Password Sharing Is Changing on Max
If you’ve been sharing your Max account with someone outside your household, get ready for a change—and possibly an added cost. Max has officially joined other streaming services in cracking down on password sharing.
Under the new policy, only members of the same household can share one account without extra fees. Anyone outside your household will need to be added as an “Additional Member,” which comes with a monthly charge. This move aims to tighten account access and encourage more users to maintain their own subscriptions.
Only One Additional Member Allowed
Thinking of adding multiple friends or relatives? Max limits each account to just one additional member, regardless of how many people request access. This keeps sharing tightly controlled and limits streaming on devices outside your home.
Separate Login for Added Members
The person you add as an additional member won’t need to use your password. They’ll receive their own login credentials, similar to a standard subscriber. This separation maintains privacy—your account settings and payment info remain secure. Added members can stream content but only on one device at a time.
The Cost to Add Someone
Max charges $7.99 per month to add an extra member outside your household, on top of your existing subscription fee, no matter which plan you’re on. While not the highest fee among streaming platforms, it’s still a notable increase that may make some reconsider sharing. For context, this price is just $1 less than Max’s ad-supported plan, meaning an added member might opt for their own full subscription instead.
Keep Your Watchlist and Preferences
No one wants to lose their place in a series or reset all their preferences. Fortunately, Max offers an “Account Transfer” feature. If someone moves from your account to their own, they can bring along their watch history, saved shows, recommendations, and settings. This thoughtful option makes transitioning smooth and hassle-free.
Who Qualifies for Additional Member?
Not everyone can add an extra member. You must be subscribed directly through Max—not via a third party like Hulu, Verizon, or other bundles—to access this option. This limitation narrows eligibility for the $7.99 add-on, although it may expand in the future.
Traveling? Max Goes With You
Heading out of town? You can still enjoy Max while traveling, provided you’re in a supported country. Max operates in over 70 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. Just ensure you’re signed in on your device before leaving home. Downloading content ahead of time is also wise for offline viewing during trips or when internet is spotty.
VPN Use May Not Work Reliably
Trying to bypass restrictions with a VPN is risky. Max, like many major streaming services, blocks many popular VPN servers. You may encounter errors when attempting to access content from other regions. While some VPNs might work temporarily, there’s no guarantee they’ll remain functional. Suspicious activity could lead to blocked access altogether.
Following Industry Leaders
Max is not the first to clamp down on password sharing—Netflix started in 2023, followed by Disney+ in 2024. Both saw revenue growth from these policies, likely influencing Max’s decision. Discovery’s executives view this strategy as a way to grow their subscriber base rather than lose it.
Why Now?
This policy hasn’t been a sudden decision. Since 2024, Max executives have hinted at tightening password sharing during earnings calls and investor meetings. They studied other services’ approaches and aim to convert “borrowed” viewers into paying customers. Their plan is to enforce the rules gradually, starting softly and ramping up as detection technology improves.
Regional Rollout Ahead
Currently, the $7.99 add-on is available only in the United States, but Max plans to expand it to Europe, Latin America, and Australia, with full rollout expected by the end of 2026. Executives warn that restrictions will become stricter over time, so even if you haven’t noticed changes yet, they’re likely coming.
Choosing the Right Plan
Max offers three main subscription tiers. Only the highest-tier plan—Ultimate Ad-Free—allows streaming on up to four devices simultaneously. This plan costs $20.99/month or $209.99/year and is ideal for households where multiple members watch different shows at the same time. Lower-tier plans limit streaming to two devices, which can be restrictive for families.
Download Limits You Should Know
Offline viewing is a popular Max feature but comes with limits. Only the Ultimate Ad-Free plan permits up to 100 downloads. Lower plans don’t include offline benefits, and not all titles are downloadable. Frequent travelers or viewers with limited internet access should plan accordingly.
Defining a Household
Max defines a household as people living under the same roof and sharing the same internet connection. They monitor usage via IP addresses and device patterns, similar to Netflix. If logins regularly originate from different locations, Max may prompt you to add an additional member.
Are You Ready?
If Max detects you’re outside your household, you may face surprise logouts or prompts to start your own subscription. The rollout is gradual, so not every account will experience immediate changes, but increased enforcement is on the horizon. If you currently share logins, now is a good time to prepare.
Additional Members Enjoy Full Features
Added members receive access to Max’s entire content library, HD streaming, and personalized recommendations. Though limited to streaming on one device at a time, the $7.99 fee offers them a near-full subscription experience with controlled device limits.
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