Sharing your Steam games with friends and family is a great way to expand your gaming circle without breaking the bank. This guide will walk you through the process, covering everything from the basics to troubleshooting potential issues.
Understanding Steam Family Sharing
Steam Family Sharing isn't about directly transferring ownership of games. Instead, it allows you to authorize another computer to access your game library while you remain the primary owner. This means:
- You still own the games: Your friend doesn't own them; they're borrowing access.
- Only one person can play at a time: If you're playing a shared game, your friend can't access it.
- Not all games are shareable: Some games explicitly prohibit Family Sharing due to DRM or other restrictions. You'll see a message indicating this if a game isn't shareable.
- Internet connection required: Both your computer and your friend's computer need to be connected to the internet to use Family Sharing.
Setting Up Steam Family Sharing
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to share your Steam games:
Step 1: Authorize the Computer
- On your primary Steam account, go to Settings > Family > Authorize Family Sharing on this computer.
- Log in on the authorized computer with your Steam account. The authorization will be linked to this specific computer.
Step 2: Share Your Games (Optional)
While not mandatory, you can choose to specify which games are available for sharing. This is done through the same Family settings menu. By default, all games are sharable unless restricted by the game developer.
Step 3: Your Friend's Perspective
- Your friend will need to log into their own Steam account on the authorized computer.
- They'll see your shared games appear in their library, marked as "Shared with you."
- They can then install and play those games as if they owned them. However, your account must be offline for them to play the shared games while you are also logged into your account on a separate machine.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: Games aren't appearing in the shared library.
Solution:
- Verify authorization: Double-check that the computer is correctly authorized under your Steam Family Sharing settings.
- Check game restrictions: Ensure that the game is actually shareable through Family Sharing.
- Restart Steam: A simple restart on both computers might resolve minor glitches.
Problem: You and your friend can't play simultaneously.
Solution: Family Sharing is designed for single access. Only one person can play the shared game at a time. The primary account owner must be offline for the other person to use their shared games.
Problem: An error message appears during the authorization process.
Solution: Check your internet connection on both computers. If the problem persists, try contacting Steam Support.
Expanding Your Gaming Experience with Family Sharing
Steam Family Sharing offers a fantastic way to experience more games without excessive spending. By understanding the process and troubleshooting potential problems, you can easily share your favorite titles with friends and family, expanding your gaming community and enjoyment. Remember to respect the limitations of the system and communicate clearly with the people you're sharing your games with.
