Introduction

Owning dozens of games on Steam is great — but it becomes even better when you can share them with friends or family without making them purchase each title separately. Steam’s built-in feature, Steam Family Library Sharing, allows you to grant access to your game library on other accounts. However, there are several steps you must follow for sharing to work properly, as well as important limitations to understand. This guide walks you through everything: enabling security, authorizing devices, lending games, handling restrictions, and avoiding common pitfalls — all in 2025.

How Steam Family Sharing Works

Steam Family Library Sharing enables one user (the library owner) to authorize other users to access and play games from the owner’s library. Once authorized, the borrower’s Steam account sees the shared games as if they owned them.

Key points to know:

Sharing applies to your entire library: You can’t pick and choose individual games to share; the system shares all eligible games in your library. If a game is incompatible or excluded, it won’t show, but no selective sharing is possible. This is the standard working model of Steam Sharing.
Access limits: You can authorize up to 5 other Steam accounts, across up to 10 devices.
One user at a time per library: Only one person can play games from the shared library at any moment. If the owner starts playing, the borrower will be notified and eventually kicked out.
Progress, achievements and saves stay with borrower: The borrower plays under their own account, so their achievements, save files and progress remain separate from the owner’s.
Some games may be ineligible: Titles requiring third-party keys or subscriptions, some region-restricted games, and certain publisher-restricted titles might not be sharable.

Step-by-Step: How to Share Your Steam Games

1. Enable account security (Steam Guard)

Before anything else, you must have Steam Guard enabled. This acts as two-factor authentication for your Steam account, required to use Family Sharing.

To enable Steam Guard:

Open the Steam client and log in.
Click your profile name (top-right) → Account details → Account Security → Manage Steam Guard.
Choose to get codes via Steam app or email (Steam app is generally faster and more convenient).

2. Authorize the computer and friend account

Once Steam Guard is active, log into the Steam account on the computer that will host the shared library.

Steps:

In Steam, click “Steam” in the top menu → Settings (or Preferences on Mac).
Go to the “Family” tab in the sidebar.
Check “Authorize Library Sharing on this computer.”
Below, you’ll see a list of eligible accounts (those that have logged in before). Select the account(s) you want to share your library with and click OK.
Log out, then have your friend or family member log in with their Steam credentials on that same PC. Their account will now see your shared library under Games → Library.

3. Let them play

Once authorized, your friend can browse, install, and play games from your shared library. Any game they choose will behave as though they own it, with their progress and saves tied to their account.

Important: As soon as you (the owner) start playing any game — even a different one — the borrower gets a warning and will be kicked out after a short grace period. Only one person can access the shared library at a time.

Common Restrictions & Things to Watch Out For

Using Steam Family Library Sharing is generally smooth, but certain caveats can affect your experience. Be aware of these limitations:

Not all games are shareable: Games requiring third-party authentication, subscription-based titles, or those with region locks are often excluded from sharing.
No selective sharing: Sharing covers your entire eligible library, not individual games. You can’t pick and choose — it’s all-or-nothing.
DLC and in-game purchases aren’t always covered: While the base game might be shared, downloadable content (DLC), in-game purchases, additional subscriptions or keys may remain tied to the original account and not transfer over.
Only one user at a time: If multiple people want to play, they’ll need separate owned copies. Shared library use is exclusive.
Account trust matters: A shared library is tied to your account. If the borrower cheats or triggers account bans (e.g. via VAC), your entire shared library could be affected.
Region and subscription restrictions: Sharing doesn’t bypass regional locks or external subscription requirements. Borrowers in another region might not get full access.

