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Steam Family Sharing is a feature that allows you to share your Steam game library with family members and friends. This means that you can play the games that your friends and family members own, and they can play the games that you own. In this article, we will guide you on how to use Steam Family Sharing and discuss its features, pros, and cons.
What is Steam Family Sharing?
Steam Family Sharing is a feature that allows you to share your Steam game library with up to five family members or friends. It is a great way to save money on buying games and to enjoy a wider range of games without having to purchase them individually. The feature is available for free to all Steam users, and it works on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
How to Use Steam Family Sharing
Here are the steps to use Steam Family Sharing:
Step 1: Log in to your Steam account on the computer that you want to share your games from.
Step 2: Click on the “Steam” menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select “Settings.”
Step 3: Click on the “Family” tab in the left-hand panel of the Settings window.
Step 4: Click on the “Authorize Library Sharing on this Computer” button.
Step 5: Follow the instructions to enable Steam Family Sharing on your account.
Step 6: Log in to the computer that you want to share your games with.
Step 7: Open Steam and log in to your friend or family member’s account.
Step 8: Click on the “Steam” menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select “Settings.”
Step 9: Click on the “Family” tab in the left-hand panel of the Settings window.
Step 10: Click on the “Authorize Library Sharing on this Computer” button.
Step 11: Follow the instructions to enable Steam Family Sharing on your friend or family member’s account.
Step 12: Go to your game library and select the game that you want to share.
Step 13: Click on the “Steam” menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select “Manage Family Library Sharing.”
Step 14: Select the friend or family member that you want to share the game with.
Step 15: Click on the “Authorize Library Sharing” button.
Features of Steam Family Sharing
Steam Family Sharing has several features that make it a great way to share your game library with friends and family members. Here are some of its features:
- Share your game library with up to five family members or friends.
- Play the games that your friends and family members own.
- Save money on buying games.
- Enjoy a wider range of games without having to purchase them individually.
Pros and Cons of Steam Family Sharing
Like any other feature, Steam Family Sharing has its pros and cons. Here are some of them:
Pros:
- It is a great way to save money on buying games.
- You can enjoy a wider range of games without having to purchase them individually.
- You can share your game library with up to five family members or friends.
Cons:
- You cannot play the same game at the same time as your friend or family member.
- Some games may not be available for sharing due to licensing restrictions.
- You may experience slow download speeds if multiple people are downloading games at the same time.
Comparison Table
Here is a comparison table of Steam Family Sharing with other game sharing services:
| Service | Number of Users | Cost | Platform | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Family Sharing | 5 | Free | Windows, Mac, Linux | Global |
| Xbox Game Pass | 1 | $9.99/month | Xbox, PC | US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand |
| PlayStation Now | 1 | $9.99/month | PlayStation, PC | US, Canada, UK, Europe, Japan |
FAQs
Q: Can I share my game library with someone who lives in a different country?
A: Yes, you can share your game library with anyone in the world as long as they have a Steam account.
Q: Can I share my game library with more than five people?
A: No, you can only share your game library with up to five family members or friends.
Q: Can I play the same game at the same time as my friend or family member?
A: No, you cannot play the same game at the same time as your friend or family member.
Conclusion
Steam Family Sharing is a great way to share your game library with family members and friends. It is free, easy to use, and available on multiple platforms. However, it has some limitations, such as not being able to play the same game at the same time as your friend or family member. Overall, it is a great feature that can save you money and allow you to enjoy a wider range of games.
