Hello and welcome to our blog about the many advantages of sharing your Steam game library with friends and family. If you are a Steam user, then you know that spending money on games can add up quickly. We have found that sharing your library can help save money, discover new games, and expand your gaming community.
One of the best things about Steam is that it allows you to share your library with up to 10 other people. This means that you can let your friends and family play any of the games in your library, even if they don’t own them themselves. This is a great way to save money, especially if you have a lot of games that you don’t play very often. You can also use Family Sharing to let your friends and family try out new games before they buy them. This is a great way to help them find new games that they’ll enjoy and then save money if they decide to buy them.
Finally, sharing your library can be a great way to expand your gaming community. When you share your library with friends and family, you’re giving them access to a whole new world of games. This can lead to new friendships, new gaming experiences, and a lot of fun. So if you’re looking for a way to save money, discover new games, and expand your gaming community, then sharing your Steam library is a great option. Plus, it’s easy to set up and use. So what are you waiting for? Start sharing your library today!
Accessing Shared Library
To access a shared library, follow these steps:
- Login to your Steam account: Ensure you are logged in to the Steam account that has access to the shared library.
- Navigate to the Library tab: Click on the “Library” tab located at the top of the Steam window.
- Select the shared game: In the left-hand menu, scroll down and expand the “Shared” category. This will display a list of games that have been shared with you by other accounts.
- Click on the desired game: Find the game you want to play and click on it to open its details page.
- Launch the game: You can now click on the “Play” button to launch the shared game. Note that you may need to provide the password for the account that owns the game if prompted.
Additional Notes:
- You can only access shared games when the owner is not currently playing them.
- You can share your library with up to 10 other accounts.
- Games with DLC or other additional content may not be accessible through shared libraries.
- If you encounter any issues accessing shared games, try restarting Steam or contacting Steam Support.
| Allowed Access | Not Allowed Access |
|---|---|
| Playing shared games | Purchasing games or DLC for shared games |
| Using in-game features (e.g., multiplayer, achievements) | Modifying game files or settings |
| Saving and loading game progress | Using Steam features (e.g., chat, forums) |
Enabling Family Library Sharing
Steam’s Family Sharing feature allows you to share your game library with authorized devices within your household. To activate this feature, follow these steps:
1. Authorize Family Members
Log in to your Steam account and navigate to “Settings” > “Family Sharing”. Click on “Manage Family Library Sharing” and enter the Steam account names of the family members you want to authorize.
2. Authorize Devices
- From Your Own Device: Sign in to your Steam client on the device you want to share with. Go to “View” > “Settings” > “Family Library Sharing” and check the box next to “Authorize this device for Family Library Sharing.”
- From a Remote Device: Open Steam on the remote device and enter your Steam credentials. In the “Family Library Sharing” section, click on “Authorize this device” and enter the code to complete the authorization process. You can find the code in an email sent to your registered email address.
Note: Each Steam account can only authorize up to 10 devices for Family Sharing.
3. Allow Access
| Device | Access |
|---|---|
| Main Account | Full access to authorized library |
| Authorized Family Members | Access to games shared by Main Account |
Once a device is authorized, family members can access and play games from your library on that device. Note that not all games support Family Sharing. You can check the game’s store page to see if it supports the feature.
Authorizing Shared Games
To ensure your library is shared with the correct individuals, you need to authorize shared games.
1. From the main navigation, select ‘Family’ and then ‘Manage Family Library Sharing’.
2. A list of your friends and family members who have access to your library will be displayed. To add a new person, click on the ‘Authorize Another Computer’ button and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. When authorizing a shared game, you can choose to:
Table 1: Shared Game Authorization Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Authorize this computer only | The shared game will only be accessible on the authorized computer. |
| Authorize all computers that this account is logged into | The shared game will be accessible on any computer that the authorized account is logged into. |
| Require account authorization | The authorized person will need to sign into their Steam account on the shared computer before they can access the shared game. |
| Never allow | The selected person will not be able to access the shared game, regardless of the authorization settings. |
By setting the appropriate authorization levels, you can control who can access your shared games and on which devices.
