Steam’s Family Sharing feature is a fantastic way to share your library of games with trusted family members and friends. Instead of purchasing multiple copies of the same game, you can enable Family Sharing and allow others to access your games while you’re not playing them. However, understanding how to set it up and access the shared library can sometimes be a bit confusing. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to access your Steam Family library and troubleshoot common issues.
Understanding Steam Family Sharing
Steam Family Sharing allows up to five other accounts to access your games. It’s important to remember that this feature is intended for close friends and family, and it comes with certain limitations. Only one person can play games from a shared library at a time. If the library owner starts playing a game, the other person using the shared library will have a few minutes to either purchase the game or quit.
Eligibility and Requirements
Before you can start sharing, there are a few crucial requirements to consider. Both the library owner and the borrowers need to have a Steam account in good standing. This means no VAC bans or other account restrictions. It’s also important that both parties have Steam Guard enabled.
Steam Guard adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring a code sent to your email or phone whenever you log in from an unrecognized device. To enable Steam Guard, go to Steam > Settings > Account and ensure that “Steam Guard security” is enabled.
Region restrictions can also apply. While Steam generally allows sharing across regions, there might be cases where certain games are unavailable in a particular region due to licensing agreements.
Limitations of Family Sharing
While Family Sharing is a convenient feature, it does have limitations. Not all games are shareable. Games that require a third-party key, subscription, or account may not be eligible for Family Sharing. Additionally, if a borrower cheats or commits fraud while playing your games, your Family Sharing privileges may be revoked, and your account could face penalties. You also cannot share specific games, it is all or nothing.
Setting Up Family Sharing: The Owner’s Perspective
The first step in accessing a Steam Family library is to set up Family Sharing from the owner’s account. This process involves authorizing specific computers and accounts that can access your library.
Authorizing a Computer
To authorize a computer, you need to log into the Steam account of the library owner on the computer that the borrower will be using. Once logged in, go to Steam > Settings > Family. You will see a list of eligible accounts that have logged into that computer.
Check the box next to the account(s) you want to authorize to use Family Sharing. This action essentially grants those accounts permission to access your library when you’re not using it. Keep in mind that you can only authorize computers – not individual accounts directly.
Managing Authorized Devices and Accounts
Steam allows you to manage the authorized computers and accounts associated with your Family Sharing. You can revoke access to specific computers or disable Family Sharing altogether. To do this, simply return to the Steam > Settings > Family section and uncheck the box next to the account or click the “Manage other devices…” link to deauthorize computers.
It’s a good practice to regularly review your authorized devices and accounts to ensure that only trusted individuals have access to your library. This helps prevent unauthorized access and protects your account from potential misuse.
Accessing a Shared Steam Library: The Borrower’s Perspective
Once the library owner has authorized your computer and account, you can start accessing their shared library.
Logging In on an Authorized Computer
Ensure you’re logging into your own Steam account on the computer that has been authorized by the library owner. This is a critical step, as Family Sharing only works on authorized devices.
Finding Shared Games
After logging in, navigate to your Steam library. You’ll notice that games from the shared library appear alongside your own purchased games. These shared games will have a small note indicating that they are shared from another user’s library.
Playing Shared Games
To play a shared game, simply click on it and select “Play.” Steam will then verify that the library owner is not currently playing any games. If the owner is not playing, the game will launch as normal. If the owner starts playing any game while you are using their library, you will receive a notification and have a few minutes to save your progress and exit the game.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Steam Family Sharing
Even with a straightforward setup, you might encounter some issues when trying to access a shared Steam library. Here are some common problems and their solutions.
“This Game is Currently Unavailable” Error
This error often appears when the library owner is already playing a game. As mentioned earlier, only one person can access a shared library at a time. Wait until the owner is finished playing, or coordinate with them to schedule your gaming sessions.
Another cause of this error could be that the game is not eligible for Family Sharing. Some games require a separate subscription or key and cannot be shared through this feature.
Account Restrictions and VAC Bans
If either the library owner or the borrower has a VAC ban or other account restrictions, Family Sharing may be disabled. Ensure that both accounts are in good standing and comply with Steam’s terms of service. VAC bans are account-specific and usually result from cheating in multiplayer games.
Region Restrictions
Certain games might be unavailable in your region due to licensing agreements. If you encounter this issue, it’s possible that the shared game is not accessible in your geographical location. You can verify this by checking the game’s Steam store page for region-specific restrictions.
Authorization Problems
If you’re having trouble accessing the shared library, double-check that the computer you’re using has been properly authorized by the library owner. Follow the steps outlined in the “Setting Up Family Sharing” section to ensure that the correct computer and account are authorized. Also, sometimes Steam can get confused. Try logging completely out of Steam, and then logging back in to refresh the settings.
Conflicts with Offline Mode
Steam Family Sharing requires an internet connection to verify ownership of the games. If you or the library owner are playing in offline mode, you may encounter issues. Ensure that both accounts are online and connected to Steam’s servers.
Firewall and Antivirus Interference
In some cases, your firewall or antivirus software might interfere with Steam’s Family Sharing functionality. Ensure that Steam is allowed through your firewall and that your antivirus software isn’t blocking any of Steam’s processes.
Tips for a Smooth Family Sharing Experience
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable Family Sharing experience, consider these tips.
Communication is Key
Coordinate with the library owner to avoid conflicts and ensure that you can access the shared library when you want to play. Establish a communication channel to discuss gaming schedules and prevent interruptions.
