Can you use the same Steam library at the same time?
The answer to this question is no, as a Steam library can only be used by one user at a time to play one game at a time, even if that library is being accessed by another user via Family Sharing. This means that if you have shared your Steam library with a friend or family member, they will not be able to play a game from your library at the same time as you, and vice versa.
Understanding Steam Family Sharing
Steam Family Sharing is a feature that allows you to share your game library with others, making it easier to lend games to friends or manage what your kids play. This feature is aimed at helping parents distribute and monitor what their kids play, but it also allows you to lend games to your friends.
How to Share Your Steam Library
To share your Steam library, you need to log in to your Steam account, access the Settings tab, go to the Steam Family tab, and click the “Authorize family sharing on this computer” checkbox. You can then select the accounts you want to give access to your library on that computer.
Using Steam Family Sharing on Multiple Devices
You can authorize Family Library Sharing on up to 5 accounts and on up to 10 devices in a 90-day period. This means you can share your Steam library with multiple friends or family members, and they can access it from their own devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does library sharing work on Steam Deck?
Yes, with Family Sharing, multiple users can borrow games on the Steam Deck. To do this, you need to authorize Family Library Sharing on the Steam Deck and add the accounts you want to share your library with.
2. Can you have 2 accounts on Steam Deck?
Yes, Valve made it easy to connect multiple accounts to your Steam Deck. You can add multiple accounts by going to Power > Change Account and hitting the + icon.
3. Does Steam library sharing work offline?
Yes, but if a game requires you to be online, only one of the people sharing the account can play at a time. In offline mode, although you can play simultaneously, one of the people sharing the account must be connected to the internet so that the most recent data gets saved onto the game.
4. How to Play Steam Shared Games While Owner’s Library is In Use
If the owner of the Steam library is playing a game, you will not be able to play it at the same time. However, you can play other games from the shared library that the owner is not currently playing.
5. What are the cons of Steam family share?
Your Family Library Sharing privileges may be revoked and your account may also be VAC banned if your library is used by others to conduct cheating or fraud. Additionally, VAC-banned games cannot be shared.
6. Does Steam family sharing have to be on the same computer?
No, this feature allows you to share your entire Steam library with up to ten family members – or friends – and they will be able to access your library from their own computers.
7. What is the difference between Steam remote play and family sharing?
With Family Sharing, the other person is required to not have the game in question. With “Remote Play Together“, only the host needs to own the game, the person joining does not need to own the game.
8. How do I play Steam games on two computers at the same time?
If they’re free games, or even paid games – creating an additional account and adding them to the library of the separate account, you two will be able to play together if he’s on your other account.
9. Do both people need the game for Steam remote play?
No, Steam Remote Play allows games to be launched on one computer, while being played from other devices connected to Steam. With Remote Play Together, you can invite your Steam Friends to join your local co-op sessions remotely, without having to own or launch the game themselves.
10. How does Steam play together work?
Using Remote Play Together, you’ll stream video, audio, and voice between players while using your own controllers. You can even share the keyboard and mouse.
11. How do I lend a game on Steam?
To lend a game on Steam, you need to log in to your Steam account, access the Settings tab, go to the Steam Family tab, and click the “Authorize family sharing on this computer” checkbox. You can then select the accounts you want to give access to your library on that computer.
12. How do I hide games from family sharing on Steam?
To hide any game, launch the Steam app and head to your library. There, select the game you want to hide, click the Settings icon and select Manage > Hide this game.
13. Why does Steam family share stop working?
You might also encounter Steam Family Sharing not working if antivirus software is running on your computer. You can temporarily disable your antivirus and verify the integrity of your game files.
14. How long does Steam family sharing take to work?
Family share requests are almost instant, assuming everything works properly. For most users, they have always taken less time than logging out and into the other Steam account.
15. Can my friends see my hidden games on Steam?
After hiding games from Steam chat, your friends won’t be able to see what you are playing now, but this information is visible on your Steam profile. You can also set your game details to Friends Only or Private to hide your played games from others.