How to Watch HBO Now on Linux Desktop

HBO Now allows you to stream your favorite HBO shows and movies without a cable subscription to tons of different devices. Even though HBO doesn’t explicitly support it, one of those devices can be your Linux PC as well. With the right browser set up, watching HBO Now on Linux is simple.

In this tutorial you will learn:

  • How to Set Up Your VPN
  • How to Create Your HBO Now Account
  • How to Configure FireFox to Watch
  • How to Configure Google Chrome to Watch
  • How to Sign In and Watch HBO Now

Watch HBO on Linux

Watch HBO on Linux.

Software Requirements and Conventions Used

Software Requirements and Linux Command Line Conventions
Category Requirements, Conventions or Software Version Used
System Any modern Linux distribution
Software Firefox or Google Chrome
Other Privileged access to your Linux system as root or via the sudo command.
Conventions # – requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command
$ – requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

How to Set Up Your VPN

HBO Now is only available in the US. That doesn’t mean that you can’t fake them out with a VPN such as the NordVPN for an example.

Actually, there really isn’t any additional configuration that you’ll need to get this working with a VPN. Just be sure that you’re connected to a server in the US whenever you’re dealing with HBO, including during the sign-up process. Any device that you watch on will also need to be “in the US.”

How to Create Your HBO Now Account

It should go without saying that you’ll need to set up an HBO Now account first. Visit the HBO sign up page to create your account. Remember that this needs to be done from a US-based IP address, or you will be redirected.

The registration process is relatively short, and you won’t need to provide a ton of information. They’re more concerned with getting a valid payment method.

How to Configure FireFox to Watch

All recent versions of Firefox are already equipped and ready to watch HBO Now. You’ll only need to ensure that you have DRM playback enabled to stream, but that shouldn’t come as any surprise.

Begin by clicking the three stacked lines in the upper right of the Firefox window to open the Firefox menu. Click Preferences to open up the Firefox preferences tab.

Enable DRM on Firefox

Enable DRM on Firefox.

Under that tab, scroll until you see the checkbox to enable DRM. If it isn’t already checked, check it. That’s all you need to do to enable support in Firefox. You can safely close the tab.

How to Configure Google Chrome to Watch

Actually, there isn’t anything that you need to do here. Google Chrome supports the Widevine DRM by default. You should be able to use Chrome to watch HBO Now without any issues. In case you do encounter some difficulty, try disabling any extensions that may get in the way.

How to Sign In and Watch HBO Now

HBO Now playing on Linux

HBO Now playing on Linux.

Now, everything should be in place. Open your browser of choice, and navigate to the HBO Now player. Sign in to your account. You’ll immediately be taken to a page where you can browse HBO’s offerings and play anything you like.

Conclusion

There you have it! You can start watching your favorite HBO shows any time you like on your Linux PC. As long as you’re connected through the US, and your subscription is current, everything should continue working normally. You should also ensure that your browser remains updated would also be a good idea to make sure that your DRM is also current..



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