Family Sharing

Steam Family Sharing allows you to share your Steam game library with up to five family members or trusted friends, giving them access to play your games on their own Steam accounts while maintaining their own achievements, save files, and game progress. To set up sharing, you authorize their computers and Steam accounts, after which they can browse and install games from your library as if they owned them, though only one person can play games from a shared library at any given time. This feature is perfect for families with multiple Steam users who want to maximize their game collections without purchasing multiple copies, or for sharing premium titles with close friends to help them discover new games before making their own purchases. While playing shared games, users earn their own achievements and maintain separate save files, creating a personalized experience even when using someone else's library. The system includes smart scheduling features that notify both the owner and borrower when the owner wants to play, giving the borrower a few minutes to finish up or save their progress before being logged out. Some games may not be eligible for sharing due to third-party licensing restrictions or online requirements, and certain features like DLC or in-game purchases may only be available to the original owner, but the vast majority of Steam's catalog can be shared, making this an incredibly valuable feature for expanding gaming options within trusted circles.