Steam gaming is adored by gamers of all ages, and it comes with tons of features. Family library sharing is one such feature which enables players to share their favorite games with friends and family. In this blog, we shall talk about how you can use this feature and some other questions surrounding it.
What Is Steam?
Steam is a platform which is owned by Valve Corporation, and it facilitates digital video game distribution. Steam also enables users with several features such as auto-updating of games, cloud saving, in-built voice and chat functionality and even sharing games with family and friends (which will talk about in greater detail in this blog).
What Is Family Library Sharing Feature?
If you and your family members or friends share the same love for games, this is the feature in steam gaming that you’ll adore. With the help of this feature, you and your family members and friends can share games. Other features include –
- You can share your games library with ten computers and up to 5 accounts
- Achievements for each game are recorded account wise
- Each user can resume their games from where they had left
How To Enable The Family Library Feature On Steam Gaming?
Step 1: Enable The Steam Guard Security
Much before enabling the Family Library Sharing feature for Steam gaming, you will first have to allow Steam to guard Security first. To check whether you have enabled the Steam Guard Security software, the steps are mentioned below –
After you have logged into your Steam account, locate and click on the Steam option which you will find at the upper left corner
Click on Settings > Account and then click on Manage Steam Guard Account Security
You can choose from the following options –
Get Steam Guard From The Steam App On My Phone or
Get Steam Guard Codes by email
Steam Guard Security software will now be enabled, and you will be able to share your Steam Game Library with whomsoever you want.
Step 2: Share Games On Steam With Family And Friends
Once you are done with enabling the Steam Guard Security, now is the time to share your favorite games with your friends and family members using the Family Library Sharing feature. To do that follow the steps below to do just that –
- You will be required to launch Steam on your friend’s or family member’s computer using your account. So, launch Steam on their computer and log in using your account
- Once you have logged on to your friends computer, click on Steam that you will find at the upper left corner of the screen. From the options that appear, click on the Settings
- Head to the Family tab and check the Authorize Library Sharing on this computer and click OK
- You can now log out from the Steam account on yourfriend’s or family member’s computer. When your family member logs into Steam account using their login ID, they will be able to download and even install games from your library. Also, they will be easily able to play any games that you have shared.
Also Read: Ways to Get Easy Steam Refund: How To Return Steam Game
Other Things That You Might Want To Know About Steam
Can You Stop Sharing Steam Game Library With Friends Or Family Members? If Yes, How?
At any point in time, you can easily revoke sharing games with your friends or family members. The steps of unauthorising someone from sharing Steam Game Library is as easy as 1-2-3 –
- Launch Steam and click on Steam on the upper left corner
- Head on to the Steam Settings
- Click on the Family tab and click on Manage another computer
- You will be able to see the accounts with whom Steam is shared. If you wish to remove a particular account, uncheck the box next to that account
Once that is done, this person will not be able to have any access to your Steam game library.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Steam Family Library Sharing?
Let’s quickly enlist the pros and cons of the Steam Family Library Sharing feature:
Also Read: Steam And Tricks For Every Gamer
Each game can be shared with up to 10 users
What Else Would You Like To Know?
Gamers are a curious soul, and they should be, we are! So if you have more questions pertaining to Steam gaming, do shoot us your questions in the comments section below. For more such fun tech-related stuff, keep reading Systweak. Also, don’t forget to follow us on all social media platforms – Facebook and YouTube.
