How to Family Share Steam: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Hey readers, welcome to our in-depth guide on "how to family share steam." Steam Family Sharing is an awesome feature that allows you to share your Steam game library with up to four other users on different computers. This is a great way to save money on games and give your friends and family access to your collection.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up Family Sharing on Steam. We’ll also provide some tips on how to use this feature effectively and get the most out of it.
Step 1: Authorize Other Computers
To start sharing your games, you’ll need to authorize other computers to access your Steam library. Here’s how to do it:
- On your primary computer, open the Steam client and go to the "Settings" menu.
- Select the "Family" tab.
- Click the "Manage Family Sharing" button.
- On the next screen, click the "Authorize This Computer" button for each computer you want to share games with.
Step 2: Add Family Members
Once you’ve authorized the other computers, you can add family members to your Steam account. To do this:
- Click the "Add Family Member" button in the "Family" settings.
- Enter the email address of the person you want to add.
- Click the "Send Invite" button.
Once the person you’ve invited accepts your invitation, they will be able to access your shared games on their authorized computers.
Step 3: Set Game Permissions
By default, all of your games will be shared with your family members. However, you can choose to hide certain games from them.
- To hide a game, right-click on it in your Steam library and select "Set Game Permissions."
- In the "Family Sharing" section, select the "Hide this game" checkbox.
Step 4: Manage Shared Games
Once you’ve set up Family Sharing, you can manage your shared games from the "Family" settings. This includes:
- Viewing a list of all the games you’ve shared.
- Hiding games from specific family members.
- Removing family members from your account.
Step 5: Troubleshooting
If you’re having trouble with Family Sharing, here are a few things you can try:
- Make sure that both computers are connected to the internet.
- Verify that the other computer is authorized to access your Steam library.
- Check that the game you’re trying to share is not hidden from the family member.
Steam Family Sharing Limits and Restrictions
- Up to 5 users can use family sharing feature.
- A maximum of 10 devices can be linked to a single account at a given time.
- A user can’t share games with users outside his family or with users who live in a different country.
- Users can only share games that they already own.
- If a user revokes your authorization, you will no longer have access to the games they shared with you.
Conclusion
That’s it! You now know everything you need to know about how to family share steam. By following the steps in this guide, you can easily share your games with your friends and family.
If you found this guide helpful, please check out our other articles on Steam and gaming. We cover everything from the latest news and updates to in-depth guides on how to get the most out of your Steam experience.
FAQ about Steam Family Sharing
How do I enable Family Sharing?
- Open the Steam client and click on "Steam" > "Settings."
- Select the "Family" tab.
- Click the "Manage Family Sharing" button.
- Enter the account name of the person you want to share games with and click "Authorize."
How many accounts can I share games with?
- You can share games with up to 5 other accounts.
Can I share games with people outside my family?
- No, Family Sharing is only available for family members that live in the same household.
Can I share all my games or just select ones?
- You can choose which games to share with each authorized account.
How long can a family member borrow a game?
- Family members can borrow games indefinitely, as long as the sharing account is active.
What if I want to revoke access to a shared game?
- You can revoke access to a shared game by going to the "Family" tab in the Steam Settings and clicking the "Manage Family Sharing" button.
Can I pause a game share?
- Yes, you can pause a game share for up to 24 hours. This can be useful if you need to use the game yourself.
What if I change my password or deactivate my account?
- Revoking access to shared games will occur if you change your password or deactivate your account, you will need to reauthorize access to the shared games.
Can I share games from different regions?
- No, you can only share games from the same region as your account.
What happens if I’m offline?
- Family members can only access shared games if you are online and your computer is running the Steam client.