Managing Shared Content
To ensure smooth sharing, it’s crucial to consider several aspects of your shared library:
Access Restrictions and Authorization
You have the option to set specific access permissions for each user you grant access to. You can choose between “No Restrictions,” allowing the user to play any game in your library, or “Only Specific Games,” where you can select which games the user can access.
Time Limitations and Offline Play
You can set time limits for how long each user can play your games. You can also specify whether they have the ability to play your games offline. However, it’s important to note that while authorized users can play your games offline, they won’t have access to online multiplayer or other online features.
Known Issues and Troubleshooting
Keep in mind that there may be occasional technical issues when sharing your library. Common issues include:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Unauthorized access | Revoke access and grant it again. |
| Game launching errors | Verify game file integrity or reinstall the game. |
| Multiplayer issues | Ensure both users have online access and are authorized for the game. |
If you encounter any other problems, consult Steam Support for assistance.
Troubleshooting Library Sharing
“Family Sharing is currently unavailable” Message
This error occurs when Steam’s servers are experiencing high traffic. Try again later, or restart Steam to refresh the connection.
“Only accounts that have played the game for at least two hours can gift this game” Message
If you haven’t played a game for at least two hours, you’re unable to gift it. This requirement is in place to prevent abuse of the gifting system.
“Error authorizing the game for family sharing” Message
Make sure both the sharing and receiving accounts have a valid payment method on file. Additionally, the receiving account should have spent at least $5 on Steam in the past year.
“The game is not available for sharing” Message
This error occurs when the game is not eligible for library sharing. Check the game’s Store page to see if it has any restrictions.
“I can’t access shared games while offline” Message
To access shared games offline, the following requirements must be met:
| Both sharing and receiving accounts must be online at least once every 30 days. | |
| The receiving account must authorize the game for offline mode. | |
| The sharing account must remain online while the receiving account is playing shared games. |
| Restriction | Description |
|---|---|
| Not shareable | Games flagged by the developer as unable to be shared. |
| Age restrictions | Games with age restrictions cannot be shared with accounts below the minimum age. |
| Region restrictions | Games with region restrictions cannot be shared with accounts located in different regions. |
| Time limits | Shared games can only be played for a limited time on each shared account. |
| Simultaneous access | Only one person can play a shared game at any given time. |
| VAC-protected games | VAC-protected games cannot be shared with banned accounts. |
| Game-specific restrictions | Restrictions imposed by individual game developers. |
Security Considerations for Shared Libraries
Sharing your Steam library with others can be a great way to let friends and family enjoy your games without having to purchase them themselves. However, there are some security considerations to keep in mind before you share your library.
1. Only share your library with people you trust.
Anyone you share your library with will have access to all of your games, including any sensitive information that may be stored in them. Make sure you only share your library with people you trust not to misuse your account or access your personal information.
2. Use a strong password.
Your Steam account password is the key to your library. Make sure you use a strong password that is not easily guessed. Avoid using common words or phrases, and make sure your password is at least 12 characters long.
3. Enable two-factor authentication.
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your Steam account. When you enable two-factor authentication, you will be required to enter a code from your phone or email whenever you log in to your account from a new device.
4. Be careful about what games you share.
Some games may contain sensitive information, such as your credit card number or personal address. Be careful about sharing games that contain this type of information.
5. Monitor your account activity.
Keep an eye on your Steam account activity to make sure that no one is accessing your account without your permission. You can view your account activity by logging into your account and clicking on the “Account Details” link.
6. Revoke access to your library if necessary.
If you ever need to revoke access to your library, you can do so by following these steps:
- Log in to your Steam account.
- Click on the “Friends” tab.
- Select the friend you want to revoke access to your library from.
- Click on the “Manage Shared Library” button.
- Uncheck the box next to the game you want to revoke access to.
- Click on the “Save” button.
7. If you are concerned about the security of your Steam account, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
8. Table of potential security risks and mitigation strategies:
| Security Risk | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|
| Your account could be hacked. | Use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication. |
| Someone could access your personal information. | Be careful about what games you share. |
| Someone could access your credit card number. | Do not share games that contain your credit card number. |
Game Ownership and Licensing Implications
Shared Ownership
Steam family sharing allows up to 5 accounts associated with one Steam account to play each other’s games. The primary account owner must be online to enable others to play shared games.
