How does family sharing work on Steam?
Steam’s Family Sharing feature allows users to share their entire Steam library with up to ten family members or friends, enabling them to play games from the shared library on their own computers, while earning their own Steam achievements and saving their own game progress to the Steam Cloud. By authorizing shared computers and users, family members and guests can access and play games from the shared library, with the main account holder always having access to their library, but only one user can access the library at a time.
Introduction to Family Sharing
Family Sharing is a convenient feature that allows users to share their Steam games with family members or friends, making it easier to play games together or introduce others to new titles. To enable Family Sharing, users need to authorize the devices they want to share their library with, and then select the accounts they want to share their library with.
How to Enable Family Sharing
To enable Family Sharing, users need to go to the Steam Settings panel, select the Family tab, and then click on the Authorize Library Sharing switch. They can then check the box next to the account they want to share their library with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Steam family sharing be used on the same computer?
Steam family sharing can be used on the same computer, but only one user can access the library at a time.
Can you play 2 different games on Steam at the same time?
No, each Steam account can only run one game from its library at a time, regardless of the number of PCs it is installed on.
Does Steam family sharing work without Internet?
Yes, Steam family sharing can work in Offline Mode, allowing family members to play games without an internet connection.
Can two people play on the same Steam account?
Yes, two people can sign into the same Steam account on different computers, but only one session can be active at a time.
Is it against Steam rules to have 2 accounts?
No, it is not against Steam rules to have multiple accounts, and users can even use the same mobile phone number on multiple accounts.
Can I get banned for Family sharing Steam?
Yes, if a borrower cheats or commits fraud, the lender’s Family Sharing privileges may be revoked, and their account may also be VAC banned.
Why can’t I play Family shared games on Steam?
If a user is having trouble playing Family shared games, they should try closing and reopening Steam, navigating to the device management page, and removing the device that isn’t working.
How do I restrict games on Steam Family sharing?
To restrict games on Steam Family sharing, users can click on the My account button, then click on Family view, and select which games and content they want to restrict.
Is it legal to sell a Steam account?
No, selling a Steam account is not legal according to Steam’s terms and conditions, and users who engage in such transactions risk account restrictions and bans.
How many computers can Steam be activated on?
Users can have Steam installed on as many computers as they have access to, but only one computer can be playing a game from the Steam library at a time.
Why is Steam family sharing locked?
Steam family sharing may be locked if the Steam library is being accessed by another user, or due to a temporary glitch, Firewall or antivirus interference, or internet connection issues.
Can Steam ban you for pirated games?
Yes, Steam can ban users for possessing pirated games, and users should be cautious when adding non-Steam games to their library.
Can my wife and I use the same Steam account?
No, it is not recommended to share the same Steam account, as this can lead to issues with game saves and achievements; instead, users can use Family Library Sharing to share games with each other.
Can you use the same phone number for multiple Steam accounts?
Yes, users can use the same phone number on multiple Steam accounts, but accounts with the same phone number may be treated as the same identity with respect to the Steam Subscriber Agreement.
How do I make a new Steam account and keep my games?
Unfortunately, Steam games are tied to the account they were originally purchased or activated with, and creating a new account will not allow users to access their previously purchased games.
How does Steam detect pirated games?
Steam does not actively detect pirated games, but rather relies on its VAC system to detect cheats and hacking; however, users should be aware that possessing pirated games can still result in a ban.
Will Steam ban you for cheating?
Yes, Steam will ban users for cheating, as the VAC system is designed to detect and prevent cheating in Steam games.
Can you go to jail for downloading pirated games?
Yes, digital piracy is a federal offense, and downloading pirated games can result in steep fines and imprisonment.
Can only one person play Steam family sharing?
Yes, only one user can access the Steam library at a time, but the main account holder will always have access to their library.
How do I enable family sharing on my iPhone or iPad?
To enable family sharing on an iPhone or iPad, users need to go to Settings, tap their name, tap Family Sharing, and then follow the on-screen instructions to set up their family and invite family members.
What happens to my Steam games when I get a new computer?
Steam will automatically sync itself with its servers, allowing users to access their game progress on their new computer.
Can you have 2 Steam accounts on one email?
Yes, users can have multiple Steam accounts on a single email, but they are restricted from buying stuff with a single card on multiple accounts.
Can you get banned for buying Steam accounts?
Yes, buying or selling Steam accounts is against Steam’s terms and conditions, and can result in account restrictions and bans.
How much does an average Steam account sell for?
The value of an average Steam account can vary, but according to SteamCalculator, the average value is around $1,936, with the mean number of games being 120.