Steam Family Sharing is a feature on Valve Steam platform that lets family members and friends share access to each other game libraries. With over 130 million monthly active users Steam makes it easy for households to play together without buying multiple copies of the same game. By enabling Family Sharing and the new Steam Families features you can share your entire Steam library and still maintain your own saved games achievements and play progress.
However sharing games safely requires good account security device authorization and parental controls. This guide explains Steam Family Sharing how it works and the best practices to keep your shared library and accounts secure.
Steam Family Sharing now part of the updated Steam Families system lets up to five additional Steam accounts on up to 10 authorized devices access one user’s game library. When set up correctly each person in the family can download and play games from the shared library while keeping their own saves and achievements.
Adults in the family can also use new parental controls to decide which games and features each child can use set playtime limits and even approve purchase requests. At the same time only one person can play a given game from the shared library at a time. If two members try to play the same title simultaneously the second player will be asked to quit or buy another copy.
What Is Steam Family Sharing?
Steam Family Sharing now integrated into Steam Families is a Valve feature that creates a shared library of games accessible by multiple accounts. Once you authorize a computer and user that user can see and install any game in your library from the Steam client. Importantly you cannot share individual games your entire Steam library is shared as a whole. The borrower plays on their own account so each person has separate saved games and achievements.
Key points about how Steam Family Sharing works:
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Shared Library Access: Authorized users see your Steam library marked with your name and can install games you own. All games in the library are available except titles that the developer or Valve has opted out of sharing for example free to play games or games requiring separate accounts.
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One at a Time Play: Only one user can play any particular game at a time from the shared library. If you the lender start playing while someone else is using your library that person will have a few minutes to either quit or buy the game. This prevents simultaneous play conflicts.
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Device and Account Limits: Steam lets you authorize your Family Sharing on up to 10 devices and share with up to 5 other Steam accounts. These settings are managed in Steam settings. Once authorized each additional account can play from your shared library on those devices. You can deauthorize a device or user at any time in the Steam client.
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Content Restrictions: Region locked games remain locked even when shared and games requiring third party subscriptions cannot be shared. In other words do not expect to share a paid MMO subscription or a game that requires a separate publisher login. Steam’s FAQ and store pages e.g. Steam Family Sharing FAQ list which games are eligible.
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Account Priority: As the library owner you always retain priority. Even if someone else is playing your game you can always interrupt and play on your own account. Conversely your authorized users will be prompted to buy the game or stop playing if you join.
Setting Up Steam Family Sharing
To set up Steam Family Sharing follow these steps carefully. Good setup ensures both convenience and security:
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Enable Steam Guard: Before anything else make sure Steam Guard two factor authentication is enabled on your account. In the Steam Client go to Steam > Settings > Account and enable Steam Guard via email or the Steam Mobile Authenticator. Steam Guard must be active to authorize shared computers.
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Authorize Your Computer: Log into your Steam account on the PC you want to share from. Navigate to Steam > Settings > Family in Big Picture mode: Settings > Family Library Sharing. Check Authorize Library Sharing on this computer. Then in the same window select the accounts of other users who have logged into this PC you want to authorize to access your library.
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Authorize Other Users: Have each family member log into Steam on the authorized PC with their own account. Once they have logged in at least once you can check their account under the Family settings as described above. Check the box next to their username to grant them access to your library.
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Restart Steam and Confirm: After authorizing restart Steam. The shared games will appear in each authorized user library usually under a new Family Library section. Each person can now download and play those games provided you aren’t playing them yourself.
Example: To share with a sibling first let them log into Steam on your PC then switch back to your account go to Family settings and check their name under Authorized Accounts. They will see your games when they log back in.
Remember: Always log out of your account before letting someone use the shared PC. Do not share your Steam password. Instead use the Family Sharing feature to grant access. Never give your password to others.
Managing Your Shared Library
Once Family Sharing is enabled managing the shared library effectively helps ensure a smooth experience:
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Monitor Usage: Keep an eye on which games are being played from your library. Steam Library section often shows which games are installed or being played. If someone else starts your game Steam will notify them that you’ve joined.
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Revoking Access: You can deauthorize devices or individual users at any time by going back to Steam > Settings > Family and unchecking the boxes or clicking Deauthorize next to a device. This stops those accounts from accessing your library.
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Purchasing Additional Copies: If two family members frequently want to play the same game at once consider purchasing an extra copy. Steam Families allows multiple copies if owned. For example if two of you want to play Portal 2 at the same time you would need two copies. Once bought Steam sees them as separate and won not interrupt play.
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DLC and Add ons: DLC content is tied to individual accounts. If a shared game has DLC only the account that purchased the DLC can use it. For example if you share Civilization V and you own the DLC your brother can play Civ V and use the DLC because he does not own the base game. But he cannot buy DLC for a game he does not own. Keep this in mind for Game of the Year editions vs base games.
Best Practices for Secure Sharing
Sharing your library safely means protecting your account and devices. Follow these security guidelines:
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Strong Unique Passwords: Use a strong password mix of letters numbers symbols for your Steam account and do not use the same password on other sites. Equally use a different secure password for the email linked to your Steam. If an attacker obtains access to your email or Steam password they could compromise both.
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Enable Steam Guard 2FA: Keep Steam Guard enabled via email and especially the Mobile Authenticator. This adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password. Any login attempt from a new device will require confirmation from your phone. Steam recommends enabling Steam Guard for Family Sharing use.
