Owners of Amazon Fire TV Sticks are accustomed to warnings about blocked content, often related to illegal streaming of sports or movies. However, a new alert has emerged that is unrelated to piracy. As reported by AFTV News, this issue affects millions of users with older Fire TV devices that cannot keep up with the latest updates.
Which Devices Are Affected?
Amazon streaming devices running Fire OS 5 or earlier are no longer supported by HBO Max. This means users with these older systems can no longer stream content from the platform. Among the affected models is the second-generation Fire TV Stick, once one of Amazon's best-selling streaming devices.
Why Can't They Access HBO Max?
HBO Max recently launched in the UK, offering a large catalogue of shows and films for a monthly fee starting at £4.99. The service includes popular HBO originals such as Euphoria, House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Succession, along with Warner Bros. movies, DC titles, and Discovery reality programming. However, HBO Max only supports Amazon Fire TV devices running Fire OS 6 or newer.
No Upgrade Possible
Unlike smartphones or computers, Fire TV Sticks do not receive major operating system upgrades. Devices remain locked to the OS version they were originally released with. Consequently, users cannot update from Fire OS 5 to a newer version. The only solution for those with older Fire TV Sticks is to upgrade to a newer device to continue watching HBO Max.
How to Check Your Fire TV Stick
To determine your Fire TV Stick's OS version, go to Settings > My Fire TV > About. Look for the Fire OS version. If it is 5 or earlier, your device is affected. If it is 6 or later, you can still access HBO Max.
