Steam Family Sharing lets multiple people on the same computer play games from one library, but only one person at a time

Family Sharing is a Steam feature that lets you share your game library with other people who use your computer. When you turn it on, anyone with a user account on that computer can launch and play your games — but only one person can play at once, even if you own multiple copies of a game.

The person whose account owns the games stays the account holder. Everyone else becomes an authorized user. The account holder can play their games from any computer, but authorized users can only play when they are logged into the shared computer. This matters if you are thinking about letting family members or roommates use your library.

Steam Family Sharing is different from straightforward sharing your password. When you use Family Sharing, each person logs in with their own account, so their saves, achievements, and playtime stay separate. Steam tracks who played what and for how long.

Key Takeaways

  • Only one person can play a shared game at a time, even if the account holder owns multiple copies.
  • The account holder can play from any computer, but other users can only play on the computer where Family Sharing is turned on.
  • Each person keeps their own saves, achievements, and playtime records under their own Steam account.
  • The account holder can remove someone from Family Sharing at any time, and that person loses access to the library when ready.
  • Family Sharing works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, but the shared computer must stay connected to the internet.

How to turn on Family Sharing on your computer

Open Steam on the computer where you want to share games. Go to Steam menu, then Settings, then Family. Click "Authorize Library Sharing on This Computer." Steam will ask you to confirm your account password. After you confirm, the feature turns on.

Once it is on, anyone with a user account on that Windows, Mac, or Linux computer can open Steam and see your game library. They log in with their own Steam account, not yours. When they launch a game, it downloads to that shared computer if it is not already there.

The account holder — that is, you — can still play your games from any other computer you own. You just log into Steam on that other computer with your own account. Your library follows you.

What happens when two people try to play at the same time

If an authorized user is playing a game and the account holder tries to launch the same game from another computer, Steam will ask the authorized user to either stop playing or buy their own copy. The authorized user has a few minutes to choose. If they do not respond, Steam closes the game.

This is why Family Sharing works best when people coordinate — a parent and child, or roommates with different schedules. If two people want to play the same game at the same time, one of them needs to own a separate copy.

Different games have different rules about this. Some games let you play offline if you were already playing when the internet dropped, but Steam itself requires an internet connection to enforce the one-at-a-time rule.

Who can see your games and what they can do with them

Anyone with an account on the shared computer can see your entire library and launch any game. They cannot buy games, spend your wallet money, or change your account settings. They also cannot see your friends list, messages, or community activity — that stays private to your account.

Authorized users build their own playtime, achievements, and save files. If they earn an achievement in a game, it shows on their own profile, not yours. Their saves stay in their own folder on the computer.

The account holder can remove someone from Family Sharing at any time through the same Settings menu. When you do, that person loses access to the library when ready, even if they are in the middle of playing. Any saves they made stay on the computer, but they cannot launch games anymore.

When Family Sharing does not work the way you might expect

Some games have restrictions on Family Sharing. A small number of titles — usually because of licensing agreements with publishers — do not allow sharing at all. Steam will show a warning on the game's store page if it is one of these. You can still own and play it, but authorized users cannot.

Games that require a separate account to play online — like some multiplayer games with their own login system — may not work smoothly with Family Sharing. The authorized user can play the game, but they may need their own account with the game's publisher to access online features.

If the shared computer loses internet connection, authorized users can keep playing games they have already launched, but they cannot start new games. The account holder cannot play from other computers at all without internet.

Family Sharing versus buying multiple copies

Family Sharing is free and works well if people take turns playing. If two people want to play the same game at the same time, or if someone wants to play on a different computer, buying a second copy is the only option. Steam sometimes discounts games during sales, so watching for those can make a second copy cheaper than you might expect.

Some families use both: the account holder shares their library on the home computer, and buys a second copy of the most-played games so multiple people can play together. This costs more upfront but removes the conflict when schedules overlap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Family Sharing if I live with roommates instead of family?

Yes. Steam calls it Family Sharing, but it works with anyone who has an account on your computer. Roommates, partners, or friends all work the same way. Just remember that anyone you authorize can see and play your entire library.

What happens to my saves if someone else plays my games?

Their saves stay separate from yours. Each person's playtime, achievements, and save files are stored under their own Steam account. If you both play the same game, you each have your own progress.

Can the account holder play while someone else is using the library?

Only if you are playing a different game. If an authorized user is playing a game and you try to launch the same game from another computer, Steam will interrupt them and ask them to stop or buy their own copy.

What if I remove someone from Family Sharing — do they lose their saves?

Their save files stay on the computer, but they cannot launch games anymore. If they want to keep playing, they would need to buy their own copy of the game, and they can transfer their old saves to their new installation.

Does Family Sharing work on my laptop if I travel?

No. Authorized users can only play on the computer where you turned on Family Sharing. If you travel with a laptop, you can play your games on it because you are the account holder, but other people cannot unless you turn on Family Sharing on that laptop too.