Blog

All Posts
Education
Payments
Product
Security
Privacy Virtual Cards
Spending Limits

Set a spending limit and Privacy will decline any transactions that go over the limit

Merchant-Locked Cards

Lock Privacy Cards to the first merchant they’re used at to prevent misuse if stolen

Single-Use Cards

Create Privacy Cards that close automatically after the first purchase is made on them

Pause/Close Cards

Pause or close your Privacy Cards at any time to block future transaction attempts

Sign Up For Privacy Now

How To Cancel HBO Max and Prevent Unwanted Subscription Charges

Ashley Ferraro, Product
Ashley Ferraro, Product
Dec 20, 2023
 • 
10
 Min Read
Manage Your Subscription Payments With Virtual Cards
Sign Up

Producing some of today’s most acclaimed shows and movies, HBO is a well-known name in the industry. HBO Max is its on-demand streaming service, with prices starting from $9.99 per month. Despite its popularity, there are instances when customers choose to part ways,  whether it’s because of dissatisfaction with the service or a natural desire to explore other streaming providers.

If you resonate with any of the reasons mentioned above and decide to opt out, consult this guide to learn how to cancel HBO Max. You’ll discover what steps cancellation entails on different platforms and get useful tips for completing the process with minimal friction and no additional charges.

Note that the information in this article was sourced in November 2023. For updates, please visit the official HBO Max website or contact support directly.

A close-up photo of a remote control pointed at a TV screen
Source: Glenn Carstens-Peters

How To Cancel HBO Max on the Website

If you’re billed through HBO Max’s website or app, you must cancel the service on the same platform you used to sign in. Deleting the app alone won’t cancel the subscription. Ideally, you should cancel at least one or two days before the next billing cycle to prevent further charges.

Refer to the table below for instructions on discontinuing your HBO Max subscription via a computer or mobile device:

Computer
Phone or Tablet

  1. Go to HBO Max’s website and sign in.

  2. Select your profile in the upper right corner.

  3. Select Settings, then Subscription.

  4. Click on Manage Subscription, then Cancel Subscription.

  5. Confirm the action.

  1. Launch the HBO Max app.

  2. Tap your profile in the upper right corner.

  3. Go to the Settings, then scroll down to Subscription.

  4. Tap Manage Subscription, then Cancel Subscription.

  5. Confirm the action.

Upon successful cancellation, you should receive a confirmation email from HBO Max.

The termination process differs if you’ve subscribed to HBO Max through other apps and services, and the following section will cover some of them. You can read HBO Max’s help center article for additional information.

How To Cancel HBO Max Through Google Play

If you’ve purchased HBO Max via Google Play, follow the instructions in the table below to discontinue your subscription on a computer or Android device:

Computer
Android Device

  1. Visit the Google Play website and log in.

  2. Click on your profile icon, then Payments & subscriptions.

  3. Under the Subscriptions tab, find HBO Max and click on Manage.

  4. Select the Cancel subscription option.

  5. Choose one of the reasons offered in the pop-up window,

  6. Click on Continue.

  1. Open Google Play.

  2. Tap your profile icon, then Payments & subscriptions and Subscriptions.

  3. Choose HBO Max.

  4. Tap the Cancel subscription option.

  5. Follow the instructions.

How To Cancel HBO Max on the App Store or iTunes

If you’ve purchased an HBO Max subscription via the App Store or iTunes, learn how to discontinue it on an iPhone, iPad, and computer in the following table:

Computer
iPhone or iPad

  1. Launch the App Store or iTunes app and sign in.

  2. Click on your name.

  3. Click on Account Settings.

  4. Scroll down to Subscriptions, then select Manage.

  5. Click on Edit next to the subscription.

  6. Select the Cancel subscription option.

  1. Go to the Settings app.

  2. Tap your name, then Subscriptions.

  3. Find HBO Max and tap it.

  4. Tap Cancel Subscription. You may need to scroll down to find the option.

How To Cancel HBO Max on Roku

To cancel an HBO Max subscription on Roku, continue as follows:

  1. Press the Home button on your remote.
  2. Select HBO Max using the directional pad on the remote.
  3. Press the asterisk (*) button to load the Options menu.
  4. Select Manage subscription, then Cancel subscription.
  5. Wait for the confirmation email from Roku.

‍

If you use Roku on your phone or computer, you can end the subscription via the Roku website. 

A photo of a laptop with a movie playing on the screen and popcorn on the side
Source: Frank_Reppold

Can You Cancel HBO Max Anytime?

Yes, but you should cancel the HBO Max subscription at least one or two days before the renewal date to avoid being charged for the next month. After canceling, you should be able to use the services until the subscription expires.

