Max (formerly HBO Max) carries a large library of grown-up dramas and films alongside its kids’ content, which makes parental controls especially important here. The good news: Max lets you set separate limits for movies and TV, lock profiles with a Parent Code, and stop kids exiting their own profile. Here’s the full setup.
Why Max needs careful setup
Unlike a kids-first service, Max mixes prestige adult dramas with family titles in the same app. Without controls, a child browsing for cartoons could easily see thumbnails or trailers for very mature shows. A Kids profile plus a Parent Code solves this.
Step 1: Open Parental Controls
On mobile, tap your profile icon, then the settings gear, then Parental Controls. On the website, click your profile name (top-right) and choose Parental Controls. On a smart TV, select your profile from the left menu and open Parental Controls there.
Step 2: Add a Kids profile
From Profiles, choose Add Kid and enter your child’s name and age. Max uses the age to apply sensible default limits, which you can fine-tune next.
Step 3: Set movie and TV rating limits
Max lets you choose ratings separately for films and shows. Movie limits range across G, PG, PG-13, R and NC-17; TV limits across TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14 and TV-MA. Pick the highest level the profile may see for each.
Step 4: Create a Parent Code (PIN)
Set a 4-digit Parent Code. This is required to switch out of a Kids profile into an adult one, keeping mature content behind a lock.
Step 5: Turn on Kid-Proof Exit
Enable Kid-Proof Exit so leaving the Kids profile demands the Parent Code. Combined with a profile PIN on your adult account, this is a strong barrier against curious kids wandering into adult content.
Max controls at a glance
| Control | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Kids profile | Child-safe library and design |
| Movie + TV limits | Separate caps for films and shows |
| Parent Code | Unlocks adult profiles |
| Kid-Proof Exit | Stops leaving the Kids profile |
Parent tips
Set stricter limits for younger children and revisit them as kids grow, keep the Parent Code secret, and check settings after app updates, as Max occasionally redesigns its menus. If several people share the account, make sure everyone knows not to share the code with the kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Max safe for kids?
Max contains a lot of adult content, but with a Kids profile, rating limits and Kid-Proof Exit enabled, you can make it safe for children.
What is Kid-Proof Exit?
It’s a Max feature that requires your Parent Code before anyone can leave the Kids profile, preventing children from reaching adult content.
Can I set different limits for movies and TV shows?
Yes — Max lets you choose separate maximum ratings for films and for TV series on each profile.
Does Max work the same on every device?
The controls apply account-wide, but you set them up from any device’s Parental Controls menu.
Helpful resources
See the official Max Help Center: Kids profiles.
Next steps
Unsure which limit to choose? See movie age ratings explained and TV age ratings explained. Also set up Netflix and Disney+ controls.