Steam, the premier platform for digital distribution of games, offers a robust feature called Family Sharing, which allows users to share their game libraries with family and friends seamlessly. This guide delves into the process of how to share games on Steam, providing a step-by-step approach to setting up Family Sharing, understanding its benefits and limitations, and ensuring you get the most out of your shared gaming experience.
Introduction to Steam Family Sharing
Steam Family Sharing is a feature that enables you to share your game library with up to five other Steam accounts and on up to ten devices authorized by you. This feature is perfect for households with multiple gamers, allowing each person to play games purchased by others without having to buy them separately. It’s a fantastic way to economize while giving everyone the chance to enjoy a vast range of games.
How to Set Up Steam Family Sharing
Setting up Family Sharing on Steam is straightforward. Here’s how you can share your Steam games with friends and family:
1. Enable Steam Guard Security
Before you can share your games, you need to secure your account with Steam Guard. Steam Guard is a security feature that provides an additional level of protection by requiring access to your confirmed email or Steam mobile app when logging into a new device.
- Go to Steam’s settings.
- Navigate to the “Account” tab.
- In the “Security Status” section, click on “Manage Steam Guard Account Security.”
- Choose to receive a code via email or use the Steam mobile authenticator.
2. Log Into Your Steam Account on the Device You Want to Authorize
To share your library, you must first log into your Steam account on the computer from which you want to allow access to your games.
3. Authorize the Computer and Users
Once you’re logged in on the computer you wish to authorize:
- Open the Settings menu.
- Click on the “Family” tab.
- Check the box that says “Authorize Library Sharing on this computer.”
- You will see a list of Steam accounts that have also logged into the same computer. You can choose which accounts you want to share your library with by checking the box beside each.
Understanding the Rules and Limitations
While Steam Family Sharing is a powerful feature, it comes with certain rules and limitations that are important to consider:
1. Simultaneous Game Access
Only one user can play from the shared library at a time. If the owner decides to play a game, all other games in the shared library become unavailable to other users for the duration of that session.
2. Not All Games Are Shareable
Some games that require an additional third-party key, subscription, or account may not be shareable through Steam Family Sharing.
3. Region Restrictions
Games may be region-restricted and therefore, only available to users in certain countries. This restriction will carry over in the shared games as well.
Benefits of Using Steam Family Sharing
1. Cost-Effective
Family Sharing can significantly reduce the costs associated with buying new games, as multiple users can share one another’s libraries without additional purchases.
2. Easy Access to Games
Family members can easily access games and try them out before deciding to purchase their own copies.
3. Maintains Individual Achievements and Saves
Even though games are shared, each user’s game saves and achievements are kept separate. This means that you can pick up right where you left off in a game on any shared computer.
Best Practices for Sharing Games on Steam
1. Share With Trusted Individuals Only
Since your account security is paramount, only share your library with family members or close friends whom you trust not to misuse your account.
2. Regularly Review Authorized Devices
Check your Steam settings regularly to review which devices and accounts have access to your games. Deauthorize any that you no longer want to have access.
3. Communicate With Your Sharing Group
To avoid disruptions (e.g., being kicked out of a game because the account owner starts a game), communicate with those you share your library with to schedule game time.
Conclusion: How to Share Games on Steam
Learning how to share games on Steam using Family Sharing is a fantastic way to enhance your and your loved ones’ gaming experiences. By following the steps outlined above, you can make your game library go further, providing more value and enjoyment for everyone involved. With proper understanding and management of the sharing features, you can maximize the benefits while ensuring your account remains secure and your gameplay uninterrupted. Happy gaming!
