To delete HBO Max downloads on an iPhone, open HBO Max and tap the Downloads icon. Tap the Download complete icon beside a title and choose Delete Download, or open a series, tap Edit, and tap the X beside each episode. To remove every download at once, delete the HBO Max app from your iPhone and reinstall it.
This guide follows HBO Max’s Download HBO Max shows and movies help article and Apple’s How to check the storage on your iPhone and iPad article. Older versions of the app had a Clear all button under the Account tab. HBO Max’s current help doesn’t list that option, so if you don’t see it, use the methods below.
In this article:
- Delete downloads in the HBO Max app
- Delete all HBO Max downloads at once
- HBO Max download limits
- Download settings that save space
- When downloads expire on their own
- Frequently asked questions
How to Delete Downloads in the HBO Max App
- Open HBO Max on your iPhone.
- Tap the Downloads icon.
- To remove one movie or episode, tap the Download complete icon beside it, then tap Delete Download.
- To remove episodes from a series, tap the series name, tap Edit, then tap the X beside each episode you want to delete.
Result: the selected downloads disappear from your Downloads list and free up space on your iPhone. The same check works for other streaming apps; see how much space Disney Plus downloads use on an iPhone.
How to Delete All HBO Max Downloads at Once
If you have a lot of downloads, deleting them one by one takes a while. Apple explains that deleting an app from iPhone Storage removes the app and its related data, which includes downloaded videos.
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Tap iPhone Storage and wait for the list to load.
- Tap HBO Max to see how much space it uses.
- Tap Delete App and confirm.
- Reinstall HBO Max from the App Store and sign in again. If you need a refresher on signing in, see how to set up HBO Max on an iPhone.
Don’t choose Offload App for this. Apple says offloading frees the app’s storage but keeps its documents and data. For more on removing apps, see how to delete apps on an iPhone.
HBO Max also notes that signing out of a device doesn’t delete the downloads on it, so signing out isn’t a shortcut.
Result: every HBO Max download is gone from your iPhone, and the app starts fresh after you reinstall it.
HBO Max Download Limits
If you’re deleting downloads to make room for new ones, these are the limits HBO Max lists for your account at one time, across all phones and tablets:
- Basic with Ads: no downloads. HBO Max says that if you switch to this plan, your downloads are deleted.
- Standard: 30 downloads.
- Premium: 100 downloads.
- Movies: Standard and Premium allow up to 30 downloaded movies.
- Series: some series are limited to 25 downloaded episodes.
If you see a “Download Limit Reached” message, HBO Max suggests checking the downloads on every phone and tablet signed in to your account.
Result: you know whether you need to delete downloads on another device too.
Download Settings That Save Space
HBO Max says the space a download needs depends on its length and video quality. An hour-long download at Good quality can take 1 to 2 GB.
- In HBO Max, choose your profile.
- Go to App Settings > Download Settings > Video Quality.
- Choose Good, Better or Best. Good is the default and uses the least space.
In the same Download Settings screen you can turn on Download Over Wi-Fi Only so downloads don’t use cellular data. HBO Max says both settings apply to all profiles on the device. That screen also shows your available storage.
Result: future downloads take up less room.
When HBO Max Downloads Expire on Their Own
- Unwatched downloads expire 30 days after you download them, or when the title leaves HBO Max.
- Once you start watching a download, you have 48 hours to finish it before it expires.
- You can renew an expired download from the Downloads screen by tapping the Expired download icon and choosing Renew Download. You need an internet connection to renew.
Want to download something new? See how to download HBO Max movies on an iPhone.
Result: you know which downloads will clear themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Clear All button in HBO Max?
Older versions had one. HBO Max’s current help only lists deleting downloads one at a time or by episode. Deleting the app removes everything at once.
Does signing out delete my downloads?
No. HBO Max says signing out of a device doesn’t delete the downloads on it.
How much space do HBO Max downloads use?
It depends on length and quality. HBO Max says an hour at Good quality can take 1 to 2 GB.
Can I save downloads to other storage?
HBO Max says downloads are stored on the device’s internal storage. Other video apps keep their own offline copies too, so see how to delete YouTube downloads on an iPhone if you save videos there.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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