Dedicated Steam users amass large libraries of games, but there was no way to share them in the past. Today, the Family Library Sharing feature allows gamers to share their libraries with others. Most of your games can be played by anyone who has been authorized.
While it may appear that playing games with friends and family is simple, there are some conditions and limitations. Continue reading to learn how sharing works.
Sharing Your Steam Library With Your Friends and Family Sharing allows a single user to authorize up to ten devices at the same time. Up to five accounts can play games from your game Library on any of these devices. Here’s how to make sharing possible.
- Log in to your Steam account on the computer that needs to be authorized.
- Navigate to the Settings menu.
- Check “Account” to see if Steam Guard is enabled.
- If not, go to Steam and verify your email address.
- Navigate to the “Family” tab.
- Check the box next to “Authorize Library Sharing On This Computer.”
- Check the boxes next to the accounts you want to share with in the list below the sharing option.
After you complete these steps and save your settings, other Steam users will be able to access your Library and play games that you own.
You can also request access to someone else’s Library.
- Turn on Steam Guard for your account.
- If another person plays games on the same computer, you can see their Steam account games in your Library.
- To request access, click on that game and then select “Request access.”
- After that, the owner must open their email and click or tap on the authorization link.
- You should now be able to play the game.
You may choose to purchase the game as well, but it is not required if your friend does not mind you accessing their Library.
Family Library Sharing can work with users who do not live with you, but there is a risk that Steam will not provide support.
To play shared games, the computer must have a stable internet connection. Steam enforces this feature to prevent two users from playing the same game at the same time. Something will happen if both people try to launch the same game.
The Library’s owner has first dibs on the games. If an authorized person is still playing, they will receive a message instructing them to quit or purchase the game themselves. This rule applies to all games owned by the owner, even if they wish to play a different title.
Don’t be alarmed if you find yourself unable to play a game. It’s because the owner is currently logged into their account. You only need to wait until they’ve finished gaming.
Family Library Sharing Advantages and Drawbacks
While sharing games is great, there are some other things to keep in mind. When you notice something isn’t playable, it’s not all fun and games.
When sharing a Library, all of its contents are fair game for the authorized users. In other words, when you decide to open the Library to friends and family, it’s all or nothing. Steam does not allow you to selectively grant access to specific titles.
Owners who own the DLC will share it with authorized guests, but only if the authorized guest does not own the base game. For example, if you own The Sims 4 and the extra content, your friend will not have access to everything if they also own the base game.
Paid subscription-based games cannot be shared. A game does not qualify for Family Library Sharing if it also requires a third-party account or key to function.
There are other reasons why a game isn’t shareable. As an example:
- The game includes free DLC.
- The game is incompatible with the guest’s operating system.
- The owner is a Steamworks partner account and has certain titles that are not shareable by default.
- The game is already in the guest’s possession.
Some games are region-locked. Even if you share a Library with a friend in a restricted country, they won’t be able to access it unless they digitally change their location. The most effective method is to use a VPN service.
While unlikely, it is possible that someone with whom you shared a Library could use your games to cheat or commit fraud. Steam has the right to VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) ban your account and restrict sharing privileges in this case. Even if your account isn’t completely restricted, VAC-banned games do not become shareable.
The main advantage of library sharing is that it allows others to try out items before purchasing them. You also let them play games that you don’t play very often. Even though Family Library Sharing isn’t perfect, many people find it useful and convenient.
Conclusion
You can let friends and family play games they don’t own by using Steam’s Family Library Sharing feature. There are some restrictions and limitations, but the overall impression is positive. Sharing is one way to allow others to try out games.
What is the total number of games in your Steam Library? How do you think Steam’s sharing feature can be improved? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
