to create the account, and then your preferred payment option for all subscription fees.

Once everything is set up, you can kick back, relax, and enjoy all the content HBO Max has to offer right from your TCL TV.

Keep Reading