Steam Family Sharing lets you share your game library with up to five other people on the same computer or their own devices
Steam Family Sharing is a built-in feature that lets you authorize other people to play games from your library without giving them your password. You set it up through Steam's settings, designate one computer as your "library computer" where anyone can play your games, and optionally let specific people play on their own devices. The person whose account owns the games stays in control — you can revoke access anytime, and you can still play your own games even when someone else is using them (though not the same game at the same time).
The setup takes about five minutes and requires no payment. You do need to own the games outright — games from subscription services like Xbox Game Pass do not transfer through Family Sharing.
Key Takeaways
- You authorize one computer as your library computer where anyone with a Steam account can play your games by logging in.
- You can also let specific people play your games on their own computers by adding them to your Family Library and having them request access.
- Only one person can play the same game at the same time, but different people can play different games from your library simultaneously.
- You keep full control and can remove people from Family Sharing or revoke library access on any computer at any time.
- Games you own must be purchased through Steam — games from other platforms or subscription services will not appear in the shared library.
Setting up a library computer for anyone to use
A library computer is the easiest way to share. Anyone who sits down at that computer can log into their own Steam account and play your games without needing your password. To set this up, go to Steam (top left menu) > Settings > Family on the computer where your games are installed. Check the box that says Authorize Library Sharing on this device. Steam will ask you to confirm your password.
Once enabled, anyone can open Steam on that computer, log in with their own account, and start playing. They will see your entire library in their game list. If you are playing a game on that computer at the same time, they cannot play that same game — but they can play something else from your library, or wait their turn.
You can have only one library computer at a time. If you later want to move library sharing to a different computer, go back to Settings > Family and uncheck the box, then repeat the process on the new machine.
Sharing with specific people on their own computers
If you want someone to play your games on their own device instead of a shared computer, use the Family Library feature. Go to Steam > Settings > Family and look for Manage Family Library Sharing. Click Invite a new member and enter their email address or Steam username. They will receive an invitation.
When they accept the invitation, they can see your library in their own Steam client and start playing. They do not need your password — they stay logged into their own account. However, only one person can play the same game at the same time across all shared devices. If you are playing a game, no one else can play that game until you stop, even if they are on a different computer.
You can add up to five people to your Family Library. Each person must have their own Steam account. If someone does not have one yet, they can create a free account at steampowered.com before you send the invitation.
What games and content transfer through Family Sharing
Only games you purchased directly through Steam will appear in the shared library. This includes games bought on sale, games from bundles, and games you received as gifts through Steam. DLC (downloadable content) and in-game cosmetics you own will also transfer.
Games from other platforms do not show up — if you own a game through Epic Games, GOG, or Xbox Game Pass, it will not be available through Family Sharing. The same applies to free-to-play games you have not purchased anything in; they are tied to individual accounts. Games you have borrowed through Steam's Loan feature also cannot be shared.
Pre-orders and games in your wishlist do not transfer either. Only games that are fully owned and in your library will show up for other people.
How simultaneous play works
The rule is simple: only one person can play the same game at the same time, no matter how many devices or accounts are involved. If you are playing Baldur's Gate 3, no one else can launch Baldur's Gate 3 until you close it — even if they are on a different computer or account.
However, different people can play different games at the same time. You could be playing Baldur's Gate 3 while someone else plays Elden Ring from your library on another device. If someone tries to launch a game you are currently playing, Steam will show them a message saying the game is in use and ask them to wait.
This limitation exists to prevent people from sharing one account across many players. It does not prevent you from playing your own games — you always have priority on your own account.
Removing people and revoking access
You can remove someone from Family Sharing at any time. Go to Steam > Settings > Family > Manage Family Library Sharing and find the person's name in the list. Click the trash icon next to their name to remove them. They will lose access to your library immediately, though any game they were actively playing will continue until they close it.
If you want to disable library sharing on a specific computer without removing people from Family Library, go to that computer's Settings > Family and uncheck Authorize Library Sharing on this device. People can still play your games on their own devices through Family Library, but not on that computer.
You can also remove a device from your account entirely by going to Account > Manage devices and transfers and clicking the trash icon next to the device name. This logs everyone out of that device.
Common issues and what to do
If someone cannot see your games after you have shared with them, ask them to restart Steam. Sometimes the library takes a few minutes to sync. If that does not work, have them go to their own Settings > Family and check that they are listed as a family member.
If you see a message saying "This game is not available in your region," that game cannot be played in that person's location due to licensing restrictions — this is a Steam limitation, not a Family Sharing issue. Some games are region-locked and will not transfer to certain countries.
If someone is trying to play a game and gets kicked out, it usually means you launched that same game on your account. Close the game on your end and they can try again. If the problem persists, have them restart their Steam client.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share games with someone who lives in a different country?
Yes, you can invite anyone with a Steam account to your Family Library regardless of location. However, some games have regional restrictions and will not work in certain countries. If a game is region-locked, Steam will tell the person it is not available in their region, and there is no way around this through Family Sharing.
What happens to shared games if I get banned from Steam?
If your account is banned, your entire library becomes inaccessible to people you have shared with. Family Sharing depends on your account remaining in good standing. This is why it is important to follow Steam's terms of service.
Can someone else use my library computer while I am playing on my own computer?
Yes, as long as you are not playing the same game. If you are playing Baldur's Gate 3 on your own device, someone else can log in on the library computer and play a different game from your library. They just cannot play Baldur's Gate 3 until you stop.
Do I need to stay logged in for other people to play my games?
No. Once Family Sharing is set up, other people can play your games whether you are online or offline. Your account does not need to be active for them to access the library.
Can I share games with someone who does not have a Steam account yet?
They will need to create a free Steam account first. They can sign up at steampowered.com, then you can send them a Family Library invitation. For a library computer, they just need any Steam account to log in with.