What happens to HBO Max accounts when the owner dies
Contact Warner Bros. Discovery to request a transfer of accounts after an account holder dies
HBO Max Customer Support
Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle. No specific processing timeline for estate requests is published. If billed through a third party, contact that provider separately to stop charges.
(General customer service)
HBO Max accounts are non-transferable under the Terms of Use, which grant "a limited, revocable, non-transferable license to access the Platform and the Platform's Content solely for your personal, non-commercial use." There is no formal estate transfer or inheritance process, and HBO Max does not publish a dedicated bereavement page. To cancel a deceased person's account, contact HBO Max customer support at 1-855-442-6629 or through the Help Center. Support representatives can work with family members or legal representatives who provide a death certificate and proof of authority to close the account. Whether HBO Max will transfer an account to a surviving family member (rather than simply closing it) is handled on a case-by-case basis, but the Terms of Use do not contemplate transfer. Per the HBO Max refund-policy help page, there is a no-refund policy for subscriptions billed directly through HBO Max (WarnerMedia Direct); the account remains accessible through the end of the current billing period after cancellation. Where the subscription is billed through a third party (Apple, Google Play, Amazon, Roku, Samsung, Xumo, or a TV/ISP provider), refunds follow that provider's policy and cancellation must be done through that provider.
How to request a transfer
Follow these steps to initiate a transfer of HBO Max accounts after the account holder's death:
- •Call 1-855-442-6629 (HBO Max customer support line)
- •Or visit the HBO Max Help Center at help.hbomax.com to submit a request
- •Explain the situation and request account cancellation
- •Death certificate
- •Proof of identity and authority to act on behalf of the deceased (executor papers, letters testamentary, or family relationship documentation)
- •The account email address and, if known, the member ID
- •If billed directly by HBO Max (WarnerMedia), cancel at hbomax.com/subscription after signing in
- •If billed through a third party (Apple, Google Play, Amazon, Roku, Samsung, Xumo, or a TV/ISP provider), cancel through that billing provider — cancelling only on HBO Max will NOT stop third-party charges
Required Documents
- Death certificate
- Proof of identity of the person making the request
- Proof of authority to act on behalf of the deceased (executor papers, letters testamentary, will, or family relationship documentation)
- Account email address and/or member ID associated with the HBO Max account
- Billing source information (HBO Max direct bill, Apple, Google Play, Amazon, Roku, Samsung, Xumo, or TV/ISP provider)
Timeline
Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle. No specific processing timeline for estate requests is published. If billed through a third party, contact that provider separately to stop charges.
Frequently asked questions
Contact HBO Max customer support at 1-855-442-6629 or through the Help Center at help.hbomax.com. Explain that the account holder has passed away and provide a death certificate and proof of your authority to act on their behalf. HBO Max support will process the cancellation. If the subscription is billed through a third party (Apple, Google, Amazon, Roku, or a TV/ISP provider), you must also cancel through that billing provider.
HBO Max accounts are non-transferable under the Terms of Use, which grant a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license for personal, non-commercial use. The standard outcome is account cancellation, not transfer. Whether HBO Max makes exceptions is at its discretion and is not publicly documented. Family members can create their own HBO Max accounts after the original account is closed.
When an HBO Max account is cancelled, all profile data including viewing history, recommendations, My List, and downloads is lost. There is no mechanism to export or transfer profile data to another account. Family members should note any content preferences before the account is closed.
For subscriptions billed directly through HBO Max (WarnerMedia Direct), the refund-policy help page states there is a no-refund policy, so the unused portion of a paid billing period is not refunded on cancellation unless required by applicable law. The account remains accessible until the end of the current billing period. Where the subscription is billed through a third party (Apple, Google Play, Amazon, Roku, Samsung, Xumo, or a TV/ISP provider), any refund follows that provider's policy and must be requested from that provider.
Family members can continue using the account until it is cancelled and the current billing period ends. After that, each person needs their own HBO Max subscription. Extra Member accounts tied to the primary subscription also lose access when the primary account closes.
HBO Max does not publish a dedicated bereavement page or formal estate claims process. The general customer support line (1-855-442-6629) handles deceased account holder requests. Be prepared to provide a death certificate and proof of authority to act on behalf of the deceased.
The recipient can use transferred accounts under the program's normal terms. Keeping the deceased account holder's account number and contact details on file simplifies this process for the executor or surviving family.
Sources
Data sourced from Warner Bros. Discovery primary sources (8 pages reviewed). How we research.
HBO Max Customer Support
Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle. No specific processing timeline for estate requests is published. If billed through a third party, contact that provider separately to stop charges.
(General customer service)
