Steam, the dominant digital distribution platform for PC games, offers a feature called Steam Family Sharing that allows users to share their game library with close friends and family. This can be a fantastic way to experience games you’re curious about, or let others enjoy your collection without the need for multiple purchases. But how exactly does this borrowing system work? Let’s delve into the intricacies of Steam Family Sharing, exploring its capabilities, limitations, and best practices.
Understanding Steam Family Sharing
Steam Family Sharing is designed to enable up to five other accounts on up to ten authorized devices to access games in your library. It’s not a traditional lending system where you hand over a physical copy; instead, it grants access to your digital library under certain conditions.
The core principle revolves around linking Steam accounts to a shared computer. The owner of the library “authorizes” specific computers. This authorization permits other accounts logged onto those computers to access the owner’s eligible games.
This means someone could play a game from your library on their computer at home, provided you have authorized that computer for Family Sharing and they are logging in with their own Steam account. It encourages sharing within a household or between close friends, offering a cost-effective way for multiple people to enjoy a single purchase.
Setting Up Steam Family Sharing
The setup process is relatively straightforward. It involves enabling Steam Family Sharing within your Steam settings and then authorizing specific computers.
First, log into your Steam account on the computer you want to share games from. This is crucial, as the authorization process is tied to the specific device.
Next, navigate to the Steam Settings menu. You can find this by clicking on “Steam” in the top-left corner of the Steam client, then selecting “Settings.”
In the Settings menu, choose the “Family” tab. Here, you’ll see the “Family Sharing” section. If it’s not already enabled, check the box next to “Authorize Library Sharing on this computer.”
Once you’ve authorized the computer, you’ll see a list of Steam accounts that have recently logged in on that machine. Select the accounts you want to grant access to your library. These are the accounts that will be able to “borrow” your games.
Remember that you need to log into each computer that you want to authorize. The sharing isn’t account-wide; it’s tied to the specific devices.
How Borrowing Works in Practice
Once Family Sharing is set up, the “borrowing” process is essentially seamless for the other user. They simply log into their own Steam account on an authorized computer. When they browse the Steam store, they will see the games available in your library alongside the usual options.
Games that are eligible for Family Sharing will have a “Play” button, just like if they owned the game themselves. Clicking “Play” will launch the game, and they can enjoy it as if they had purchased it directly.
However, there’s a critical limitation: the owner of the library always has priority. If the owner wants to play a game, the “borrower” will receive a warning and be given a few minutes to either purchase the game or quit. This ensures that the owner always has access to their own library.
Limitations and Considerations
While Steam Family Sharing is a convenient feature, it comes with several limitations that users should be aware of. Understanding these restrictions is key to managing expectations and preventing frustration.
One of the most significant limitations is the concurrent usage restriction. Only one person can play games from a shared library at a time. If the library owner starts playing a game, anyone else using the shared library will be given a warning and a short window to either purchase the game or exit.
Another limitation is that not all games are eligible for Family Sharing. Games that require a third-party key, subscription, or account may not be shareable. This often applies to titles with online multiplayer components or those that rely on external platforms for authentication.
Additionally, VAC-banned status impacts the entire shared library. If a user who is borrowing games is caught cheating and receives a Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) ban, the ban will apply to the entire shared library. This means the owner of the library will also be unable to play VAC-protected games. This is a major deterrent for borrowers to cheat.
Finally, while you can authorize up to ten devices, Steam reserves the right to disable Family Sharing at any time, without specific notice. While this is rare, it’s a possibility to keep in mind.
What Games Can Be Shared?
The question of which games are eligible for Family Sharing is crucial. While many games are shareable, certain exceptions exist. Determining eligibility often involves checking the game’s Steam store page or trying to share the game directly.
Most single-player games are generally eligible for Family Sharing. These titles typically don’t rely on external accounts or subscriptions and are thus easier to share without complications.
However, games that require a separate, third-party key or account are often excluded. This is common with MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online games) or titles that use a separate launcher.
Games that include a third-party subscription or registration requirement are generally not supported. Also, free to play games are not shareable.
It’s always best to test whether a specific game is shareable. The Steam store page doesn’t always explicitly state whether a game supports Family Sharing. The best approach is to try sharing the game and see if it appears in the borrower’s library with a “Play” button.
Best Practices for Family Sharing
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable Family Sharing experience, it’s crucial to follow certain best practices. These guidelines can help prevent conflicts, maximize the benefits of sharing, and maintain the integrity of your Steam account.
Communicate with borrowers. Clear communication is essential. Before enabling Family Sharing, discuss the rules and limitations with those you’re sharing with. Explain the concurrent usage restriction and the potential impact of VAC bans.
Choose authorized users carefully. Given the potential for VAC bans to affect your entire library, it’s crucial to only authorize accounts of trusted friends and family members. Avoid sharing with strangers or untrustworthy individuals.
Understand game eligibility. Before sharing, confirm that the games you intend to share are actually eligible for Family Sharing. This can save time and prevent frustration.
Regularly review authorized devices. Periodically review the list of authorized computers and remove any devices that are no longer in use or associated with trusted users. This helps maintain control over your shared library.
Educate borrowers about VAC bans. Ensure that borrowers understand the consequences of cheating and the impact of VAC bans on the entire shared library. This reinforces the importance of responsible gaming.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Despite its ease of use, Steam Family Sharing can sometimes encounter technical issues. Understanding common problems and their solutions can help resolve them quickly and efficiently.
