How to Share Games on Steam


Campus Guides
2023-07-09T11:46:50+00:00

How to Share Games on Steam

Worldwide presence of videogames, Steam has become on the platform preferred by millions of players around the world. With a vast library of titles available, Steam offers a unique experience that allows users to not only purchase and play games, but also share them with friends and family. In this article, we will explore in detail how to share games on Steam, offering a guide Step by Step for those looking to maximize their gaming experience on this popular digital platform. From account settings to restrictions and limitations, discover All you need to know to share your games on Steam effectively and without complications.

1. Introduction to Steam Game Sharing

The game sharing feature on Steam is an important feature that allows users to share their games with friends and family. This means you can play games in your Steam library on the account. from someone else, which provides a great opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of titles without having to buy them all individually. In this section, we'll explore how to use this feature and the steps required to start sharing games on Steam.

To start, make sure you have Steam installed on your device. Log in to your account and head to settings by clicking on the “Steam” option in the top menu bar and selecting “Settings” from the drop-down menu. Once on the settings page, click on the “Family” tab on the left side of the window.

In the “Family” tab, you will find the “Authorize shared library on this computer” option that you must check to allow other users access to your game library. Next, select the Steam accounts of the people you want to share your games with and click the “Authorize this computer” button to complete the process. Now, your friends and family will be able to access your game library and play them on their own devices.

2. How to activate game sharing on Steam

If you want to activate game sharing on Steam, follow these simple steps:

1. Make sure you have the latest Steam update installed on your computer. This will ensure that all features are available and working properly. You can check for updates by opening Steam and clicking "Steam" in the top left corner of the app. Then select “Check for Updates” to make sure you have the latest version.

2. Once you are sure you have the latest version of Steam, go to your account settings. You can access settings by clicking on your username in the top right corner of the app and selecting “Settings” from the drop-down menu. Within settings, look for the “Family” tab on the left side of the window.

3. In the “Family” tab, you will find the “Authorize this computer” option. Click on it to allow other Steam users on the same network have access to your games. After doing so, you will need to enter your Steam password to confirm the changes. Make sure you do it carefully to avoid mistakes.

3. Setting up family sharing on Steam

Family sharing on Steam allows users to share their game library with other members of their family or friends. This is especially useful if you have multiple Steam accounts on a single device or if you want to allow someone else to play your games without having to log in with your account. Below are the steps to set up family sharing on Steam:

  1. Open the Steam app and sign in with your account.
  2. At the top of the window, click "Steam" and select "Settings" from the drop-down menu.
  3. In the settings window, select the “Family” tab on the left side.
  4. Next, click the “Authorize this computer” button to activate shared access.
  5. You can now select which games you want to share with other users on the same computer. Check the box next to the games you want to include in the shared library.

Remember that you can only share your game library with a maximum of five Steam accounts and shared games can only be accessed on a maximum of ten authorized devices. Additionally, only one user can play a shared game at a time. Keep these limitations in mind when setting up family sharing on Steam.

4. How to invite friends to share games on Steam

Inviting our friends to share and enjoy our games on Steam can be a great option to play together and increase the fun. Here are the steps you must follow to invite your friends:

  1. Login to your steam account.
  2. Head to your game library by clicking “Library” at the top of the Steam interface.
  3. Select the game you want to share with your friends and right-click on it to open the options menu.
  4. From the drop-down menu, choose the “Manage” option and then select “Family Play Settings.”
  5. A window will appear where you can select your friends to invite. You can search for their usernames in the search bar or select them from your friends list.
  6. Once you have selected your friends, click "OK" to send them the invitation.

It's important to note that your friends must also have a Steam account and the game you want to share must support this feature. Also, make sure your friends accept the invitation so they can enjoy the game on their own account.

Now that you know the process to invite your friends to share games on Steam, start enjoying a gaming experience together!

5. Limitations and restrictions on family sharing on Steam

One of the main limitations of family sharing on Steam is the inability to play the same game at the same time. That is, if a library member is playing a game, others will not be able to access it. This can be frustrating for families who want to enjoy a game together. To solve this problem, it is important to coordinate playing times and establish a fair turn-taking system.

Another restriction to family sharing on Steam is that not all games are eligible for this type of access. Some games have licensing limitations that prevent them from being shared in a family library. To identify if a game is eligible, it can be checked on the Steam store page or in the account owner's game library.

Additionally, it should be noted that family sharing requires the account owner to be online to allow access to other members. This means that if the owner does not have an internet connection or logs out of Steam, others will not be able to access their game library. It is important to keep this in mind and ensure that the account owner is always available when you want to access shared games.