Best Practices & Examples of Use

Used properly, Steam Family Sharing is a great way to lend games without extra cost — but misused, it can create confusion or result in unexpected issues. Here are some best practices and example scenarios to ensure a smooth experience:

Share with trusted friends/family only: Because all games and privileges are accessible via sharing, you should only authorize people you trust. Ensure they understand they cannot cheat or violate Steam’s rules.
Coordinate play times: Since only one user can play from the shared library at once, it helps if you coordinate so you’re not trying to play simultaneously. For example, family members might divide days or time slots.
Check game compatibility and region locks: Before authorizing, check that the games run on your friend’s system and are not restricted in their region. This avoids disappointment when a game doesn’t appear or launches incorrectly.
Remember DLC/subscriptions may not carry over: If a game requires external subscriptions or uses third-party launchers (e.g. an MMO), borrowing might not work even if the base game is shared. Better to buy such games separately.
Use separate accounts for saves and achievements: Encourage borrowers to maintain their own accounts so game progress, achievements, and cloud saves stay separate and personal. That way, each user builds their own history.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If Sharing Doesn’t Work

If you or your friend can’t see shared games, or sharing fails unexpectedly, try these checks:

Confirm Steam Guard is enabled: Without Steam Guard, Family Sharing may not work. Check in Account Settings under Security.
Ensure you authorized the correct device and account: Authorizing requires logging into the owner’s account on the friend’s computer first, followed by authorizing that account under Settings → Family.
Check that the game is eligible for sharing: Look at the game’s store page or try launching. If it needs extra keys, subscriptions, or is region-locked, it might not show.
Make sure the library owner is not playing at the same time: As soon as the owner starts playing any game, borrowers lose access. So coordinate play times if there’s a conflict.
Re-login or re-authorize: Sometimes logging out and logging in again on both accounts can refresh the library. Also check that device limit (10) and account limit (5) have not been exceeded.

Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of Shared Steam Libraries

Use sharing to “test-drive” games before buying: If a friend owns a game you’re interested in, borrow it first to see if you like it — then buy it yourself if you want simultaneous access or want to play offline independently.
Maintain separate accounts for multiplayer or competitive games: For games with in-game purchases or VAC/anti-cheat, it’s safer to buy your own copy to avoid sharing-related limitations or bans.
Plan around time zones or usage windows: If you and the borrower live in different regions, set a schedule for shared play to avoid conflict when both want access at once.
Avoid sharing with unreliable or volatile accounts: That includes steam accounts with previous VAC bans, suspicious behaviour, or poor security. The owner’s library could be penalized if misuse happens.
Keep track of authorized devices and revoke unused ones: If you no longer share with someone or they stop using a device, remove their authorization via Steam → Settings → Family to prevent accidental access. This helps keep your library under control.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I share games with someone in a different country?

Sharing may work, but region-locked content or games requiring region-specific DLC may not work properly. If a game’s license restricts access by region, borrowers outside that region may not get it — even if the base game appears in their library.

Will DLC or in-game purchases be shared too?

Not always. DLC tied to your account or a third-party service may not transfer. In some cases, in-game purchases remain tied to the original buyer’s account — borrowers may need to purchase their own copy to access DLC or premium features.

Can we both play the same shared game simultaneously?

No. Steam only permits one person to access a shared library at a time. If the owner wants to play, the borrower will get disconnected. If you want simultaneous play, each person needs their own copy.

Does progress and achievements stay with the borrower?

Yes — when a borrowed game is played, saves, achievements, and unlocks are tied to the borrower’s Steam account, not the owner’s. That ensures each user keeps their own progress separate.

How many friends/family members can I share with?

You can authorize up to 5 other Steam accounts on up to 10 devices. Beyond that limit, you’ll have to revoke access before authorizing more accounts or devices.

Conclusion

Steam Family Library Sharing remains one of the most useful features for gamers — offering a legal, convenient way to share your game library with trusted friends or family. As long as you enable Steam Guard, authorize devices properly, and understand the key limitations (single-user access, full library sharing only, regional and DRM restrictions), setting up sharing takes just a few minutes and can save money and time.

For best results, share only with people you trust, coordinate play times to avoid conflicts, and consider buying your own copies of multiplayer or subscription-heavy games. With careful use, you can maximize the value of your Steam collection and enjoy shared gaming without piracy or rule-breaking.