How To: Make a Smooth Transition from HBO Now to HBO Max

If you were upset about "Friends" leaving Netflix, fret no more. The entire series, all eight Harry Potter movies, as well as HBO's massive catalog, are now available as part of HBO Max. If you're already an HBO Now subscriber, however, it can be a bit confusing to know how to switch over to this brand new service. Here's how.

First of all, what's the difference between these services? Simply put, HBO Now is just HBO content, including HBO original programming and content HBO is licensed to carry. HBO Max, on the other hand, is basically WarnerMedia's (owner of HBO, Turner, and Warner Bros.) answer to Disney+. WarnerMedia owns a lot of content, including the HBO name and catalog, so the company decided to package all of its properties under "HBO Max" instead of something like WB+.

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Step 1: Download or Update to the HBO Max App

Unlike HBO Now, HBO Max can only be accessed through the HBO Max app. If you're used to watching HBO through a third-party app, you'll simply need to download the app for iOS or Android. However, if you already have the HBO Now app installed on your device, you'll see an update available to change it to HBO Max.

Before updating, however, you may want to save a copy of your watchlist from HBO Now as it will not transfer over to HBO Max automatically. But if you already updated, you can still get your watchlist back.

• Install HBO Max: Android (free) | iOS (free)

Step 2: Sign in with Your HBO NOW Provider

Here's the good news — if you currently subscribe to HBO Now through a supported provider, you automatically gain access to HBO Max, no strings attached. We've compiled a complete list of HBO Now providers, with the ones that are currently eligible for HBO Max in bold:

• Amazon
• Android
• Apple
• Consolidated Communications
• Frontier
• Google Fiber
• HBO Now
• Hulu
• Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico
• Optimum
• Roku
• Samsung
• Service Electric
• Verizon

If you're HBO Now provider is listed here in bold, congrats! You now have access to HBO Max. Just ensure your HBO Now app is updated to HBO Max, sign in, and you're free to binge HBO Max's vast library to your heart's content.

This bolded list is sure to expand as partnerships are made with the providers who are not yet eligible for HBO Max. That said, maybe you don't want to wait for a deal to be struck. What can you do?

Canceling

The only real option for you at this time is to cancel your current HBO Now subscription, then subscribe to HBO Max through a supported provider. The steps to canceling will depend on the provider in question, so you'll need to check their instructions to properly walk away from their service.

• Amazon
• Frontier
• Google Fiber
• Hulu
• Roku
• Service Electric

One thing remains constant, though — no matter who you subscribe to HBO Now through, canceling now will only apply to months going forward. If you were just charged for the service, you won't get your money back. If you're set to be charged tomorrow, however, canceling now will protect you from that payment.

Still, you might find it's worth the minor financial hit in order to get on HBO Max's platform right away.