Steam Family Sharing is a feature that allows users to share their Steam game libraries with family and close friends. This means you can grant others access to play games in your library without needing to purchase them again on their accounts. However, there are certain limitations and functionalities you need to understand to use it effectively.
When you browse a shared library on Steam, you’ll notice an indicator showing whether the account owner is currently playing a game. This is crucial because the library is only accessible to the shared user when the owner is not actively using it.
The primary account holder has priority access. They can launch and play any game from their library at any time. If someone is borrowing a game through Family Sharing and the primary account holder decides to play, the borrower will receive a notification. This notification gives them a few minutes to either purchase the game for themselves or exit the game. If no action is taken, the game will be automatically closed for the borrower.
Games shared through Family Sharing cannot be played in offline mode by the borrower. This is a measure to prevent abuse and ensure that the game ownership is respected. However, there’s a workaround for offline play if you plan it carefully. If the primary account holder starts Steam in offline mode after the shared user has already launched and is playing a game, the shared user can continue playing even offline, as long as the primary account remains offline. This is generally more practical when sharing with only one other person to avoid conflicts.
Setting up Steam Family Sharing requires a bit of initial configuration, especially if you have Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator enabled, which is highly recommended for account security. To enable sharing, the primary account needs to be logged into the computer of the person they wish to share with.
Based on user experiences, a common method to simplify the setup process temporarily involves changing to a temporary, easy-to-remember password for both accounts. Share this temporary password securely, such as through private messages. Then, log into each other’s accounts on the designated computers to authorize sharing. Make sure to enable sharing with the specific individual and authorize the computer they will be using. After completing the setup and verifying that sharing is correctly enabled from both accounts, it’s essential to log out of each other’s accounts and immediately change your passwords back to strong, secure ones. This ensures that your accounts remain secure after the initial setup process.
Steam Family Sharing offers a convenient way to share your game library, but understanding its functionalities and limitations is key to a smooth experience for both the library owner and those borrowing games.
