Sharing your Steam games with friends can be a great way to expand your gaming library without breaking the bank. While the process might seem complicated at first, it's surprisingly straightforward. This guide simplifies the process, making it easy even for Steam newcomers.
Understanding Steam Family Sharing
Steam Family Sharing allows you to share your entire Steam library with other users designated as "authorized" on your account. This means they can play any game you own, even while you're playing something else – provided you meet certain conditions. Crucially, only one person can play a shared game at any given time.
Key Things to Remember About Game Sharing:
- Only one person can play a shared game at a time. If you start playing a shared game, your friend will be automatically logged out.
- Not all games are shareable. Some games have restrictions imposed by the developers and won't be available for sharing. You'll see a "Not Shareable" notification on the game's page if this applies.
- You need to be authorized. The sharing is initiated and controlled by the account owner. Your friend can't just access your games without your permission.
- Save games and achievements are tied to the user account, not the shared game. Your progress will be separate from your friend's.
How to Share Games on Steam: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here's how to set up Steam Family Sharing, making sure it's a smooth process for both you and your friend:
Step 1: Authorize the Computer:
On the account owner's computer:
- Go to Steam -> Settings.
- Select Family.
- Check the box that says Authorize this computer.
Step 2: Authorize Your Friend's Account:
- On the account owner's computer, go to Steam -> Settings -> Family.
- Locate the "Authorized Family Members" section and click "Authorize a New Family Member."
- Log in with your friend's Steam account.
Step 3: Accessing the Shared Games:
- Your friend now needs to log into their Steam account on the authorized computer.
- They will see your shared library under "Library" -> "Games" in their Steam client.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- "Not authorized" error: Double-check that your friend's computer is authorized and they are logged into their Steam account.
- Game unavailable for sharing: This is a restriction from the game developer, unfortunately, there's nothing you can do in this situation.
- Connection problems: Ensure both computers have a stable internet connection.
Optimizing Your Steam Sharing Experience
- Communication is key: Talk to your friend beforehand to coordinate game access and avoid conflicts.
- Regularly review authorized computers: Remove any computers you no longer trust to access your games.
- Update Steam: Keeping your Steam client up-to-date ensures optimal functionality.
Following these steps makes Steam game sharing straightforward and hassle-free. Now you can enjoy a wider selection of games with your friends! Remember, responsible sharing is key, so always respect the terms and conditions and the game developers' wishes.
