Sharing the Love (and the Games): A Guide to Steam Family Sharing with Your Wife

So, you want to share your epic Steam library with your wife? Excellent choice! Gaming together can be a fantastic bonding experience, and sharing your library is a cost-effective way to explore new worlds and adventures as a team. The process itself is pretty straightforward, but here’s the definitive guide to setting it up seamlessly.

The Direct Answer: How to Share Your Steam Library with Your Wife

The magic of sharing your Steam library with your wife lies in Steam Family Sharing. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Log in on Her Computer: First, make sure she has a Steam account. Then, log in to your Steam account on her computer. This is a crucial step, as Steam needs to recognize the device as authorized for sharing.

2. Access Family Sharing Settings: In the Steam client, click on “Steam” in the top-left corner, then select “Settings”. In the Settings window, click on the “Family” tab.

3. Authorize Library Sharing on this Device: In the “Family Sharing” section, you’ll see the option “Authorize Library Sharing on this computer.” Check this box.

4. Select Her Account: A list of Steam accounts that have logged into the computer will appear. Check the box next to her Steam account name. This grants her account permission to access your shared library.

5. Log Out and Let Her In: Log out of your Steam account on her computer and let her log in with her account.

6. She’s Got Access! She should now see your games in her library alongside any games she already owns. Your games will be identified with text indicating they are part of your shared library.

That’s it! Your wife can now enjoy the vast expanse of your gaming collection. There are a few crucial caveats to keep in mind, which we’ll cover in the FAQs below.

Frequently Asked Questions About Steam Family Sharing

Here are some frequently asked questions to address any lingering concerns and ensure a smooth sharing experience.

1. Can we both play games from the library at the same time?

No, only one person can play games from a shared Steam library at a time. If you start playing a game from your library while your wife is playing a game from the same library, she will receive a notification giving her a few minutes to either save her progress and quit, or purchase the game herself. This is the biggest limitation of Family Sharing.

2. What if we want to play multiplayer games together? Do we both need to buy the game?

Yes, if you want to play a multiplayer game together, both of you will need to own a copy of the game on your respective Steam accounts. Family Sharing only allows one person to access the library at a time, so you can’t both simultaneously play the same game from the shared library.

3. Can I share specific games, or is it the entire library?

Unfortunately, you can’t choose which specific games to share. Family Sharing shares your entire library (excluding a few exceptions detailed below). However, you can use Family View to restrict access for specific users, though this feature is more geared towards parental control than selective sharing between adults.

4. What types of games can’t be shared?

Some games are unshareable due to technical limitations or developer decisions. Generally, these include:

• Games that require a third-party key, account, or subscription to play.
• Free-to-play games (as they are already free).
• Games that have been VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) banned.
• Games with regional restrictions that differ between your accounts.

5. What happens if my wife gets VAC banned while playing a game from my shared library?

This is serious! If your library is used to cheat or commit fraud, your account can be permanently banned, even if you weren’t the one cheating. Only authorize Family Sharing on devices and accounts you trust implicitly.

6. How many accounts can I share my library with?

You can share your library with up to five accounts on up to ten devices within a 90-day period. This limit includes accounts and devices you have revoked sharing from during that time. This is to prevent abuse of the system.

7. Can I remotely play games from my shared library on my phone or tablet?

Yes, if you’re the owner of the library, you can use Steam Remote Play to stream games from your computer to other devices, like your phone or tablet, even when someone else is using your shared library on another computer. Steam Remote Play relies on your home network; performance will suffer on public Wi-Fi networks.

8. How do I stop sharing my library with my wife?

Go back to Steam Settings > Family. Uncheck the box next to her account name in the “Authorized Accounts” list. This will immediately revoke her access to your shared library.

9. Does Steam Family Sharing work offline?

Yes, Family Sharing can work in Offline Mode. The lender (you) needs to authorize the shared computer while online. Once authorized, your wife should be able to play the shared games in Offline Mode, provided those games support offline play.

10. What’s the difference between Family View and Family Sharing?

Family View is a parental control feature that lets you restrict access to specific games and features on an account. It’s designed to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content. Family Sharing is a feature that allows you to share your entire game library with other Steam accounts. They serve entirely different purposes.

11. I’m having trouble setting up Family Sharing. What should I do?

First, double-check that you’ve followed all the steps correctly, especially logging into your account on her computer first. Also, temporarily disable your antivirus software, as it might interfere with the authorization process. Finally, verify the integrity of your game files in Steam. If all else fails, contact Steam Support.

12. Can my wife make purchases with my payment information through Family Sharing?

No, Family Sharing does not grant access to your payment information. Your wife will need to use her own payment methods to purchase games or DLC.

13. My wife can see the games, but when she tries to play, it says “Purchase.” What’s wrong?

This can happen if the game is one of the types that can’t be shared (see question 4), or if you are currently playing a game from your library. Ensure that you are not playing any games when she tries to play a shared game.

14. Can I hide specific games in my library so my wife doesn’t see them?

Yes, you can hide games from your library. Right-click on the game in your library, select “Manage,” and then click “Hide this game.” This won’t prevent her from accessing the game if she knows how to search for it, but it will remove it from the main view. As above though, Family View may be a more comprehensive solution, especially if sharing with younger family members.

15. What if my wife wants to get into game development? Are there resources available to help her learn?

Absolutely! Gaming extends beyond just playing. There are numerous resources available for aspiring game developers. One excellent resource is the Games Learning Society, an organization dedicated to advancing the field of games and learning. You can find more information on their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org offers valuable insights and connections for anyone interested in game design, development, and the educational applications of games.

Conclusion

Steam Family Sharing is a fantastic feature for sharing your love of gaming with your wife. By following these steps and keeping these FAQs in mind, you can create a seamless and enjoyable shared gaming experience. Remember to communicate about who is playing what, when, to avoid conflicts, and consider purchasing separate copies of games you both enjoy playing together frequently. Happy gaming!