Can a Steam Library Be Shared? A Comprehensive Guide to Steam Family Sharing
The short answer is a resounding yes! Steam offers a feature called Family Sharing that allows you to share your game library with family members and close friends. It’s a fantastic way to let others experience your favorite games without them having to purchase them individually. However, it’s important to understand the limitations and nuances of this system to avoid any surprises. Let’s dive into the details!
Understanding Steam Family Sharing: How it Works
Steam Family Sharing lets you authorize up to five accounts and up to ten devices to access your library. This means that up to five other individuals can play games from your Steam library on up to ten different computers. Each individual uses their own Steam account, so their progress and achievements are tied to their account, not yours. This keeps everyone’s experience personal and distinct.
Setting up Steam Family Sharing: A Step-by-Step Guide
Setting up Steam Family Sharing is fairly straightforward:
- Log into Steam on the computer you wish to authorize.
- Navigate to Steam > Settings > Family.
- Check the box that says “Authorize Library Sharing on this Computer“.
- Select the Steam accounts you want to authorize from the list of users who have logged into that computer.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
Once authorized, these accounts will be able to see and play most of the games in your library.
Limitations and Considerations
While Family Sharing is an excellent feature, there are crucial limitations to keep in mind:
- Simultaneous Usage: Only one person can access the shared library at a time. If you, the library owner, decide to play a game, the other person will be given a few minutes to either purchase the game or quit playing. This is perhaps the most significant limitation.
- Game Restrictions: Not all games are eligible for Family Sharing. Games requiring a third-party key, subscription, or account (like many MMOs) may not be shareable. Also, competitive games, especially those with anti-cheat systems in place, may restrict sharing.
- Region Restrictions: Games may have regional restrictions that impact sharing across different geographic locations.
- VAC Bans: If a user shares your library and cheats in a game, resulting in a Valve Anti-Cheat System (VAC) ban, your account can also be penalized. This is a serious consideration when deciding who to share your library with.
- 90-Day Cooldown: You’re limited to authorizing Family Library Sharing on up to 10 devices in a 90-day period. This includes removing and re-authorizing devices.
- Number of Accounts: As mentioned before, a maximum of 5 accounts can use your shared library.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Steam Family Sharing
1. Can I share my Steam library with anyone, regardless of location?
While technically possible if they have access to one of your authorized computers, practical limitations like internet latency and region restrictions might impact the experience. Focus on sharing with those who can reasonably access your authorized devices.
2. What happens if the borrower gets a VAC ban while playing a game from my library?
This is a serious concern. If a user receives a VAC ban while playing a game from your shared library, your account can also be banned for the game in question.
3. Can I choose which games to share within my library?
No, you can’t choose to share only specific games. When you authorize Family Sharing for an account, they have access to all eligible games in your library.
4. How do I stop someone from using my shared library?
You can revoke access to your shared library by going to Steam > Settings > Family and unchecking the box next to their account.
5. Can I play a game from my library while someone else is using it?
No. If someone else is using your library, they will be given a few minutes to either quit the game or purchase it before you can access your library.
6. What if I want to play the same game as the person I’m sharing with?
Only one of you can play a game from the shared library at a time. If you both want to play simultaneously, the other person needs to purchase their own copy.
7. How many devices can I authorize for Family Sharing?
You can authorize Family Library Sharing on up to 10 devices at a given time.
8. How many accounts can I share my library with?
You can share your library with up to 5 accounts.
9. Is there a limit to how often I can authorize and deauthorize devices?
Yes, there’s a 90-day cooldown period. You are limited to authorizing Family Library Sharing on up to 10 devices in a 90 day period. This includes removing and re-authorizing devices.
10. Why is Steam asking me to purchase a game that I should have access to through Family Sharing?
Several reasons could explain this:
- Someone else is using the library: Remember, only one person can use the shared library at a time.
- The game is not shareable: Some games are excluded from Family Sharing due to technical or licensing reasons.
- You’re on an unauthorized device: Ensure the computer you’re using is authorized for Family Sharing in your Steam settings.
- A recent system reinstall: Sometimes a recent reinstallation of your operating system can cause the authorization to be lost. You may need to reauthorize the device.
11. What is Family View on Steam? How is it different from Family Sharing?
Family View is different from Family Sharing. Family View is a parental control feature that allows you to restrict access to certain content and features on a specific account. It’s designed for limiting what a child can access within Steam, while Family Sharing allows multiple adult accounts to share game access.
12. Can friends see my Steam library if I don’t use Family Sharing?
Yes and no. Unless you adjust your profile privacy settings, friends can see what games you own and what you’re playing. However, they can’t access your games without Family Sharing authorization. You can adjust your privacy settings in your Steam profile to control who sees your game details.
13. What happens if I leave a Family Sharing group on Apple devices?
This question relates to Apple’s Family Sharing service, not Steam. If you leave an Apple Family Sharing group, you lose access to shared subscriptions and purchases.
14. Why is my Steam Shared Library locked?
This typically means that someone else is currently using the shared library. Steam only allows one user to access the library at a time.
15. Where can I learn more about game design and the impact of games on learning?
For more information on game design principles and the educational applications of games, check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or using anchor text GamesLearningSociety.org. There you can find useful research material for your needs.
Conclusion: Sharing is Caring (But with Caveats)
Steam Family Sharing is a great way to share your love of gaming with friends and family. By understanding the limitations, taking precautions with whom you share, and following the setup instructions carefully, you can create a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Happy gaming!