Steam Family Sharing is a fantastic feature that allows you to share your Steam game library with family and close friends, letting them enjoy your games without needing to purchase them individually. This guide will walk you through the process of enabling Steam Family Sharing, troubleshoot common issues, and ensure you get the most out of this convenient feature.
Understanding Steam Family Sharing and Its Benefits
Steam Family Sharing allows up to five other accounts on up to ten devices to access games in your library. This means that instead of each family member buying the same game, you can purchase it once and share it with everyone. It’s a cost-effective way for families and housemates to enjoy a wider range of games.
Key Benefits of Steam Family Sharing:
- Cost Savings: Purchase games once and share them with multiple users.
- Game Access: Family members can experience games they might not otherwise buy.
- Easy to Use: Simple setup process within the Steam client.
- Separate Game Saves and Achievements: Each user has their own game saves and Steam achievements, even when playing shared games.
Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling Steam Family Sharing
Setting up Steam Family Sharing is straightforward. Follow these steps to enable it on your Steam account:
-
Steam Guard is Required: Ensure Steam Guard is enabled on your account. This security feature is necessary for Family Sharing to function. You can enable Steam Guard through the Steam client by going to Steam > Settings > Account and clicking “Manage Steam Guard account security…”.
-
Authorize Sharing on a Specific Computer: Log in to your Steam account on the computer you want to authorize for Family Sharing. This is usually your home computer or a device used by your family members.
-
Enable Family Sharing in Settings:
- In the Steam client, click on Steam in the top left corner.
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
- In the Settings window, go to the Family tab.
-
Authorize Users and Devices:
- Under the “Family Sharing” section, you will see “Authorize Library Sharing on this Computer.” Make sure this box is checked.
- Below that, you will see a list of accounts that have logged into this computer. Select the accounts you want to grant access to your library.
- Click the “OK” button to save your changes.
-
Borrowers Access Shared Games:
- Have your family members or friends log in to their own Steam accounts on the authorized computer.
- They will now find games from your library in their Steam library, listed under a separate section, usually with your account name indicated.
- They can install and play these shared games as if they owned them.
Troubleshooting Common Steam Family Sharing Issues
While Steam Family Sharing is generally reliable, you might encounter some issues. Here are common problems and how to resolve them:
1. “Authorize Library Sharing on this Computer” Option is Missing or Not Working
If you can’t find the “Authorize Library Sharing on this Computer” option, or if it doesn’t seem to enable sharing, try these solutions:
- Restart Steam and Your Computer: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches within the Steam client. Close Steam completely and restart your computer. Then, relaunch Steam and check the Family Sharing settings again.
- Check Steam Guard Status: Family Sharing requires Steam Guard to be enabled. Verify that Steam Guard is active on your account as described in Step 1 of the setup guide.
- Account Restrictions: Ensure your account or the borrower’s account doesn’t have any restrictions, such as bans or limitations due to fraudulent activity. Account restrictions can prevent Family Sharing from working correctly.
- Steam Client Update: Make sure you and the borrowing accounts are using the latest version of the Steam client. Outdated clients can sometimes cause compatibility issues with features like Family Sharing. Steam usually updates automatically, but you can manually check for updates by going to Steam > Check for Steam Client Updates….
2. Shared Library Games are Locked or Unavailable
Sometimes, games from a shared library may appear locked or unavailable to borrowers. Here’s why this might happen and how to fix it:
- Primary User is Playing: Only one person can play games from a shared library at a time. If the library owner (the account sharing the games) is currently playing any game, even a different game, the shared library becomes temporarily unavailable to borrowers. The borrower will need to wait until the owner stops playing.
- Game is Not Shareable: Not all Steam games are shareable via Family Sharing. Games that require a third-party key, free-to-play games, or games with subscription requirements are typically not eligible for sharing. Check the game’s Steam store page; if it supports Family Sharing, it will usually be indicated in the features list.
- Offline Mode: If either the owner or borrower is in Steam’s Offline Mode, Family Sharing will not function. Both accounts need to be online to access shared libraries.
- Game Region Restrictions: Games with region restrictions might not be shareable across different regions. Ensure both the owner and borrower are in compatible regions if regional restrictions are suspected.
3. Steam Guard QR Code “Fail to Read QR Info” Issue (Related to Original Post)
The original forum post mentioned a “Fail to Read QR Info” error when using the Steam Guard QR code. While this isn’t directly related to Family Sharing enablement, it can be a Steam Guard authentication issue that might indirectly affect Family Sharing setup. If you encounter QR code problems:
- Reinstall Steam Mobile App: As suggested in the original post, deleting and reinstalling the Steam Mobile App can resolve QR code issues. This can refresh the app’s data and resolve potential corruption.
- Migrate Authenticator (Steam Mobile App Reinstall): After reinstalling, use the “migrate Authenticator to this phone” option within the Steam Mobile App to re-establish your Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator.
- Use Steam Guard Code Instead: If the QR code continues to fail, temporarily use the standard Steam Guard code provided by the authenticator app to log in. This can help you bypass the QR code issue while you troubleshoot further.
- Check Internet Connection: Ensure both your computer and mobile device have stable internet connections when using the QR code. A poor connection can sometimes cause QR code reading errors.
4. Revoking and Re-authorizing Family Sharing
If you need to manage authorized computers or users, or if you suspect unauthorized access, you can revoke authorizations:
- Manage Authorized Devices: In the Steam client, go to Steam > Settings > Family. Click the “Manage other devices…” button. This will open your account details in a web browser.
- Revoke Authorizations: In your account details online, under “Family Library Sharing,” you can see a list of authorized computers. You can revoke authorization for specific devices or all devices at once.
- Re-authorize: After revoking, you can re-authorize computers and users by following the steps in the “Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling Steam Family Sharing” section.
Tips for Optimal Steam Family Sharing
To ensure a smooth Family Sharing experience, consider these tips:
- Communication is Key: Communicate with family members about when you plan to play your games, especially if you anticipate longer gaming sessions. This helps avoid conflicts when borrowers want to access the shared library.
- Respect Borrowing Etiquette: Borrowers should be mindful that their access to the shared library is dependent on the owner not playing. Be considerate and avoid expecting constant access to the library.
- Regularly Review Authorized Devices: Periodically review the list of authorized computers and users to ensure only trusted individuals have access to your library. Revoke access for devices or users as needed.
- Consider Separate Accounts for Younger Children: For younger children, consider creating separate Steam accounts for them instead of relying solely on Family Sharing. This can provide more control over their game library and playtime.
Conclusion
Steam Family Sharing is an excellent way to share your game library with family and friends. By following this guide, you can easily enable and manage Family Sharing, troubleshoot common issues, and enjoy the benefits of sharing your games. Remember to keep Steam Guard enabled, communicate with borrowers, and regularly review your authorized devices for a seamless and enjoyable experience.