What To Do In Case of Cancellation Issues

If you run into problems during the cancellation process or incur a charge despite canceling on time and receiving a confirmation email, you should contact HBO Max’s support. You can do so via email, chat, or phone. 

Cancellation issues often happen as a result of bugs and miscommunication. Still, some companies do their best to make the process of terminating your subscription difficult to deter you from unsubscribing. For example, they may make the cancellation link small and unnoticeable or bombard you with bonus offers and guilting messages. If you’re not careful, you may miss a step and pay for another month’s subscription.

That’s where virtual cards can assist you. When signing up for a subscription, be it another streaming platform, such as Paramount Plus and the Dish Network, or everyday services, such as Dashpass, Walmart, and Peloton, use virtual cards to shield your finances from potential fraud and unwanted expenses. Opting for a dedicated virtual card provider like Privacy will also get you advanced card settings that allow you to control how much merchants can charge you. 

A bird’s eye view photo of a person typing on a laptop keyboard
Source: Cytonn Photography

Keep Your Spending in Check With Privacy Virtual Cards

Privacy Virtual Cards create an integral layer of security around your transactions, preventing your financial information from ending up in the wrong hands in case of a data breach. However, they offer more than safety—they enable you to fine-tune how you spend your money.

With Privacy, you can:

  • Generate Single-Use Cards—This card type closes minutes after the first transaction is completed. It’s ideal for purchases on websites you don’t fully trust. 
  • Create Merchant-Locked Cards—You can designate this card type for recurring payments and subscriptions as it locks to the first merchant you use it with. 
  • Pause and close cards—You can pause and close your Merchant-Locked Cards without affecting your real card and bank account, and Privacy will decline all charges on those cards. 
  • Set spending limits—When you set a spending limit on your Merchant-Locked Card, Privacy will block all exceeding charges on that card.

If you want to stop a subscription, you can pause or close the virtual card you used to pay for it and avoid unwarranted charges while going through the company’s lengthy cancellation process. By setting spending limits on your virtual card, you can prevent any sneaky charges from coming through and avoid being charged more than the agreed price for any product or service.

Besides offering unmatched security, Privacy makes transacting online fast and easy. By downloading the browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, you can have your virtual card numbers autofilled at checkout, so you don’t have to reach for your wallet each time you want to pay. The Safari iOS extension lets you enjoy the same convenience on your iPhone or iPad. With the Privacy mobile app, available for iOS and Android, you can generate and manage your virtual cards on the go.

Get Privacy Virtual Cards in Four Simple Steps

To start using Privacy and regain control of your spending, you should:

  1. Register
  2. Enter the details needed to verify your identity
  3. Provide a funding source (bank account or debit card)
  4. Request and generate Privacy Virtual Cards

‍

Privacy Cards are either Visa® or Mastercard®, so you can use them at most merchants that accept these payment methods—including online marketplaces such as eBay and AliExpress and subscription services like Zoom, Audible, Curology, and Grammarly. 

With the Privacy Personal Plan, free for domestic transactions, you get:

  • 12 virtual cards a month
  • Card pausing/closing
  • Spending limits
  • Access to the extension and app

The other plans come with additional virtual cards and features such as fee-free international payments and priority support.

Privacy — Seamless & Secure Online Card Payments
Steer clear of unwanted subscription charges
Checkout securely online by creating unique virtual card numbers for every purchase. Avoid data breaches, unwanted charges, and stolen credit card numbers.
With Privacy Virtual Cards, experience enhanced control over how much merchants can charge you.
Sign Up
Privacy — Seamless & Secure Online Card Payments
Don’t let subscription costs sneak up on you
Checkout securely online by creating unique virtual card numbers for every purchase. Avoid data breaches, unwanted charges, and stolen credit card numbers.
Using Privacy Virtual Cards allows you to ensure you only pay for the amounts you've agreed to.
Sign Up
Privacy virtual cards
Spending Limits

Set a spending limit, and Privacy will block all charges that go over the limit

Merchant-Locked Cards

Lock your Privacy card to one merchant you frequently shop from

Single-Use Cards

Secure your one-time payments to websites whose trust worthiness you're unsure of

Pause/Close Cards

By pausing or closing a card, Privacy will block all future transactions

Get a Privacy Card Now
Privacy — Seamless & Secure Online Card Payments
Checkout securely online by creating unique virtual card numbers for every purchase. Avoid data breaches, unwanted charges, and stolen credit card numbers.
Sign Up
Privacy — Seamless & Secure Online Card Payments
Sign Up