How to Enable Steam Family Sharing
Share your Steam library with up to five accounts on up to ten devices — authorize family members and manage shared-game access from Settings.
What Is Steam Family Sharing?
Family Sharing lets other Steam accounts play games from your library on authorized devices — even when you're offline (unless you're playing the same game simultaneously). Each shared library supports up to five accounts and ten authorized devices. Not all games support sharing (DLC and some titles are excluded).
Step 1 — Enable Steam Guard
Both accounts need Steam Guard enabled. Go to Steam → Settings → Security and confirm Steam Guard is active. If not, enable it — you'll need the mobile authenticator or email verification for authorization.
Step 2 — Authorize a Shared Computer
Log into your Steam account on the family member's PC. Open Steam → Settings → Family (or Manage Family Library Sharing on older builds). Check Authorize Library Sharing on this device. Up to 10 devices can be authorized.
Step 3 — Have the Family Member Log In
Log out of your account (or add their account via Steam → Change Account). The family member logs into their own Steam account on the same authorized device.
Step 4 — Access Shared Games
In their Library, they'll see a [Your Name]'s Games section listing your shared titles. They can install and play any shared game. If you start playing a game they are using, they'll get a prompt to purchase or quit within five minutes.
Step 5 — Manage Authorized Devices
On your account, go to Steam → Settings → Family to see all authorized accounts and devices. Click Manage to revoke access from specific users or deauthorize devices you no longer use.
Step 6 — Know the Limitations
Shared games don't grant access to in-game purchases on the borrower account. VAC bans on shared games ban the owning account. Some games (those requiring third-party subscriptions) cannot be shared at all.
Family Sharing Checklist
- Enable Steam Guard on both accounts
- Authorize the device under Settings → Family
- Family member logs into their own account
- Shared games appear under owner's name in Library
- Manage or revoke access from Family settings