Respect the Limitations
Be mindful of the limitations of Family Sharing, such as the one-person-at-a-time restriction and the potential for the library owner to interrupt your gameplay. Understanding these limitations will help you avoid frustration and maintain a positive sharing experience.
Regularly Review Authorized Devices
The library owner should regularly review the authorized devices and accounts associated with their Family Sharing to ensure that only trusted individuals have access. This helps prevent unauthorized access and protects your account.
Troubleshooting Together
If you encounter any issues with Family Sharing, work together to troubleshoot the problem. Consult Steam’s support resources or online forums for assistance.
Consider Alternative Sharing Options
If Family Sharing doesn’t meet your needs due to its limitations, consider other options such as gifting games or purchasing multiple copies.
Family Sharing is a valuable feature that can help you save money and share your love of games with friends and family. By understanding how it works and following the tips in this guide, you can enjoy a seamless and rewarding sharing experience.
What are the requirements for participating in Steam Family Sharing?
To participate in Steam Family Sharing, you’ll need a Steam account in good standing without any VAC bans or account restrictions. Both the borrower and lender must also have Steam Guard enabled and must log into the same computer at least once to authorize it for shared library access. This authorization process ties the computer to both accounts, allowing the borrower to access the lender’s games when they are not actively being played by the lender.
Furthermore, only up to five accounts can be authorized to share a library on a single computer, and a single account can only authorize up to ten devices for sharing. Exceeding these limits will prevent additional sharing and may require you to deauthorize devices to make room for new ones. Consider carefully who you share with, as your game availability depends on the lender not playing simultaneously.
How do I authorize a computer for Steam Family Sharing?
Authorizing a computer is a straightforward process. First, log into your Steam account on the computer you wish to authorize. Next, log out of your account and have the account you wish to share with log in on the same computer. Once logged in, the account owner should navigate to “Steam” in the top left corner of the Steam client, then click on “Settings.” From there, they should select the “Family” tab.
Within the “Family” tab, you will see a section labeled “Family Library Sharing.” Check the box that says “Authorize Library Sharing on this Computer.” In the list below, select the Steam accounts you want to share with. This will authorize the computer for sharing with those specific accounts. Make sure both accounts have Steam Guard enabled for this feature to function correctly.
What happens if the owner of the shared library wants to play a game while someone else is using it?
If the owner of the shared library wants to play a game while a borrower is using it, the borrower will receive a notification indicating that they have a few minutes to either purchase the game or quit playing. This grace period allows the borrower to save their progress and avoid any disruption to their gameplay. It’s important for borrowers to be mindful of the lender’s access needs to ensure a smooth sharing experience for both parties.
After the grace period expires, the borrowed game will automatically close, and the borrower will no longer have access to the library until the lender stops playing. This system ensures that the lender always has priority access to their own game library. Borrowers should communicate with lenders to coordinate playtime and avoid conflicts when possible.
Can I share specific games from my library and exclude others?
Unfortunately, Steam Family Sharing does not allow you to selectively share specific games from your library. When you authorize a computer for sharing, the borrower gains access to your entire library, with a few exceptions like games that require a third-party key, are free-to-play, or are region-locked. This means that you need to be comfortable sharing all eligible games with the authorized account.
If you have concerns about certain games being accessed, the only way to prevent sharing is to not authorize the computer for sharing in the first place. Steam doesn’t offer a granular control option to pick and choose which games are shared and which are not. Consider the potential implications before enabling sharing on a computer.
What types of games cannot be shared through Steam Family Sharing?
Certain types of games are ineligible for Steam Family Sharing due to technical limitations or publisher restrictions. Games that require a third-party serial key or subscription, as well as free-to-play games, are typically not shareable. Titles with specific region restrictions may also be excluded from sharing across different regions. Additionally, games that have been flagged for violating Steam’s terms of service are also ineligible.
It’s also important to note that while most DLC content is shared along with the base game, some DLC might not be accessible depending on publisher settings or if the borrower already owns the base game. To avoid confusion, it’s best to clarify which games are shareable with the person you’re sharing with before enabling the feature. Always check the game’s store page on Steam for specific sharing details.
How many people can access my Steam library at the same time?
Only one person can access a shared Steam library at a time. Even if multiple accounts have been authorized for sharing, only one borrower can actively play a game from the lender’s library while the lender is not playing. If the lender decides to play a game while someone else is borrowing, the borrower will receive a notification and a brief grace period to save their progress before being kicked out of the game.
This restriction prevents multiple people from simultaneously playing games from the same shared library. The lender always has priority, and borrowers need to be aware of this limitation to avoid disruptions in their gameplay. Communication and coordination between the lender and borrower are key to a smooth Steam Family Sharing experience.
How do I stop sharing my Steam library with someone?
To stop sharing your Steam library with someone, you need to deauthorize either the computer they are using or their specific account. To deauthorize a computer, go to “Steam” in the top left corner of the Steam client, then click on “Settings” and select the “Family” tab. Under “Family Library Sharing,” click the “Manage other devices…” button. This will open a list of authorized computers. You can then revoke access to the specific computer in question.
Alternatively, you can deauthorize a specific account from your library by going back to the “Family” tab and unchecking the box next to the account name in the “Eligible accounts” list. This will immediately revoke their access to your library. Remember that deauthorizing a computer will affect all accounts sharing on that device, while unchecking an account will only remove access for that specific user.