Family Sharing on Steam allows family members and close friends to share their libraries of Steam games, enabling different accounts to play each other's games while maintaining their own achievements and save data. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to set up and manage Family Sharing on Steam.
Steam Family Sharing is a feature that lets users share their game library with up to 5 accounts and 10 devices. This is particularly useful for families with multiple gamers, as it allows each member to access the same games without having to purchase multiple copies.
To set up Steam Family Sharing, you need access to the computer and the Steam account you wish to share with. Follow these steps to enable Family Sharing:
Before you can share your Steam library, you need to ensure that Steam Guard security is enabled for your account. Steam Guard provides an additional layer of security to your Steam account.
Once Steam Guard is enabled, you can proceed with authorizing Family Sharing on your account:
Once you have authorized the computer for Family Sharing, the shared libraries will be available to other users who log in to their Steam accounts on that computer:
Managing your Family Sharing settings ensures a smooth experience for all users involved. Here’s how to handle different scenarios:
If you need to revoke access to your shared library, follow these steps:
Since only one user can access a shared library at a time, conflicts may arise. If the owner of the library starts playing a game, the borrower will receive a notification and a few minutes to either purchase the game or save their progress and quit.
Occasionally, users may encounter issues with Steam Family Sharing. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
If the shared library doesn’t appear in the secondary user’s account, try the following:
If a shared game won’t launch, consider these steps:
Steam allows sharing with multiple devices, up to 10 authorized devices. Make sure you manage your devices effectively to avoid running into the device limit.
Primary users can monitor the activity of their shared games by checking the Family tab in the Settings menu. This allows you to see which games are being accessed and by whom.
To avoid conflicts, use Steam's offline mode. If the primary user goes offline, the secondary user can freely access the shared library until the primary user goes online again.
Family Sharing respects regional restrictions. If a game is unavailable in the secondary user’s region, they won’t be able to access it, even if it’s in the shared library.
Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) bans can affect Family Sharing. If a secondary user receives a VAC ban, they will lose access to the shared library entirely.
Games purchased by the borrower while playing from a shared library are permanently added to their own library and are not affected by the primary user’s library status.
By following these steps and tips, you can maximize the benefits of Steam Family Sharing, creating a seamless gaming experience for all users involved. The intricacies of sharing, managing, and troubleshooting enrich the process, making it an invaluable feature for Steam users.
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