Looking to share your Steam games with a friend or family member? Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to do it in 2023.
What Is Steam Family Library Sharing?
Steam Family Collection Sharing lets you share your game library with up to five additional Steam accounts and/or devices. This means you may allow anybody in your family or circle of friends access to the games and software you own. It’s a terrific way to save money on games while still having fun with your friends.
Family Library Sharing may be set up by a single Steam account, and up to five users can join it. During the setup process, all Family Library users must be on the same computer; but once set up, users may access their shared games from any computer in their home network that fits the criteria for playing individual titles.
- Users who add someone else’s library will have access to any downloadable material related with the shared game, such as additional levels or skins, whether the game was acquired directly from Steam or via another service, such as a retailer’s website.
- Furthermore, for each game shared in this manner, all users will get their own save files.
Configuring Steam Library Sharing
Configuring Steam Library Sharing enables you to play games on several computers and platforms at the same time. This feature was introduced in 2020 to provide Steam users with more flexibility and freedom.
To successfully setup library sharing in Steam, the user must first pick Settings, then Friends. Following that, they should click “Manage family sharing & rights” from the Friends & Family menu. Finally, they should pick “Enable family sharing & rights” and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once established, Steam library sharing users may share a single library with up to five friends or family members, and the library can be accessed across different computers, operating systems, and platforms, including MacOS, Linux, Xbox One S/X Series, and PlayStation consoles. Furthermore, users may offer certain people access to specific Libraries while limiting others from accessing or using that Library at all times.
Crucial Things To Know About Steam Family Sharing
Steam Family Sharing is a feature that enables Steam users to share their bought games with up to five other Steam users. It allows any member of a family to access the same library of games regardless of who bought them, and it also allows players to utilize their own saved games, settings, and customizations for each game.
To keep your account safe, every shared game you play must be downloaded individually on each computer that uses it, and the game must be owned by the original purchaser.
Steam Family Sharing also enables you to simply remain connected with distant friends and family; you can even join one other’s games. Furthermore, any purchases made while utilizing a shared library will be kept by the original purchaser so that they may continue playing when the sharing agreement expires.
It has never been simpler or more easy to remain connected with your friends and family while playing your favorite PC games thanks to this amazing tool.
Disabling Family Sharing
The Steam Family Sharing feature enables you to share your game collection with up to five family members or friends. Log in to the Steam client and then choose “Family” from the main menu. Once Family Sharing is enabled, you may provide access to each member of your family or friend group using their Steam account.
However, if you need to cease sharing games via Family Sharing, the procedure is quite simple. To begin, launch the Steam client and go to the Settings menu. Then, under “Family,” click “Disable family sharing.” Other users will be unable to access your library; but they will be able to access your account if they have authorization. Furthermore, if a user downloads a game that was shared via Family Sharing but did not buy it, they must remove it before re-enabling Family Sharing.
Conclusion
Sharing games on Steam in 2023 has grown considerably easy and simpler than in previous years. You may quickly share your game with friends, family, or anybody else in your community with a few clicks. You can also utilize the Steam Family Library Sharing function to provide access to your library to up to five different individuals at the same time.
Overall, the process of sharing games on Steam is considerably easier and less difficult than it was before. Whether you want to play together at the same moment or just give someone access to your library, Steam’s built-in features will enable you to do so. You can also:
- Give out coupons
- Set up refunds
- Do other things with a few more steps.