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Authorize Only Trusted Devices: In the Family settings only authorize computers you know are secure. Avoid sharing your library on public or untrusted machines. Deauthorize any computers you no longer use or if you suspect unauthorized access.
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Never Share Your Password: Steam official guidance is clear: never give your password to anyone. Even within a family you should set up separate accounts and use Family Sharing to lend games. Sharing passwords or logins violates Steam Subscriber Agreement and risks account theft.
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Regular Account Check ups: Periodically review your Steam account details. Check the authorized devices list and sign out of any unknown sessions. Check the Family section to ensure only intended accounts are authorized.
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Watch for Suspicious Activity: If you receive unexpected Steam Guard codes or see unfamiliar purchases act quickly: change your passwords remove unauthorized Family Sharing links and contact Steam Support if needed.
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VAC and Game Bans: Note that if someone cheats or breaks rules while using your shared library your main account could face penalties. Steam warns that VAC banned games cannot be shared and cheating by a borrower can get your Family Sharing privileges revoked. Only share with people you trust.
Using Parental Controls with Steam Families
The updated Steam Families system adds robust parental controls for families with children. If you have child accounts in your Steam Family:
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Set Roles Adult vs Child: When creating a Steam Family designate each account as an Adult or Child. Adults can manage the family settings; children are subject to parental controls by default. Children cannot change family settings.
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Game and Content Permissions: Parents can specify exactly which games each child can access. You can whitelist certain titles or block others. For example you might allow age appropriate games while hiding mature titles. This helps ensure kids only play games you’ve approved.
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Store and Online Restrictions: You can restrict child accounts from accessing the Steam Store Community pages or chat features. This prevents kids from making unintended purchases or exposing themselves to unmoderated chat.
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Playtime Limits: Steam Families allows setting daily or hourly playtime limits for each child account. If a child reaches their limit they will need parental approval to play more. You can also view playtime reports to see how much time they have spent gaming.
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Request Approvals: Children can send requests for more playtime or access to certain games. Parents get notifications and can approve or deny these requests remotely via Steam mobile app or email. This replaces old cumbersome tasks like sending gift codes for each purchase.
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Account Recovery: If a child loses their password an adult in the family can help recover it. This prevents kids from being locked out without parent intervention.
These features formerly Steam Family View make it easier to share games while still giving parents control over their kids activity. If you are not familiar with Steam Families the official announcement has details.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with setup done right you may encounter some common issues. Here are quick fixes:
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Shared Library Not Visible: Ensure Steam Guard is enabled on both accounts and that you correctly authorized the PC. The borrower must log out and back in after authorization. Sometimes restarting Steam or the computer helps.
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Game Not Playable: Remember only one person at a time can play from a given library. If the owner is playing the borrower will be blocked until the owner stops. If you want to play offline consider using Steam Offline Mode for single player games so you do not hog the library online.
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Region DRM Restrictions: If a game won not launch check if it is region locked or requires a third party account like Blizzard or EA accounts. Such games can not be shared. You might need separate purchases or accounts for those titles.
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Already Playing Errors: If you see an error that the game is already being played it might be that the owner account is still online in that game. Double check that the owner fully exited the game. Also log out other authorized accounts and retry authorizing only the intended ones.
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Limit of Devices: If Steam says you have hit the limit go to Steam > Settings > Family and deauthorize any old or unused devices accounts. You can only share with 5 accounts on 10 devices at a time.
If problems persist Steam Support Family Sharing FAQ and community forums have more troubleshooting tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people can use Steam Family Sharing?
You can authorize Family Sharing for up to 5 other Steam accounts on up to 10 different computers. This means your library can be shared with 5 friends or family members and they can use it on up to 10 devices you have approved.
Q: Can two people play games from the shared library at the same time?
Only if you own multiple copies of the game. By default if a game is in the shared library only one user can play it at a time. If you want two players in the same family playing the same title simultaneously the second person needs their own copy of that game.
Q: Is it safe to share my Steam library?
Steam Family Sharing is generally safe if you follow best practices. Enable Steam Guard 2FA and use a strong password. Only authorize devices you trust and do not share your password. Valve explicitly recommends authorizing familiar computers and never giving out your login. Also keep your antivirus and OS updated on any shared PC.
Q: Can a child steal my games through sharing?
No. Family Sharing does not transfer ownership of games. If a childs Steam account has access to your library they can play your games subject to the above one at a time limit but they cannot purchase DLC remove your games or make changes to your account. You can also revoke access at any time. Parental controls allow you to lock games behind a PIN if you like so younger children can’t start certain games without permission.
Q: What happens if someone cheats using my shared library?
If a borrower uses your games for cheating or fraud such as VAC violations in multiplayer games your main account can also face consequences. Steam policy states that your Family Sharing privileges may be revoked and games could be banned if cheating occurs. In practice only share with people you trust to follow the rules.
Conclusion
Steam Family Sharing now part of Steam Families is a convenient way to let family and friends play your games without buying separate copies. When set up correctly it maintains personal saves and achievements for everyone while simplifying family gaming. To share games safely always enable Steam Guard and use strong passwords only authorize devices you trust and utilize the built in parental controls to set limits on child accounts. By following these steps you can enjoy a secure shared library and focus on gaming together.
Did you find this guide helpful? Share your experiences with Steam Family Sharing below and spread the word on social media to help others game safely!