Game Licensing
Each game purchased through Steam requires a valid license to play. By default, games can be played from up to 5 different computers at once with the same account. However, many games have additional restrictions imposed by the developer or publisher. Some games may only allow the account that purchased the game to play at any given time, while others may restrict how many devices a single account can play from simultaneously.
VAC Banned Games
Games that have been modified or altered in a way that violates Steam’s terms of service, such as by using cheats or mods, may be subject to a VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) ban. This type of ban will prevent any account from playing the game, even if it is shared from another account.
DLC
Downloadable content (DLC) is additional content that can be purchased to expand the functionality of a base game. While base games can be shared with authorized family members, any DLC purchased must be owned by the individual playing the game.
Game Updates
Shared games will automatically receive any game updates available for the base game. DLC updates require the DLC to be owned by the account playing the game.
Deactivating Family Sharing
If you need to deactivate Family Sharing for your Steam account, you can follow these steps:
1. Open Steam
Begin by launching the Steam application on your computer.
2. Click on your username
Locate your username in the top-right corner and click on it.
3. Select “Family”
From the drop-down menu, choose the “Family” option.
4. Click on “Manage Family Sharing”
This button will be visible on the left-hand side of the Family window.
5. Deactivate Family Sharing for a device
If you want to deactivate Family Sharing for a specific device, click on the “Deactivate” button next to its name.
6. Confirm deactivation
You will be prompted to confirm the deactivation. Click “OK” to proceed.
7. Deactivate Family Sharing for all devices
To deactivate Family Sharing for all devices at once, click on the “Revoke Access to All Other Computers” button.
8. Confirm deactivation again
Once more, you will need to confirm the deactivation by clicking “OK”.
9. Wait for deactivation to complete
Steam will now process the deactivation request. This may take a few minutes.
10. Check your deactivation status
To verify that Family Sharing has been deactivated, check the “Family” tab under your username. You should see a message indicating that Family Sharing is currently disabled.
Steam How To Share Library
Steam allows you to share your game library with friends and family members. This is a great way to let others play your games without having to buy them themselves.
To share your library, you will need to enable family sharing on your Steam account. Once you have done this, you can invite up to 10 friends or family members to share your library with.
To enable family sharing, follow these steps:
- Log into your Steam account.
- Click on your username in the top right corner of the window.
- Select “Family” from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “Manage Family Sharing” button.
- Check the box next to “Authorize this computer” and enter your password.
- Click on the “OK” button.
Once you have enabled family sharing, you can invite friends or family members to share your library with. To do this, follow these steps:
- Log into your Steam account.
- Click on the “Friends” tab in the top right corner of the window.
- Select the friend or family member you want to invite from the list.
- Click on the “Invite to Family Sharing” button.
- Enter your password when prompted.
- Click on the “OK” button.
Your friend or family member will now be able to access your game library. They will be able to play any of the games that you have installed on your computer.
People also ask
How to share a game with a friend on Steam?
To share a game with a friend on Steam, you will need to enable family sharing on your Steam account. Once you have done this, you can invite up to 10 friends or family members to share your library with.
To invite a friend to share your library, follow these steps:
- Log into your Steam account.
- Click on the “Friends” tab in the top right corner of the window.
- Select the friend you want to invite from the list.
- Click on the “Invite to Family Sharing” button.
- Enter your password when prompted.
- Click on the “OK” button.
Can you share your Steam library with multiple people?
Yes, you can share your Steam library with up to 10 friends or family members. To do this, you will need to enable family sharing on your Steam account and invite each person you want to share your library with.
How many people can share a Steam library?
You can share your Steam library with up to 10 friends or family members.
How to unshare a game on Steam?
To unshare a game on Steam, follow these steps:
- Log into your Steam account.
- Click on the “Library” tab in the top right corner of the window.
- Select the game you want to unshare.
- Click on the “Manage” button.
- Select “Uninstall” from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “OK” button.
