How To Share Steam Library With Family & Friends: A Complete Guide
Want to let your loved ones enjoy your Steam game collection without buying everything twice? This guide explains how to share Steam library through Steam Family Sharing, allowing up to five accounts on your PC to access and play your games while you’re not using them.
Understanding Steam Family Sharing
Steam Family Sharing is a feature that allows you to share your Steam game library with up to five other accounts on a single computer. This means family members or close friends can enjoy your vast collection without having to purchase each game individually. It’s a fantastic way to save money and broaden gaming experiences within your trusted circle.
The Benefits of Steam Family Sharing
Sharing your Steam library offers several advantages:
- Cost Savings: Avoid buying multiple copies of the same game for different family members.
- Game Discovery: Introduce friends and family to new games they might not otherwise try.
- Flexibility: Allow multiple players to enjoy your library without requiring them to log into your primary account.
- Convenience: Simplified access for users on your home computer to your entire Steam collection.
Setting Up Steam Family Sharing: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Share Steam Library? It’s simpler than you might think. Follow these steps carefully:
- Enable Steam Guard: Ensure Steam Guard is enabled for your account. This security feature is mandatory for Family Sharing. You can find this setting under Steam > Settings > Account > Steam Guard security.
- Log in to Steam on the Recipient’s Computer: Log in to your Steam account on the computer of the person you wish to share your library with.
- Authorize the Computer: Go to Steam > Settings > Family. You should see a list of eligible accounts that have logged into this computer.
- Authorize the Account(s): Check the boxes next to the accounts you want to authorize to access your library. This authorizes their accounts on that specific computer.
- Log Out: Log out of your Steam account. The authorized user can now log into their own account.
Playing Shared Games
Once the setup is complete, the authorized account will see your games in their Steam library. However, there are some limitations:
- One Player at a Time: Only one person can play games from the shared library at any given time. If you (the library owner) decide to play a game while someone else is using your library, they will receive a warning and have a few minutes to save their progress before being kicked out of the game.
- Not All Games Are Shareable: Some games might not be available for sharing due to technical limitations or publisher restrictions.
- Region Restrictions: If a game is region-locked in your account, it will also be region-locked for those you share it with.
- VAC Bans: If someone you share your library with cheats and receives a VAC ban, your sharing privileges may be revoked.
Managing Shared Libraries
You can manage the authorized computers and accounts under Steam > Settings > Family. You can revoke access at any time. Be mindful of who you share your library with, as their actions can impact your account.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter problems while setting up or using Steam Family Sharing, here are some common troubleshooting tips:
- Restart Steam: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.
- Check Steam Guard Status: Ensure Steam Guard is enabled.
- Verify Game Cache: Verify the integrity of the game files to ensure they are not corrupted.
- Update Graphics Drivers: Outdated drivers can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
- Contact Steam Support: If all else fails, contact Steam Support for assistance.
How To Share Steam Library: Important Considerations
Before setting up Steam Family Sharing, consider these points:
- Trust: Share your library only with people you trust, as their actions can impact your account.
- Communication: Communicate with those you share your library with to avoid conflicts over game access.
- Limitations: Be aware of the limitations of Family Sharing, such as the one-player-at-a-time restriction.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Maximum Accounts | Up to 5 other accounts on a single computer. |
| Game Availability | Not all games are shareable due to technical reasons or publisher restrictions. |
| Concurrent Play | Only one person can play games from the shared library at a time. |
| VAC Bans | If a shared account cheats and gets VAC banned, your sharing privileges may be revoked. |
| Region Locking | Region-locked games will remain region-locked for shared users. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Steam Family Sharing Free?
Yes, Steam Family Sharing is a completely free service offered by Valve. There are no subscription fees or hidden costs associated with sharing your library. It’s a built-in feature designed to enhance the Steam experience for families and close friends.
Can I Share My Library With Someone On A Different Computer?
Yes, but with a caveat. Steam Family Sharing is tied to the computer, not just the account. So, the secondary user would need to physically log into their Steam account on your computer to be granted access, then you can share it back with their account on that device. It can only happen on the same computer.
What Happens If I Want To Play A Game While Someone Else Is Using My Shared Library?
If you (the owner) launch a game in your library, the other user will be given a warning message that they have a few minutes to save their progress. After the allotted time, they will be kicked out of the game, allowing you to play.
Can I Share Individual Games From My Library?
No, Steam Family Sharing allows you to share your entire library, not individual games. The recipient will have access to all shareable games in your collection, except for those with specific restrictions.
Are All Games Shareable Through Steam Family Sharing?
No, not all games are shareable. Some games may be excluded due to technical limitations, publisher restrictions, or other reasons. Typically, free-to-play games, games requiring a third-party key or subscription, and some games published by specific developers are not shareable.
How Do I Revoke Access To My Shared Library?
You can revoke access to your shared library by going to Steam > Settings > Family. Simply uncheck the boxes next to the accounts you wish to remove from the authorized list. This will immediately prevent them from accessing your games.
What If I Want To Play A Game While The Shared User Is Offline?
This is not a problem. The primary user can play any of their owned games at any time, regardless of whether or not a shared user is offline or playing a shared game. Priority is always given to the library owner.
Will Sharing My Library Affect My Game Saves And Progress?
No, your game saves and progress are tied to your Steam account, not the library itself. Sharing your library will not affect your game data. Each user will have their own separate save files and progress.
Can Multiple People Use My Shared Library At The Same Time If They Are Playing Different Games?
No, only one person can play games from your shared library at a time. If you own multiple games, it does not mean two people can play two different games at the same time from your library. Only one game from the shared library can be in use at any moment.
What Happens If Someone I Share My Library With Gets VAC Banned?
If someone you share your library with cheats and receives a VAC ban, your sharing privileges may be revoked. This is a serious consequence, so it’s crucial to share your library only with trusted individuals. You may also face restrictions on playing certain games.
How Many Computers Can I Authorize For Family Sharing?
You can authorize Family Sharing on a limited number of computers. Steam does not publicly state the exact limit, but it is generally believed to be around 5-10 devices. There are also limits to how frequently you can change authorizations.
How Long Does Steam Family Sharing Last?
Steam Family Sharing does not have a set expiration date. It remains active until you manually revoke access or until Valve makes changes to the feature. As long as you and the shared users adhere to the rules, you can continue sharing your library indefinitely.