Sharing your Steam games with friends and family can be a great way to save money and expand your gaming library. However, understanding the nuances of Steam's family sharing feature is crucial to avoid any issues. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough of how to gameshare on Steam, addressing common questions and potential problems along the way.
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. Think of it as lending, not gifting. Only the account owner can purchase, update, or uninstall games. The authorized computer can only play games available in the account owner's library.
Key things to remember about Steam Family Sharing:
- Only one person can play at a time: If you're playing a shared game, your friend can't access it.
- Account security: Sharing requires trust. Don't share your account details with strangers.
- Game limitations: Not all games support Family Sharing. Developers can opt out.
- Parental controls: Family Sharing works with Steam's parental controls.
How to Set Up Steam Family Sharing
Follow these steps to enable Family Sharing on your Steam account:
- Authorize the Computer: On your primary Steam account, log in. Go to Steam > Settings > Family > Authorize Family Sharing on this computer.
- Log in to another account: Once authorized, log out of your account and log in with the account you want to share games with.
- Access Shared Library: The other account will now see a new section in their Steam library labeled "Games shared with me".
Troubleshooting common issues:
- "This computer is already authorized": This means the computer is already linked to a different Steam account for Family Sharing. You'll need to deauthorize the other account first.
- Game not appearing: Make sure the game is installed on your primary account's computer and that it supports Family Sharing.
- "Unable to authorize": This may be due to a network connectivity issue or a problem with Steam's servers. Try restarting your computer and Steam.
Best Practices for Steam Family Sharing
- Communicate clearly: Establish clear boundaries and expectations with the person you're sharing with.
- Regularly review authorized computers: Deauthorize any computers you no longer want to share with.
- Strong passwords: Use strong and unique passwords for your Steam account to protect your information.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for an extra layer of security.
Alternatives to Steam Family Sharing
While Steam Family Sharing is convenient, other options exist if it doesn't meet your needs:
- Gifting games: Purchase games as gifts directly through Steam. This permanently transfers ownership.
- Local multiplayer: Many games support local multiplayer, allowing multiple players on the same computer to play.
Conclusion
Steam Family Sharing provides a flexible and easy way to share your game library with trusted friends and family. By following these steps and best practices, you can enjoy a broader gaming experience while maintaining the security of your account. Remember to always prioritize the safety and security of your Steam account information.