One common issue is the inability to authorize a computer. This can often be resolved by ensuring that Steam Guard is enabled on the account. Steam Guard is Steam’s two-factor authentication system, and it’s required for Family Sharing.
Another issue is games not appearing in the shared library. This can be due to various factors, such as game eligibility or account authorization problems. Double-check that the game is shareable and that the borrowing account is properly authorized.
If a user is experiencing issues launching a shared game, ensure that the Steam client is up to date. Outdated versions of the Steam client can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
In some cases, restarting the Steam client or the computer can resolve temporary glitches that may be preventing Family Sharing from working correctly.
If problems persist, consulting the Steam Support website or community forums can provide valuable troubleshooting tips and solutions.
The Future of Steam Family Sharing
Steam Family Sharing has been a valuable feature for many years, offering a convenient way to share games with friends and family. However, the digital landscape is constantly evolving, and it’s worth considering the future of this feature.
One potential development is an expansion of the concurrent usage allowance. Currently, only one person can play games from a shared library at a time. Increasing this limit, perhaps with a tiered subscription model, could make Family Sharing even more attractive.
Another possibility is improved integration with other Steam features, such as Steam Cloud and Steam Workshop. This could enhance the sharing experience and provide more flexibility for borrowers.
Valve could also introduce more granular control over sharing permissions. For example, owners might be able to specify which games are shareable or set time limits for borrowers.
Ultimately, the future of Steam Family Sharing will depend on Valve’s priorities and the evolving needs of the gaming community. However, its core concept of sharing games remains valuable and is likely to persist in some form for years to come.
Steam Family Sharing is a great way to allow your friends and family to experience the joy of gaming together!
What exactly is Steam Family Sharing and how does it work?
Steam Family Sharing is a feature that allows Steam users to lend games from their Steam library to up to five other accounts. This lets family members and close friends enjoy your games without having to purchase them separately. To enable it, you need to authorize specific computers and accounts. The lending account (the owner) needs to be logged into Steam on the borrower’s computer and authorize that device.
Once authorized, the borrower’s account will have access to the lender’s games when the lender is not actively playing them. Importantly, only one person can play games from a shared library at a time. If the owner starts a game, the borrower will have a few minutes to either purchase the game or quit playing.
What are the eligibility requirements for using Steam Family Sharing?
To be eligible for Steam Family Sharing, both the lender and the borrower must have Steam accounts in good standing – meaning neither account can be banned or have any active VAC bans. Participating accounts also need to have Steam Guard enabled, ensuring an extra layer of security is in place for the lending process. This is a security measure to protect against unauthorized access to accounts and game libraries.
Furthermore, both the lender and borrower need to be on the same region, which can sometimes be a limiting factor if friends or family are living in different countries. Steam Support may also restrict specific games or accounts from participating in Family Sharing at their discretion.
Are there any games that cannot be shared through Steam Family Sharing?
Yes, some games cannot be shared through Steam Family Sharing. This typically includes games that require a third-party key, subscription, or account to play, as well as free-to-play games. Games with VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) bans are also restricted: if a borrower cheats while playing a shared game and receives a VAC ban, the owner’s account will also be banned from that game.
Additionally, games that the owner has been banned from playing are obviously not available for sharing. Game developers also have the option to opt out of Family Sharing for their specific titles, which means you might find some games are simply unavailable to be shared, even if they don’t fall into the other categories.
How many people can I share my Steam library with?
You can authorize up to five other Steam accounts to share your library with, and you can authorize sharing on up to ten different computers. This provides a good balance between sharing with close friends and family and preventing widespread lending of your games. Remember that only one person can play games from your shared library at a time.
If you reach the limit of authorized accounts or computers, you’ll need to deauthorize one before you can add another. This process is managed through the Steam settings under the “Family” tab. Deauthorization is usually a simple process, but it might involve some coordination if the computer belongs to someone who is not easily accessible.
What happens if the owner of the library wants to play a game while someone else is borrowing it?
If the owner of the shared library wants to play a game while someone else is borrowing it, the borrower will receive a warning notification. This notification informs them that they have a few minutes to either purchase the game themselves or quit playing. The countdown is typically around five minutes, giving the borrower a fair chance to save their progress.
If the borrower does not purchase the game or quit within the allotted time, the game will automatically close for them, allowing the owner to start playing. This system ensures that the owner always has priority access to their own games.
How do I enable and disable Steam Family Sharing?
To enable Steam Family Sharing, log into your Steam account on the computer you want to authorize for sharing. Then, go to Steam Settings -> Family. Under the “Family Library Sharing” section, you’ll see a list of accounts that have logged into that computer. Check the boxes next to the accounts you want to authorize for sharing. This will allow those accounts to access your shared games.
To disable sharing with a particular account or computer, simply uncheck the box next to the account’s name in the “Family Library Sharing” settings or deauthorize the computer. Deauthorizing a computer will remove all shared library access from any account using that device. You can manage these settings at any time to control who has access to your library.
What are the security implications of using Steam Family Sharing?
While Steam Family Sharing is convenient, it’s important to be aware of the security implications. Sharing your library means allowing others to use your games on their accounts, which could potentially lead to misuse. If a borrower cheats while playing a game from your shared library, your account can also receive a VAC ban for that specific game.
Additionally, be cautious about sharing with accounts you don’t fully trust. Always enable Steam Guard on your account for an extra layer of security. By being mindful of who you share with and implementing security measures, you can minimize the risks associated with Steam Family Sharing.