6. Fix common issues when sharing games on Steam

If you're experiencing problems sharing your games on Steam, don't worry, here's how to fix them step by step:

  1. Library sharing error

    If you receive an error message when trying to share your Steam library with another user, follow these steps:

    • Make sure both users have a stable Internet connection.
    • Verify that both users have library sharing enabled in Steam settings.
    • If the problem persists, try restarting both the Steam client and your computer.

    If after completing these steps you are still unable to share your library, we recommend contacting Steam Support for additional assistance.

  2. Unable to play shared game

    If you encounter the situation of not being able to play a game shared by another user, continue these tips:

    • Make sure game sharing is installed on your device.
    • Check that you have the appropriate permissions to access the shared game.
    • Verify that the user who shared the game is currently logged out of their Steam account.

    If the problems persist, try restarting the Steam client and running the game as administrator. If you still can't play, check the Steam forum or contact Steam Support for help.

  3. Interrupted or slow download

    If a shared game download stops or becomes slow, consider the following:

    • Check your Internet connection and make sure you have enough bandwidth available.
    • Close other applications that may be using your Internet connection.
    • Try pausing and then resuming the download to fix any temporary issues.

    If the download continues to be a problem, you may want to change the download settings in Steam or try downloading the game at a later time.

7. How to manage shared games on Steam

To manage shared games on Steam, it is important to take the following steps into account:

1. Enable Library Sharing: Before another user can access your game library, you must enable sharing. To do this, you must go to Steam settings and select the "Family" tab. From there, check the box that says “Authorize library sharing.” Additionally, you can manage which specific games you want to share or not.

2. Share your library with other users: Once you've enabled library sharing, you can share your games with other users. To do this, you must log in to Steam on the device you want to share and access the owner's library. From there, you will be able to see all the games available for sharing. Select the game you want to play and click "Play." Please note that you will not be able to access the library simultaneously with the owner.

3. Manage access to your library: If you want to control who can access your shared game library, you can do so through the family management options in Steam. You can authorize or revoke access for specific users by selecting the “Manage” option in the “Family” tab of Steam settings. Additionally, you can limit access to certain games if you want to keep certain titles private.

8. How to revoke access to shared games on Steam

To revoke access to shared games on Steam, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Steam client on your computer and go to the “Library” tab.

Step 2: Right-click on the game you want to revoke access to and select “Properties.” In the pop-up window, go to the “Controller” tab (or “Permissions Management” in some cases).

Step 3: In the “Sharing” section, uncheck the box that says “Allow libraries in this account to be shared.” Be sure to save your changes before closing the window.

With these simple steps, you will have revoked access to shared games on Steam. Remember that this process will only affect the selected game and not other games you have previously shared. If you have any additional problems or questions, you can consult the Steam support page.

9. Steam Game Sharing FAQ

How can I share a game with a friend on Steam?

Sharing games on Steam is a simple process. First, make sure that both you and your friend have Steam installed on your computers. Then, follow these steps:
1. Open your game library in Steam.
2. Right-click the game you want to share and select “Manage” from the drop-down menu.
3. In the administration window, go to the “Sharing” tab.
4. Check the “Allow shared family library” box and select which friends you want to share the game with.
5. Click "Close" to save the changes.
Once you've followed these steps, your friend will be able to access the shared game library and play the game you've shared with them.

How many friends can I share games on Steam?

On Steam, you can share games with up to five friends. However, keep in mind that you can only share your library with one friend at a time. If you're already sharing your library with a friend and want to add another, you'll need to turn off shared library with the existing friend and turn it on with the new friend.

Can I share all the games in my library on Steam?

Not all games in your library on Steam can be shared. Some games have DRM (Digital Rights Management) restrictions that prevent them from being shared. Additionally, some online multiplayer games cannot be shared, as they require an individual license for each player. You can check if a specific game can be shared by going to the game's page in the Steam store and checking the "Sharing support" section.

10. Benefits and considerations when using family sharing on Steam

Family sharing on Steam is a feature that allows family members to share their game library across devices. This feature has several benefits and considerations that are important to keep in mind.

One of the main benefits of using family sharing is the ability to save money by not having to buy the same games multiple times. Additionally, it allows family members to enjoy a wide variety of games without having to purchase them individually. This provides the opportunity to try different titles and discover new genres without having to make an additional investment.

However, it is important to consider some limitations when using this feature. For example, shared games can only be played when the library owner is not actively playing. Also, not all games support family sharing as it depends on the developers' decision. Finally, it is necessary to have a stable internet connection to access the shared library.

11. Share games on Steam via streaming feature

It's a great way to enjoy your favorite games on other devices, like your television or your laptop. To get started, make sure you have an active Steam account and a stable internet connection. Then follow these steps to share your games via streaming:

  1. Make sure both your computer and the device you want to play on are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Open Steam on your computer and go to the “Settings” tab.
  3. In the “Streaming” section, check the box that says “Enable home streaming.”
  4. On the device you want to play on, such as your TV, open the Steam Link app.
  5. Choose your computer from the list of available devices.
  6. Once connected, you'll be able to access your game library on Steam and play them on your chosen device.

