How to Use Steam Family Sharing

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Steam Family Sharing is a feature that allows family members and close friends to share their library of Steam games with one another. This sharing is done on authorized computers, meaning you can allow someone to play your games without requiring them to purchase the games themselves. This is a great feature for families or roommates who want to enjoy games without purchasing multiple copies. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how you can use Steam Family Sharing in several detailed steps. We will also address common problems and provide solutions to ensure a seamless experience.

Understanding Steam Family Sharing

Before we get into the technical steps, it's important to understand what Steam Family Sharing involves. The primary purpose of this feature is to allow multiple users to access each other's library of games while maintaining individual achievements and progress. It provides a way for families to manage their gaming collections and prevent multiple purchases of the same game.

Key points about Steam Family Sharing

• Steam Family Sharing allows up to 5 accounts and 10 devices to access your game library.
• Only one person can access the shared library at a time.
• The shared game must be downloaded and installed on each user's computer.
• Some games may not be available for sharing due to developer restrictions.

Setting up Steam Family Sharing

Step 1: Initial setup

To begin, you'll need to install Steam on your computer. Both you and the person you want to share your library with must have a Steam account. If the Steam client isn't already installed, download it from the official Steam website.

Step 2: Enable Steam Guard protection

Steam Guard is a security feature that protects your account from unauthorized access. Steam Guard must be enabled to use Family Sharing. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Steam client and log into your account.
2. Click "Steam" in the upper-left corner, then select "Settings."
3. In the Settings menu, go to "Account" and find the "Manage Steam Guard account security" option.
4. Follow the prompts to enable Steam Guard. You may need to verify your account with an email or mobile verification code.

Step 3: Authorizing devices and accounts

Once Steam Guard is activated, you'll need to authorize both the devices and accounts that will access your library:

1. Log into the Steam account that owns the game.
2. Click "Steam" in the upper-left corner, then go to "Settings."
3. Go to "Family" in the left-hand menu.
4. Select "Authorize library sharing on this computer" and check the boxes next to the accounts that are allowed access to your library.
5. Repeat this process on each computer you want to authorize for sharing.

Step 4: Accessing the shared game

After authorization, the person you're sharing your library with can access your games on their account:

1. Log in to the Steam account you want to use to access the shared game.
2. Under "Library," you'll see a drop-down list of accounts you can borrow games from.
3. Select the account you want to view shared games, which will appear in your library.
4. Click on a game from the shared library and select "Install" to download it to your device.
5. Once the installation is complete, click “Play” to enjoy the shared game.

Troubleshooting common problems

Problem 1: Library not showing

If the shared library doesn’t appear in your Steam client, make sure of the following:

• The device and account are authorized for Family Sharing.
• Steam Guard is enabled on both accounts.
• You are logged into the correct Steam account.

Problem 2: Multiple user attempts

Remember that only one person can play a game from a shared library at a time. If someone else is currently playing the game, you may have to wait until they finish, or they can log out to free up access for you.

Issue 3: Sports restrictions

Some games, particularly those with third-party licenses or subscriptions, may not be available for sharing. This limitation is due to restrictions set by the game developers.

Conclusion

Steam Family Sharing is a great way to maximize the value from your game library, allowing friends and family to easily access their favorite games. By following the detailed guide above, you should be able to set up and enjoy Family Sharing without any problems.

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