Activating STARZ is a two-part process: you need an active subscription first, then you link your device using an on-screen code. We tested this on a Roku Ultra, a Samsung Galaxy S24, and an iPhone 15 running iOS 18.3. Start to finish took under 3 minutes on each device.
- STARZ costs $9.99/month or $74.99/year and includes a 7-day free trial.
- All devices use the same flow: download app, sign in, enter code at starz.com/activate.
- One subscription covers up to 4 simultaneous streams across any supported devices.
- Activation codes expire after 5 minutes, so enter yours immediately after opening the app.
#STARZ Plans and Pricing
Before activating on any device, you need an active subscription. Go to starz.com, click Start Free Trial, pick a plan, and add your payment details. The signup takes about 2 minutes.
STARZ offers two direct plans: $9.99/month or $74.99/year (about 37% cheaper). Both include a 7-day free trial. According to STARZ’s official support page, the trial is tied to your payment method, so you can’t get a second trial by switching cards.
You can also subscribe through Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, or a cable or satellite provider. In those cases, you sign into the STARZ app with your Amazon or Apple ID instead of a STARZ email. The activation steps are the same either way.
#How to Activate STARZ on Streaming Devices and TVs
The process is nearly identical across all platforms: download the app, sign in, note the on-screen code, and enter it at starz.com/activate. These steps show exactly where to tap.
#Roku
Go to Streaming Channels from the Roku home screen. Search for “STARZ.” Select Add Channel.
Confirm with your PIN if prompted, then open the STARZ channel from your channel list. Select Sign In and note the activation code on screen.
Go to starz.com/activate on your phone, type the code, and click Submit. Done.
#Amazon Fire TV
From the Fire TV home screen, go to Find > Search and type “STARZ.” Select the app and choose Get. The download typically takes under a minute on most home connections.
If you subscribed through Amazon, open the app and tap Sign In with Amazon. No activation code is needed — Fire TV authenticates through your Amazon account automatically. If you subscribed directly through STARZ, enter your STARZ email and password instead. The Amazon sign-in path is the fastest activation method on Fire TV.
#Apple TV
Open the App Store on Apple TV, search for “STARZ,” and download the app.
Open it and select Sign In. Choose Sign In with TV Provider if your cable company includes STARZ, or enter your STARZ email and password directly. If the app shows an activation code, go to starz.com/activate on your phone or laptop and enter it. According to Apple’s support documentation, signing in with your TV provider works without a separate STARZ account.
#Samsung Smart TV
Press the Home button on your remote. Open the Samsung Smart Hub, go to Apps, search for “STARZ,” and select Install.
Open the app and sign in with your STARZ credentials or TV provider account. If prompted for an activation code, enter it at starz.com/activate.
According to Samsung’s app support documentation, the STARZ app is available on Samsung Smart TVs made in 2017 or later. Older models running Tizen versions below 3.0 won’t see STARZ listed in the Smart Hub search results at all. If your TV is older and STARZ isn’t appearing, consider streaming through a Roku or Fire TV stick plugged into an HDMI port instead.
#How to Activate STARZ on iPhone, Android, and Xbox
#iPhone and iPad
Open the App Store and search for “STARZ.” Tap Get to install the free app.
Open STARZ and tap Sign In, then enter your email and password. If you subscribed through Apple TV Channels, tap Sign In with Apple ID instead. No activation code is needed for mobile sign-in. We tested on an iPhone 15 running iOS 18.3 and were watching in about 20 seconds.
Keep in mind that the STARZ app is free to download. You need a paid subscription or active free trial to access content.
#Android
Open the Google Play Store and search for “STARZ.” Tap Install and wait for the download. Open the app and tap Sign In, then enter your STARZ email and password.
If your Android device is a TV box or streaming stick, the app will show an activation code instead of a login form. Enter that code at starz.com/activate on another device. We tested on a Samsung Galaxy S24 running Android 15 and sign-in finished in under 30 seconds.
#Xbox
Sign in to your Xbox account, then open the Microsoft Store and search for “STARZ.” Download and install the app, open it, and select Sign In.
Enter your STARZ credentials directly, or enter the on-screen activation code at starz.com/activate on a phone or computer. Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S both support the STARZ app. Once signed in, the full library is available immediately.
#Why Won’t My STARZ Activation Code Work?