It's important to note that streaming performance may depend on several factors, such as the speed of your Internet connection and the power of your computer. If you experience lag or lag during gameplay, make sure your network is working properly and consider closing other applications that may be using bandwidth.

So if you want to enjoy your Steam games on other devices, without a doubt the streaming function is an excellent option. Follow these simple steps and you'll be ready to play anywhere in your home. Have fun!

12. How to share DLC and additional content on Steam

To share DLC and additional content on Steam, you must first ensure that you have an active Steam account and the corresponding game installed. Next, follow these steps:

1. Open the Steam client and log in to your account.
2. Go to the game library by clicking “Library” at the top of the client.
3. Find the game you want to add additional content to and right-click on it.
4. From the drop-down menu, select the “Properties” option to access the game settings page.

Once on the game settings page, there are different actions you can take to share the DLC and additional content:

- Share with a friend: If you want to share the bonus content with a specific friend, go to the “Share” tab on the game settings page. From there, you can select the “Authorize shared library on specific computers” option and add your friend's account. This will allow your friend to access the DLC and additional content on their own Steam account.

- Share with all Steam users: If you want to allow any Steam user to access additional content in your library, go to the “Sharing” tab on the game settings page and check the “Enable shared library” box. This will allow any Steam user to access the DLC and additional content in your library, although they will only be able to play while you are not using your account.

- Share with a specific device: If you want to share the bonus content with a specific device, such as a living room PC, go to the “Family” tab on the game settings page. From there, you can select the “Authorize this device to play games” option and choose the device you want to authorize. This will allow the selected device to access DLC and additional content in your Steam library.

Please remember that access to DLC and additional content may be subject to specific restrictions and limitations established by the game developers and publishers. Please note that sharing DLC ​​and additional content is a Steam feature and not all games are eligible for this option. Check out the game's Steam Store page for more information on available sharing options.

13. Share games on Steam via loan option

On Steam, there is an option called “game lending” that allows you to share your games with your friends or family without needing to purchase an additional copy. This can be useful if you have games that you only play occasionally and want someone else to enjoy them. Here we show you how to share games on Steam through this lending option.

Step 1:
First, make sure you have added your friends on Steam. To do this, go to the "Friends" tab in Steam's top navigation bar and click "Add Friend." Enter your friend's name or their email address associated with their Steam account and click "Search." Once you find your friend, click “Add to Friends” to send them a friend request.

Step 2:
Once you've added your friends on Steam, you can share your games with them. Head to your Steam library by clicking the “Library” tab in the top navigation bar. Find the game you want to share and right-click on it to open the drop-down menu. Then, select the “Manage” option and then “Share this game”.

Step 3:
In the pop-up window, select the friend you want to share the game with. You can do this by selecting their name from your friends list or by entering their email address associated with their Steam account. Once you have selected your friend, click “Next” and then “OK” to confirm your choice. The game will now be available to your friend, who can download and play it on their own Steam account.

14. How to make the most of Steam's game sharing feature

Steam's game sharing feature is a great way to get the most out of your game library. It allows you to share your games with friends and family, even if they are not logged into your Steam account. Below, we'll show you how to make the most of this feature and enjoy your favorite games with your loved ones.

First, make sure you have game sharing enabled on your Steam account. To do this, go to your account settings and look for the “Family” tab. From there, select the “Authorize this computer” option to enable access to your game library. If you want to share your games with someone else who is not on your same network, you will also need to enable the "Authorize shared libraries" option and add that person's account.

Once you have set up your account correctly, you will be able to share your games. Simply open your Steam library and right-click the game you want to share. Then, select the “Properties” option and go to the “Compatibility” tab. Here, check the box that says “Allow users on this computer to play my games” and select the users you want to share the game with. They will now be able to access your game from their own Steam account and enjoy it on their own computers. It's that easy!

To conclude, sharing games on Steam is a simple and convenient task for gamers who want to enjoy their favorite titles with friends and family. Through the simple process of activating and setting up the library sharing feature, users can share their game library with up to five different accounts. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind some limitations and considerations, such as internet connection, game availability, and regional restrictions. However, once these aspects are taken into account, sharing games on Steam becomes a efficient way to enjoy gaming experiences in company. Whether joining forces in cooperative play or simply trying out different titles, this Steam feature offers players a flexible way to share their passion for gaming with others. So what are you waiting for? Start sharing games on Steam and get the most out of your gaming experience!

You may also be interested in this related content:

Related