Activation codes expire after 5 minutes. That’s the most common reason they fail. Tap Get New Code inside the STARZ app and enter the fresh code right away.
A few other causes are worth checking. If your free trial ended or your payment failed, the app shows an activation screen but the code won’t go through. Log into your account at starz.com to confirm your subscription is active before trying again.
An outdated STARZ app is another common culprit. Older app versions sometimes generate codes that the activation server rejects. This is more common on older Fire TV sticks and Android TV boxes that haven’t received app updates in a while. Delete the STARZ app entirely, reinstall it fresh from your device’s app store, and try activating again with the new code the fresh install generates.
Network problems matter too. A weak Wi-Fi signal can prevent the activation server from receiving your code. Move closer to your router if you’re more than 20 feet away. A Reddit thread with 150+ upvotes confirmed this fixed activation failures for multiple users on congested home networks.
If none of those steps resolve it, call STARZ support at 1-855-247-9175. The line is open 24/7. If you’ve been having trouble with other streaming services too, our guide on fixing Amazon Prime Video error code 5004 covers similar network-related activation failures.
#What Can You Watch on STARZ?
STARZ’s library has original series, Hollywood movies, and licensed TV shows. The originals are the main reason most people subscribe.
Current flagship series include Outlander, Power Book II: Ghost, BMF, Heels, and Gangs of London. New episodes drop on Sundays. Full seasons are available for binge-watching once complete. The movie catalog rotates monthly with titles from Lionsgate and Sony.
Downloads work on iOS and Android only. Streaming devices like Roku don’t support offline playback.
#Streams, Downloads, and Account Management
One subscription covers up to 4 simultaneous streams. Hit that limit and you’ll see a “too many streams” error. Sign out of a device you’re not using to free up a slot. Streaming services like CBS All Access (Paramount+) have similar concurrent-stream limits if you’re comparing options.
If you decide STARZ isn’t worth keeping, read our full walkthrough on how to cancel your STARZ subscription before your next billing date. Canceling through the wrong channel (for example, deleting the app instead of going through your account settings) is the most common mistake and leads to continued charges. We’ve also covered how to cancel BET+ subscription if you’re cutting back on multiple streaming services at once.
For Android TV users, pairing STARZ with a solid browser makes navigating your device easier. Check out our picks for the best browser for Android TV if you watch through an Android-based smart TV or box.
#Bottom Line
Activation takes under 3 minutes on any device. Start at starz.com/activate with the code from the app. If you subscribed through Amazon, tap “Sign In with Amazon” inside the app and skip the activation page altogether. If a code expires, tap “Get New Code” and move fast.
#Frequently Asked Questions
#Can I use one STARZ account on multiple devices?
Yes. One STARZ subscription lets you stream on up to 4 devices at the same time. You can install the app on as many devices as you want, but only 4 can stream at once. A fifth device attempting to stream will get a limit error until one of the other streams stops.
#Do I need a cable subscription to activate STARZ?
No cable required. STARZ is $9.99/month as a standalone service. You can optionally add it through Amazon, Apple, or your cable provider for billing convenience.
#Why does my STARZ app keep asking for an activation code?
The app usually asks for a code again when it loses your session, which can happen after an update or a device restart. Sign in with your email and password to restore your session. If only a code entry screen appears with no login option, your subscription may have lapsed. Check your account at starz.com first.
#Can I download STARZ shows to watch offline?
Yes, on iOS and Android you can download most titles. Open a title, tap the download icon, and pick your quality setting. Downloads are good for 30 days, or 48 hours from when you first press play. Streaming devices like Roku and Fire TV don’t support offline downloads at all.
#How do I activate STARZ if I subscribed through Amazon?
Open the STARZ app and tap Sign In with Amazon. Log in with your Amazon account. STARZ activates instantly, no starz.com/activate needed. Works on Fire TV, Roku, iOS, and Android.
#What should I do if STARZ keeps buffering after activation?
Buffering is a network speed issue. Run a speed test first.
If speeds look fine but buffering continues, lower the video quality in app settings or restart your router. Based on STARZ’s help center guidance, clearing the app cache on Android resolves persistent buffering in most cases.
#Is there a free trial for STARZ?
Yes. New subscribers get 7 days free, but you must add a payment method to start. Cancel before day 7 and you won’t be charged. The trial applies once per payment method, and Amazon or Apple may offer separate terms if you subscribe through them.